Black Shadows

by Simon Swift

  My Dearest Claudia,

  If you're reading this I suppose I must be dead. Firstly I must tell you I love you and I always have. I'm sorry the way things worked out. We were never really meant to be together, you're much too good for a petty criminal like me. Maybe in the next life, eh?

  I never really was much of a letter writer - you know that - so let's get down to business. I have hired a Private Investigator to get this letter to you. If he's as good as he used to be you'll be all right. You could do worse than keeping him with you along the whole ride. No doubt the vultures will be out, and he'll help you to what is yours.

  Everything is quite simple. I want you to enjoy what I never could. Don't refuse it because of your high morals, accept it as a gift from your darling Liam. It will enable you to escape your family once and for all, giving you the independence to do just as you please.

  Be careful and enjoy. Love you always.

  Liam xxx

  At the bottom of the letter was an address and a number. "Blanchard et Cie," said a more composed Ava, "It's a bank in the Swiss quarters. It deals predominantly with long term bequests and has many vaults."

  Before I could speak, a large bourbon appeared in front of me. I downed it in one.

  "I telephoned the bank ten minutes ago," continued Ava. "They said a young girl by the name Claudia Cortene had just left with a man answering Hermeez's description. I was of course checking on their safety and the clerk was only too helpful."

  I looked blankly at the empty glass.

  "I knew she was no ordinary girl. I'm not naive Errol." She paused. "I did think she was different though. I thought she really cared about you."

  "You're jumping to conclusions sweetheart," I asserted, my best smile beaming out. I walked over to where Ava was sat and gently massaged her shoulders. "You've done a first class job, as usual, but you're wrong. Just leave the deductions to me."

  "Come on Errol, she's walked out on you, and with your best friend." She turned to face me. "I'm sorry Errol, I really am. But you've got to wake up to it."

  "She'll be back." I got my hat and headed for the door, the phone ringing. "You're wrong Ava. You did the right thing but you're wrong."

  The two boys were both asleep when I reappeared from my office block. I walked up to the blue Chevrolet and tapped on the window. Instantly they jumped to attention, looking shocked and unsure as to what they should do. I stood grinning at them from the sidewalk and motioned for them to open the window. The real dense looking one obliged.

  "Yeah?" he stuttered.

  "On the ball, as ever," I sneered, holding my hands out as he grunted and pulled his weapon. "I've got a message for you boys for Coward."

  They looked at each other in puzzlement and sighed before turning back to me.

  "Okay," the blonde one said in bewilderment. "What is it?"

  "Have either of you boys got a pen?" I asked.

  A couple of minutes of frantic searching later I was handed a pen. I scribbled down an address on the underside of a Joe's Diner beer mat and passed it through the window, putting the pen in my pocket.

  "Tell him to meet me at this address tomorrow night," I said. "Tell him to bring the necessary. You got that?"

  "You want the boss to meet you tomorrow night at this address," he nodded at the slip of paper satisfied.

  "Ahem, eight o'clock. On the dot."

  "The boss meets when he wants, not when you or…"

  "Eight o'clock," I repeated. My tone left no room for queries.

  The man nodded like a scolded child.

  "Can you remember the rest, or do you want me to write that down as well?"

  "No, no, no. It's all right." He rubbed his meathead, trying to reawaken his few brain cells. "Okay I got it," he said happily. "He needs to bring the necessary."

  I nodded patronizingly.

  "Perfect." I clapped a round of applause.

  "What's the necessary?"

  "We don't want to overdo it now do we? Just you remember that for now, okay?"

  I held out my hand and shook both of the stupefied gorilla's paws. "Now I'm afraid I'm going to have to lose you two for a while," I smiled. "And after tomorrow I don't suppose I'll interest your boss anymore. Goodbye fellas, it's been a pleasure."

  At that, I walked down the sidewalk to my parked car. Ten minutes later, I was mixing with the busy New York traffic, having left the blue Chevrolet behind some two miles away in a heavy traffic jam.

