A Lifetime of Vengeance

by Pete PJ Grondin

  “Is everything alright now?”

  “Yes it is. It’s the second time in my life that I’ve been an absolute idiot. You know about the first.”

  “Yeah, let’s forget about that, okay? Can anyone besides your wife, what is her name . . .”

  “Diane. I’d like for you to meet her, soon. Are you married?”

  “Yep. Her name’s Rachael. She’s a doll. She wants me to get a desk job. Afraid I’m gonna get popped someday and make her a police widow. Anyway, back to you. Anyone besides Diane that can place you at home?”

  “My son, Sean. He’s five but he can tell you I was home. At least he can tell you that I came home and about the time. I would imagine he could do that with no problem. I promise not to coach him.”

  “Okay Pat. Don’t worry, I believe you. How about Joe? Did he know you were home? And do you know where he was?”

  “Joe was entertaining a lady friend after I left. It was his first date in a long time. He appears to be quite taken by this girl. She’s little younger than he is, but she’s over 21. He was with her until late. What time did the shooting happen?”

  “What time did Joe leave his date?”

  “I think that you should talk to him directly. I really don’t know those details.”

  “Look Pat, this is serious stuff. You just keep your eyes and ears open and stay out of trouble. If you see or hear anything suspicious, you call me again. These guys that used to be your dope headed buddies have developed themselves into some real bad people. They’re working for a major dude. His name’s Jason Roberts. He runs a lot of dope and not just weed. Many millions per year in revenue. You should be glad you got out when you did.”

  Amen to that brother, Pat thought to himself. “Johnny, it was good to talk with you. I wish circumstances were different but, hey, you once told me that you play the hand you’re dealt. I just wish I hadn’t been dealing from the bottom of the deck. Now I’ve got a family to protect and my past is riding my bumper. It sucks.”

  “As long as you’re not involved, and I believe that you’re not, then you have nothing to worry about. We’ll get to the bottom of this. You just stay out of the way.”

  “Thanks Johnny. I owe you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong buddy. We’re good.”

  * * *

  Jason Roberts had just finished talking to Jamie and Bill. He’d worked out the details with them on how they would go to the grove early in the afternoon and wait for this ‘Radar’ character to show up. They’d take care of business and leave his body in a shallow grave in the McKinney’s grove. ‘Nobody will find him for quite awhile,’ he’d told them. No problem. Jamie and Bill thought that they would get back-up from Mr. Roberts in the form of Buddy and Phil Daniels, but when Jason had said that they were pussies if they couldn’t handle this alone, Jamie’s pride took over. He wasn’t about to take any help from anyone. He didn’t even need Bill there to help. According to Jamie he was just going to get in the way. Mr. Roberts wasn’t so sure.

  In his office he was now talking with Ray Krebs. Ray was looking around at the handsomely furnished office. This is what money will buy he said to himself. He admired the fine art limited edition prints. Then there was the obviously expensive cherry desk and matching library shelves built into the west wall. The large picture window opened to the lake in the back of the property. The yard was landscaped to perfection. It looked like an advertisement for a lawn and garden magazine.

  “Ray, I need your attention.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, I was just admiring . . .”

  Jason held up his hand. He didn’t care about Ray complimenting his yard. He wanted Ray to find out who was killing his people. “What have you got for me?”

  “The shooter is a guy who calls himself Radar. I don’t have any background on him. All I know is he drives a rental car and has balls. He showed himself to your guys in the bar last night and wasn’t the least bit concerned about that. He even challenged Bill to a game of pool and took his money in pool and then took his money from the deal last night. Dumb ass Bill had it in a backpack in the back seat of his car.”

  “I know all of that. Jamie and Bill told me that much. Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “I think that he’s working for the McKinney brothers.”

  “He’s working for who?”

  “The McKinney brothers. They used to be friends of Jamie, Bobby, Donnie Lee, Randy Farley, Bill Grimes and Danny Vallero. They used to deal with the McKinneys. They were small time compared to your ops here but they were getting pretty big when shit hit the fan about seven years ago. It’s a long story, but in a nut shell, these six did some pretty bad shit to the brothers. They killed Mike McKinney’s wife, at least four of the six had a part in it.”

