BLOODBURG Page 5

  “No!” Andy cried out. “I’m not shooting anyone. This is crazy!”

  Joseph sighed and aimed the gun at Lou, shooting him directly between the eyes, and then tossed the gun back to Andy.

  The glass panes of the large windows shattered as canisters of tear gas crashed through, clattering on the marble floor. Joseph walked over and grabbed Andy’s hand, placing it on the handle of the gun.

  “Perfect.” Joseph smiled, pulling off Andy’s mask and laying his hand on Andy’s forehead. “You and your brothers wrestled with the bank robbers. You managed to get their guns away, but unfortunately, the guns discharged and killed the robbers in the process. That’s all you remember.”

  Joseph watched as Andy slowly passed out. He retrieved the masks from Jason and Kevin, tossing them in a pile with the fake guns beside Lou before shouting, “Nola chanina decrupio!”

  Instantly, the guns, the masks, and the vines that had wrapped around Lou’s corpse turned to dust. As the team of armed police men swarmed the bank lobby, Joseph looked up to the security cameras surrounding the room. He tapped a few buttons on his phone and the cameras sparked and quickly melted. Joseph smiled, adjusted his fedora and purple-tinted glasses as he walked out the front door, completely unnoticed by anyone.

  -5-

  Patience gazed up at the clock, concerned that Allie hadn’t returned from the bank. Almost an hour had passed. Patience was becoming more irritated each time she called her sister’s number and it went directly to voicemail.

  “Where the hell is she?” Patience muttered aloud. “If she met up with Kevin, the least she could’ve done was call and let me know.” She let out a long, anxious sigh as she stared at the clock.

  With each passing moment, Patience’s anxiety grew. To distract herself, she turned on the small television that sat on a shelf at the back of the shop. Flipping through the channels, hoping to find one of those doctor programs with amazing health tips, she realized every local station was covering the same breaking news story about an attempted bank robbery. Patience stopped flipping channels and turned up the volume.

  “I’m coming to you live from outside Bloodburg Federal Bank…” the female reporter announced.

  “That’s our bank!” Patience screamed.

  “…where, moments ago, three courageous brothers risked their lives and managed to foil an attempted robbery. I’m joined now by Officer Frederick McCarthy from the Seventeenth Precinct of the Bloodburg City Police Department, one of the first on the scene.”

  “Oh Goddess, please let Allie be okay,” Patience prayed as she watched in a panic.

  Slowly, the camera panned to reveal a tall, muscular police officer who towered over the reporter. “Officer McCarthy,” she said. “What’s the current situation inside the bank?”

  “As of right now, we have two confirmed fatalities and one wounded, but in stable condition,” the officer stated.

  Patience’s heart was in her throat as she held her breath, hoping the man wouldn’t announce Allie as one of the dead.

  “While we can’t divulge any names at this time, the two male fatalities appear to be the perpetrators,” McCarthy announced.

  “Any information on the cause of death?” she asked.

  The officer sighed. “Unfortunately, the bank’s surveillance system was damaged. We were only able to recover footage from before the gunmen entered the bank. Everything that took place after that was lost.”

  “What do you think went wrong with the robbery?”

  “We’re not entirely sure,” he began. “From the hostage eyewitness accounts, it appears that three young men had unknowingly entered the bank right behind the gunmen. The gunmen attempted the robbery and the three men attacked them. A weapon discharged and shot one of the gunmen in the head.”

  “And what about the other one?”

  “He was also killed in the struggle, and one of the young men was shot in the shoulder. Although the investigation is still ongoing, at this time, it seems this was an act of self-defense.”

  “Can you tell us the names of these heroic young men?”

  “Not yet. The commissioner will be holding a press conference later today, but I can tell you they were transported from the scene for further evaluation.”

  “And the hostages?” she asked.

  “I’m happy to say they all appear to be doing well.” The officer smiled.

  Patience let out a huge sigh of relief. “Praise the Goddess…she’s all right.”

  “They’re currently being treated by paramedics onsite…thank you,” he concluded as the camera once again centered on the reporter.

