Today’s
excerpt is from Horace Goes Home, Book #2 of the Bader Trilogy. Elmer makes a deal with his reporter friend
Helen. Enjoy and have a wonderful day.
m.j.
Aboard the
helicopter, Helen sat by Hector. “What’s
your involvement in this deal, Mr. Garcia?”
“Hector is fine,
Helen—if I may?”
“Of course. Umm, back to my question—if you don’t mind.”
“I’m working for
Red Grassi on something. He requested
use of my chopper. Hence, here I am, and
here you are. Before you ask, “I and my
people had nothing to do with all the dead bodies you’re about to see.”
“How many dead
bodies? Who are they?”
“Save your
questions for Elmer, please. If he’s
gonna lie to you, I don’t want the truth coming from me. He’s a good guy…and a good friend of my
present employer.”
“I’m well aware
of that fact. Is Elmer going to lie to
me?”
“I hope
not. You’re way too pretty.”
“Oh, boy—I can
see I’m in for something wild. A guy who
is probably nearly as rich as Red Grassi starts flirting with me to avoid the
subject, I can just guess what dear old Elmer is gonna lay on me. But he’s never let me down yet. He says something, he makes good. How about you?”
“Yeah…get some
rest. I am. I’m bushed.”
Helen looked at
Hector. She thought he might be faking
it, until he started to snore. She
nearly burst into laughter, but was afraid of waking him, so she settled back
to do as told, to get some rest, even though she knew there would be no sleep
for her.
·
When the
helicopter landed, Elmer and those with him came out of their defensive
positions, as dictated by Hector’s man.
They walked to greet those getting off.
After kissing Helen on the cheek, he stopped her cameraman from starting
to shoot what he saw, and pulled Helen away from the others. “Okay, here’s what I got. You can film some of the bodies, but only get
a good shot of the face of Tony Mosello.
He’s in the building at the end of the drive, on the far side. There’s ten bodies here—I want you to report
eleven. Included in those dead you will
say are Tony Mosello—who is, in fact, quite dead—along with his running
mate—Benny Sgroi—who, in fact, is not dead. I will trust you, to tell you—OFF THE
RECORD, and not to be mentioned to anyone—that it is vital we find and take Sgroi alive.”
Helen looked at
Elmer. “Hey, pal—those two are reputed
to work for Bettino Prudi. I’m not
really too thrilled with the idea of getting crossways of him. Oh, my God—that’s who you’re after, isn’t
it?”
“I always did
say you’re one smart dame, Helen.
Yeah—but if we lose him because you open your mouth, I’ll personally
kill you…or worse.”
“Rape me? Please…please.”
“Hush. Sgroi and Mosello killed six people. We’re sure two of them were killed on the
orders of Prudi. We want Prudi. We get Sgroi alive, we can make some sort of
deal with him. After this mess here, I’m
sure he’ll be more than willing to pin the tail on Prudi. You will be in on the whole deal, if you play
along with me…including the arrest of Sgroi…along with the arrest of Prudi and
D’Alema.”
“Live?”
“If possible,
without getting you shot. I still think
you’re beautiful, so would hate to see your face on a morgue slab, with the
rest of your lovely body.”
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