The secure telephone line ringer was turned on at night and it jolted Blackie awake. He stumbled through the door in the false wall that hid the room that contained the secure line, a safe, and a lot of guns. Blackie tried to see the face of his watch to see what time it was as he muttered “hello” into the telephone.
The Hulk’s voice came over the line very clear, not filled with sleep, “You awake Boss?”
“Give me a minute,” said Blackie as he shook himself. “What ya got Hulk?”
“We got somebody wants ta talk about that incident. He’s a little fuzzy right now, but his memory’s coming back. I know Mickey would be your choice, but ya want us ta do da best we can?”
“Make sure he understands whoever he names, we’re gonna get ’em, and gonna put ’em face to face and he’s gonna tell ’em to their face what he told us.”
“A’right. Want us to call ya back tonight?” asked the Hulk.
“Nahh. Ya got enough adrenalin to bring ‘im back every time he passes out?”
“Yeah,” said the Hulk.
Blackie stood there with the phone in his hand reflecting…he was just getting back in circulation after an assassination attempt that left him in a coma for twenty-seven days. All his men and every snitch or person who knew Blackie were trying to get information on who the shooter was and who could have paid for the attempted hit. The rumors had cluttered the airways with stories about an old vendetta from a power struggle, a lone wolf nut, a beef over a broad from some jealous husband, nobody knew for sure yet what the real story was. With the Hulk and his partner having a potential informer, his goodies hooked up to a lamp cord, raised the possibility that they’d have the name soon. Blackie hung up the phone and headed back into his bedroom. His mind drifted to his girls. Lu, Al and Rae were home with him, Teri and Beth away at school. His heart sagged a little heavy as the thought crossed his mind, how would they have survived if the hit had been successful.
Blackie, back to his six foot two, 235 frame, was ready to get on the street himself and search for the shooter, but he was smart enough to know this wasn’t a good idea yet. Uncle Paul, his sotto capo, had been handling everything just fine. Blackie sat on the edge of his bed and wondered to himself how Pop would handle this. His Pop had gone back to the old country from St. Louis after he had gotten out of prison when Blackie was in his early teens. Blackie and his sister had been sent to live with a close Family friend of his Pops. Now, twenty years later, he had worked his way up to lead his notorious crew of enforcers numbering over two hundred men. Their reputation for violence proceeded them, yet entire neighborhoods looked to them with respect, for he had solved local problems from a load of dirt in your yard that was sinking, to Aunt Molly’s gall bladder operation, broken down cars, out of work husbands and Junior’s scholarship thrown in, in between. In territories that they ran with an iron fist, there were no burglaries, robberies, speeders roaring through the neighborhoods, drunk drivers, spouse or children abusers, because when some of these things happened early during Blackie’s climb up the street ladder, he personally would track them down and…now teenagers knew better then to speed, men didn’t come home drunk and abuse their wives or children, and nobody was dumb enough to rob or burglarize any house or business. There were rumors abound that the punishment for some of these crimes could get your hand chopped off at the wrist and nobody wanted to test the enigma to find out.
Blackie, born in the life, had not had an option. When his older brother Georgie had been killed in Korea while serving in the U S Marines Corp, Blackie, the next in line, was just that. He had done his stint in the Corps and had wavered a few times, being pushed by his Colonel telling him he had talent to change and to get out of the life. But when he got home, there was the ‘Family” business waiting. Maybe later when all the girls are grown, he’d do something the ‘white people’ called legitimate. Hell! What was he thinking! All the white people he knew would screw their mother out of a dollar.
Blackie laid down and drifted off, dreaming he was some executive running a big corporation and his girls were all doctors and lawyers, when the damn telephone rang again. Damn this can’t be happin’ he thought as he stumbled back into the room with the secure line mumbling “Hello”. This time the Hulks voice came over stressed, “Geez Boss, I’m sorry. I think we got the right name of the guy that put up the money, but this dude must have had a heart attack or somethin!”
“What?…What?…What the hell happened? Yall weren’t doin’ the rat treatment on ‘im were ya?”
“Naw, we had a wire hooked up to his, you know, and he wanted to make a deal. At the last minute he freaked out so Zap stuck one of ‘is feet in a bucket of water, plugged the lamp cord in and just flicked the switch on and off just for a second. The juice hit ‘im, he lit up like a Christmas tree and groaned, vomited, crapped…!”
“What did ya get?” Blackie asked.
“We got the name of the mule that carried the money from the dude that paid to the shooter. Geez, Boss. He was about to give us the shooters name and ya know…”
Blackie rubbed his head and said to the Hulk, “Yall did good. Call it a night.” and hung up the phone, drug himself back to his bed, dropped on it, looked up at the ceiling and wondered will this circle of violence ever end? Will I ever have a peaceful life with my girls, will I find a good woman and live out my life on some bluff on the Mediterranean Sea? Why was someone always trying to get me and why was the vendetta so important to me? as he drifted off into a fitful sleep.
