| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted December 11, 2022 | Chapters: |
...21 22 -23- 24... 
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Mason and Paddy struggle
A chapter in the book Death By Murder
Death By Murder Chap 23
by Begin Again
| Background A jewel heist, Boston's rival gang war, and unsolved murders. Cold case specialists, Detectives Hank and Emmy, track the missing diamonds and become entwined in murders, untold stories, and much more. |
ENDING OF CHAPTER 22
"I always remember my friends, Terrence. Or do you prefer Terry?" Peter stifled a chuckle as he imagined Officer Smythe's chest puffing out with pride.
"My friends do call me Terry."
"Then, Terry, it is. You've done a great job today. Now, can I ask one more little favor?"
"I'll be glad to help if I can, sir. What is it you need?"
"Is it possible for you to find out what cars the men own and the license plates? Or is that too much to ask?" Peter rolled his eyes as he pictured his pigeon falling all over himself, willing to do anything to help.
"Slam dunk, sir! I'll get that information back to you within the hour."
"That's great, Terry. You do that for me, and I promise you'll receive a nice fat bonus."
"Thank you, sir. You can count on me." In his excitement, Terry almost hung up the phone but stopped long enough to say goodbye.
************************************
BEGINNING OF CHAPTER 23
"Mason, I'm hungry." Paddy rubbed his stomach. "We haven't eaten all day."
"Quit your whining, Paddy. Don't you think I am hungry, too?" Mason shot a quick glare toward his brother. "We can't follow the diamonds if we stop to eat now, can we?"
"But we've been driving for hours with no idea where we are going."
Mason twisted his head from side to side, popping the road-weary kinks from his neck and shoulders. With time to think as they traveled, he realized his plan wasn't well thought out.
"Look. Mason. Isn't that their car? They're stopping." Paddy couldn't contain his child-like excitement as he pointed toward the dimly lit sign with its flickering vacancy. "Oh, boy!"
"Calm down, Paddy, I need to think."
"Think? Come on, Mason, even I can figure this one out. A shower and a bed, but food first." Paddy stared longingly at the motel, watching the taillights of Lance's car disappear, before jerking his head around toward his brother. "Where are you going? You passed the entrance."
Mason slowed the car but continued to drive down the quiet street. It was only six o'clock, but stores were buttoned up for the night. All lights were out except the closed signs; only a delivery truck lumbered down the road. "Wow! This town believes in rolling up the sidewalks when it gets dark." Mason studied the quaint shops as he steered the car by each one. Only a small restaurant with a "bus stop" and the motel appeared to be open. "Sure is a one-horse town. Bet they don't even lock their doors around here."
Paddy sulked against the car door like an indignant child. Mason had snatched his dream of a full stomach and a good night's rest from him, and he didn't understand. "But Mason —"
Mason glared at Paddy. "Shut up and let me think." The angry retort sufficed, and neither of the men spoke.
After passing the darkened stores, Mason pulled off the main road onto a side road. He parked the car and turned off the lights, sparking another outburst from Paddy.
"There's nothing here." Paddy pressed his face against the window. "Except wild animals, maybe. I don't want to stay here, Mason. Let's go back, please."
Mason took out his wallet and counted the money, ignoring Paddy's whining. Luckily, he'd been paid for a job before they'd ended up at the Watering Hole, but the money wasn't enough for gas, food, and lodging. Having watched over Paddy his entire life, he knew it was up to him to figure out their next move.
After a few minutes, Mason started the car, checked for approaching vehicles, and pulled out onto the main road again. A loud sigh arose from the other side of the car as Mason turned their car toward town.
Once inside the town proper, Mason eased the car off the road into the restaurant parking lot. He drove around back and strategically parked so it wasn't visible from the street. Prepared for his brother's tirade of questions, Mason cut him off, "Stop before you start. You need to listen to me. We are short on money, so we can't stay in the motel."
