Chapter 1
Murphey’s
It was a cold and rainy night that October evening on the city streets of New York. It was the night before Halloween and the city was buzzing like bees. The kids were hopped up on 5th Avenue Candy bars, Big Cherry chocolate bites, and Black Jack’s gum. Every handcrafted costume and get-up the kids could come up with showed up everywhere. I envied their innocence and their carefree attitude about life.
I remember growing up and life wasn’t a basket of roses. Ma struggled to make ends meet while Pop was off to a war we had no business going to. They called it World War 1. As if we didn’t learn our lesson the first time, history repeats itself, seeing as we are putting blood on our hands with another one right now. I had my reservations about the war, but FDR knows how to string together some fancy words to rally up the nation.
Of course, the war was the farthest thing from my mind. I’m sitting here drowning my sorrows in Hire’s Root Beer staring at a picture I should have tossed out months ago. Her name was Nancy and she won my heart over when we were kids. Everyone told me she knew how to play me like a fiddle, and play me she did.
I came home from work late one night after handling a small time case of someone’s stolen dog. I hung my hat and coat on the rack and walked into the kitchen to a sight I’ll never get out of my head: Nancy was in the arms of another man. Nancy two-timing me was bad enough, but the man wasn’t just some Joe off the street. The man was supposed to be my best friend, Clark Johnson. They both stared in disbelief and at a loss for words. I was ready to blow my top, but I held it together long enough to walk back out the door. I hired a lawyer, signed the papers, and haven’t seen either of them since.
I moved into my office and started taking on more cases to drown out the memories. But the memories were too good. The late night dancing, the walks through central park, sitting under a cozy fire with the snow drifting over the city streets. Letting go felt impossible with all the moments we shared. The only real friend I’ve adopted since that day was the bartender, Murphey.
Murphey wasn’t very chatty, but he made for good company and didn’t ask a lot of questions. He was a man in his 50’s who had a couple of decades on me in wisdom. He told me love was for suckers and that I was better off alone. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was playing the game of love thinking I had a royal flush when all I had was a pair of 3s.
Murphey was standing off to the side polishing his glasses while I sat there staring at Nancy’s picture and watching the rain pour down over the rooftops. My office wasn’t far from here, but I had no where to go so I sat it out to wait. The cold glass of Hire’s didn’t take away any grief, but it was one of the few consistencies in my life.
“How long you going to drown over her, Jack?” Murphey asked polishing his last glass. “It’s been six months and you still haven’t moved on yet.” Moved on? Moved on to what? I didn’t answer but shook my head and set the glass door in a huff. “Maybe you should do something nice for yourself, huh? You’ve been working yourself to the bone on these cases.”
“We’re suffering a depression and you want me to pamper myself? I’m saving every nickel I can get. Thanks all the same Murphey, but I’ll pass.” Murphey shrugged, flung his rag over his shoulder, and walked off to one of the other patrons. I wasn’t trying to snub his advice, but this economy wasn’t giving me the chance to drown my sorrows. If I wasn’t careful, I’d be a bum on the street in days.
I took the last sip of my drink and looked out the window one more time. The rain was calming down, but the echoes of Thunder took its place. Storms rolled in quick around here lately. At best, I had a good 10 minute hustle to my office and the storm would probably roll by in the next two minutes. I wasn’t a gambling man, but I didn’t like those odds.
“Another glass for my friend here, Murphey.” A feminine voice spoke from the counter. “And I’ll take a Manhattan.”
“Right away miss.” Murphey replied.
Curiosity got the best of me as I turned around to a blonde haired beauty in a green victory suit and bright red heels. She looked my way with her hazel eyes and a look of desperation. It didn’t take long to put two and two together to know I was about to be drafted into another case.
I shook my head as she slowly approached my chair. “Mind if I join you? The weathers a bit crummy and I don’t feel safe on these streets at night.”
It was hard to argue with her. Walking in a storm was foolish enough on its own rights, but New York at night was no place for anyone with their head on straight. I nodded and gestured the seat in front of me as Murphey came around with our drinks.
“Forgive my forwardness, but do I know you from somewhere?”
“Beggin’ your pardon. I know we haven’t spoken much since school, but I was in class with you and…well…” Her sentence cut of as she gestured to the picture in my hand.
I stared at her for a bit and dusted off the cobwebs in my memories. “Well I’ll be cousin to
Uncle Sam. May Merlot, is that you?”
She smiled brightly with her ruby, red lips. “Yes. It’s good to see you, Jack.”
I leaned back in my seat and gave her a once over. “Call it professional curiosity, but how did you find me? New York isn’t exactly a small fish bowl.”
“You are too modest, detective. You’re praised as one of the few sober, straightlaced gumshoes in the whole city.”
I have heard that a time or two. Most of the men around here drowning their sorrows because of depression and the war. Family gone, loved ones left behind, and money flying away faster than a P-38. I, on the other hand, had nothing left to my name except my office.
“The way I see it, while everyone else is ready to throw in the towel and drown their sorrows in bourbon, I had a chance to save as much as possible. But you didn’t come out here to hear me ramble about politics. What seems to be the trouble?”
May sighed deeply and sat down in front of me spinning her glass in her hands while I threw back a couple swigs. “My sister has gone missing. She was on a date with a guy. She called him a dreamboat with broad shoulders, a fancy top hat, and a great smile. She was going to tell me about it over breakfast, but she never came.”
“Maybe she got tied up. Everyone is in a hurry these days with the market falling out.”
