Lady Justice and the Ghostly Treasure (10 page)

    I looked where she was pointing and saw a distinct set of footprints in the patina of dust that covered the floor. I checked the hall leading into the room, but there were no prints.

    Kevin knew immediately what I was thinking. “How could there be fresh prints in there, but not out here?”

    I didn’t have an answer.

    “Looks like they go to that corner,” Mary said. “I’m going in.”

    We followed her to the far corner of the room and discovered a hole in the wall that opened into the chase that contained the plumbing and wiring that fed the various floors of the structure.

    Mary shined her light into the hole, and there it was. A piece of paper was tucked securely between a cast iron pipe and the outer wall.

    “Told you!” Mary cried triumphantly, pulling the paper from the hole. “I knew we’d find it.”

    She gently unfolded the paper, brown and brittle after being hidden away for seventy years. It was a crude map, just as Mary’s mother had described in her diary.

    As we studied the map, a gentle gust of wind ruffled the edge of the paper. It was there, and then it was gone.

    We had been mesmerized by our find, but were quickly brought back to the present.

    “We’d better get out of here,” Kevin said. “We can study this later.”

    Mary slipped the map into her pocket and we carefully retraced our steps out of the old hospital.

    Dominick and Randy had followed the three old-timers across the wide lawn and watched them pick the lock and enter the old hospital.

    “What in the hell could three old geezers possibly want in that dump?” Dominick asked.

    “Don’t know, don’t care,” Randy replied. “This is our chance. They’re sneakin’ around, so whatever it is, it can’t be legit. Look at that creepy old place. Anything could happen to them in there. I say we whack ‘em and stash the bodies. Nobody goes in there. They might not be found for months.”

    “Works for me.”

    They watched the beams from their flashlights disappear into the bowels of the hospital.

    “I say let’s wait till they come out and then we’ll grab ‘em.”

    Forty-five minutes later, they spotted lights down the long hallway heading toward the door.

    “Got your piece?” Randy asked.

    “Right here,” Dominick replied, waving his new .380.

    “We’ll take ‘em as soon as they walk out the door.”

    Not wanting a recurrence of the mishap on the stairway, we carefully tested each tread on the way down. We all breathed a sigh of relief when we reached the main floor hallway.

    I figured we were home free when we stepped out into the cool night air.

    My elation was short-lived when I felt cold steel pressed against my spine.

    “Hold it right there, old-timer.”

    My first thought was the guard who might have been alerted by Mary’s wailing when she crashed through the staircase, but then I realized these guys were way younger.

    Mary cleared it up for me. “Mr. Walt! It’s those punks who came looking for James at the hotel.”

    “I thought you took care of that,” Kevin said.

    “I thought I did,” I replied.

    “Quiet!” one of them ordered, poking me in the ribs. “Back in the building, all of you.”

    When we were back inside, one of them wrinkled his nose. “Phewww! What’s that smell? Did one of you get so spooked you crapped your drawers?”

    That brought a chuckle from the other one. “No problem, Bro. They’re probably all wearing Depends.”

    “For your information,” Mary said indignantly, “it’s dog poop. Figured you’d know that, you being a couple of mangy curs.”

    Mary got a whack on the back of her head for her trouble.

    “You’re mighty brave, hittin’ an old woman. Put that gun down and I’ll teach you a thing or two. Just like I did at the hotel. By the way, how’s your arm?”

    “Go ahead, old woman. Keep talking. You’ll be the first one to get a slug in the back of your head. Now get down on your knees. All of you!”

    Suddenly, a shadow appeared in the doorway.

    “No one’s getting a slug but you, Dominick. Now throw your guns on the floor.”

    Carmine Marchetti stepped into the room, accompanied by two goons as big as linebackers, carrying automatic pistols.

    “M --- Mr. Marchetti,” Randy stammered. “This ain’t what it looks like.”

    “Shut up, Randy. I know exactly what this is. You two got your asses whipped by this courageous lady and you want to even the score. We’ll it ain’t happening.”