  Directly behind the reporter, Patience saw a medic taking Allie to an ambulance. “I’ve got to get down there!” the worried older sister blurted, grabbing her keys. She flipped over the CLOSED sign and locked the door behind her.

  As Joseph stood across the street, silently watching the bank scene unfold, his phone rang.

  “Christoff,” Joseph answered cheerfully. “It’s good to hear from you, old friend.”

  “Joseph, tell me you know something about this robbery,” Christoff said, his gravelly voice sounding more annoyed than usual.

  “It was Joey and Lou,” Joseph began. “It seems as though your boys were trying to pay their way into someone else’s employment.”

  “Those rat bastards! I knew I couldn’t trust them,” Christoff grumbled. “I’m guessing you took care of it?”

  “Of course,” Joseph chuckled pleasantly. “You didn’t think I was going to let those two rob your bank, did you? Besides, I’ve got a lot of my own money invested in that place.”

  “I know, and I’m extremely grateful for your help. You saved me big time on this one, Joseph. If you need anything, just let me know.”

  Joseph let out a frustrated sigh. “I might have to call in that favor pretty soon, actually.”

  “Whatever you need, you’ve got it, my friend,” Christoff said reassuringly. “What’s wrong?”

  “Not sure yet. Might have someone trying to track me down,” Joseph admitted. “Keep an ear out for me, will you?”

  “No problem,” Christoff replied, and the line went silent.

  Joseph checked his watch and hit a few buttons on his phone. “Marcus, where are you?”

  “I’m at the antiquities shop. Why?” Marcus asked, concerned.

  “I’ll be there shortly,” he said, his voice cold, ending the call and sliding the phone back into his coat pocket.

  Joseph stood there, carefully watching Allie as the paramedics assessed her. He knew something was wrong; he could feel it. She remembered what had happened in the alley. That shouldn’t have been possible.

  A few minutes had passed and Joseph saw Patience rush to Allie and enfold her in a long hug. Frustrated, Joseph quickly buttoned up his coat and adjusted his fedora before walking away. He didn’t have any more time to spend on this loose end. Important things needed his immediate attention, and Allie wasn’t one of them.

  Patience stood by and watched as the paramedics finished up with Allie. After a few anxious minutes, Allie was released into Patience’s care. The two sisters walked in silence to the car. Patience didn’t want to upset Allie by asking about what happened. She figured Allie would talk about it when she was ready. It wasn’t until Patience had driven a few blocks that Allie finally spoke.

  “Where are we going?” Allie asked, pushing through a slight headache.

  “I’m taking you home,” Patience replied. “You’ve just been through a horrific ordeal.”

  “I’m fine, honestly. Let’s just go back to the store.”

  “No,” Patience said firmly. “The paramedics said you need to go home and rest. Don’t argue with me. I’ve already closed the store anyway.”

  “Thanks, I really appreciate it.” Allie smiled, secretly thankful that she didn’t have to return to her apartment alone.

  Patience returned the smile. “I know you
do. Besides, you’ve always been there to help me with the store. I don’t think I could get through these hard times without you.”

  “Maybe it’s time we talk about hazard pay,” Allie said sarcastically, laughing slightly. “The whole bank-robbery-hostage-thing is not part of the job description.”

  “Don’t even joke about that!” Patience gasped. “You could have been killed! I was so worried when you weren’t back, and then I saw the news. What happened?”

  “Honestly, I have no idea,” Allie admitted. “The last thing I remember was making the deposit for the store, and then…nothing. They must have used gas or something. The next thing I knew, I was being questioned by a cop.”

  “So, you don’t remember any of it?”

  “Nope.” Allie tried as hard as she could, but her mind was just blank, as if she had been under anesthesia. This was the second time in a week that she’d been unable to remember small chunks of her life, and she was starting to get irritated with this new trend.

  “Well, maybe that’s for the best,” Patience offered. “No memory equals no trauma, right?”

  “I guess,” Allie replied, agitated.