May shook her head. “Not her. We have breakfast every morning together after my husband leaves for work at the 7 AM running the print machines. We’ve never missed a breakfast before.”
She opened her purse and and pulled out a photo of them together sitting on a couch. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought it was the same lady.
“Twins?” I asked. She nodded softly. “It shows. Like lookin’ in a mirror. But anyway, where was this date supposed to take place?”
“At the Pink Flamingo. They were gonna go listen to Louis Armstrong. The pipes on that man’s throat are something else.”
The Pink Flamingo. That name sent a sickening feeling over me. That place has been a hot spot for bad publicity with my cases.
“Tell ya what, Miss, I’ll do this one probono. I got personal business with the lady that runs that joint.”
She threw her hands to her face. “Oh, Mister, I couldn’t possibly let you go unpaid.”
“If you really wanna pay me, we can hash it out later. If your sister went anywhere near there, it could be trouble. By the by, what’s her name?”
“Dolly, Dolly Darling.” I held the picture and stared for a moment. I remembered now. May’s maiden name was Darling. Those two were near inseparable after school.
I put finished my pop and laid money on the table for the drinks “Mind if I keep this?”
“If it will help you find her, by all means.”
“Much obliged. I’ll get to the bottom of this. I’ll be in touch. Jack has your back.”
I tipped my hat to her, saw myself out the door, and pulled up my collar as I listened to the thunder rolling in quickly.
The Pink Flamingo. Of all the places for that poor girl to end up, why there? The mistress of the club better be ready. I might have to ruffle some feathers, but I’ll get them to sing like a canary.
Chapter 2
Pink Flamingo
Lady luck was smiling down on me and waited a bit before all of Heaven started rattling above me. Mother nature don’t hold back when she’s in a bad mood and something about the storm tonight was off. I’m not a superstitious kook, but I saw the weather as a bad omen.
I walked up to the Pink Flamingo and saw a good size crowd gathering. No doubt in my mind, Louis was still playing in town. I’ve heard his pipes a few times and the man has a unique voice to him. Wouldn’t call myself a fan necessarily, but he wasn’t half bad.
I stared at the entrance while I waited to get in. The Pink Flamingo wasn’t just any old nightclub. This place, on a decent night, attracted some shifty looking mugs in the back of the room.
The place was owned by Madam Margaret. While the lowlifes of the city praised her for an easy joint for their dirty dealings, I’ve had too many cases that brought me to her door step. While she may be a crooked club owner, she is technically clean as a whistle for her own record. Although, I have my suspicions that I refuse to ignore.
After a surprising five minute wait, I was close enough to move to the entrance. Guarding the door was Margaret’s favorite guard dogs, Rufus and Ritz. While not the brightest pair, they looked intimidating enough to most. Unfortunately, for them, I don’t get spooked so easily.
They noticed my approach and held a hand up to stop me. “Hey, wise guy!” Rufus called out in a thick Brooklyn accent. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Yeah, Mister.” Ritz replied in a much more nasally voice. “You can’t just shove yourself to the front of the line. Might have to rough you up a bit.” Rufus smacked Ritz in the back of the head. “What was that for!?”
“Boss Lady said no brawling while Louis was here. It weren’t easy getting him here in the first place.”
“Oh yeah! Big shot, Louis Armstrong. Ya know, I played the trumpet once.”
Rufus shook his head. “Oh sure, and I bet your ma thought you played like an angel, right?”
Ritz smacked his arm. “C’mon! Give me a break!’
I cleared my throat to get their attention, but they were too busy arguing. I meant it when I tell you they were not that bright.
“Gentleman,” I called to them. “I’m here to see your boss. I have official business with her.”
“Ya hear that, Rufus? He wants to see the boss.”
Rufus smacked the back of Ritz’s head again and knocked off his bowler hat. “I hear him, nitwit. I’m standing right here.”
“Good to see you too, Rufus.” I replied.
“Well, would you look here. It’s big shot, Jack Daniels. What you snoopin’ around for this time?”
Against my better judgement, I showed the picture to Rufus. “Her name is Dolly. She was supposed to be here last night with a gentleman for a date. Either of you see a man with broad shoulders and a fancy top hat. Anyone fit that description?”
They looked at each other for a second and then back to me as Rufus returned the photo. “Boss lady ain’t gonna be happy with you being here.”
“Look fellas, I’m not looking for trouble. Just need to ask her a few questions and I’ll be on my way. Don’t want to cause any unnecessary fuss for Mr. Armstrong.”
They looked at each other again before gesturing me inside. “She’s in her office. I take it you know how to get there without causing too much of a scene.”
“I’ll manage, thanks.” I tipped my hat and saw myself inside.
The crowd was understandably lively. People in their fancy get ups were out there dancing with their partners or sitting at the tables with a glass having a grand old time.
Louis Armstrong was indeed on stage going along playing to the tune of Swinging On Nothing with Velma Middleton. Not my personal favorite, but the crowd seemed to be into it. Her dancing complemented his trumpet playing. As much as I’d like to enjoy the show, Miss Darling was missing and I wasn’t going to keep her waiting.
I made my way upstairs to Madam Margaret’s private suite. It wasn’t hard to find as I walked into a room full of smoke from her opera length tobacco holder. She sat with her legs propped up on the table as she observed the show with her bright pink Stanwyck dress. She had thick Pink Champagne Lipstick and shiny diamond earrings with shiny pearls around her neck. There was no doubt she had wealth and didn’t have any problems showing it.