    He turned to me. “Sorry about all this, Walt. I gave you my word and I’m a man of my word. These ass-wipes won’t bother you or your friends again.”

    “But --- how did you know?”

    “It’s my business to know. I’ve had my eye on these two for a while. In my line of work, when I give an order, I expect it to be followed to the letter. If I let one punk get by, others might think I’m going soft. I can’t let that happen. This is a family thing. I’ll take care of it.”

    Knowing Carmine, it was not going to end well for Randy and Dominick.

    “I’m a fair man, Walt,” Carmine said. “When you asked for this favor, I said you owed me one. Since these creeps didn’t hold up my end of the deal, we’re even.”

    He turned to his two goons. “Get this garbage out of here.”

    As he walked away, he called back, “By the way, James Walker still owes Sammy ten grand. I’ll expect it to be paid.”

    “No problem,” I called back. One way or another, we’d find a way.

    Just as Carmine disappeared in one direction, we saw the bobbing light of the guard coming from the other.

    “Let’s get the hell out of Dodge,” Kevin whispered, and we took off across the lawn.

    We were nearly back to the car when I heard Mary mumble, “Well damn! I stepped in another pile of poop!”

    All things considered, if that was the worst thing that happened, it wasn’t a bad night.

CHAPTER 8

    Naturally, we were all anxious to examine the map Mary had found, but the hour was late, we were dirty and exhausted from our journey through the old hospital, and somewhat nauseous from being cooped up in the car with Mary’s ripe shoes. We decided to wait until the next day when we were refreshed and our heads clearer.

    I had just finished my coffee and Wheaties and was about to peruse the sports page when Mary called. I figured she was chomping at the bit to get started on our treasure hunt.

    I was surprised when she said, “Mr. Walt, can you come get me? I need to get to the nursing home.”

    I was afraid she’d gotten bad news. “Mary, is your sister okay?”

    “Yeah, she’s fine. She called this morning and said she had something to tell me, but it had to be in person. I went upstairs to see if James could take me, but he wasn’t there. Mr. Feeney said he didn’t come home last night. I’m worried about the boy.”

    “Sure, I’ll take you. Be there in a half hour.”

    When we entered her room, Martha was in her wheelchair staring out the window. Her eyes lit up when she saw Mary.

    “Ohhh, thank you for coming. I wouldn’t have bothered you if it wasn’t important.”

    Mary pulled up a chair beside her. “Of course I’d come, Sis. I told you I’d be here for you. So what’s this news you could only tell me in person.”

    Martha took a long breath. “I saw Momma last night.”

    Mary was speechless. “Wha --- what do you mean, you saw her?”

    “She came to me in a dream, but it wasn’t really a dream. It was like she was right here by my bed talking to me.”

    “She actually spoke to you? You heard her?”

    “I did, and it was wonderful.”

    “What did she say?”

    “Well, first she told me not to be afraid, ‘cause I was. Then she said the time had come to make things right. Our family had been torn apart by Daddy dying in the war, her dying on account of something she caught in the hospital, and then the two of us being split up. But now things were coming full circle and our family would be all right. Mary, where were you last night?”

    “Why does that matter?”

    “Because Momma showed me a vision. It was you, and you were in that terrible old hospital. I was afraid for you, but Momma said you were safe. Then I saw you find something Momma said she’d left for us --- something that would help make everything okay. Was that real? Were you there? Did you really find something?”

    “It was real, Martha,” she replied, pulling the old map from her pocket. “This is what Momma left for us.”

     “But --- but, what is it?”

    “Don’t know for sure yet, but with Mr. Walt’s help, we’re gonna find out. Did Momma say anything else?”

    “Just before she went away, she told me that there would still be trials ahead of us, but if we stuck together and believed, we’d get through. Then she said to tell you and James how much she loved us and how proud she was. Then she was gone.”

    Listening to Martha’s story gave me the goosebumps.

