The Spirit Survives

by Gary Williams Ramsey

  Mario Bastone was his primary contact with the Italian Mafia. Bastone had established a relationship with Sergey and had been offered one million dollars by Sergey for the capture of his daughter’s killer. Bastone would be the primary connection to convince Sergey that both cartels were to blame for the killing.

  The Benefactor now was aware that there was a fly in the ointment. A former cop by the name of Ben Harris had witnessed the murder of Veronika and one of the henchmen was found dead in the cave where the man had been trapped after the tornados passed through Lookout Mountain. The man’s girlfriend was discovered missing shortly after that. Bastone had recently traveled to Green Bay to search for leads on the killer to cement his relationship with Sergey. Bastone, the primary mole, informed the Benefactor that he had located Bo Lopez in the Residence Inn in Green Bay and that Sergey’s enforcer, Petrov, was staying in the same motel. He still hadn’t figured out exactly what was going on. The Benefactor commanded him to keep his distance until the dust cleared and things became more apparent. Bastone also reported that a female cop had been murdered on Lookout Mountain and the killing was connected to the case.

  Things were becoming far too complex and threatening. The Benefactor felt that Bastone required help. He informed the Italian that he was dispatching one of his most trusted associates to assist him. Bastone protested, but to no avail. He was commanded to meet the man at the Black and Tan Restaurant in De Pere, Wisconsin the next day at 2:00 p.m. The Benefactor ordered Bastone to follow Bo Lopez and said his man would do the surveillance of Petrov. They could work out the particulars at the meeting at the restaurant. He required daily reports on the activities of both men.

  After the conversation ended, the Benefactor phoned the man he called “The Fixer.” The Fixer was a contract operator whom the Benefactor had used in many times in delicate situations. The man was in his sixties and had been successfully operating outside the law for fifteen years, since his release from a five-year stint in prison for fraud. The Benefactor had always experienced successful outcomes with the man. Of course the Fixer had never met his employer and the contact had always been by phone. However, the Benefactor paid well and always on time.

  After instructions were given and questions answered, the two men hung up.

  The Benefactor refreshed his Gentleman Jack, satisfied with his actions.

  Chapter 48

  The mist of the night fell upon me as I dreamed and floated in the stars in thoughts of Leah. My spirit flew with the angels as we searched each cloud for her presence. I was crippled in my search because a piece of my heart was missing. Like a thief in the night, she took it away and left an open wound that would never heal without her presence.

  In the past, I was complete within myself. That state of being no longer existed. The thoughts of her are warm and gentle and welcome, but only remind me of the pleasures of being with her.

  So the sweet angels continued to assist my crippled spirit to search the clouds for her. I don’t know if she was hiding or lost in the confusion of life. The angels tell me in silent reassurances that their Father did not create loneliness. He created love and allowed its fragile purity to enter the paradox of life. The variable of his most treasured creation is intensity, allowing mutual intensity of love to overcome all paradoxes.

  As I searched and searched the night away, I saw occasional glimpses of her beauty at sunset and sunrise. My intensity was shattering and sometimes I enjoyed the temporary healing of my wounds within dreams of her.

  I awoke from the dream in a cold sweat, instinctively realizing that Leah was in danger. I sat up abruptly, and felt a needle rip from my arm as I attempted to get out of the bed. Alarms shattered the silence as nurse Lilly rushed in. She grabbed me by the shoulders and said in a calm and gentle voice, “Ben, you must have had a bad dream, please relax and lay back down.”

  The firmness of her grip on my shoulders startled me, and I remembered that I was in the hospital. I lay down on the bed, breathing hard.

  “I’m sorry Lilly, I forgot where I was,” I whispered. I looked down and saw blood soaking the sheets where the needle was torn from my vein. She helped me to the chair, beside the bed, called an orderly, and they changed the sheets. After a few minutes, I was back in the clean bed with the needle safely back in my arm.

  “Please Lilly, is my fiancée Leah Hamilton here? Has she been notified about my accident?”

  “Ben, I really don’t know. This is the first we’ve heard of her, and we don’t know how to make contact,” she replied.

  “Was my cell phone recovered from the cave?”

  “Yes, Assistant Chief Herns brought it in. He said that’s about all of your personal items that he could get for you. Wait, I’ll get it.”

  Lilly left the room and returned shortly, handing me the cell phone. I turned it on and found that I had two bars of power. The melody began to play signifying that I had voice mail. I pushed the button to connect to the service. The voice informed me that I had ten messages, so I pushed the button and waited for the most recent message.

  “Hi Ben, this is Leah. I’ve been trying to call you to tell you that everything here is okay, and that I’m at home. The movers delivered the furniture but your pool table was damaged, sorry. Call me as soon as you can.”

  It was Leah’s voice but something was wrong. I don’t own a pool table. I think it was Leah’s way of telling me that she was damaged and that someone forced her to make the call. “At home” was the Residence Inn. She must be there and she must be in some sort of trouble.

  I have got to get out of this hospital now!

