“City Councilman Frank Costanza,” I said, with trepidation.

  He frowned. “Costanza, huh? What about him?”

  I figured there was no point beating around the bush.

  “It seems the councilman has been making unreasonable demands on the female members of his staff. By unreasonable, I mean ---.”

  He raised his hand and cut me off. “I get your drift. How bad is it?”

  “Bad enough that one of the women is going to file a complaint with the EEOC.”

  “So why have you come to me with this problem?”

  “Well,” I hesitated, “rumor has it that you have some influence with the councilman.”

  Carmine roared with laughter. “Influence! I like that. You certainly have a way with words.”

  Then he frowned again. “Damn! With all this ‘Me Too’ crap going around, if it’s as bad as you say, Costanza is probably a dead duck. I hate that. I kinda like having a voice in city hall. You said you need a favor. Spill it!”

  “Costanza talked the woman in question into staying late, supposedly to work on a project. He propositioned her, then grabbed her. She pulled away and threatened to file charges. Then the next day, she received this text.”

  I handed him my phone with Ruby’s photo and the words, ‘Keep your mouth shut.’

  Carmine shook his head and handed the phone back. “That just ain’t right. First of all, no woman should ever have to have sex with a man unless she wants to or has been paid for her services.”

  Although Carmine’s moral compass was a bit askew, I was happy to hear there was a decency line he was unwilling to cross.

  “Take me, for example. These two fine ladies are with me because of my extraordinary good looks and charming personality.” He patted the blonde on the leg. “Isn’t that right, Rita?”

  She snuggled up to him and smiled. “Whatever you say, Carmine.”

  Then he winked at me. “And it doesn’t hurt that I pay them very, very well. Back to business. What do you want me to do?”

  “Obviously, this woman fears that if she files charges, Constanza will hurt her little girl.”

  “So you want me to lean on Costanza and tell him to back off. Then this broad files charges and Costanza is history. Is that about right?”

  I nodded.

  He thought for a minute. “What the hell. Costanza is a putz. He’s always been a horny little bastard who couldn’t keep it in his pants. I warned him more than once. Frank, don’t crap where you eat! If you get randy, give me a call and I’ll send someone over. But nooooo! He has to try to diddle the hired help. I guess it was just a matter of time.”

  He gave a big sigh. “Okay, Walt. Consider it done. I’ll take care of Costanza. Tell your little lady to do what she has to do.”

  “Thank you, Carmine. I appreciate your help.”

  “Hey, no problem. Just remember, you owe me one!”

  I was feeling pretty good.

  I had made a deal with the devil, but Ruby was safe and it wouldn’t be long before Costanza’s name would be listed with the other jerks who couldn’t keep their hands off the help.

  I had just gotten home and was about to call Kelly and tell her the good news, when my phone rang.

  “Walt! It’s Cindy. Ruby is missing!”

  I looked at my watch. “How could that be? I took her to school this morning and Kevin isn’t due to pick her up for another hour.”

  “The kids went on a field trip to the Mid-Continent Library. When it was time to go, Ruby was gone. They must have followed her there. Kelly is here with me. She’s about to go out of her mind. Can you come over?”

  “We’ll be right there.”

  I called Kevin and we headed to Cindy’s house.

  When we arrived, Kelly was in tears.

  “I didn’t mean for it to happen this way. I’m so sorry.”

  “What happened?”

  “I went to work this morning. I was hoping Frank wouldn’t be there, or if he was I wouldn’t have to talk to him. He was there all right. When no one was around, he came up behind me and put his arms around me. Then he whispered in my ear, ‘Let’s forget about last night and just start over.’

  “I slapped his hands away and said, ‘Don’t touch me, you pig!’ I could almost see the fire in his eyes. As he huffed away, I heard him say, ‘You’ll regret this, bitch!’ Now Ruby is missing. I know he took her.”

  Kevin pulled me aside. “I thought you were going to have a sit-down with Marchetti.”