  Jason shifted uncomfortably in his office chair. He didn’t like the sound of this at all. He had dirty guys working for him. But this was a dirty business. It takes a certain amount of brass balls to achieve success in any business; more so in this one. You dealt with scum lower than yourself on a daily basis. He looked back at Ray Krebs and thought to himself I’m looking at an example right now. But he needed Ray, because with Ray came inside information from the sheriff’s Vice squad. He couldn’t afford to lose that connection.

  “I want you to make sure that this Radar guy doesn’t bother my people again. If Jamie and Bill fail, I want you to finish it. Do you have any qualms about what I just said?”

  “No sir. I do expect a sweetened deal though. I’m in this to provide information. If my scope just increased, I expect that there will be a commensurate rise in compensation.”

  “Yes there will. There’s a one-time payout of $100,000. And I’ll raise your monthly take by $5,000. Good enough?”

  It was a question, but the only right answer was, “Yes sir.” Ray gave the right answer.

  Chapter 35

  It was 7:45 AM. Bobby Acquino sat in the next to the last pew at St. Francis of Assisi. He was oblivious to the beauty of the church that surrounded him. The church was a new facility which held nearly 1200 people at each service. The pews were modern, straight forward, with square backs and light-stained wood. The windows were stained-glass but simple in design. The church was not nearly as ornate as its turn of the century predecessors, but it was quite functional, and best of all, air conditioned. That was the key to getting good attendance in Florida during the summer months. Even in the air-conditioned interior of the church, Bobby was sweating as he poured out his soul.

  He was deep in prayer, asking God for forgiveness for all of the horrible things that he’d done over the last years. He was depressed and scared. He was more scared of dying without the Lord’s forgiveness than he was of just dying as his catholic youth training was surfacing in his consciousness. How could I have let my life get so out of hand? I’ve failed my parents, my true friends, and you, God. What do I have to do to be forgiven? Bobby continued to pray, head down, his mind centered only on his deep sorrow.

  A man in black with a white collar was watching Bobby from near the altar. He was a young priest. The priest thought about approaching him, but he didn’t want to interrupt his prayer. He could see the intensity in his body language. He felt compelled to ask him about the weight that was on his shoulders.

  Bobby felt that someone was watching him, and looked up to see the priest looking out across the church at him. Their eyes locked for a few moments. Bobby stood and walked towards the front of the church. The priest came off of the altar and approached Bobby.

  “You look troubled. Would you like to talk for awhile? I am Father Keifer.”

  “Father, I have screwed up my life so badly that I think that I am going to hell.”

  “My son, everyone, no matter what the sin, has the Lord’s forgiveness if only you will ask for it and accept the Lord as your Savior. If you wish for me to hear your confession, I have time now.”

  Bobby spent the next hour confessing his sins. He broke down in tears a number of time
s and was clearly troubled not only about what he’d done, but by what might yet happen. Father Keifer listened intently, understanding that this man had done wrong, but nothing that he hadn’t heard before. It wasn’t that Father Keifer had heard stories of dealing drugs, but he’d listened to stories of infidelity, incest, even a few rapes and a murder. This was something he was used to, and trained to deal with. Many of the stories he’d heard were from people who were not nearly as sorry as Bobby.

  When it appeared that Bobby was running out of things to confess, he took a moment to collect his thoughts. “Bobby, you have done wrong and sinned against God. But you have asked God for his forgiveness, and he has given it to you. Do you remember from your youth, the Epistles of Paul? He spoke with such confidence about being forgiven and how he was a servant of God. He turned his life over to God and preached the Word all over the ancient land surrounding Israel. Paul persecuted and killed Christians before he was shown the light of the Word. If Paul was forgiven for killing Christians, surely you are forgiven for your transgressions.”

  The light came on in Bobby’s mind. His face brightened, though his eyes were still bloodshot from his tears. He looked Father Keifer in the eyes and asked, “Do you really think that God has forgiven me?”