  Chapter 49

  After a life of small-time conning of people, primarily older women, the Fixer finally hit the big time. He was born in a small town, suffered through two failed marriages, caused by his infidelity and lying, sired two children, and served time in prison for fraud. While in prison, he studied psychology and actually had enough credits to earn a master’s degree, but his felony record would keep him from ever being able to be a practicing psychologist.

  When he was released from prison, he moved to Chicago and used his new-found knowledge of the human mind and his southern charm to finally make some real money. Having made contacts with the Mexican drug cartel felons in prison, he began performing small jobs for them, primarily interviewing new recruits to ferret out undercover agents. He advised the cartel leaders on whom to recruit and actually developed a test to determine loyalty. His big break came when he negotiated a truce between the Salazar cartel and the Flores cartel. That act earned him the name, “The Fixer.” After that success, he worked regularly with the cartels.

  During this association with the cartels, he heard of the invisible man called the Benefactor. No one ever saw this man in person; nevertheless, he held powerful influence with the big bosses in the criminal community. As the Fixer’s reputation grew, finally he received a call from the Benefactor. They worked out an exclusive relationship, which earned the Fixer more money than he ever imagined having. All the contact was by secured phones and the Fixer was certain the man’s voice was being altered by some sort of machine when they talked.

  The Fixer was sixty-four years old, with silver hair and a warm, engaging smile. His six-foot frame was slim and angular. He had light blue eyes that twinkled when he smiled. He appeared to be the perfect grandfather, but he was as deadly as a viper. He always insisted being called the Fixer. No names were allowed.

  After the recent call from his boss, the Fixer booked a flight from O’Hare the next morning at 9:00 a.m. for Green bay. He knew that, if his assignment was successfully implemented, his usual fee of sixty thousand dollars plus expenses would promptly be paid by the Benefactor. He charged a flat fee regardless of what he had to do. If it included killing, that was covered in his fee.

  The cool air was filled with drizzling rain as he drove the hellacious trip to the airport from his home in St. Charles, just north of Chicago. During the two hour trip, he listened to his fav
orite CD, Roy Orbison’s Greatest Hits. “Only the Lonely” was playing as he deposited his car in the parking deck and proceeded to the security area to check in. Surprisingly, his flight was on time, and he arrived in Green Bay as scheduled. He rented a car from Hertz with a navigation device and followed the voice directions to The Black and Tan Restaurant. The establishment was located on the second level, so he took the elevator. He knew that the Benefactor had style, and the man proved it with this choice of restaurant for the meeting place.

  Since 1998 the Black and Tan Restaurant was known as the premier dining location in Northeastern Wisconsin. It offered elegant and contemporary dining with window seating overlooking the beautiful views of the Fox River.

  He requested and was seated at a table with a direct view of the door and waited for Bastone to arrive. The Fixer looked dapper in his grey linen sport coat and a white silk shirt with an open collar. His charcoal gabardine trousers completed the outfit. After waiting for twenty minutes, he ordered a Dewers scotch and water and sat patiently sipping it.

  When a man in his forties with coal black hair and piercing blue eyes walked in the door, he knew it was Bastone. The man wore a black t-shirt under a black sports jacket. His trousers were obviously custom made and were also black. He was a striking figure.

  The Fixer stood up and beckoned to the man. The Italian walked to the table.

  “Are you Bastone?” The man nodded. The Fixer offered no name, just shook his hand and beckoned for the hostess. He asked for a different table in the back of the room next to a window. He wanted complete privacy. Bastone followed him to the table, and they were seated.

  A beautiful Indian girl with long black hair worn in a ponytail, and big brown eyes approached the table with menus. Her name tag read Macy. Bastone scarcely noticed her, but the Fixer gave her the once over. Her figure was dainty but her breasts were probably 34C. The Fixer loved young women with breasts bigger than a slim frame normally held.

  Macy smiled and said, “Gentlemen, may I tell you our specials?”

  The Fixer nodded, still staring at the beautiful girl’s breasts.

  Macy continued, “The appetizer special is the wild mushroom and goat cheese brochette with fresh bread and creamy goat cheese, topped with balsamic marinate and parmesan cheese. The entrée special is lump crab cakes served with chili creole and a fresh spring mix.”

  Without hesitation, the Fixer ordered the specials. Bastone, still oblivious to the girls charm and beauty, ordered an appetizer of beef tips with pearl onions and mushrooms and for his entrée he ordered the grilled rib eye, topped with butter and crispy haystack onions with wild rice. They agreed on a bottle of Merlot with the meal.

  Macy left with the order, accompanied by the Fixer’s eyes fixed on her firm small ass. Bastone gave the older man a stern look and said, “Why don’t we get down to business?”

  The Fixer bestowed on him an unpretentious smile and tore his eyes away from Macy’s backside. His first thought was, I should pop this arrogant son of a bitch right now! Mostly, out of fear of the Benefactor, he just nodded.

  Bastone continued, “I’ve had Petrov and Bo Lopez under surveillance since I’ve been here. It’s apparent that Petrov is observing Bo’s every move and Bo has no idea he’s being followed. As you are probably aware, Petrov is Sergey Ivanova’s principal hit man. I can only assume that Petrov believes that Bo had something to do with Sergey’s daughter’s murder. Sergey put a million dollar bounty on the killer’s head, only if he is delivered alive. Since we’re both working for the Benefactor, you understand that I need to be the one to take that murderer, whoever he is, to Sergey. Those are the Benefactor’s wishes. Do you comprehend so far?”

