When Young Walter turned eighteen his father made arrangements for him to attend Cambridge; Walter had had enough school. He wanted to explore Europe. He had some money his father had deposited in an account for him to attend the University, so Walter took to the roads. He spent the next year sightseeing and traveling Europe. His father was livid, he insisted that Walter return home and attend school. Young Walter finally did return home, he had run out of money.
Young Walter held dual Citizenship, the United States and he was also a British Subject. He wanted nothing to do with the University, He actually wanted nothing to do with his father, so on June 21st 1998, nineteen year old Walter Kleinberg tested for and was accepted into the Corps of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. After two years of vigorous training Walter was assigned to the Commando Brigade Royal Marines. He was assigned to one of the Close Combat Companies. It was 2000 and in one short year, on September 11, 2001 the world would change forever.
Over the next three years Walter was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. He loved the Royal Marines, but the seeming lack of direction and support from his country concerning the war made him wonder. After his fourth deployment to Iraq he returned home to the UK. A message on his phone led him to the United States, and the mother he hadn’t seen in almost twenty years.
Chapter 61
The shocked expression on my face must have given me away. “You didn’t know, I’m not surprised, my mom and I haven’t actually seen each other in many years.”
I shook his hand and sat back, I was too shocked to speak. Then I looked closer at him, dark curly hair, dark completion, and those jet black eyes. He had all of Rachael’s features. I just sat, trying to compose myself, he saw my confusion and allowed me time to recover, then he spoke “You see, when I was eight my parents divorced, it had been over a long time before that, but they made it official. I blamed my mom for the breakup, that’s another story, I was a little kid, and my dad was a big time doctor. Gave me everything a little kid could want, so I went with him when they split. I saw mom occasionally, but then dad moved us to England, he ran a heart clinic there. My contact with my mother became less and less. Pretty soon I was down to a letter a month. I still send them and she still writes back, but they go to a Post Office Box, so I had no idea how to contact her.”
I was in complete shock, here was the woman I loved with a son she kept secret, why? “May I ask why you blamed you mom for the divorce, I know you were little, but there must have been something?” He looked sad, and then looked into my eyes, “You want the truth, I promise, the truth is gonna hurt?” I nodded yes for him to continue. “Ok, well the truth is, I blamed her because of you.”
I was shocked and sat back on the chair, “Me, I’m sorry Walter, you don’t even know me, how could that be?” He stood up and stretched then sat back down, “Long flight, kinda stiff. Well, I do know you, and so did my father. You have to be Jessie; she talked about you all the time. My dad would be so mad, I don’t know what went on between you two, but it ended my parent’s marriage, I do know that.”
My brain was racing, I had to explain, “Walter, your mother and I were engaged a couple of times many, many years ago. I was a jerk; I was in the Army at the time and decided to do another tour. By the time I was discharged your mother and father were already married. I won’t lie to you, I did see her after her divorce, that was wrong because I was married, but when she was married I never saw her, I promise you that.”
He sat back and looked to be measuring my statement, “I believe you; it’s just that she spoke of you all the time. A war hero, all kinds of metals, brave, strong, she just never got over you I guess.” I wanted to scream and run away, I had no idea how to handle this, why didn’t I know about her son, what the hell was so secret. “Walter, whatever happened in the past, I am truly sorry for. I can’t change the things that happened twenty five years ago, hell, I can’t even change what happened nine days ago and brought her here. How did you find out she was here anyway?”
“A nurse called me from this hospital, mom worked here and they must still have that contact information. That’s all I can think of.” That made sense. I had to tell him everything “I don’t guess you know your mom and I were married a few years ago.” He smiled “I know she sent a letter and was so happy, she finally, after all those long years, got what she wanted.”
We both fell silent for several minutes, then Walter asked “What happened, all they told me was that she had been shot and was in a bad way?” I hated to even begin this story, but I knew I had too. I explained about the break in, how I was upstairs, and finished the story arriving at the hospital. He thought over the story and asked, “But why target your house?” I knew this was coming “I need to explain a few things about myself and my life, but this isn’t the time or the place.” He agreed with that answer for now.