  “Absolutely, Bobby. All you need do now is go and sin no more. You are always welcome in the house of God, and God will always take you back, regardless of your sins. Talk to God often. If you would like, come back whenever you feel the need and talk with me again. If you feel yourself failing, I am a phone call away, and God is in your mind and your heart. You have a direct connection. Don’t be afraid to use the line. The call is free of charge.”

  Bobby left St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 8:50 with renewed hope. Father Keifer had reaffirmed that there was hope for him after all. He still had problems that he knew he would have to resolve, but he determined that he was still salvageable. His soul at least was not lost. He’d prayed for hours asking for God’s forgiveness. Now he had to tell his parents the truth, and about his decision to get out of the trade. He would seek their forgiveness for all the pain he’d caused them. His intentions were now on the side of good versus evil. But evil still lurked out there beyond these sacred walls.

  * * *

  It was 8:55 AM. The hot Florida sun was already beating down. The humidity hung somewhere around 90% and the glare from the pavement was tough on the eyes. Jamie and Bill sat in Bill’s car in the grove across Kelley Park Drive from the entrance to the McKinney grove and the sand road that lead to the vault. They were keeping a watch out for the guy who called himself Radar. They’d been there for several hours already. There was no small talk. Jamie hated the idea that Bill was his only help, and he really wasn’t in the mood for any intellectual discussion, though any discussion with Bill could hardly be called intellectual. Jamie thought that Bill was more stupid than anyone he’d ever met. He cursed Jason Roberts for saddling him with this numbskull.

  “Jamie, I’m sweating like a pig. Can’t we roll the windows up and turn on the AC for a while? I mean I am soaked. I can feel the sweat . . . “

  “Shut up Bill. We can’t run the engine, it’s too loud. We can’t worry about the heat, it’s there and there’s nothing we’re gonna do about it. Just do your job and look out for any car heading to McKinney’s vault. Don’t you want to get back at this guy? He ripped off your first big payoff.”

  “Yeah, I do but it’s real hot. He isn’t supposed to be here until 11:00. Why are we here this early?”

  “You’re not just acting, are you? You really are this stupid.” Bill looked at Jamie with a ‘what do you mean?’ look. “If we show up right at 11:00, we’re sittin’ ducks. He could pick us off like we’re in a shootin’ gallery. We’re not gonna be stupid, at least I’m not. Maybe you can go talk him into giving you your money back, but chances are he’s gonna want to blow your head off instead. What do you think?”

  “I’m not stupid, Jamie.”

  “Calm down, Einstein. Let’s settle back, and take care of this problem. We’ll both be richer for the experience, and Mr. Roberts will appreciate it. Now, Billy boy, just concentrate on that drive across the way. When a car enters, we’re gonna go across the road and cut off his exit. We’ll circle around from either side, and cut him down in the crossfire. This will be easy.”

  Bill looked across the road for a minute, then back at Jamie, then back at the drive and said quietly, almost too low for Jamie to hear, “But I’m not stupid.” Jamie just turned away and smiled. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at Bill again.

  Chapter 36

  Brian dropped Ginny off at her apartment at about 12:10 pm. He had to get ready to enter the studio for recording his first ever album. He had to get in touch with Rick Wessler and the rest of the band, so that they could get ready for the event. He wasn’t even sure how a recording studio worked when it came to actually recording a CD. Sure he knew that there were tracks to record over and over again. He knew nothing of mixing, equalizing, sound quality, pitch control or any of the finer points of creating a CD. He kept calling them albums, and in the industry there were still folks that referred to cutting a sound recording as ‘cutting an album.’ Well Brian figured he was about to get an education. He didn’t realize that he was about to get an education in criminal justice.

  He pulled into his apartment and was walking towards his door when he was approached by two official looking men in suits. “Brian Purcer?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Detective Al Porecwzski. This is my partner Detective Richard James. We’d like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind.”

  “Is this about Danny Vallero?”

  “Yes and no. Do you mind if we go inside? It’s kind of hot out here.”

  Brian thought about whether he had any stash visible and apparently the detectives read his mind. “Brian, we’re with Homicide. We don’t care if you smoke a little grass. And we won’t tell Vice unless you’ve got a couple of pounds lying around your living room.”