"But —"
"Paddy, haven't I always taken care of you? This time is no different." Mason exhaled. "I'm going to take a walk around town. You need to stay in the car and don't let anyone see you, do you understand? We can't arouse any suspicions."
"Do you promise to bring me something to eat?"
"Yes, I promise, but you must keep out of sight. You've got your phone, but don't call me unless something's wrong."
Paddy nodded, but uncertainty covered his face. He watched as Mason disappeared into the shadows and then he climbed into the backseat, pulling a blanket around him. Within minutes, he had fallen asleep.
****************
The back alley behind the small shops appeared to be a storage area for the town's junk cars, forgotten furniture, and anything else people had discarded. Mason slowly weaved his way through the many obstacles, reading each sign on the back of the buildings. Some were large, and others were barely visible, but all needed a fresh coat of paint.
Finally, after snagging his jacket on some rusty steel pipes, Mason crouched outside the door, peering through the dirty window. The store's sign hung precariously from a broken chain and scraped against the wall, making an eerie sound announcing the General Store.
Mason leaned against the building, surveying the dreary surroundings. It was doubtful anyone would be foolish enough to maneuver through the menagerie unless it was someone like him, but he'd learned to check out everything. Satisfied he was alone, he slowly wrapped his fingers around the doorknob, held his breath, and turned it. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when he realized he'd been right. These trusting souls didn't lock their doors.
Once inside, he quickly filled two shopping bags with various food items, two t-shirts, and some hygiene products. Then, moving toward the front of the store, he slipped behind the counter to the cash register, praying for his good fate to hold true again. His sigh of relief at the sound of the drawer opening was replaced when a beam of light danced from the front window across the shelves.
Mason sank to the floor, holding his breath, fearing the worst. His heart hammered against his chest as he waited. The flashlight beam bounced across the room and back again, exposing an unexpected bonus to Mason. As the light and footsteps faded, Mason reached above his head, grabbing the cash from the drawer. Hesitating for a moment, he shoved the bonus into his bag and crawled quickly toward the back of the store.
Once outside, Mason's adrenaline kicked in as he realized how close he'd come to getting caught in the act of breaking and entering. He needed to get back to Paddy, but he didn't want to crash into anything and draw attention to him either.
As he neared the restaurant, his cell phone rang. Instantly, a pain shot through his head as he answered Paddy's call, "What's wrong?"
"Ma—son, it's — trrrr—oub—ble!" Paddy struggled to get the words out of his mouth.
"What?" Mason's throat tightened as he recognized his brother's fear. "Are you —?
"I'm in a field."
"Where? Why? Paddy, tell me what's happening, and this better not be a joke."
"No — ooo joke!" Paddy shivered and crawled deeper into the tall weeds. "Police cars — cops checking — the cars. I got out."
"Good job, Paddy." Mason took a deep breath, finding it difficult to swallow the lump in his throat. "Stay where you are until the police leave."
"I'm scared, Mason."
"I know, Paddy. We're — we're going to be okay." Mason didn't sound too optimistic, but he hoped his brother didn't notice. "You need to make it to the bus stop."
"Where are you going to be? You won't leave me, will you?"
"Don't be silly." Mason remembered seeing a few cars parked behind the restaurant, probably employees. They needed new transportation in case the police ran the plates on the stolen vehicle. "I'm going to get us some new wheels."
"Mason —"
"What is it, Paddy? I've got to go so we can get out of here. You don't want to get caught, do you?"
"No, but I'm still hungry."
"Mason, I'm hungry." Paddy rubbed his stomach. "We haven't eaten all day."
"Quit your whining, Paddy. Don't you think I am hungry, too?" Mason shot a quick glare toward his brother. "We can't follow the diamonds if we stop to eat now, can we?"
"But we've been driving for hours with no idea where we are going."
Mason twisted his head from side to side, popping the road-weary kinks from his neck and shoulders. With time to think as they traveled, he realized his plan wasn't well thought out.
"Look. Mason. Isn't that their car? They're stopping." Paddy couldn't contain his child-like excitement as he pointed toward the dimly lit sign with its flickering vacancy. "Oh, boy!"