    A week ago, if someone told me a dead relative had come to them in the night, I would have blamed it on a bad burrito they’d had before they turned in. But after our encounter with Cyrus at the hotel and the apparition at the hospital whose footprints led us to the map, I wasn’t about to discount anything.

    Like the Professor said, “There are many things still beyond the comprehension of mortal man.”

    After hugs and a tearful good bye, we headed back to the hotel.

    I was about to drop Mary off when my cell phone rang.

    “Walt, this is James and I’m in trouble.”

    “Again? What now?”

    “It’s a long story. Can you come to 5520 Brookside, #2? I’ll tell you everything when you get here.”

    “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

    I turned to Mary. “That was James. He said he’s in some kind of a jam. I’ll drop you off and go see what’s up.”

    “Not a chance!” she replied resolutely. “If James is jammed up, I’m going with you. Didn’t you hear what Martha said? Momma told us there would be trials, but if we stuck together, everything would be okay. I can’t stick together here at the hotel, now can I?”

    I could see it was useless to argue, so we headed to Brookside.

    I pulled up in front of the building and everything looked quiet.

    When I knocked on the door, James opened it a crack and peeked out.

    “Thank God you’re here! Come in.”

    A young woman was standing behind him.

    “Walt, Aunt Mary, this is Camilla. Camilla, this is my aunt and her good friend, Walt. This is Camilla’s apartment.”

    “Pleased to meet you,” I replied. “Okay James, how about you start from the beginning and tell us why we’re here.”

    He motioned for us to sit.

    “Well, it all started at the Levee Bar and Grill in Westport.”

    “Bar and Grill!” Mary roared. “What the hell were you doing in a bar? You’re supposed to be saving your money to pay off Sammy Saldano.”

    “It’s not like that, Aunt Mary. Let me back up a bit. I work for a manufacturing company. We had a buyer from out of town who wanted to sample some of Kansas City’s night life. My boss usually handles that stuff, but his kid had something going on at school, so he asked me to take over. He gave me a company credit card to cover the expenses. I didn’t spend a dime of my money.”

    “Well, I guess that’s okay then,” Mary replied, backing off.

    “Anyway, we started in the Power and Light District and after hitting a couple of bars, we went to the Levee on 43
rd
in Westport. Everything was going fine until I saw this big guy roughing up a young woman. That woman turned out to be Camilla. I could see he was hurting her, so I approached him and asked him to stop. I can’t bear to see a woman mistreated. He told me to mind my own business and gave me a shove. I guess I shoved back which wasn’t very smart. He was about twice my size. He let go of Camilla and picked me up by my shirt collar. I figured I was headed for the hospital when Camilla kicked him in the nuts. It must have been a direct hit. He let go of me and dropped to the floor. I grabbed Camilla and my client and we got the hell out of there.

I dropped the client at his hotel and we came straight here. When we came in, the message light was blinking on the phone.”

    He punched the button.

    “You God damned bitch! If you think you can kick me in the nuts and walk away, you got another think comin’. I’ll find you, and when I do, I’ll teach you a thing or two. And I’ll find that pencil-dick who got in my business and kick the shit out of him. No one messes with Boris.”

    I turned to Camilla. “Who is this guy?”

    “Boris Gorski,” she replied. “I dated him once as a favor to a friend. It didn’t end well.” She pulled up her blouse revealing bruises on her ribs. “He asked me out again and I said no. As you can imagine, Boris doesn’t take no for an answer. He found me at the Levee and --- well --- that’s where James got involved.”

     “Sooner or later, he’s going to show up here,” James said. “We weren’t sure what to do and that’s why I called.”

    “You done right,” Mary replied. “I’ll show that big oaf a thing or two myself.”

    “Okay,” I said. “Everybody take a deep breath. I think it’s time to get the cops involved. I’ll call my old partner, Ox, and get the low down on Mr. Gorski.”

     Naturally, Ox was on my speed dial.

    “Hey, Partner, what’s up?”