  I parked up on a side street on the outskirts of Manhattan. The area was quiet, not a sound except for the heavy downpour. I waited ten minutes until I was satisfied that the two goons were lost, and then got out. Hurrying along the main street were the many inhabitants of downtown Manhattan. Becoming busier by the minute, a collection of many differing cultures. You could now eat anything in the world within a two hundred meter radius. You could equally hear a handful of different tongues within the same distance.

  Little Swiss was one of the many territories claimed by outsiders as their own. First, came the Sicilians and Little Italy, then the Chinese community and Chinatown. Now the city was no more than a miniature world. It was three o'clock. I needed to make a telephone call.

  "Good afternoon officer, can you put Tim Matthews on please?" I waited patiently as the duty constable rushed off to find my friend in the force. I was sitting in a top-end drinker's bar on Fifth Avenue. There was a constant buzz of conversation. No one noticed me, or took any notice of what I had to say. The bartender sleepily poured me a drink, deciding reluctantly to leave the bottle and disappeared back into conversation at the other end of the bar.

  The line crackled and I found myself listening to another officer.

  "I'm afraid Lieutenant Matthews is unavailable at the moment. Can I be of any help, sir?"

  "I very much doubt that sweetheart. Tell Lieutenant Matthews that the date has been set. Tell him to ring this number..."

  "The date has been set..." repeated the female as I gave the number of the call box I was speaking from. Before I could finish there was a familiar gruff, ‘Give me that phone!’ and I was listening to my friend.

  "Errol, is that you? Do you mean what I think you mean?"

  The bartender ambled back over and placed a receipt on the bar next to me. Hovering bothersomely, I tossed him a ten-dollar bill so to be left in peace. I didn't mind paying for the drink, but before I'd drunk it?

  "Yes," I grunted.

  "Well come on, what's the deal?" he questioned impatiently.

  "Tomorrow night," I answered. "At this address." I repeated the same address I had earlier written down on a beer mat. "Small-scale, Timmy. No sirens, okay? I don't envisage too much trouble. Bring two sets of bracelets."

  "Two sets?"

  "Two sets. And get Weeny Ping's release forms ready. Eight-thirty, don't be late."

  I hung up the receiver and smiled.

  The remainder of the day passed quickly and uneventfully. I did a couple more checks to lose any hangers on and I was pretty sure I was alone. My only real concern was what Ava had told me. She was easily led to conclusions without thinking them through but then there was no doubt the evidence she had shown me was pretty damming. Claudia and Hermeez - could they have run away together? Done a runner with the booty, leaving me, their closest one, in a whole pile of shit? On the facts known, it would be hard to refute. Time would tell. For the time being I must continue to go with the plan.

  The plan was to be at the Empire State Building for seven o'clock. After a hearty meal at one of Manhattan's more classy food joints, it was time to go. Without my loyal buddy at my side it was now firmly left to me. Not a responsibility I was afraid of or even approached with hesitation. But there was a lot riding on my next move. If I happened to be wrong there would be terminal repercussions. Alternatively, if my little lady in the office happened to be right the end result would be similar.

  I passed quickly through the early evening Manhattan bustle, arriving at the lobby to the Tower in
good time. It was a magnificent piece of construction, towering high above the increasingly impressive Manhattan skyline. From the top everything was so small. Tiny cars drove along tiny roads, driven by millions of shuffling insects.

  The Empire State Building is easily the most evocative symbol of New York. Despite construction beginning only three weeks before the stock market crash of October 1929, and continuing through the ensuing Depression, the building proceeded speedily, and was completed well under budget after just fourteen months. It stands 103 stories and 1472 feet tall, making it the tallest building in the whole world.

  Where would be the best place for a meet? We would certainly prefer the ensuing conversation to be a private one. Away from prying eyes and more importantly prying ears. At least I was sure that I was alone. Quite a substantial part of the afternoon had been spent ensuring this. And I was certain the head of one of the families would be only too careful. In the toilets? -always an important venue for covert deals. The restaurant on the top floor, in a corner table, maybe? Even the elevator was a possibility. I gave all these careful thought before rejecting them. Our meet would be in the public viewing gallery. What better place to be unseen and unheard than a busy, public place?

