Ten Little Mobsters: Chicago Jake Mysteries

By Jake Cesarone

Our hero, intrepid gumshoe Chicago Jake, is trapped on an island with nine blood-thirsty killers. One by one, they are being eliminated.But by whom? Can our master slueth solve the mystery, find the killer, and save his own skin?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jake Cesarone
• Release date: Jul 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223839903

Jake Cesarone

Jake Cesarone is a part-time writer of genre fiction including Science Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, and Horror. In real life, he is a mild-mannered Engineering Professor at a small school in Chicago, but by night, he sits down at his 1908 Underwood #3 and bangs out pages and pages of portentous prose and pretentious pabulum. He enjoys photography, architecture, movies, gangsters, and ghosts. Although fond of travel, there are several Caribbean countries which he can no longer visit, due to a price on his head.

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Table of Contents

Ten Little Mobsters

About the Author

Ten Little Mobsters

AChicago Jake Mystery

THERE WAS DON ARGENTO from Akron, lying on the floor on his back. The big fat belly, the jowly cheeks, the slicked back hair, all were as usual. The lack of pulse and bright blue complexion, however, were new.

Is he....? asked Don Gorgonzola.

Yep, I said, feeling his neck for a pulse. He's dead. Deader'n hell. Looks like cyanide poisoning to me.

Should we call somebody? asked Don Calamari.

Can't, said Don Fusilli. There's no communication on this island, and the boat won't be back for three days.

Okay, I said, lighting a cigarette, Give me a hand, fellas. Let's get him into the freezer. He'll keep there until we can make contact with the mainland.

The nine Mafiosos crowded around, and we managed to drag the corpulent carcass of Don Argento into the huge walk-in freezer off the kitchen. As good as these guys are at ordering hits, they get mighty squeamish about dragging around one of their peers who has unexpectedly checked out.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. What was I doing on a remote island with nine notorious Mafia bigshots in the first place? Let me go back to the beginning.

I'D RECEIVED A MESSAGE from my pal Jack in the local FBI office. He wanted to see me toot pronto. I took the El down to LaSalle Street and walked up to his office. His secretary was at her desk, long gams crossed, filing her nails.

Hi Sugar, I said. Is the big guy in?

She picked up her phone and pushed a button. Chicago Jake is here to see you, Mr. Daniels, she said. She listened a moment, then hung up the receiver. He said to come on in.

I flashed her a grin, and pushed open the door to the inner office.

Jake! Thanks for coming, said Jack, taking a bottle of rye out of his desk drawer and pouring a pair of shots.

No problem, I answered, sitting on the edge of his desk. What's the hubbub?

Got a little job for you, if you want to take it, he said. Undercover work.

I