“So, we meet again, Madam Margaret.”
She glanced my way and flashed a wicked grin. “Jack, darling! So nice of you to join me. Care for a cigarette? A drink? Perhaps you just came to admire my fine establishment.”
“Are we really going to play this song and dance again?”
“Oh, come now. You need to let go once and a while. You work yourself too hard.”
“When people’s lives are at stake, rest can wait. Now, I need information.”
“Certainly, but as I’m sure you well know, my information comes…with a price.”
I knew what she was after. If it wasn’t jewels or money, she was a well known gambler. Rumor has it that she ain’t half bad of a player, but I had no doubt she used her looks to get her whatever she wanted. “What are your terms?”
She giggled to herself as she rose from her seat and sashayed her way to me. She placed her hands on my shoulder and walked around me a few times before she tugged my tie. “You know what, Mr. Daniels, I’m feeling generous tonight. Sit with me and play a few hands of Poker. You stop playing and I stop talking. We have a deal?”
Did I really have a choice? For all I know, this poor girl could be in some serious trouble and I was the only one that knew where to look. I wasn’t a gambling man like I used to be when I was younger, nor did I care to have anything to do with it. Dad knocked some sense into me when I almost had to owe a grand to some guy in a game. I haven’t touched a deck since.
“Very well, a few hands.”
“Splendid!” She replied as she stepped behind me for a moment. “Boys, see we aren’t disturbed.” Her bodyguards nodded and closed the door behind them.
She gestured to her personal table by her desk. I uncomfortably sat down and started shuffling. I almost felt guilty with how much I still remembered. But this girl’s life was on the line and I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get the best of me.
“So, how about we make this interesting?” She began to say. “After each round, we both get to ask one question each. It’s no fun if I’m not getting anything out of this.”
“I suppose that’s fair. Lady’s first.”
She chuckled to herself as she got her cards together. “I’ve got three Queens. What do you have?”
I glanced at my hand after replacing my cards. A couple of pairs, but no doubt I lost this round. “Best I’ve got is a pair of twos.”
She laughed to herself as we returned our cards to shuffle. “My, not a very lucky start, but this is just a friendly game after all. Now, I believe I have the first question.” I nodded as I continued to shuffle. “What does a man like yourself do for entertainment? You are here more often than my regulars looking for criminals. Surely, you must have some sort of hobby or something.”
“Can’t say I do much of anything anymore. I’m married to my work to keep my head above water. These are tough times and I don’t want to get caught off guard.”
“Tragic, but I suppose I do understand. Not everyone can be as fortunate as yours truly. Did you know that this isn’t my only establishment? I won a bar off a gentleman a few weeks ago. It’s a shame people see this gorgeous gal and their heads get all fuzzy as they are distracted by my looks. You, on the other hand, are completely unaffected by my charm. Quite an odd duck you are, Mr. Daniels.”
I shrugged as I delt out our hands. “What can I say? I keep it professional while the rest of this town drowns themselves in scotch just to numb the pains of the world. Now, I believe it’s my turn for a question.”
I passed her the photo and pointed at Dolly. “I’m looking for this girl. Her name is Dolly Darling. She was supposed to be here last night with a gentleman with broad shoulders and a fancy top hat.”
“And why would I know anything about some girl? I’m the lucky owner of two fine establishments and I have the good fortunes to swing Louis Armstrong in here.”
I just stared at her blankly. I wasn’t going to let her railroad my question that easily. “I don’t remember the girl, but the gentleman you are describing is actually quite unique. At least for my businesses, top hats aren’t that much of a common thing to see anyone wear. Everyone has a Hamburg or Fedora these days.
“Well, I guess here’s my question, do you know the gentleman?”
She gave a mischievous smile and began to trade her cards. “Perhaps I do. Now, I believe I’ll let you show your hands first, this time.”
I nodded and traded mine as well. I had four Aces. A much better hand than last time. “Four Aces.”
She nodded and clapped for me. “Fine work, Mr. Daniels. You beat out four Jacks. Your next question?”
I had to think carefully. What was more important at this exact moment, find the perp or find out more about what she knows about the girl? The way she is acting, I get the feeling I’ll do better fishing out of his pond than hers.
“Alright, tell me anything you can about this man.”
“Sorry, Mr. Daniels, but I’m afraid your question is much too broad.”
Drat, I didn’t think getting answers would be this simple, but I was going she’d change without much prying.
“Well then, can I get a name?”
She laughed and sat back in her chair. “That’s much better. Yes. His name is George Smithers. He’s a good looker with a lot of money coming around. I don’t know for certain, but the rumor mill tells me he’s a real gangster with some big connections. I’ll show you some charity and let you in on something.”
She leaned in closer to me and signaled me to do so as well. “He’s the kind of guy that if he wants this girl, he’s going to get her. Willingly or not is another matter all together.”
My worst fear was realized. I wasn’t just dealing with some punk off the streets. I had to deal with organized crime. I haven’t heard the name George before, but the name Smithers has surfaced a time or two involving the Frost Fellas.
“This wouldn’t happen to be the one they call, “Iceman”, would it?”
She gestured to a locking her mouth with a key. “I’m afraid that’s two questions. Let’s be fair now. One more round.” I nodded and began shuffling. “In the meantime, I believe you own me an answer. Tell me, all these drunks out there, why keep your hands off the bottle? It’s not uncommon for people to stay way from liquor, but you’re the only detective I’ve met that didn’t reach for a glass like they were about to shake hands with someone.”