"Calm down, Paddy, I need to think."
"Think? Come on, Mason, even I can figure this one out. A shower and a bed, but food first." Paddy stared longingly at the motel, watching the taillights of Lance's car disappear, before jerking his head around toward his brother. "Where are you going? You passed the entrance."
Mason slowed the car but continued to drive down the quiet street. It was only six o'clock, but stores were buttoned up for the night. All lights were out except the closed signs; only a delivery truck lumbered down the road. "Wow! This town believes in rolling up the sidewalks when it gets dark." Mason studied the quaint shops as he steered the car by each one. Only a small restaurant with a "bus stop" and the motel appeared to be open. "Sure is a one-horse town. Bet they don't even lock their doors around here."
Paddy sulked against the car door like an indignant child. Mason had snatched his dream of a full stomach and a good night's rest from him, and he didn't understand. "But Mason —"
Mason glared at Paddy. "Shut up and let me think." The angry retort sufficed, and neither of the men spoke.
After passing the darkened stores, Mason pulled off the main road onto a side road. He parked the car and turned off the lights, sparking another outburst from Paddy.
"There's nothing here." Paddy pressed his face against the window. "Except wild animals, maybe. I don't want to stay here, Mason. Let's go back, please."
Mason took out his wallet and counted the money, ignoring Paddy's whining. Luckily, he'd been paid for a job before they'd ended up at the Watering Hole, but the money wasn't enough for gas, food, and lodging. Having watched over Paddy his entire life, he knew it was up to him to figure out their next move.
After a few minutes, Mason started the car, checked for approaching vehicles, and pulled out onto the main road again. A loud sigh arose from the other side of the car as Mason turned their car toward town.
Once inside the town proper, Mason eased the car off the road into the restaurant parking lot. He drove around back and strategically parked so it wasn't visible from the street. Prepared for his brother's tirade of questions, Mason cut him off, "Stop before you start. You need to listen to me. We are short on money, so we can't stay in the motel."
"But —"
"Paddy, haven't I always taken care of you? This time is no different." Mason exhaled. "I'm going to take a walk around town. You need to stay in the car and don't let anyone see you, do you understand? We can't arouse any suspicions."
"Do you promise to bring me something to eat?"
"Yes, I promise, but you must keep out of sight. You've got your phone, but don't call me unless something's wrong."
Paddy nodded, but uncertainty covered his face. He watched as Mason disappeared into the shadows and then he climbed into the backseat, pulling a blanket around him. Within minutes, he had fallen asleep.
****************
The back alley behind the small shops appeared to be a storage area for the town's junk cars, forgotten furniture, and anything else people had discarded. Mason slowly weaved his way through the many obstacles, reading each sign on the back of the buildings. Some were large, and others were barely visible, but all needed a fresh coat of paint.
Finally, after snagging his jacket on some rusty steel pipes, Mason crouched outside the door, peering through the dirty window. The store's sign hung precariously from a broken chain and scraped against the wall, making an eerie sound announcing the General Store.
Mason leaned against the building, surveying the dreary surroundings. It was doubtful anyone would be foolish enough to maneuver through the menagerie unless it was someone like him, but he'd learned to check out everything. Satisfied he was alone, he slowly wrapped his fingers around the doorknob, held his breath, and turned it. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when he realized he'd been right. These trusting souls didn't lock their doors.
Once inside, he quickly filled two shopping bags with various food items, two t-shirts, and some hygiene products. Then, moving toward the front of the store, he slipped behind the counter to the cash register, praying for his good fate to hold true again. His sigh of relief at the sound of the drawer opening was replaced when a beam of light danced from the front window across the shelves.
Mason sank to the floor, holding his breath, fearing the worst. His heart hammered against his chest as he waited. The flashlight beam bounced across the room and back again, exposing an unexpected bonus to Mason. As the light and footsteps faded, Mason reached above his head, grabbing the cash from the drawer. Hesitating for a moment, he shoved the bonus into his bag and crawled quickly toward the back of the store.
