Holiday (The Falau Files Book 5)

by Mike Gomes

  “This is the way I see it boys.” said Falau raising his voice. “One of you is going to die tonight and the other is going to live.”

  “What are you talking about?” spat out Candido with his voice jumping in volume.

  “I mean that one of you is going to die tonight and one will live. It is all rather simple. If I leave Funchal you two will kill Joaquim and his mother to keep yourself safe from the police. I can’t do that. I can’t let those people come back from being in the hospital for God knows how long just to have you two kill them. So, the next best thing is to kill one of you and have an agreement with the other that if I find out any harm comes to Joaquim or his mom I will be back to kill you. The big question is, who dies?”

  Several of the porch lights in the courtyard lit up with Falau’s voice booming out for all to here. Shades pulled to the side with eyes peeking out taking in the show but not wanting to expose themselves too much to the rest of the boys who had been terrorizing the locals for the last few weeks.

  “So, who is it going to be? My personal thought was to kill you Candido.”

  “Me?” said the boy in a shaking voice and pulling away a few steps. “Why?”

  “Even you have to admit you’re the weaker of the two of you. You are a bit of a sniveling, whining baby about things. Seems like you cry a lot. I just can’t see you holding up in the police interrogation room. Right, Carlos?”

  “Candido is all man. He would be fine. You’re just trying to get us against each other.”

  Falau moved forward pushing himself into a position directly between the two boys. He kept his hand slightly raised and positioned his feet to balance himself for attack at any side or both sides.

  “So, it should be you, Carlos? Now that I think about it, what do I care if that cry baby rolls over to the cops? You will be dead, and he will just go to jail. No big deal either way. In the end Joaquim and his mom are ok.”

  “This is messed up, man. Why are you doing this? I am done with the gang stuff. I don’t want anything to do with MB4. I just want to have this all stop.”

  Cracking his knuckles, the big man turned to Candido. “I have a way to make sure nothing happens to you anymore. You make a choice. It is your choice alone. You tell me to kill Carlos or you. I don’t care who you pick or for what reason, but, if you don’t pick someone then I will kill you both. You have ten seconds.”

  Carlos looked over Falau and locked eyes with Candido. “He is full of shit. He isn’t going to do a thing.”

  “Ten.” said the big man calmly.

  “Just ten seconds!” said Candido looking like he was on the verge of tears flowing from him again.

  “Nine.”

  Carlos pulled himself to the front of Falau but keep his distance and raised his index finger pointing at the man. “You...”

  “Eight.”

  “You scumbag. Who are you? Maybe we should just run. You can’t catch us.”

  “Seven.” said Falau cracking his neck side to side and starting to look like a fighter getting ready to enter the ring. “You run, you better hope I don’t catch you. Besides, what are you going to do? Go to the police. Six”

  Candido took the knife in his hand and threw it in the direction of Carlos having it land to his right. Leaving it at a distance that was equal to that of the big man who was looking at it.

  “Five.” said Falau looking to Carlos. “Tempting to get it isn’t it. Think you can beat me to it?”

  “Don’t do it, Carlos!”

  “Four.”

  “No! No! You can’t make me do this! Please stop!” called Candido.

  “Three.” said Falau turning himself and facing Candido.

  “No!”

  “Two.” he said taking a step toward the shaking boy.

  “One! Decide now!”

  “No, please, no. I can’t!”

  “Then you die.” said Falau walking toward the boy who tripped on his own feet and he stumbled back and fell to the ground.

  “No! Please don’t hurt me, please!” screamed the boy curling himself into a ball on the ground cowering from the big man and his massive hand reached down to grab him.

  “KILL CARLOS! KILL HIM! IT WAS ALL HIS IDEA! THE WHOLE FUCKING GANG! KILLING JOSÉ AND JOAQUIM! IT WAS ALL HIM!” yelled Candido as he pulled himself into a tight fetal position and sobbed into his hands.

  Stopping his hand Falau turned back to Carlos looking him in the eye. “He sold you out just like you did to him. You did not move an inch to help him when you thought he could die. Great gang you have.”

  “What? Is this a lesson that you’re trying to teach us? What the hell is the matter with you?” said Carlos moving in hard toward Falau.

  “You think you’re going to do something kid? You think you’re going to come after me?” said Falau pointing to Carlos who was not ready to stop his movement. “You better think about what is best for you.”

  “Candido, now!” yelled Carlos looking over to the boy on the ground. The distraction worked as Falau looked over to Candido expecting to see the boy standing and making a move to attack him, but it was not happening.

  The foot of Carlos landed firmly in the thigh of Falau causing a sting running up into his waist. The big man’s leg did not buckle the way that Carlos had expected it to. The thick leg of the man stayed firm like a tree trunk in the ground. His foot bounced off causing minimal damage and doing little more than drawing a smile from the big man.

  Pulling his right hand back Falau fired a punch off his shoulder landing it directly on the mouth of Carlos. The boy’s jaw shook to the side and then back again to the other side. Two front teeth fell from the boy’s mouth and his body dropped to a heap on the ground unconscious.