  “I understand completely,” the Fixer said in a calm and steady voice.

  He looked up as Macy approached and set water glasses filled with ice on the table, opened a bottle of glacier water, and filled the glasses. She placed wine glasses in front of each man, opened the bottle of wine and poured a small amount in the Fixer’s glass. He tasted the wine, gave her a big smile and said, “This is acceptable, Macy.” She filled the glasses and left to fetch the appetizers. Both men sat silently while they waited. The Fixer felt nothing but disdain for this bastard, but Bastone exhibited no emotion at all. Macy returned with the appetizers, served them with a smile, while strangely keeping her eyes on the Fixer. She seemed to have concluded that he was the Alpha male at this table, and that he would be the one leaving the tip. Macy was experienced in how to secure the largest tips using her looks.

  “Can I get you anything else for now?” she asked, still smiling at the Fixer.

  “Nothing else now, honey,” he replied, giving her a wink.

  When they were alone, Bastone spoke again, “Both Bo and Petrov are staying at the Residence Inn, Bo in 101 and Petrov in 98. You take Petrov and I’ll concentrate on Bo. Let’s get in touch immediately if anything of significance happens. If not, we can touch base every evening. I have a Smith & Wesson SW11911 in the car for you. When we leave the restaurant, I’ll give it to you.”

  The Fixer just nibbled on his appetizer and nodded. He didn’t like receiving orders from Bastone. Who made him king? he thought.

  Bastone had not touched his appetizer or wine when Macy appeared with their entrees. She replenished the Fixer’s glass and removed his empty plate. Bastone thrust his plate toward her indicating that he was finished.

  “Was there something wrong with your appetizer?” she asked.

  He mumbled, “No!”

  She took the plate away and placed the entrees in front of the men. She deliberately brushed her breasts against the Fixer’s arm as she served his plate. It didn’t go unnoticed by the man.

  Both men ate in silence. Bastone was a man of few words and he had said all he needed to say. Out of fear and respect for the Benefactor, the Fixer just kept his mouth shut. Under other circumstances he would have told Bastone to shove his arrogant attitude up his ass, Mafia or no Mafia. He had an instant dislike for this shithead.

  When they were finished eating, the Fixer signaled to Macy for the check. She walked to the table and handed him the bill. He palmed a fifty along with his American Express debit card and handed it to her. She beamed and left to get his receipt. When she returned and gave him the receipt, he noticed that she had written a phone number on the back of it. Bastone seemed oblivious to the entire transaction. Macy must be working her way through college, the Fixer thought. He planned to help her with those expenses later tonight, if she was willing.

  The Fixer walked with Bastone to his car. The Italian opened the trunk and handed the Fixer a bag containing the Smith & Wesson pistol. Bastone left without another word.

  The Fixer left the parking lot of the restaurant. The first motel he passed was the AmericInn. He pulled into the parking lot, proceeded to the lobby, checked in and went to his room.

  The room was typical of a mid-priced motel, with a king bed in the center of the room. After unpacking his small bag, the Fixer called the number Macy had written on the back of the check.

  She answered her cell phone on the fourth ring. He identified himself as the guy in the grey sport coat who had spotted her the fifty.

  “I’m so pleased that you called,” she purred. “I get off at eleven o’clock. Is that too late?”

  “Listen Macy, let’s cut to the chase. I need some company tonight, and I’m ready to pay five hundred. Are you willing?”

  “Sure,” she said, “where are you staying? I need the money to help with my expenses.”

  “AmericInn, it’s just down the street in room 314. See you at about eleven-fifteen okay?”

  “I’ll be there,” she answered, and hung up.

  The Fixer had long since learned that money would buy you anything you want at any time you wanted it.

  He took a shower, put on shorts and a t-shirt, went to the ice machine and filled his ice bucket, unpacked a bottle of Dewers Scotch from his suitcase and poured himself a drink.
/>   He turned on the TV and sat on the love seat to wait on Macy.

  At precisely eleven-fifteen there was a knock on the door. He opened it and there stood Macy. She was still wearing the white shirt and black pants, which was her server’s uniform. She had unbuttoned the top three buttons of the shirt showing cleavage of her well-formed breasts. The Fixer felt an immediate stirring in his groin. He gave her a big smile and opened the door, beckoning for her to enter. “Well Macy, don’t you look sexy?”

  “I am glad I met such a generous gentleman,” she replied. “Where are you from?”

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m from way out of town. You won’t have to worry about seeing me ever again after tonight,” he answered. “You can just call me John.”

  “Well John, I love older men, especially if they’re generous.”

  The Fixer filled a glass with ice and scotch and handed it to her without asking if she wanted a drink. Macy took the drink and sipped it.

  “Please sit down,” the Fixer said, smiling. Macy sat on the love seat, placed her purse on the floor and crossed her legs. The Fixer extracted his wallet, counted out five hundred dollars and handed it to her. “Let’s get the business out of the way first,” he said.