  For the rest of the drive, an awkward silence hung in the air. While Patience felt guilty that she might have pushed her sister a little too far, Allie tried to recollect something—anything—about the robbery, but there was just nothing there.

  When they arrived at Allie’s apartment, she changed into her pajamas as Patience made her a warm cup of cocoa, just the way their mom used to do. It wasn’t too often Allie gave in and let her sister take care of her, and Patience was honestly happy for the opportunity to do so.

  Although Allie had insisted she felt fine, she had only a few sips of her cocoa before falling into a deep sleep. Patience sat in a chair next to the bed, watching as Allie continued to sleep soundly.

  ***

  Later that evening as Allie slept, the happenings in the alley and at the bank crept into her dreams and slowly changed them to nightmares. She went through the two events over and over, until finally she startled awake, dripping with sweat.

  “Joseph!” she screamed out, quickly looking around for her sister, but all she found was a note on her nightstand:

  Dear Allie,

  Went home to rest up for work tomorrow. I love you so much and I hope you feel better! I want you to take the next few days off from work and relax. I left some takeout in the fridge…I figured you’d be hungry when you woke up.

  Please, if you need me for anything at all, just call and I’ll be right over. I promise.

  Love,

  Patience.

  Allie smiled before a sudden wave of nausea washed over her. She tossed the note aside and ran to the bathroom. She flung up the toilet lid and her entire body shook in agony as she heaved the contents of her stomach. When the waves of sickness had finally subsided, she wet a washcloth and went back to bed, laying it over her forehead.

  It was odd, but every time she thought about the strange events of the past few days, the waves of nausea washed over her again. Instead, Allie focused on the wonderful ring her sister had given her, twirling it around on her finger until finally, she managed to fall back into a deep sleep for the rest of the night.

  ***

  It was nearly five o’clock in the morning, and the streets of Bloodburg were quiet and deserted. A lone car pulled up to the curb in front of a dull stucco building with barred windows and a weathered wooden sign that read BECKEMEYER’S ANTIQUITIES.

  Three armed men wearing expensive pinstriped suits, wide brimmed hats, and glossy black dress shoes quickly exited the vehicle. The men made a human barrier of protection between the car and the shop’s front door as a tall, robust man in a long black trench coat slowly emerged from the backseat. He walked past his three henchmen and they fell in line behind him as he approached the door and knocked four times. The lights inside the store came on and the front door opened.

  “Christoff,” Joseph smiled politely. “What a pleasure it is to see you…and at such an ungodly hour,” he commented sarcastically.

  Christoff and his men slowly walked through the store, following Joseph down a long aisle between shelves of slightly dusty unusual antiques.

  At the front counter, Joseph opened the register to count out the cash drawer. “I know you’re not here for a birthday present for your wife, so what can I do for you?”

  “Like I’d buy any of your old junk,” Christoff joked. “Why do you keep collecting such garbage?”

  “I could say the same thing about you,” Joseph replied, pointing to the three gunmen behind Christoff. “Especially that one…Julio…is it?”

  Julio gasped, offended, while the other two chuckled under their breath.

  “Go easy on the guy.” Christoff grinned. “Unlike your old, dusty treasures that just sit there, these boys serve a purpose. They protect me.”

  “As do my treasures,” Joseph argued. “But let’s get to the point. Do you have some news for me or not?”

  “Yes,” Christoff said. “There’s been a guy down by the docks…says he’s a detective. Weird looking guy…beady eyes, silver-white hair, and really pale skin.” Christoff pulled out a picture and handed it to Joseph. “None of my guys at the precinct know anything about him, and he’s been asking around about the robbery…looking for anything unusual or unexplainable. You know, weird shit…like the things you can do. Do you recognize this guy?”

  “No, but I’m sure we’ll be the greatest of friends in no time.” Joseph smiled slyly. “Thank you for the tip, Christoff, but I’m guessing you didn’t come here at five in the morning just to bring me this photo. What is it you need me to do?”

  “The direct approach! I love it!” Christoff clapped his hands together, smiling from ear to ear. “You don’t mess around. That’s what I love about you, old friend.”