  “Your turn, Candido.” said Falau moving closer to the boy and reaching down.

  In one swift move Candido drove the knife into the inner arm of the big man jamming it to its hilt. Falau yanked backward causing the knife to cut and inch down on his arm before sliding back out. Candido looked up at the man who grabbed at his arm and pressed hard on the wound as he moaned in pain.

  Watching the boy scurry to his feet and start to turn away Falau kicked his left foot out tripping the boy causing him to fall face forward onto the ground.

  “Ahhhhhhhh!” called out the boy as his back arched up making him pull his stomach off the ground as his legs and shoulders stayed down. His head twisted to the side and his mouth opened and eyes bled. Thrashing two times the boy rolled over showing the wound in his stomach and that the knife has submerged itself more than halfway down the handle.

  Rapidly grasping at the handle Candido looked to Falau for help without saying a word. A gasp fell from his mouth as the blood started to form around his lips and drip out.

  “Help... Please, help me.”

  Falau pulled a strip of cloth from his shirt and patched his wound as he looked down at Candido then to Carlos. Using his teeth to tie off the strip of cloth the big man stood over the wounded boy.

  “That’s a bad wound. I don’t know if even the hospital could help with that. Once that knife comes out you’re going to bleed uncontrollably. Not a chance you could make it to the hospital.”

  “You... you... need to help me. Please.”

  “There is only one thing I can do to help you at this point. If you want, I will do it for you.” said Falau looking down at the boy giving him no emotion or feeling in his eyes.

  Candido gazed up at Falau seeing the big man was not lying to him. There was nothing he could do other than make it quick. “Just make it fast, ok?”

  “I will do my best.” said Falau nodding his head.

  Moving over to Carlos his hand stretched down grabbing Carlos by the back of his shirt and lifted him up. “Wake up. Come on. Time to get moving.”

  The boy hanging by the shirt shook his head and attempted to get to his feet with his head still bobbing from being kicked.

  Dragging the boy by the shirt Falau moved closer to Candido and pulled him
to his feet.

  “We just need to go for a walk, guys. After that everything will be alright.”

  Chapter 33

  Pressing the button on the side of her bed Apollonia set the curtains in motion letting the light in from the outside. The sun was rising on a new day in Funchal and the men down at the shore were boarding their boats to make their first trip out onto the sea to get their day’s catch.

  The clock on the wall said it was six thirty in the morning and the sun had several more hours before it directly shined into the window warming the whole room.

  Turning her head to the side she looked at her son laying in his bed sleeping quietly with a bandage and dressing on his open stomach that desperately needed to be changed. The blood had soaked through and had dripped onto the sheets on the bed.

  With a smile crossing her face the woman drew in a slow and full breath. She could feel the burns on her face and chest pull as she did it. The pain was increasing as her healing had just started and she knew that each day there would be a cleaning of the burns that some people had said they would rather have died than go through that again. The doctor explained that the road to a recovery would be a long and difficult one, but her son could stay with her and that was all the difference she needed to face each day.

  “Mom?” said a voice from the bed next to her.

  Rolling her head to the side Apollonia was greeted with the smile of her son. “Joaquim. Good morning.”

  “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

  “Good for now. And how about you. Is your pain bad?”

  “Some but nothing compared to what you’re going to deal with. Don’t worry mom. I am not going to be leaving you again.”

  “You can leave me. You will find a beautiful woman and then you can come see me with my grandchildren.”

  A smattering of laughter came up between the two causing them both to cut off the laughter and calm their breathing from their wounds.

  Knock. Knock.

  The door open and a young woman pushed a cart into the center of the rom and stopped it.

  “Breakfast is here. Would you like eggs or pancakes?”

  “Pancakes, please.” said Joaquim with a smile as he pressed the button raising the back of his bed, so he could get into the sitting position.

  “And for the lady?” said the woman.

  “Eggs, please.” said Apollonia who had already moved her bed into the sitting position.

  The hospital worker placed the tray with the covered eggs on a table that was rolled to go under Apollonia’s bed and cross over her midsection to give her a table to eat from.

  “Enjoy your breakfast madam.”

  The hospital worker moved out of the room just as fast as she had come in leaving the mother and son to their breakfast.

  Taking the cover off the plate of eggs Apollonia shifted the plate exposing a piece of folded paper that peeked out from underneath it. Pulling out the paper she opened it up and read it.

  Dear Apollonia,

  By the time you read this letter I will have taken an early fight off the island and be far away. I found it best that I leave without saying goodbye because I have never been good at heart filled separations. You were right telling me that my life is back at my home and yours is here. Either one of us asking the other to move would simply be unfair.

  Maybe in another time in another place we will run into each other again and we may see what gets to develop, but for now, it is better that you and your son live the life you both should have. When you leave the hospital make your way back to the bed and breakfast where we first met. I have spoken with the owner and placed something in the safe behind the check in desk and it is attached to my room number. The owner will be waiting for you to arrive and he will give you the package. I don’t want you to know what it is but please rest assured that your housing needs and financial needs have been taken care of for the next year.