Once outside, Mason's adrenaline kicked in as he realized how close he'd come to getting caught in the act of breaking and entering. He needed to get back to Paddy, but he didn't want to crash into anything and draw attention to him either.
As he neared the restaurant, his cell phone rang. Instantly, a pain shot through his head as he answered Paddy's call, "What's wrong?"
"Ma—son, it's — trrrr—oub—ble!" Paddy struggled to get the words out of his mouth.
"What?" Mason's throat tightened as he recognized his brother's fear. "Are you —?
"I'm in a field."
"Where? Why? Paddy, tell me what's happening, and this better not be a joke."
"No — ooo joke!" Paddy shivered and crawled deeper into the tall weeds. "Police cars — cops checking — the cars. I got out."
"Good job, Paddy." Mason took a deep breath, finding it difficult to swallow the lump in his throat. "Stay where you are until the police leave."
"I'm scared, Mason."
"I know, Paddy. We're — we're going to be okay." Mason didn't sound too optimistic, but he hoped his brother didn't notice. "You need to make it to the bus stop."
"Where are you going to be? You won't leave me, will you?"
"Don't be silly." Mason remembered seeing a few cars parked behind the restaurant, probably employees. They needed new transportation in case the police ran the plates on the stolen vehicle. "I'm going to get us some new wheels."
"Mason —"
"What is it, Paddy? I've got to go so we can get out of here. You don't want to get caught, do you?"
"No, but I'm still hungry."
 Recognized |
CHARACTERS:
Frank O'Hara - deceased crime boss
Elizabeth O'Hara - daughter of deceased parents -Frank and Bethany O'Hara
Cooper O'Hara - Respected surgeon and illegitimate son of Elizabeth O'Hara
Hank Armato - Detective, newly transferred to Boston, Mass
Emmy Lansbury - Detective, interested in cold cases
Sara and Anthony - Siblings, owner/operator of the cafe
Police Chief Manley - At the helm of Boston's Police Headquarters
Kassandra - the Chief's Assistant
Andrew - Irish immigrant and elder of O'Hara's band of men
Lance Fenway - Attorney
Rupert Blackwell - Lance's first big client
Satan - Mr. Blackwell's butler and caretaker
Bennie Hogan - cousin and Lance's best friend
Rudy Hogan - Bennie's dad
Peter Costello - Rival gang boss taking the reins from his father
Bruiser - driver, bodyguard and "man of all trades"
Sandy - bartender and owner of The Watering Hole (an Irish bar in Shanty Town)
Mason and Paddy - thugs looking for a score
Fenton Bradenton - young, hardworking immigrant with a good heart
Terrence Smythe and Zeke Jamison - police officers with a shady side
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Frank O'Hara - deceased crime boss
Elizabeth O'Hara - daughter of deceased parents -Frank and Bethany O'Hara
Cooper O'Hara - Respected surgeon and illegitimate son of Elizabeth O'Hara
Hank Armato - Detective, newly transferred to Boston, Mass
Emmy Lansbury - Detective, interested in cold cases
Sara and Anthony - Siblings, owner/operator of the cafe
Police Chief Manley - At the helm of Boston's Police Headquarters
Kassandra - the Chief's Assistant
Andrew - Irish immigrant and elder of O'Hara's band of men
Lance Fenway - Attorney
Rupert Blackwell - Lance's first big client
Satan - Mr. Blackwell's butler and caretaker
Bennie Hogan - cousin and Lance's best friend
Rudy Hogan - Bennie's dad
Peter Costello - Rival gang boss taking the reins from his father
Bruiser - driver, bodyguard and "man of all trades"
Sandy - bartender and owner of The Watering Hole (an Irish bar in Shanty Town)
Mason and Paddy - thugs looking for a score
Fenton Bradenton - young, hardworking immigrant with a good heart
Terrence Smythe and Zeke Jamison - police officers with a shady side
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