  “I did! He assured me he would talk to Costanza.”

  “Yeah, well, either he didn’t do it or Costanza wasn’t paying attention. What now?”

  “Only one thing to do,” I replied. “I’m going back to Marchetti.”

  “Jesus, Walt! Be careful. Marchetti might have had second thoughts about throwing Costanza to the wolves.”

  “I don’t think so. Carmine has his faults, but he’s always kept his word.”

  I figured Carmine would be in his penthouse office, so I headed downtown.

  For the second time in one day, I was escorted to Marchetti in the vice-like grip of his two henchmen. There was no doubt it was going to leave a mark.

  Needless to say, he was surprised to see me. “Back so soon? I thought we had an understanding.”

  “That’s what I thought. Did you talk to Costanza?”

  “I said I would and I did. The little prick wasn’t very happy. I told him if he’d kept his pants zipped he wouldn’t be having these problems.”

  “Then I guess he didn’t get the message.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Costanza came onto the secretary again. He grabbed her, she slapped his hands away and called him a pig. Two hours later, her little girl is missing. Two and two equals four. Costanza grabbed the kid. The mother is going crazy. You’re a father, Carmine. Imagine how you’d feel if something like this happened to Calinda.”

  I could see I struck a nerve. “That little bastard! First a woman and now a kid.”

  “Do you have any idea where he might be holding the little girl?”

  He thought for a moment. “Yeah, I might. Costanza’s got a house on 10th street just east of Brooklyn. I’ll bet his goons are holding the kid there. Tell you what. If I take care of Frank, can you get the girl?”

  “If she’s there, we’ll figure a way to get her out.”

  “One more thing,” he said, “no cops! I don’t want the boys in blue nosin’ around in my business, if you know what I mean.”

  “I understand. Thanks for your help.”

  “Forget it. Oh, and by the way, you don’t owe me no more. I said I’d take care of something and I didn’t get it done. We’re even.”

  Carmine may be a crook, but he’s also a man of his word.

  I called Kevin and ask him to meet at my apartment.

  He gave me the ‘once over.’ “I can imagine that Carmine was pissed. Do you still have all your fingers and toes?”

  “He was pissed all right, but not at me. I wouldn’t want to be in Frank’s shoes right now.”

  “So what happened?”

  I shared our conversation.

  Kevin thought for a moment. “Hmmm, probably a couple of apes holding Ruby in a house on 10th Street --- and we can’t call the cops.”

  I nodded. “That’s about it.”

  “So it’s up to us to get the girl out safely and not get shot in the process.”

  “That would be a favorable outcome. Any ideas how we might pull it off?”

  “I just might, but we’ll need a bimbo.”

  I was shocked. “Surely you don’t mean ---?”

  “Yep! My sweet wife. She’s been dying for some action and this is right up her alley.”

  A few years ago, Kevin showed up at our door. He was dying of kidney failure and hoped Maggie, his sister, would be a match for a transplant. It turned out she wasn’t, so he figured it wouldn’t be long before the grim reaper would be paying him a visit.

  He wanted one last fling before riding off into the sunset. Willie asked around and came up with a number for Veronica, a high-priced call girl from an escort service. They hooked up, but instead of dying, Kevin received a kidney from a close friend who died suddenly.

  For some reason none of us could understand, Kevin and Veronica became an item. He’s a seventy-something old geezer and she’s a blonde bombshell, thirty years younger. Nevertheless, they married, Veronica gave up her life on the street, and they’re happy as can be.

  On more than one occasion, Veronica’s past profession has helped us put some very bad people behind bars.

  “I’m in!” she said, enthusiastically, after Kevin told her his plan.

  I remained skeptical.

  “It’s too dangerous. You have no idea who might be in that house. Knowing Costanza, they’ll probably be a couple of muscle-bound apes armed to the teeth.”

  “And that’s exactly why the two of you have no business storming the place like a geriatric swat team,” she replied. “Unless the guys holding the kid are eunuchs or gay, I’ve got this. Now give me a few minutes to pick out a dress from my naughty girl wardrobe.”