“Well, it’s no mystery. It’s curious though to hear all the rumors. My Dad was in the first World War and he told me all the horrors about it. He saw how messed up his buddies became when they came back ashore and he wanted to make sure I never turned out that way. I snuck a sip of whisky once from his old stash and was sick as a dog all day. Never looked back since.”
“A noble cause I suppose. Think what you may of me, but I’m not against honest men. They just usually bore me when it comes to playing games. No sense of adventure.”
With nothing left to say I dealt the hand and exchanged my cards. Wouldn’t you know it, I had a straight. But the game wasn’t over until I knew what she had. “What’s your hand, Ma’am?”
She snickered and folded her cards down. “Straight, 4 to 9.”
I nodded and leaned back. “Well, can’t argue with a good hand.”
“It was a close one,” she began to say before I lifted a finger to stop her.
“I just said it was a good hand, I didn’t say you won.” I folded mine down in front of her. “Straight, 7 to Jack.”
Madam Margaret let out a boisterous laugh and clapped. “Two straights! I love it!” She wiped the tears from her eyes and composed herself. “That is the fun of this game. Stakes aside, it’s always a surprise to see what the other person has for a hand. Well done, Mr. Daniels.” She walked over to her desk and began to write a note. She passed it to me and smiled. “108 5th Avenue. You are indeed looking for “Iceman” Smithers.”
“Much obliged, but if you don’t mind my asking, what about the other two questions?”
She laughed and pat me on the shoulders. “To be fair, you just asked it. And I suppose my last will be saved for another time. You are a busy man and I’d hate to miss anymore of the show.”
“That’s awfully generous, indeed. I’ll be in touch.”
“Please do. And give my regards to your friend, Clark. He owes me on a debt.”
My stomach turned in knots hearing his name, but I kept my composure. “Sorry to say, we don’t speak anymore. If I run into him, I’ll tell him.”
I said nothing more but showed myself to the door. Months of coping with the divorce went down the drain lie an old wound being freshly opened up. All the same, I had to focus. It was time to put some heat on the Iceman.
Chapter 3
Daniel’s P.I. Services
I decided it was best to walk into this as well prepared as possible. Confronting Iceman wasn’t going to be a walk through Central Park. I needed as much information as I could get.
After leaving the Pink Flamingo, I walked back to my office five blocks away. The storm had practically left, but the rain stuck around for a while longer. The carved pumpkins out by the homes were filling with water in no time. I almost felt bad that the kids might have to set this Halloween out.
I stopped in front of my apartment and stared for a moment. The building was called Panama Heights. It was a 10-story high building located near the Hudson River. It wasn’t a classy place, but at 20 bucks a month, it was a steal for a top floor office.
My landlord often sat by the window of his home with a cigar in his mouth and pecking away at his typewriter. I’ve heard him say a time or two that he was going to make it big as an author one day. I admired his dedication, but his ex-wife often came by hounding him for money for expenses that had nothing to do with him.
I approached the elevator to head up when it dinged open. My heart sank into my stomach as an unexpected face stood in the elevator: Nancy. Her makeup was smeared and her hair was a mess. No doubt in my mind she was crying.
“Nance…” I began to speak using her nickname. “What are you doing here?”
She sniffed back tears and composed herself as more tried to surface. “I…I was hoping we could talk in private. I’m sure you’re busy but I can’t take the silence.”
Fresh tears swelt across her gorgeous face. I was hurt by what happened, but even crying she was always the most beautiful dame I have came across.
My heart broke for her words as I pulled out a handkerchief for her to dry her eyes. She nodded and began calming down.
“Yeah, I’m tied up, but I feel like this talk was long over due. My case can wait a bit longer.”
She gave me a suspicious look as I escorted her back to the elevator. I nodded at the liftman who brought us up to my floor. The ride up felt like hours as the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
We soon arrived at the top as I tipped the liftman and walked her to my office. I showed her in and hung up my drenched clothes on the rack by the door. Likewise, I hung up her hat and coat as I moved paperwork off of my couch so we could talk comfortably.
“Sorry it’s bit cluttered. Been working a lot of cases lately and haven’t slept much.”
“It shows.” She replied quietly. “You were always a workaholic, but that never bothered me. You took care of us when the economy fell through.”
I sat there nervously with my palms clammy and I started sweating like ant under a magnifying glass. I didn’t know what she wanted, but I avoided her all this time without letting her tell me what happened.
“Well, what’s on your mind?” I asked cautiously.
She grabbed her skirt and started shaking. She didn’t want bring it up anyone than I wanted to hear it. “Jack…it’s been months and I haven’t heard a word from you.”
“What would you have me say, Nancy?” I replied attempting to bottle my emotions, but months of questions and frustration came pouring out. “I saw what I saw. I can’t think of any other conclusions. Your arms were locked around him tighter than an inmate’s chains at Sing Sing and he has his lips on you.”
“Because I had to!” She shouted as she stood to her feet, still shaking.
I slowly stood to meet her. “Had to? You had to kiss him? Maybe next time I’ll help the crooks get away. Nancy, if you want me to understand you got start making sense.”
She went from scared to angry real quick as I saw her ball up her fist. Before I could say anything else, she slapped me across the face. The echo of her slap could have been heard all the way down the hall.
“For once in your life, stop flapping your gums and listen, would you? I’ll tell you exactly what I told your lawyer.”