    “I’d like you to run a perp for me. I’m betting he has a rap sheet. His name is Gorski, G – o - r – s – k – i, Boris, a big guy, probably over six feet tall and over 200.”

    “Got it. If I get something, I’ll call you back.”

    I turned to Camilla. “Are you willing to press charges?

    She grimaced. “Gee, I don’t know. If he’s convicted, how long would he be in jail? If it’s just a few months, he’d come after me as soon as he got out.”

    I knew she was right. If Gorski didn’t have any priors, he might even walk with probation. I was trying to decide how to break the news when the phone rang.

    “Walt, Ox here. You struck it rich, Old Buddy. If this is the same Gorski, he’s a two-time loser, and guess what? There’s already a warrant out on him for assault. If we nab him, that’s three strikes. He’ll be out of circulation for a long, long time.”

    “So, are you interested in a collar?”

    “Does Howdy Doody have wooden balls?”

    Obviously Ox had been influenced by my brother-in-law.

    “If he shows up, we’ll give you a call.”

    I gave James and Camilla the news.

    “That’s a relief,” Camilla said. “I really didn’t want to get involved. My life is complicated enough as it is.”

    “How so?” I asked.

    “I’ve been in school three years now, trying to get my nursing degree. I’ve just recently dropped out. Not enough money for tuition. I’ll have to get a job and save up enough to finish my degree.”

    I was about to question her further, when we were all startled by someone pounding furiously on the front door.

    “Open this door, bitch! I know you’re in there.”

    I put my finger to my lips. No one moved.

    I hit my speed dial again and whispered, “Ox, he’s here. 5520 Brookside, apartment 2. And hurry!”

    He pounded again. “Don’t make me break this door. The longer you hide, the worse it will be.”

    We heard another door open and a small voice say, “My goodness! What’s all the racket?”

    “Oh no!” Camilla whispered. “That’s Mrs. French, my landlady.”

    “Well, well,” Gorski said. “Look what we’ve got here. A sweet old lady.”

    We heard Mrs. French let out a yelp.

    “Now let’s try this again,” Gorski roared. “Either you come out or this sweet old lady gets her neck broke. It’s you or her. What’s it going to be?”

    “I can’t let him hurt her,” Camilla said. “I have to open the door.”

    “Hang on a minute,” I replied. “He suspects you’re here and maybe even James, but he doesn’t know about Mary and me. Mary and I will hide on each side of the door. You open it and stand way back with James --- far enough he has to walk inside. After he’s in, we’ll take him from behind.”

    She nodded.

    I looked around for some kind of weapon. I mentally chastised myself for not carrying my fire arm. Maybe someday I would learn.

    The only thing at hand was a big flower vase filled with plastic roses. I tossed the roses and took my place behind the door. As soon as I saw Mary on the other side, I nodded to Camilla.

    “Okay, Boris,” she called out. “I’ll open it as soon as you let Mrs. French go. I’ll know. I can see you through the peep hole.”

    “Get back in your apartment and mind your own business, Grandma,” he grunted.

    We heard a door slam.

    “Now open up,” he bellowed.

    Camilla turned the deadbolt and stepped back next to James. “It’s open.”

    Gorski threw the door open, nearly breaking my nose. I had to stifle a yelp.

    “Well, well. It’s the sweet princess and Sir Pencil-dick, her knight in shining armor. Let’s see how tough you are today.”

    As soon as he advanced past the door, I stepped out and smashed the vase against the back of his head. I expected him to drop, but he merely turned and smiled.

    “What do we have here?” he said, lifting me by my collar. “A senior citizen. Hope you got your Medicare paid up.”

    I figured I was toast.

    With his back turned, Camilla sprang into action and planted her foot between his legs a second time.  Since he was undoubtedly experiencing some ill effects from her previous night’s punt, this was like adding insult to injury.

    I was looking directly in his eyes when the blow came. It was as if he had stuck his finger in a light socket. His eyes glazed, his body quivered, and he let out a low moan.