Ready for the whole story? Order “David Steece’s A Question of Honor” today!
If the first book didn’t grab your attention, the second will keep you up all night, anxious to finish. “Paradox” opened a door to another world that few people know exist, while “A Question of Honor” enlightened the reader to the inner working of a seedy underworld. A place where shocking revelations are exposed and you still can’t help but cheer for the bad (good) guy.
Blackie,
It was an honor to meet you. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with me. I look forward to reading your book. I love the picture! My husband had a hard time believing your age. 🙂
Brian McElroy
It was an honor meeting you sir!! I am looking forward to reading your books!
Thank you again
Brian McElroy
Semper Fi
Susan Calaway
Blackie! Am thoroughly into the book…..it is so absorbing. Was a pleasure meeting you and discussing the books. I hope to see you again before you leave. Thanks for the photo Thank you so much. Susan
Thank you so much for the book! We are really enjoying it and are already on chapter 3. Your story is very intriguing and we look forward to continuing it!
Hello Blackie… sending you out a care package today. Here is a pic of us thought you might get a kick out of. You are my hero! Stay Safe…
Let me know when you get this pack…
Rob Hurt
Hey Blackie! Johnathon here.
I am working at a restaurant now trying to make ends meet. I gave the books
to my fiance who will read them too! I said she absolutely had to. I told
her that I had the great pleasure to sit down and talk with you at length
when I was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood.
How are you? How is life going on your end? I trust your wonderful lady is
doing well?
-1st LT Schleicher
Hello Blackie! I wanted to check in with you. I was the journalist who encountered you at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Loved the books. How are you doing? I graduated EBOLC and I am now trying to find employment.
Thank you so much! I’m loving the book
Thanks Blackie, looking forward to finishing paradox & reading the others…will be more careful should I get on a plane. Hope to see u down the line. Let me know if that zz-top record becomes some of ur preferred road music. All best regards, James
Mr. Blackie,
It was a truly unexpected pleasure to meet you and I look forward to reading your book. YOU are special- a rare and unique soul… I could see it in your eyes and feel it in your presence. I felt impressed that there was “something” special you were meant to impart to me- Knowledge? Advice? Insight? Perhaps, I will find it in your book…
Despite the accomplishment of having your past recorded on paper, I sense that your “life journey” is far from over- You still have important & powerful things to do in your future- should you be willing. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Best of luck on your book-tour!
Respectfully,
Holly Wells
David,
It was great to meet you and your lovely wife. The book is amazing! I am Indian (Native American if you want to be PC) and we have awful temperaments, but I think you have it matched! That is a compliment. It takes one to be a warrior or indestructible! Also a very big thank you for your service to our country. People like you make it possible for me and my children to live safely.
Sincerely,
Dawn Olivas
Thank you, already knocked out 45 pages since last night. I will be getting the other two for Christmas. Nice to have met you
I forgot to reply to tell you I got the email, and therefore the picture. I have started the first book PARADOX and already love it, it could be argued too much for I seem to pick it over my school books. I was wondering if all the books you have written were on your website? Thank you -Shaylee
Antony,
Was great to meet you. Look forward to reading the book. Next time your in town let me know and we can have you over for a proper Italian dinner. That’s if you don’t mind my six kids! I’m on the Facebook under my name. Bouna fortuna!
Anthony
Just wanted to let you know that I got the picture all right, & that I like it very much. Now, if only i could print out the picture & have that signed, too! I enjoyed meeting you, & have loved “Paradox” so far. I can’t wait until I can afford to buy the next 2 books in the series. Good luck & good health to the both of you, & I wish you much success in the future! Let’s hope the movie is a blockbuster!!! Thank you both, I would love to meet you again in the future.
Becca Avery
I love the book…chapter 16 of the Paradox! Blackie…what a crazy life you were balancing, Holy Cow! Will write more after I finish the book in the morning!
dee
Blackie,
I have a nephew who is a police of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I will be up to have you sign two books for him…he will love these books! I remember your wife saying you will be here until the 25th, so it will be during the week that I will see you. You are an American Hero!
dee
Awesome 😉 I hate pics lol . We are the few the proud for sure 😉 Semper Fi . Can’t wait to read the books. Know my hubby will like reading them to .
Hey, Blackie!
You and a guest are invited to my Vow Renewal on Tue 10/8/2013 — if you can
make it. If not, absolutely no worries. It’ll be our 10-Year Anniversary and
we never had a wedding. So I’ve decided to surprise my wife, Renee. I
haven’t picked a location for the ceremony and reception yet, but I’ll keep
you apprised. I’m shooting for about 50 total guests, maybe somewhere near
Fort Polk. Take care!
Respectfully,
1LT Brian M. Delrosario
Thanks. I am enjoying them. Stay safe.