Walter looked out the window then walked back and sat across from me. “You know, I think for a long time I hated and admired you at the same time. I blamed you for breaking up my parent’s marriage, but heard so many stories about you from my mom, I came to admire you. Strange, to actually want to emulate someone you don’t even know.”Again he left me speechless, what do you say to something like that? Thankfully the nurse came to tell me it was time for our hourly visit. I introduced Walter to her and explained who he was; she said we could both visit with her. As we were about to walk in he stopped and looked at me and said “The only real puzzle to me is why she didn’t tell you about me?” I thought for a moment and said, “I don’t know, but there is only one person who can answer that; let’s just all pray one day we will get that answer. We both nodded and walked into Rachael’s room.
Chapter 62
We stayed in Rachael’s room for ten minutes. Walter didn’t cry, but I could see emotion on his face. We held her hands and prayed. When it was time to leave I kissed her gently on the lips, just as I had done every time I visited, he hesitated but bent and kiss her on the forehead.
We sat across from each other in the waiting room and I could see the tears in his eyes. He looked at me “She is still like I remember her, I haven’t seen her in nineteen years, and she hasn’t changed; still as beautiful as ever.” I nodded in agreement, “Yes, age agrees with some more than others.”
We sat silently for a long time then Walter asked; “You told me what happened that night, but what about the men, the ones who broke in. You said you handled them, what does that mean?” I looked at him, “Well I was fortunate enough to be upstairs where my shotgun was. I killed one; the other was taken to this same hospital.” Before I had a chance to explain he interrupted; “You mean that bastard is here, in this same place!” I held up my hand, “No, slow down Walter, he’s dead, died the same night they brought him in.”
He seemed to relax a little,” Oh, ok at least I know that bastard is gone.” It was my turn to talk, “Can I ask you a question?” He nodded yes. “Did you come here to kill me, or the men that did this to your mother?” He looked at me with a surprised look. I continued “Walter, this isn’t my first rodeo, number one, you carrying a pistol; number two, you have that look, and I know that look very well.”
He sat back a half smiled, “don’t miss much, do you? Well the truth is I’m not sure. I wanted someone to pay for my parent’s breakup, and didn’t want to blame both of them. Also, I wanted the men who did this to her to pay, but you already took care of that part.” I looked at him and smiled, “Believe me I understand the need for revenge, It’s been a big motivator in my life, but I’m not proud of it. And if I truly brought pain to you by causing their breakup, well, I’m sitting right here and I’m not going anywhere.
Chapter 63
Captain James O’Shea had been a driven man since the Lucio murder. For all those years Lucio had been an obsession with him, now with Lucio gone, his attention was turned to Antonio Guzman. He had spent many years in New York trying to put him in jail, but there was never the needed break. But that’s when he was working wi
thin the law, now he really didn’t care; he wanted Guzman no matter what it took.
He had gathered all the information he could from cops and snitches he had worked with in New York and New Jersey. His ex partner in the gang squad had his men pump their snitches for everything they could get. It was like putting together a puzzle, problem was, there were pieces missing.
He sat at his desk and added note after note to his Guzman database; he studied his movements, and habits, trying to get a glimpse into this man’s mind. Guzman had only two obvious weaknesses, he loved money and he loved young women, or did he? One constant rumor that surfaced from several different sources placed Guzman with a male lover. O’Shea would normally dismiss this as bullshit, but these stories came from several unrelated sources. Could this possibly be true, and if so, could it be used against him?
One well placed source had told an undercover that Guzman kept a woman in an apartment as a show piece, but was really on the down low. What did all this mean and where could it lead?