  I smiled warmly at the attendant, who duly saluted and pressed a button on the side of the elevator. Almost immediately, a bell rang and the door slid open. I entered the small, enclosed room and pressed the button for the public gallery. Several other people followed me into the cramped space. None of them I recognized, or wanted to.

  As the elevator began its speedy ascent to the pinnacle of our culture, I eyed the walls. Even in such a treasured symbol of Americanism the graffiti lurked. The dirty walls were awash with bright colored splashes. From obscenities of the intellectual underbelly, such as ‘fuck off’ or the equally enlightening ‘Stacey is a slag’ to the young romantics ‘Will loves Hill’. Illustrated graphically and without embarrassment. When we reached the top I straightened my tie and stepped out.

  There had been a time when the public viewing gallery was completely open air. Adding to the incredible views was the crisp, night air brushing against your cheeks. The noise was dim, but could be heard. A dull concoction of New York life on extremely low volume. Now the gallery was open enough to feel the breeze, but was surrounded by a twelve foot high fence. This simple alteration singularly halved the city center suicide rate. Personally I preferred the open air but tonight? Well, I could live with the carpets and rubber plants.

  There was a tap on my shoulder, followed by, "Lovely view, eh?"

  A middle aged, reasonably built man stood forward, so he was next to me, shoulder to shoulder. He was wearing a dark suit covered by a trench coat with a wide brimmed fedora and a warm smile. His hands were held in his pockets.

  "It sure is," I answered as a group sauntered by. "I'm glad you came."

  Stanley Cortene pulled a hand from his raincoat and held out a box. "Cigar?" he offered. I duly accepted and lit it up. "How could I refuse the hero that saved my life? Had anyone else..." he continued indicating with his hands for me not to interrupt. "Had anyone else have interrupted one of Mama's spaghetti marinaras…" He spat out the end of the cigar, "I'd probably have thrown them over that fence there."

  I exhaled a thick cloud of smoke unflinching. I was simply being warned not to mess the man about. He was busy and so was I. I took the polite warning without reaction and looked briefly into Stan's icy eyes. "Before we start I have a little good news for you."

  Stan rubbed his hands. "That's swell. I like good news, shoot."

  "Liam Tighe is dead."

  "That is good news."

  "Yeah. He was murdered in his home in TJ. The cops down there don't know who did it and don't much care."

  Stan puffed happily on his cigar, before turning towards me. "I appreciate the information Errol, but you didn't drag me all the way up here to tell me that the little Irish runt has been exterminated so we should move on."

  I nodded and took a deep breath. "I have something to ask you," I said firmly, looking around the gallery nonchalantly. "Two things in fact."

  "Don't worry Errol, I'm here alone. We're friends right, I'm visiting a friend." There was a short pause. "I guessed you would have. Let's hear it."

  Slowly, I began to stroll around the three hundred and sixty degree gallery. Stan duly followed. We stopped and leaned on the rail, facing the north of Manhattan Island. To our right stood my favorite building in the whole of New York, the shimmering Art Deco masterpiece that was the Chrysler Building. Beyond that was the vast expanse of Central Park and further still the Hudson River, flowing beneath the George Washington Bridge that joined New York to New Jersey.

  "I guess I'm calling in my favour, if you like," I said.

  He coughed a little, before digging out a handkerchief and wiping his mouth. It had the expected result. When all the heads turned back around, and we were once again alone, Stan smiled. "Go on."

  "And some more as well."

  "I'm intrigued," admitted Stan, again stopping to take in the breathtaking view. "Try me."

  I sucked nervously on the cigar. So far so good, now I'll hit him with it.

  "I appreciated you allowing Claudia to visit,” I said, watching his every move. "She means a lot to me."