  Joseph stood silent and stoic, staring impatiently at Christoff.

  “Fine,” Christoff grimaced. “I know Joey and Lou aren’t the only ones jumping ship, if you know what I mean. I need to start cleaning house with the help of your…expertise…in these types of matters.”

  “Sure, but I’ll need something from you in return.”

  “Name it.”

  “I need the interest rates on my special account at your bank to be raised another fifteen percent.”

  “Whoa,” Christoff shook his head. “That’s asking a lot.”

  “Oh really? Considering I just saved you three times that amount, and kept it out of Palencio’s pockets?”

  “What do you need all that money for, anyway? I hope it’s not for more of this stupid shit you hoard in here.”

  Joseph laughed. “A man needs his hobbies, am I right?”

  Christoff smiled. “Fine, but only if you help me catch these rats in my organization. Deal?”

  “Deal.” Joseph stared shrewdly at Christoff.

  Christoff watched Joseph slowly rub and twist a small sapphire ring on his left pinky. Joseph’s fingers were always adorned with different colored gemstones. The mob boss could only smile and wait, as he knew to stay out of Joseph’s way for whatever happened next.

  “You know,” Joseph began as he strolled casually around the room, pulling a small white cloth from his pocket. He carefully wiped the thin layer of dust from a few of the items. “Most people don’t understand that everything in my store tells a story. A story of history and truth…sometimes without anyone ever realizing its importance.”

  “Boss,” Julio whispered to Christoff. “Is it getting colder in here?”

  “Don’t interrupt the man,” Christoff growled. “He’s trying to teach you idiots something about respect.”

  Julio nodded and then gave an apologetic smile to Joseph.

  Joseph returned the smile and put his hand on Julio’s shoulder. “Probably just the air-conditioning on the fritz again,” he said, turning his attention to Christoff. “Speaking of which…do you
remember when you were younger…about sixteen or so…there was that incident in the meat locker at Wally’s Chop Shop?”

  Christoff laughed. “Yeah, that’s where my dad cut Reggie Diviaso into a thousand pieces for being a rat.”

  “That’s right…Reggie the Rat!” Joseph chuckled as he slowly circled the group, still gazing at random objects on the shelves. He slowly ran his finger over the metal blade of a propeller recovered from a US fighter jet that had crashed in the South Pacific. A small clump of frost that had begun to coat the antique collected on his fingertip. “Gosh, I’ll never forget the poor man’s teeth chattering. I bet he was so cold, he probably didn’t even feel the saw.”

  Christoff’s men glanced at each other, wondering what Joseph was going on about. Their expressions of confusion slowly turned to worry when they saw the plumes of their own breath as the room grew colder.

  “Now, Reggie was a tough one,” Joseph said, shaking his head in disbelief. He pointed at Christoff. “Your father did everything he could to get that guy to confess. I mean everything!”

  “Yeah, he really did,” Christoff agreed.

  “And let me tell you fellas something. Reggie was one of the best poker players I’d ever seen, even to this day,” he said, taking his fedora off and placing it on the counter by the register. He rubbed the slight stubble of hair on the sides of his shaved head. “You know, that man could bluff his way out of anything, but the one thing Reggie couldn’t do was stop sweating when he got nervous. The pit stains and smell alone was enough to make people want to kill him.”

  Christoff smiled as he watched the three henchmen shift uncomfortably on their feet, trying to stay warm in the dropping temperature.

  “Anyway,” Joseph said, waving his hand dismissively. “To make a long story short, it was in the freezer where we learned a valuable scientific lesson: When one lies or has feelings of guilt, the nervous system generates excessive body heat under the pressure, no matter how cold it is. All we had to do was take Reggie’s hat off to see if he’d been lying to us.” Joseph laughed. “I swear, when your father ripped his hat off, the steam started rising off his head like a misty white flame against the freezer’s blue lighting. He looked just like the Ghost of Christmas Past,” Joseph exclaimed as he slowly walked behind the men, calmly knocking each hat to the floor one by one.