I held my burning cheek and swallowed my pride. I was mad as a hornet right now, but one of us had to be a voice of reason. “Fine. Let’s here it.”
She nodded and sat back down as I started pacing to control myself. “It was like this. I was in the kitchen making supper. You used to come home around the same time every night, even when you were busy. I wanted to have some food ready for you.
“You working later than usual that day, but I didn’t worry too much. I heard a knock at the door and assumed you lost your key. Clark was at the door and wanted to see you. I told him you were running late, but he was welcome to sit on the couch and wait.
“Well, he hung up his hat and coat while I went back to poor you a glass of ice tea. I turned around to set you drink on the counter when…” She started choking on her words. I put my hand on hers to calm her down. She put her other hand on top and gripped it tight.
“Deep breath, Darling. You don’t have to hide anything.”
She nodded and slowed her breathing down. “Well, I turned around and he grabbed me by the arm and pointed a gun at me.”
My blood boiled over as a cold chill ran down my body at the realization I could have flown off the handle. I felt my hand ball into a fist as I was ready to start a man hunt.
“He did what!?”
“Yes!” She pleaded with me. “Honest, he did. He told me to make a scene and to make it look convincing. He said he was hired to have you swimming with the fishes. He wanted you to attack him so he could pull the gun and claim self defense when he shot you.
“I begged him not to. Asked him why he wanted to throw away your friendship for cash. He said I could never understand. As he got close to me, I saw a small tattoo on his chest with the word ‘ICE’. I don’t know what that could possibly mean.”
The gears started clicking in place. Clark was hired by the Iceman to take me down. But why me? I’m not some big time slooth like Sherlock Holmes. And what did this have to do with Dolly?
The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was being suckered into something. Dolly, May, Jack…all of them were somehow connected to each other.
“Nancy, I need you to listen to me carefully. Do you remember Dolly Darling from school?”
“Dolly? Of course I do. Her and May were insperable. Even after May married her husband Joe.”
“That’s the case I’m working on. Dolly is missing and I’m starting to think Clark had something to do with it. Have you heard of George Smithers?”
She gave me a look like I was biggest dummy on the planet. “Jack Daniels. For being the dedicated detective you are, I would surely think you’d know who that was.”
Perplexed by her words I resumed pacing for a minute. Then a light clicked in my head. I ran to my desk and started throwing open files. After tossing paperd around for a few minutes, I found what I needed. The answer was right in front of me.
“Nancy, you really are the second half of my brain. And, for what it’s worth, I am sorry for jumping to conclusions so quickly. You think…we can make this right?”
She smiled, kissed my cheek, and held me tight. “You are a frustrating man some days, Jack Daniels, but you are impossible to stay mad at. If you are the man I know you are, I bet the divorce papers are still sitting your desk buried under your cases so you didn’t have to look at it.”
Guilty as charged. She knew me better than I knew myself. I chuckled and held her tight. After months of grief, I felt whole, but I was broken in another way. What drove Clark to a life of crime?
I opened one of the drawers to my desk and pulled out my Colt Special in its belt holster. I hated this thing and swore it would be only for protection. Circumstances, however; left me with little choice. Brining a knife to a gun fight was suicide and I had too much to move for.
“Are you going to bring him in, Jack?”
I nodded as I fitted the holster to me. “I’m gonna try, Nancy. I don’t want to throw away our friendship, but if he pulls a gun on me, I will do what I have to if it means keeping the public or Dolly safe.”
She pulled me in and laid on a passionate kiss on me. We released and she placed her hand on my cheek. Her eyes were sparkling as she gave me looks of desperation.
“Come back to me, Mister. You hear me? Or I will bring you back and send you up the river myself.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I kissed her back and head out the door. Things were starting to look up, but it was time to throw Iceman in the oven and bring Dolly home.
Chapter 4
5th Avenue
I felt like I was being drug along by a string in someone’s twisted game. I didn’t want a fight, but fightin’ is what it looks like I gotta do. Did Iceman know I was coming? I had no doubts about it. That’s the tricky thing with organized crime: they have eyes and ears everywhere.
As grateful as I was for the tip from Madam Margaret, she was still a crooked business lady all the same. Gals like her know how to say all the right things to get men to do exactly what they want. I suspect she knows more about Miss Dolly than she lets on, but I figured I would deal with that when the time came. For now, I had to focus on the bigger fish right now: putting the heat on Iceman.
5th Avenue under normal circumstances was a busy harbor. The address sent me to one of their warehouses. The place was quiet, but there wasn’t much going on here lately with the war efforts. Fisherman and grunts alike were drafted into a fight they don’t want to be a part of. I can certainly sympathize. All the same, I knew the rain wouldn’t keep crime away, and it certainly weren’t gonna keep me down.
The warehouse weren’t nothing too fancy. The smell of bass hung in the air as the wind blew scents from the Hudson careening into my nose. I never did get a thing for fishing, but I was about to catch a big one tonight.
I crept around stacks of crates looking for any signs of life. A couple of goons were poking around the entrance with Tommy guns. Looks like my gut feeling was right. Madam Margaret sang like a canary and let them know I was coming. Either way, there was a real chance Dolly was in there and I wasn’t going to let her down.
The longer I watched, the longer it felt like evil was creeping up on me from behind. Sure enough, I felt the nose of a gun up against my back. I slowly got up and put my hands in the air.
“Don’t move a muscle there, Mister.” A voice ordered from behind. “Looks like we got a rat problem around here.”