His office phone rang; it was a Detective French from Major Case in Harlem. “Hey Captain O’Shea, long time no talk, how you doin?” O’Shea tried to remember French from his days in New York, then remembered a fat Detective whose ass he had bailed out during a liquor store stickup. Hell, now he remembered; and this guy owed him. “Hey French, nice to hear from you again, what you been up to?” French chuckled, “Not much Captain, hey congratulations on the promotion, been a long time coming, you deserved it.” This was all bullshit but standard protocol when buttering someone up, obviously French had something and he wanted something for it. “Well thank you French, what can I do for you?”
O’Shea knew it was coming, so he sat back and waited. “Well Captain, I think I might have some information you been looking for. I know you boys in New Jersey have been pumping for information on our guy Guzman, well I got two little tidbits that I think might help.” O’Shea prepared himself for the punch line, what did French want? French didn’t disappoint, “You know James, I’m just about at my twenty here, and the old lady wants out of the rat race. I hear Camden’s got some nice suburbs that I could get a nice house for a lot less than I pay up here.” O’Shea thought, shit is that all, I expected a higher price. “French, you just give me the word and I’ll go to the Chief of Detectives, you’re a good cop, we can always use more of them here.” French was ecstatic, “Damn James, that’s great, thanks; I still got almost a year, but didn’t think it would hurt to put the word in early.”
O’Shea was ready for the information; the trade had been authorized, now let’s hope whatever French had was good. “No problem French, so what you been hearing on our boy the Guz?” French was ready to tell all. “Number one, that is one scared fucking wop, seems he knows who took down Lucio and wants to get them, he is hiring a couple of high end guys from California to take them down. I hear the rate for them is up to three million, shit man, that’s gotta bring some serious interest. Oh, yea, number two, and you gonna get a kick out of this, our favorite wop is into the back door action. He’s got him a stud up on 64th street. He gets his guys to watch some whore’s room and he sneaks upstairs to get his ass reamed, nice huh. Shit no one says anything because he would kill them, but fuck, all his guys know. Can you fucking believe it, a butt fucker?” French was laughing so much he had to stop talking. “Damn, almost chocked that’s so fucking funny. Anyway the place is 729 64th Street. I hear he needs a little about every few days. I checked some city records, a shell company owns two apartments on the twenty sixth and twenty seventh floor, one’s the bimbo, the others the stud.”
O’Shea couldn’t believe it, if this proved true, this could be the dent in the armor he was looking for. But there was one thing he needed to do first. He owed the men from down south at least a heads up about the California contract.
Chapter 64
I was sitting in the waiting room with Walter, it was almost noon, and the day nurse had brought us two trays of food. She had carefully checked out Walter, to the point of being uncomfortable. After she left I had to laugh, “I think she likes you.” He was smiling, “Jez, you think, she almost stumbled over her own feet.” We shared a laugh while we ate our hospital food.
I felt a vibration in my pocket, I carried two cell phones, one was my regular phone; the other was the phone I still carried from New Jersey. I’m not sure why I hadn’t gotten rid of it, but shortly I would be glad I didn’t.
I looked at the number calling, it was Detective O’Shea; this couldn’t be good. I answered “Hello Captain, I never expected this to ring again.” He chuckled “Well, to tell the truth, I never expected to call it again, but here I am. I been doing a little research up here, just kind of pumping for information on our favorite New York resident and came upon some news I though you should know.”
This I didn’t like the sound of. ”This can’t be good; unless you tell me he had an unfortunate accident.” I could hear him sigh “No, unfortunately that’s not the case, it seems like he has some friends out on the West Coast, very professional guys, if you know what I mean. They may be making a trip in your direction sometime soon.” Shit, this I didn’t need. “Wow, that is bad news, I assume they are looking to complete the job the last pair didn’t.”
O’Shea let the news sink in “I found out a few things about our friend, but just wanted you to know about his West Coast connections. “I was shaking my head “Yes, well I appreciate the heads up, I guess I’m gonna be making a trip up north again sometime soon.” He responded immediately “No, I got this covered, I might have some useful information that will get me close.” I wasn’t sure what he was saying “What are you talking about, putting him in prison, I told you, that’s not going to work, his reach is too long for that.