  "You're a good man, Errol, you treat her well. What's the point, are you asking me for her hand in marriage?"

  "Not quite." I chuckled although maybe that is what I really wanted to ask him. "All I'm asking is for the leash to be relaxed a little."

  Now it was my turn to prevent interruption before Stan could air his disapproval. "I'm not trying to tell you how to run your family, I wouldn't dare."

  Stan didn't say anything, he just glared. His eyes were angry, but I figured he was still attentive to my thoughts.

  "Look," I said matter of factly. "You know she's not cut out for family life. Give her a little room, that's all. You could buy her a house. She's very fond of me, you know."

  "And you are of her," stated Stan firmly.

  "Of course I am," I sighed. "But that's not my meaning. I'm not asking permission to date the girl. That's our business." Stan raised an eyebrow. "Just cut her a little slack, that's all I ask. Give her a chance to make up her own mind. If she decides I'm an asshole that's fine."

  I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. "I don't know just what Claudia has told you, Errol, but she's not a prisoner. She is a young lady with her own mind, and to some extent her own life." He paused. "There'll be no interference from me unless she asks for some, or unless she's in danger. And then my interference will be swift and final."

  I sighed. It had been a good try, but it seemed Stan was not even up to admitting it. But before I could again speak…

  "I trust you, Errol. You'll look after her at least, if not settle down and marry her… and if it's Mikey you're worried about, I'll handle him. You're too good to be gunned down by that son of a ..." He paused. "He's got a nasty temper on him that one. Don't worry he's under control." He again reassured me that the hot headed brother would be warned off. That we would be given the freedom Claudia craved and, according to Ava, had stolen. For the time being I felt relieved.

  "But enough of this unpleasant talk. What is it you have really come here to ask me?"

  Stan's eyes looked at me with warm affection. Like you would stare at an old friend. He was not old, maybe late forties, and was still extremely well presented. A little short maybe, but solid as a rock. His attire was immaculate and within that tough exterior was a human being. Unlike the leg men, the contacts and the killers, he was a man with a family he loved, and a great deal of good living to do. However, in spite of all these merits I was sure that he wouldn't hesitate to kill, if he decided it was the required action. Momentarily I questioned my next move but I had to press on.

  I finished the cigar and pushed my nose through the fence. "I want to talk to you about a man known as the Coward. Do you know of him?"

  There was a shor
t silence as a group of tourists barged past. The city was looking beautiful tonight. Lit up in all the colors of the rainbow, shimmering under the strong light of the moon.

  "Go on," is all he said, but I was now reluctant to say what I had come to say.

  "I'll take that as a yes," I said, stalling for time.

  Stan smiled, putting his face right to within an inch of mine. I could feel his eyes boring through me and it felt uncomfortable. Again, I began to walk slowly around the viewing gallery.

  Stan pursed his lips together and opened his palms. "Errol, I know a lot of men. I probably know more men that you will ever know, now are you going to tell me what this is all about, the excitement is killing me?"

  I smiled. "I may have to kill him," I said.

  Stan stood in silence. The viewing gallery had thinned out a bit. There were still plenty of customers, reveling over the beautifully illuminated skyline, but where we stood, we were almost alone. There was not a soul within hearing distance

  "Is this the same Errol Black that insisted he didn't want any part of the ‘only kill each other club’, I think is how you so eloquently put it? And now here you are asking my permission to kill a member of the club. That is what you're asking me isn't it, Errol?"

  "I don't think I have another option. It looks like it's going to have to be him or me and I'm quite fond of living right now. Look, he wants something from me that I don't think that I can give him. If everything I hear is true then it's only a matter of time before he gets to me."

  "So you want to get in there first?"

  I nodded.

  Stan slowly shook his head but before he could speak I interrupted him. "Look, I don't know what else to do. I think that I love your niece when I never thought that I would love again. It feels like I have been given a second chance when I never thought I was going to get another one. I want us to spend our lives together and live until we're old and gray. If you won't say yes for me say it for Claudia."