“I’m not lookin’ for trouble, buddy. I got a hot tip that I could find the Iceman here. You know anything about that?”
“And what if I did?” They replied back smugly. “Let’s say I knew where to find him. What then? You think I’d just let you walk right in and see him?”
I couldn’t see the man’s face, but I knew the voice. The fact he didn’t call me out right away took me by surprise. He must have been playing dumb to keep me in the dark.
“Is this how you always greet your friends, Clark?” He didn’t say anything, but kept huffing louder. “C’mon, you think your old buddy wouldn’t be able to pick you out of a crowd?”
Against my better judgement, I slowly turned around to face him. Sure enough, there he was standing at 5’10, Clark Johnson. Between his big nose and the scar under his right eye from a fist fight we got into as kids, there was no mistaking him. He kept his Smith and Wesson pointed at me with shaking hands. He was a tough guy alright, but he wasn’t very brave when it came down to doing the dirty work.
“I know what you did to Nancy and I figured out what you were probably going to do if I had stuck around any longer all those months ago. Then again, I know you too well. You’d never pull the trigger, even if you wanted to. You put on a good show, but showing is about all you got.”
“You really wanna take that chance, Jack? You really wanna make me mad and see what I can do!?”
“If I was worried about what you were going to do, I’d be keeping Nancy safe instead putting my neck on the line out here in the dead of night. Now, what are you gonna do? You gonna take me to see your boss?”
His hand kept shaking as his eyes darted back and forth between me and the warehouse nervously. “You wanna see him? Fine, you can see him. Turn around, and no funny business.”
I complied and turned back around when I felt a thunk to the back of my head and lost consciousness.
When I finally came back too, I woke up on the cold, hard floor of the warehouse breathing in thick air layered with smell of a fresh Cuban cigar. I slowly opened my eyes, but it was still pitch black. It didn’t take long to figure out they had me blindfolded and tied down.
I listened to all the sounds around me while I waited for something to happen. The walls creaked and rattled with the wind and falling rain. I heard footsteps shuffling near me. No doubt, it was Iceman’s thugs keeping an eye on me. I was in a sticky web and I was about the meet the spider that made it.
“Alright, boys, I don’t think he’s going nowhere.” A voice spoke from across the warehouse. “Let him see what he wants.”
I felt a tug at my head and my vision came back to me. I had two thugs next to me with their Smith and Wessons pointing at my head. I’m sure most people would be shaking in their trousers right now, but I’ve seen enough in my line of work to let fear roll off.
I looked off to a figure in the distance stading with a fancy jacket with broad shoulders, a big top hat, and a cane. This guy fits the bill.
“George Smithers, I presume?”
Iceman chuckled as one of his goons shoved their foot into my back and knocked me into the ground. “Show some respect to the boss, you mook!”
“Now, fellas, is that anyway to treat our guest. He came all the way to see yours truly. The least we can do is entertain him a bit.”
“Nice bravado,” I replied. “You pulling cues from Margaret or did you want me to come find you?”
“The good Madam did indeed clue me in that someone might be snooping around, but I’ve been waiting quite a while just to meet the great Detective Jack Daniels.”
“I bet you have. Now, more to the point, where’s Dolly Darling? You were the last man to see her.”
Smithers began to laugh. “Oh, that pretty young broad? Oh we had a grand old time bopping along to Louis Armstrong. She had a drink too many so I brought her back to my place to get some rest.”
“Then why didn’t she go home?”
“Because I didn’t want to, ya hear!?” A snappy feminine voice replied from behind Smithers. A young woman appeared from behind him in a gussied up with a skimpy dress and a giant fur coat. “I know what you are probably thinking, but I found myself a real man. This man knows how to treat a lady right.”
“Then why send your sister into a panic? And why drag me into this?”
Dolly rolled her eyes and blew a buff of a Cuban in her hands. “May’s got it stuck in her head that we are tight as a corset, but she ain’t been right in the head for years. Let me guess, she still thinks we have breakfast every morning when her husband goes to work? Hate to break it to you Jack, but he was dead and buried a few years ago and she cracked like an egg and has been stuck in the morning before his passing.”
“So, you entertained her delusion all this time. Why stop now?”
“Ma tried to tie me down saying she would always need someone to look after her. Made this big speech that family was supposed to take care of each other. Then what does she do? She moved to Fresno to get a fresh start at life.”
Mentally unstable sister is dumped on her against her will. I can understand why she was mad as a hornet. I didn’t have to agree with abandoning May like that, but it sounded like a lose-lose situation all the same.
“Sorry to hear about your troubles, but that doesn’t explain why I got drug into this? If your sister was stuck on that morning, why find me out? Wouldn’t she just wake up the next morning and start all over?”
“I couldn’t tell ya. Hate what happened to her, but I moved on. If me flying the coop set her straight, then good for her.”
“I believe our business is done here, Detective,” Smithers declared.
“Not quite, hot shot. I still gotta bone to pick with you. Even before May sought me out, you put a hit on me. Why?”
“Because your snooping is bad for business, I’m afraid. You’re not like most PI’s. You can’t be threatened, bribing don’t work, and we can’t poison a drink to someone who don’t drink. You are too careful, to calculated, and too clean. This ain’t your town, it’s mine. The sooner you figure that out, the better.”
“Oh I figured things out alright. Especially that bogus name you use. You used it when we were kids to send fake threats to people you didn’t like. Ain’t that right, Johnson?”