  Your problems have been solved. You and Joaquim have nothing to worry about. I know this is not what you wanted me to do but I could see no other way that you and he would ever find the peace that you deserve. The situation will never be discovered and will never return to challenge you and the other people of this wonderful island. I hope this life will return to the way it was for all of you so that this island can be all it can be.

  Apollonia, if I had been asked what I thought my vacation would be like I would never have thought this but in the end, was more meaningful than I ever could have hoped. I got the opportunity to help some people that I will never forget for the rest of my life. You and your son have made a great impact on me and I wish you nothing but the best in your healing and for the rest of your life.

  All the Best,

  Michael

  P.S. Please destroy this letter as soon as possible.

  Chapter 34

  Boston, Massachusetts

  “Are you going to tell me anything about the trip or is it going to be a little mystery like your trips you take for work.” said Grady pulling a soda from the refrigerator. “You want a soda?”

  “Sure, a soda would be great.” replied Falau leaning back on the sofa. “And no, I am not telling you anything about the trip. No need to know anything. Just the same old thing for me.”

  “Hmmm. Same old thing for you. Well doesn’t that just sound like a shit load of trouble that you don’t want to let on about.”

  Laughing hard Falau took the soda from the outreached hand of Grady as he slumped down on the sofa.

  “Falau, I have always liked you. I got sober because of you. I have a nice place to live because of you. I have a friend and a life because of you but you seem crazy to me. I don’t know what you’re doing with your life, but I keep thinking there will be a time that you never return. You have to slow all this down or it will be the end of you.”

  “Come on, man. I was just on vacation having a good time.”

  “You’re so full of shit, Falau. Don’t treat me like a fool, man. I know you don’t want to talk but don’t just lie to my face and expect me to go along with it.”

  Falau lifted his hand and closed his eyes. “I got it. I meant no offense. You know trouble follows me wherever I go so I didn’t think it was good for you to know anything about anything. I just don’t want you to be in a position that makes you have knowledge of something you do not want to know about. The same thing I always say about this stuff.”

  “That’s something that I can respect and accept.” said Grady leaning over to the coffee table and grabbing the remote control and pointing it at the TV. “How about some Celtics. They are playing the Cavs tonight.”

  “Sounds good to me. I forgot the game was on tonight.” said Falau pulling himself up in his seat. “How about we order some wings or Chinese food?”

  “Yes, Chinese food sounds so great.”

  The television flicked to life and the older black man worked his way through the channels often stopping to complain about what was on. Finding the game, he placed the controller back on the table and put his feet up on it crossing them over.

  “I have been looking forward to this game for a week.”

  “You have some money on the game?” asked Falau raising an eyebrow. “You know this is just another addiction.”

  ‘I know. I know. I never bet on basketball after they caught that ref all mobbed up a few years ago. Nobody even seemed to care that the dude was taken with organized crime.”

  “Everyone looks the other way for money.” said Falau not realizing he was doing the same thing living with him. Glancing over at his friend Grady gave a smile and nodded at the big man.

  “I never bet on you, either.”

  A pounding sound came from the first floor on the front door alerting the men that someone was at the house. Visitors were not normal after dark in the neighborhood that had Massachusetts Avenue and Columbus as intersects.

  “I will get the front door and you call for the food.”

  “Sounds good but use the video to
check who it is before you open the door.”

  “Will do.”

  Grady worked his way down the steps one step at a time not trusting the steep nature of the steps and his knees and how they had grown weaker over the years.

  Flipping open his phone Falau hit the pre-inserted number for the local Chinese food restaurant that had delivery.

  “Ya. I would like to make an order for delivery.” said Falau trying to listen to Grady as he got to the front door. The sound of laughter was a dead giveaway that Grady knew the person at the door and was happy to see them.

  “Yes, that’s my number and address. Can we get a pu pu platter for two? Hold the egg roll and extra chicken wings.”

  The sound of one step of feet came moving up the steps but they were not the feet of Grady.

  “Ok, twenty-five minutes. I will be at the door. Thanks.

  “Did you order for three or do I just have to fend for myself.” said a voice causing the big man to turn to the door. Standing in the doorway dressed in a dark blue suit and gray overcoat, Tyler stood looking as sharp as ever.

  Falau marveled at the class of the man that as a boy was always disorganized and frantic as he moved about. Now he could walk through the snow and salt on the roads without getting a scuff on his shoes or stain on the cuff of his pants. He was meticulous.

  “Nice to see you, man!” called out Falau moving across the room and giving his old friend a strong bear hug that lifted him off the ground. “Work or pleasure here tonight?”

  “Mostly pleasure and not that Grady told me you guys are watching the Celtics game it will be even more pleasure. But of course, there is always a little bit of work mixed in.”

  “Is there ever a time that you’re not on the clock. I mean I understand your job is not done at five but shit, man, you must find some time for you. All work and no play make Tyler a dull boy.”

  “Dull is not the word I would use for my life, but your right, I need to let go a little bit, but I can be a control freak with things just like you.”