  Brian was sure he didn’t have to worry about that, so he asked the cops to follow him in to his modest apartment. He offered the men a drink, but they declined.

  “Brian, do you know a guy named Donnie Lee Lester?”

  Brian’s heart rate picked up immediately upon hearing Donnie Lee’s name. This was definitely not a good thing. “Sure. Or I did. I understand he was killed the other night. Story was in the Sentinel.”

  “Where were you last night?”

  “I was at the Gaylord Palms with a friend. Before that I was at the Cypress Palms Restaurant in Lakeland. We had dinner then went straight to the Gaylord Palms. We arrived at about 8:30 or so.”

  “I guess you have witnesses?”

  “A whole restaurant full. Am I a suspect?”

  “Nope. The only reason that we’re asking is because of the altercation the other night at the Rock. It appears that there’s a connection between Donnie Lee Lester and Danny Vallero. Do you know Randy Farley?”

  This was getting more and more uncomfortable. Three people that Brian knew were dead. They all had a common thread; the McKinneys. “Yeah, but again, it’s past tense. Randy, as I’m sure you know, is dead. That one was also in the papers. He was at the Rock the night Danny was killed. Is this going somewhere in particular?”

  “Well, yes it is. Do you know a guy named Mike McKinney?”

  “Yes.” This was getting real weird. He hadn’t seen Mike McKinney for a long time. Maybe these guys were just grabbing at straws, or maybe they knew more than he did.

  The detectives could see that Brian was getting a bit uncomfortable. “When was the last time you saw Mike?”

  “Years. I haven’t seen Mike in at least . . . “, Brian had to think for a minute, or at least make the appearance that he was thinking. “Over six and a half years I think. It’s been a real long time. Last I heard he was out in Las Vegas.” Come on Brian, don’t volunteer too much information. Make them do the
work.

  “How about Pat and Joe McKinney?”

  They had him on Pat. He needed time to think that one through so he decided to take on the Joe question first. “I haven’t seen Joe in about the same time as Mike. They left town on the same day if I recall. I think he went into the Marines.” So what lie do I tell about Pat? “Pat, on the other hand is a different story. I saw Pat when he was on leave from the Navy a few years back. His boat docked at Port Canaveral and we met for a drink. Haven’t seen him since.” I’ve got to remember to tell Pat about this. We’ve got to keep our stories straight.

  “Alright, Brian.” They went on to ask a few more, seemingly unimportant questions, but they were satisfied that Brian had nothing to do with the murders. Even if he were telling half-truths about the McKinneys, he wasn’t a suspect anyway. They left after only twenty minutes and didn’t even look back.

  Brian realized he was shaking a bit. He had to call Pat, but he wasn’t sure if he should do it right away. It was a long distance call from his apartment and he sure didn’t want a record of a call to Pat right after the detectives left. He’d wait until he headed out to the studio. He’d stop at a pay phone and talk with Pat about his visitors.

  Once back in their unmarked Mercury Marquis, Rich turned to Al, “Do you think he’ll make the call?”

  “Oh yeah. If the McKinneys are involved, they’ll back off. If not, then too bad for the bad guys. We just have more paperwork to process and Ray and Johnny have less dope dealers to watch. Like there’s not enough to keep them busy.”

  * * *

  Bobby Acquino walked towards his Ford Taurus in the church parking lot with conviction. His mind was racing. He had to talk with his parents first. He wanted to get this off his chest while he still had his new found courage. He opened the door to the car, sat in the driver’s seat and was buckling his seatbelt when he noticed a note had been placed on his windshield. It was on computer printer paper and was typed out, but signed by Jason Roberts. Oh damn, what now? He thought to himself as he began to scan the note’s content. “Meet Jamie and Bill at the McKinney’s vault. They need your help. Go there immediately when you leave here.” Bobby decided to ignore the note and go straight to his parent’s house. Then on the way out to the vault he would get a bite to eat. With any luck he’d be at the vault by 11:00 as planned. I’ll let Jamie and Bill know that I’m quitting. It’ll kill two birds with one stone.