He tightened his grip on his cane and came into the dim lighting. Sure enough, George “Iceman” Smithers was none other than Clark Johnson.
“You really do know too much, don’t you Jack? You never could leave well enough alone.”
“You always talked up your family in school like you were some rich big shot. Why go from cash to crime? And why take me out in the process?”
“You really don’t get it do you? Things got tough after the first World War and I had to get tougher. I did a few things I weren’t too proud of, but then I turned off my conscience and realized the opportunity. Crime was on the rise, and people were looking to claim the big apple for themselves. I pulled a few strings, made some connections, and I slowly became the man you see in front of you.”
“A low life king pin in the drug dealing business. Am I right?”
“You make me sound like such a bad guy. Well, I got news for you Jackie, I’m much worse.”
Clark looked up at the thugs behind me and nodded before he walked back to Dolly. They took off the bonds around my wrists and lowered their guard for a moment. I took the opportunity to knock one of them right between the eyes.
As one goon fell, the other ignored his gun all together and swung a hit at me. I ducked out of the way, grabbed his gun from him, and knocked him out with the butt of his own gun before I pulled mine out and turned to Clark.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Pal. We still got history, don’t we?”
Clark stopped and glared at me. “You won’t do it, Jack. You hate that thing. The fact you even brought it here tells me how serious you are, but I’m not the only one good for a show. Your loyalty is a crutch, old friend.”
“Hate to break it to you, buddy, but you threatened my girl with a gun and that loyalty went right out the window. You know full will I ain’t a bettin’ man, but if i were, odds are in my favor that if anything happened to you, she’d make a killing off of it. Am I right?”
Dolly gasped and stomped her heels. “Listen here, Mister, you ain’t gonna chalk me up to some cheap floozy with a hand in his pocket. Clark here was taking me to Reno so we could get hitched. I’ve been seeing him for quite a while now. We’re in love, you hear? Now put the gun down and go home before we have to rough you up some more.”
Neither Clark or I moved. It was a classic standoff with one of us waiting for the other to make the next move. I was armed, he wasn’t, but I guarantee he had of those mooks with a Tommy gun nearby.
It killed me to let him walk away, but the truth of the matter was, my case was closed. I found Dolly, now I could move on.
I slowly lowered my gun and straightened up. “This ain’t the last you’ve seen of me, Iceman, ya hear? If I see you again, I will finish this.”
A wicked grin came over his face. “Oh, Jack. You call me spineless, but you can’t even finish the job.”
Suddenly, his arm hiding under his jacket came out with a gun pointing towards me. I rolled off to the side and dodged his bullet. Without hesitation, I aimed and fired mine back as he fell backwards. I walked over and stood over him as he gasped the air.
“Sorry it had to be like this, old friend.”
Clark gripped his shoulder where the bullet landed, grit his teeth and started laughing. “You see, even with the chance to finish this, you couldn’t do it. You’re a weak man, Jack!”
Before anything else could be said, the police surrounded us. Dolly put her hands above her head and they quickly helped Clark to his feet before restraining him.
I walked up to him before they took him away. “I didn’t spare you for me. I spared you out of respect for whatever is left of our friendship. This is goodbye, Clark. Enjoy your time at Sing Sing.”
With nothing more said, they took him away with Dolly close behind kicking and screaming her away out the entire time “You’re a dead man, Jack!” She shouted. “You hear me!? A dead man!”
As the place got quiet and I walked away, her words echoed in my head like a sour note on an untuned violin. I’m a P.I., I’ve always been a dead man. Today, this dead man cheated the grim reaper one more time and had a pretty young thing waiting for me.
Chapter 5
Murphey’s (Halloween)
It was a long night and my brain kept ticking through the night. The toothpicks in my eyes were wearing down quickly that morning. Murphey makes a mean cup of jo, but even that couldn’t keep me focused.
The case was closed but something was still scratching at the back of my head. There was unfinished business floating around somewhere.
I looked outside from my usual seat. The kids lucked out and everything dried up just in time for the parties. They walking around as witches, ghosts, all the typical spooks of the season. I envy their innocence in dressing up just for a piece of candy. I had a sweet tooth myself. If it weren’t that glass or root beer every day, it was her.
My eyes wandered to the opposite seat with Nancy resting her gentle hand under her chin and batting her long lashes staring out the window with me. We met for breakfast to hash things out and get our marriage back on track. I never signed the papers and my lawyer told us:
“As far as I’m concerned, you never signed the papes, you never filed. As far as the law is concerned, you two are still husband and wife. You can kiss the bride or whatever.”
He didn’t have t convince me. It was just like the day we married. Electricity coursing through my body. She knew how to make a fool out of me, but I was her fool.
I glanced over at Murphey shaking his head at us. I told him before I wasn’t ready to let go. Call what you will, fate or an act of God, either way we were ready to move on.
Then, out of the corner of my eye was her: May Merlot. The dame that knocked over the first domino to take down the Iceman, putting Clark and Dolly behind bars for a long time.
“Beggin’ your pardon, Detective,” She greeted shyly. “I was hoping for a moment of your time if you had it.”
“Certainly, Ms. Merlot. I’m just enjoying some breakfast with Nancy.”
She glanced over and smiled. “Good to see you, Nancy. It’s been a few years.”
“Yes, it has. I heard about Joe. My condolences.”
She nodded bashfully. “Much obliged, Nancy. I know what my sister probably said of me. It was a rotten thing ,for me to do, but I faked being stuck in the past because I was scared of losing her too.”