  Kevin jumped right in. “How about that red number? The one with the low-cut top and the slit up the leg?” He turned to me “It’s one of my favorites.”

  “Good choice,” she said, heading to the bedroom. “I’ll be right back.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Veronica returned, transformed from girl next door to the $2,000 a night call girl Kevin met on their first date.

  “Va va voom!” Kevin gushed, reaching for a handful of Veronica.

  She pushed him away. “Hold on buster. You gotta pay before you can play.”

  I had to turn away.

  “You look great, Babe,” he said, backing off. “Let’s get you wired up.”

  Kevin had a small microphone and battery pack. The only place he could put it in that skimpy dress was deep in her cleavage.

  During the installation, I turned away again.

  Once wired, we put in our ear buds for a sound check.

  When the sound check was completed, he handed her a purse.

  “Everything you need is in here,” he said, “two sets of cuffs, duct tape, and a snub-nosed .38. Ready to go get that little girl?”

  She gave him a bosom shake and grinned. “I was born ready.”

  Sitting outside the house on 10th Street, Kevin gave last minute instructions.

  “Remember, keep talking so we know what’s going on. If ANYTHING starts going sideways, just say the word and we’ll be in there, guns blazing.”

  “I know the drill,” she replied. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

  As she opened the car door, Kevin grabbed her arm. “You be careful in there. I love you and I don’t want to lose you.”

  “I love you, too, you big galoot. Now let me go. I’ve got a job to do.”

  We watched her wiggle up the front steps and knock on the door. At first, the door opened just a crack. Then when the guy saw what was standing outside, the door opened wider.

  “Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?”

  “The name’s Monica,” she replied, popping her gum. “Carmine Marchetti sent me over to keep you boys company. Can I come in?”

  “Sure, babe,” he replied. “Be my guest. Hey Morey! Come get a load of this! Marchetti sent us a little present.”

  Veronica was in.

  “Holy cow!” Morey gasped. “Geno, we definitely have to send Carmine a thank-you note. Come on in, babe. Make yourself comfortable.”

  “Sure,” she replied. Then she must have noticed Ruby. “Who’s the kid and what’s she doin’ here? I didn’t sign up for no baby-sittin’ gig.”

  “I dunno. We’re just followin’ orders. Frank Costanza told us to snatch the kid at the library and hold her here until he got back to us.”

  “What’s she doin’? Is she okay”

  “Yeah, she’s fine. Just kind of weird. She’s just been sittin’ there singin’ some dumb song about a dragon. Anyway, she’s not your concern. How about we get down to business. You want a drink?”

  “Naw, I’m good. Where’s the bedroom? I don’t want to do nothin’ in front of the kid.”

  “Down the hall. First door on the right. Geno! Keep an eye on things. I’m gonna be busy for a while.”

  “Damn it, Morey! How come you get to go first?”

  “Because I’m bigger and stronger than you and I can whip your ass. Is that reason enough?”

  “Yeah, I guess. Just save some for me.”

  “Not to worry. From the looks of this gal, there’s plenty for both of us.”

  I could hear Kevin grinding his teeth. “When this is over, I may have to kick some ass myself.”

  “Calm down. Just think of it as a compliment.”

  “Come on, tough guy,” Veronica said in a sultry voice. “You talk big. Let’s see what you got.”

  Then we heard a door close.

  “Okay, sweetheart. Now it’s just you and me. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  Veronica must have opened her purse and pulled out the .38.

  “Well for starters, I’ve got this!”

  “What the hell!”

  Suddenly, she transformed from the sultry siren into the vicious vixen.

  “Shut up, dirt bag! Let’s start by putting on these cuffs.”

  “The hell I will!”

  “Fine, I was going to let you off easy, but we can do it the hard way. I don’t much care for guys who kidnap little kids. I’ll just shoot your sorry ass, then Geno comes in and I’ll plug him too. Is that the way you want it?”