O’Shea hesitated then answered “No, I’m not talking about that, I decided to take a different direction, much more direct.” I couldn’t believe my ears, if I understood him correctly; he was looking to physically take down Guzman. “If you saying what I think you are, don’t, take it from one who lives it every day, once you cross that line, there is no going back.”
He came back immediately “Sorry, minds made up, tired of all the bullshit.” I was almost speechless “Jesus O’Shea, what the fuck happened? You’re a cop man, a good one, so don’t do this.” I heard him sigh then say “Told you man, I’m tired, getting older, just want to accomplish one thing, one fucking good thing.” I needed to reason with him “Look man, I know how you feel; I feel the same way, but you committing suicide, unless you got an army, you pissing in the wind.”
We were both silent for a long time then he spoke “I been thinking about this, what I got here, no fucking family, no friends outside this job, nothing. I punch my clock in and punch my clock out, eat a microwave dinner and have a beer. That is the highlight of my life, I’m tired of it. It’s time for a change, a big one.” I had no idea what to say, I could hear the desperation in his voice. I wanted Guzman gone, but I didn’t want a good man dead in the process. “Ok listen, do something for me, wait a day, then let’s talk again, please.” He sighed again, “I can do that, I owe you that much, call me tomorrow.” He hung up.
I sat with my head in my hands; Walter was looking at me “Everything ok?” I shook my head “Oh, long story, a friend is about to make a monumental mistake.”
Chapter 65
I sat for ten minutes in total silence. I knew I had to do something, but what. I had to protect myself and those around me, but I also knew that I had to get to Guzman, somehow. Walter finally spoke, “Is there anything I can do, I don’t know what’s wrong, but I can see there is something.” I shook my head “No, I wish there was.”
Then an idea began to form in my mind. “Walter, you carrying a weapon, do you know how to use that thing.” He looked at me puzzled “Sure, I spent five years in the Royal Marines, I learned a few things.” I bet he did, that was a tough bunch. “Ok, then let me ask you a couple of questions, do you have a job or someone to get back
to England to?” He nodded no, “No, I live alone and just left the service, so I have no plans.” I nodded, “Ok, you love your mother, I can see that. Would you be willing to risk your life to protect her?” He looked insulted, “I haven’t seen her in a long time, but I would die for her.” That was all I needed, “Ok then, I might have to ask you to stay here and protect her, I might need to go do something.” He looked confused, “Protect her from what, you said the men that did this were dead.” I nodded again “Oh they are, and I’ll explain more later let me make a few calls.”
I picked up my cell and called O’Shea, he answered on the first ring “You said tomorrow, it’s not tomorrow.” I laughed “Well I get my days mixed up sometimes, let me ask you something. You sound determined to do something stupid, want to do it together?” He hesitated then chuckled “Together huh, you don’t trust me, think I need some help?” My turn to laugh “hey, there is strength in numbers, plus when push comes to shove you might hesitate, I don’t want that.” He thought this over “I don’t think I would.” I responded “Thinking is the problem, you need to just do. If you think, you lose. Let’s play on the same team, at least talk about what you got; see if your plan is sound.” He took a minute to answer, “Ok, I got and address he likes to visit pretty regular, probably exposed in public for half a minute or so, that’s it.”
I thought that over, “That’s good Intel, we can work with that, let’s take a look together, for old time sake.” Again he hesitated, “I might do that, when would you like to look?” I knew I had to work fast; he wasn’t going to wait long; “Tomorrow soon enough?” He answered right away “That’s good sure.” I needed one more piece of information “So, in what area should my hotel be in, I don’t want to waste time driving all over the East Coast.” He answered, “Get something in midtown Manhattan, Time Square area will work.” At least I had a general area, but Manhattan “Ok 9 AM tomorrow, Carnegie Deli for breakfast, that work for you?” He agreed and we hung up; now I had a lot to do.