“Don’t break yourself over her, May. She made her own bed and she’s sleeping in it now. What are you gonna do now?”
She blushed and looked over as a man walked in from the door to the Bar. I stood up in shock when I saw who walked in: Ritz Potello.
I think this is the first time I’ve seen him outside of the Pink Flamingo. He was all cleaned up with a freshly pressed suit. Curiosity got the better of me as I stood to greet him.
“Well, Ritz, what seems to bring you here?”
“Well, after you left last night, I saw a beautiful lady walking down the street. I couldn’t help but say hello. Got up early this morning and I’m taking her for a stroll through Central Park.” He glanced over at May and they both started blushing.
“You two, huh?” He nodded as his gaze was fixed on her and she was just as stuck on him. “You keep her safe now. You hear me?”
“Certainly, Detective. To be honest, I quit the club. The cops raided the place last night and Madam Margaret went into hiding. I was done dirty dealing.
“I got a new job working for the army. They are sending me to basic in a week and I wanted to get my priorities in order.”
A mook like him cleaning up his act? Maybe there were miracles.
He held his arm out to her, and she happily accepted. He tipped his hat and walked out the door. Soon after you left, Murphy approached me with an envelope.
“Sorry to bother, Jack, but someone left a message for you.”
I raised an eyebrow and nodded at him as he walked away. Nancy rested her chin on my shoulder as I opened the envelope to take a look.
“Got another case, Jack?” She asked with a smile on her face. She always supported my cases, even when she didn’t like the long hours, but she was always in my corner every step of the way.
I glanced through the letter very carefully and to my surprise, it was a letter about Madam Margaret.
“Detective,
Congratulations, you have passed my test. As a reward for defeating my doppelganger, I took the liberty of removing Madam Margaret from her position. However; there are still other crooks out there that stand in my way.
“Unfortunately for you, while you were focused on the Pink Flamingo, I took the liberty of acquiring the Jade Diamond. Do not consider this a loss, but an opportunity.
“If you want the diamond back, let’s play a game. Each individual you successfully arrest, I’ll leave you another clue that will lead you to me. I won’t make this easy for you, Detective, but let’s see how good you really are at catching The Iceman.”
I threw the letter down and ran out the door. I scanned the city streets back and forth relentlessly. How did they leave a note without me seeing it? Surely Murphey would have said something.
From person to person I watched, but nothing stuck out. Feeling defeated, I walked back in and confronted Murphey. “Hey, Murph! Did you see the guy that left the note?”
He continued to emotionlessly clean his drinking glasses as he shook his head. “Nope, just some stranger in a coat and hat covering their face. Said to leave you the note and they walked way.”
Nancy put a hand on my shoulder. “Honey, what’s the matter? You look like you saw a ghost.”
That’s one way to put it. What started as a case for a missing girl turned into a game of count and mouse lookin’ for the true identity of a criminal kingpin. All I got was this lousy letter saying there was a clue and an envelope. I looked at the back of the envelope and there was a seal on it. I stared at the insignia for a moment and realized it was the torch from lady liberty. I looked off in the distance to the giant symbol of our country and shook my head.
“Excuse me!” An man shouted from the front of the Bar. I turned quickly and saw it was the Police Inspector. “Which one of you is Jack Daniels?”
“That’d be me.” I answered confidently.
“You need to come with me down town. There’s been a murder and I need to ask you some questions.”
Nancy threw her hands over her mouth in shock. “A murder!? Who?”
The Inspector approached her and then looked at me. “Madam Margaret.”
I looked at him then back to the letter. “Removing her, huh, Iceman? Guess the rumors of your cold heart are true.”
“What was that, Mr. Daniels?” The Inspector asked.
“I’ll explain at the station. I got nothing to hide. I’ll go peacefully.”
Nancy held me tight and looked at me with desperation. “Jack, honey, what’s going on?”
“Looks like Smithers wasn’t Iceman after all.”
She cocked her head sideways perplexed. “It wasn’t Clark? Then who?”
“That’s what I need to find out. Looks like I’ll be gone again. Will you wait for me?”
With a crooked smile, she placed a big smooch on my cheek and straightened up my hat. “Don’t I always, dreamboat?”
“Sorry to break up the moment you two,” the Inspector interrupted. “But the sooner we get answers, the better.”
I nodded and looked back to Nancy. “We’ll start fresh soon, toots. Go somewhere safe until this all blows over.”
She nodded and grabbed her things. “Come back, Jack. No case is ever worth your life.” We kissed one more time before she walked out the door.
“You got a good lady there, Mr. Daniels, now c’mon.”
As he escorted me to the back of his car, I looked on into the distance with and for a moment saw a figure standing by an alley way with a coat, hat, and their face hidden. Then a car drove past and they were gone. Iceman was watching me close. He wants to play a game? Then I better start learning the rules before someone else ended up as a stiff. You’re a cold character, Iceman. One thing you don’t know about my work and I’ll be sure to tell ya when I see you: The city is safe when Jack Daniels is on the case.
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About
James is a Christian Fiction writer who puts his faith first and foremost in all his inspiration. After a decade of retail life, he seeks to join the writing world by creating a safe reading selection for teen/young adult readers.
He is the author of a 10-book series called the Grace Series and the Fantasy series Clash of Light and Dark.
James follows the teachings of the King James Bible and believes every day is another chance to learn from the Creator and spend every day taking steps closer to becoming more Christ-like.
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