  Silence.

  “No, give me the damn cuffs.”

  “Smart move. Now we’ll wait a few minutes, then you’re gonna call out to Geno and tell him it’s his turn. If you don’t do exactly as I say, it’s back to plan B, and that’s gonna hurt really bad. Understand?”

  “Jesus,” I whispered. “Your wife is a real bad ass.”

  “You have no idea,” he replied with a grin.

  A few minutes later, Veronica was ready for phase 2.

  “Okay Morey,” Veronica said. “Your time is up. It was good for me. How about you?”

  “You got a real smart mouth on you, lady.”

  “It’s time to call Geno. Remember, no funny stuff. A .38 leaves a pretty big hole.”

  “Take it easy. Geno! All done! Your turn!”

  We heard Geno laugh. “That didn’t take long. She must be one hot mama. I’ll show her how a real man does it.”

  We heard the door open.

  “Morey! What’s with the cuffs. I didn’t know this was gonna be an S&M thing.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Geno,” Veronica said. “But don’t feel left out. I’ve got a pair of cuffs for you, too. Now put these on.”

  “Morey!” Geno wailed. “What’s going on!”

  “Just do as the lady says, Geno. She means business.”

  “Well damn!”

  A few minutes later, Veronica called out. “Okay, boys, you can come on in.”

  Kevin grabbed a coil of rope and we headed inside.

  “You hog tie the goons and I’ll take care of Ruby,” I said.

  I found her crouched in the corner singing. “Puff the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee.”

  “Ruby, it’s Walt. You’re okay now.”

  She looked up, and when she saw me, tears started streaming down her cheeks. She grabbed me around the neck and held me tight.

  “I was so scared, but I just kept thinking about Puff like Sam said, and I knew I would be all right.”

  “You’re a brave girl. We’ll have you home to your mother in just a little while.”

  I went into the bedroom and found Morey and Geno bound up like a couple of rodeo steers, with duct tape across their mouths.

  “Great job, Veronica. You scared the crap out of me, and I’m on your side.”

  “Thanks. It was easy. It didn’t take any acting to be really pissed at these two creeps.”

  Once we were on the road, I called and left word at Carmine Marchetti’s office that little Ruby was safe, and that Costanza’s two punks were bound and gagged at the 10th Street address, and that we did it with no cops involved.

  I hated to think about what awaited Geno and Morey. It certainly wouldn’t be the happy ending they had hoped for.

  Billy, Cindy, Sam, and Kelly, were anxiously waiting at Cindy’s house. Tears flowed as Ruby flung herself into Kelly’s arms.

  The lives of these five people had intersected, and the common thread was that all of them had been victims of domestic violence. Hopefully, that chapter of their lives is over, and they can move forward, leaving the tragic part far behind.

  The next morning, the headline in the Kansas City Star read, Traffic accident claims the life of City Councilman Frank Costanza.

  The article went on to say it appeared that the councilman had run into a bridge abutment, and that alcohol had been a contributing factor.

  There was no doubt in my mind that Carmine Marchetti was the contributing factor.

  He said he would take care of Costanza, and as usual, he was a man of his word.

  This certainly wasn’t the justice of the lady in the white flowing robe, but rather of her counterpart on the dark side, the lady justice in the fishnet stockings and high heels.

  I often lay awake at night worrying about the difference between the two.

  For better or worse, I have served them both.

  It may just be a rationalization that finally allows me to drift off to sleep, but I have concluded there is a time and place for both.

  After all, justice is justice, and who am I to judge?

  EPILOGUE

  Studies show that in the United States, 5 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 are exposed to domestic violence each year.

  Such exposure can have long-term debilitating effects.

  Billy Baker was such a child.

  Fortunately, very few suffer arrested psychological development as severe as Billy. Nevertheless, for many, long term effects may include fear, anxiety, low self-esteem, withdrawal, and depression.

 

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