A Not so Private Eye

Meet Reginald Baldwin, A private eye with a few bad habits. He likes to pocket what he can that he can latch on to. He has an appetite for married woman, and has a personal hero, the famous Sherlock Holmes and even sports a Pipe like Sherlock. He has been known to wear the same hat as the sleuth. Reginald has had a PI license for three years, he has an office in downtown Boston over bar he is known to frequent. He has a secretary, a not so happily married woman named Veronica. His office is usually a mess with newspapers and mail strewn all over his desk. He is handsome by all accounts land looks like Basil Rathbone his personal hero. He likes cases where he is paid to follow a promiscuous housewife as he usually not only is paid but also gets a date.
Dear Readers I am not a psychiatrists so I do not know why Reginald does the things he does. He sees Married woman as safe with no commitments or some other warped reason. Let’s get back to our story. He had several pictures on the wooden panel’s walls. One was a picture of Basil Rathbone, A picture of a practically old movie Poster for a 1935 movie the hound of the Baskervilles and his Private eye license. He had a dozen parker pens in a glass and a bowl of chocolate cherries. He was attired today in a suit that Sherlock Holmes would be proud of. In his shirt pocket protruded the ever-present pipe. He did not need a radio as the bar downstairs played music so loud it sometimes shook the room. Veronica knocked once on the door and entered. She was an attractive woman who was married to a policeman. Reginald considered her off limits because of harassment laws and her husband knew people at the licensing bureau. She told him there was a new client wanting to see him. It was a professional Wrestler BoBo Gallant. BoBo was a hulking man with more hair then a human should have. BoBo walked over and shook or I should say crushed Reginald’s hand. “Have a Seat BoBo.” “And how can I help you. BoBo began. My wife Heather I fear is running around with a wrestler from another outfit. She is my manager and here is her picture. Reginald looked at the picture with an appreciating eye. She was a tall Brunette with pouting lips. Reginald was already interested. BoBo took the picture back. “I think she is seeing this jerk who calls himself the crusher.” Reginald inquires, what is his birth name?” “George Kendall.” “She stays out late and comes home uninterested in me.” Reginald patted him on the shoulder. Well I will take the case.( Reginald would take any case with a beautiful woman involved and that she was married was a bonus)BoBo gave him some papers saying where her haunts were and known friends.” It is a hundred a day and expenses.” I also want a five hundred dollar retainer.”(Reginald was going to milk this guy for all he could) BoBo went into his wallet and took out a credit card.” Do you take Visa?” Reginald ever the entrepreneur brought out a credit card machine from under his desk. As he was swiping the card he told BoBo he would keep the matter from the papers.
That night Reginald went to the bar downstairs. It was a seedy bar called Lefty’s. Lefty was a washed up boxer who had put in all his earnings over the year into the bar. The place was dark and had a potpourri of sleazy characters. The music was blues and the waitresses easy, just the kind of place Reginald liked.” “Hey Lefty how they hanging,” (Reginald had a lot of class) Lefty had been hearing bells for decades and only grunted. He asked” The Usual Reggie?” He brought him out an old Manhattan (If Reginald hadn’t had to keep up appearances he wouldn’t care if it came in a brown bag.) He took out his pipe and lit up a bowl of the English tobacco he cherished. Lena the waitress came over and said hello. When she turned around he gave her the good old pinch on the keester. “Good to see you too Honey.” She knew if she played her cards right there would be a ten spot in it from the lush.”
There was a sports writer named Cliff Crowley that frequented the bar and Reggie wanted to pump him for any information on the Crusher and Lena. His pipe was irritating a couple of patrons sitting next to him but old Reggie thought he gave places he put a flame to his bowel a little atmosphere. The sportswriter arrived and went to a corner table so not to be disturbed. Reggie went right over, He never worried about anyone’ sanctity. Cliff seen him coming, and quickly ordered a double whiskey.” Hi Cliff How they hanging?” (Reggie had a few phrases that he wore out on people.)Cliff looked up and told him too take a load off.” Cliff do you know anything about a wrestler called the Crusher?”” Better watch out for him Reggie, he is a bad character.” He sidelines as an enforcer for the Cabone Mob.” He asked where the wrestler hung out. “Where all the guys with no neck hang out and usually have a thirty pound gun under their coat, The Boston Crab. “Ooh that’s a mob owned joint.” Reggie was thinking about upping the fee.” Don’t mess around in there, they will clip you Reg.” Reggie felt for his own heater a Smith and Wesson model 49 nickel plated thirty-eight. “Ever hear of broad named Heather?” Cliff told him she was the current window dressing for Crusher.
Reginald had finished his Manhattan and gave Cliff a look and then down at his drink. He had a patent way of squeezing a drink out of someone. Cliff told him that in the back of the bar there was a place to eat anything you want from the menu. Reginald was hungry and asked what they serve and what the mob there usually drinks so he wouldn’t look out of place. (Reginald would look out of place anywhere except as a museum piece.)Cliff laughed” Spaghetti of course and the drink of choice is always Chianti.” “There is a band there and do not request anything but Frank Sinatra!” He would not be wearing his doeskin hat tonight for sure. He thanked Cliff for the information and on the way out the door he gave the waitress ten dollars. He then pinched her again to get his money’s worth. He went to his office where he also kept spare clothes and put on a clean socks and underwear. {Psst he wears boxers.) He checked his gun and made sure there were bullets as he sometimes forgot. On his lapel he put a little union pin that actually was a tiny camera used by spies and investigators worldwide. His car was an old English make and the steering wheel was on the left. A car thief would be too confused to drive this heap. The bar was in the Italian part of Boston and reeked with atmosphere. It had a red awning outside emblazoned with the Boston Crab on it. Trash barrels were in places to park outside. He found a space a couple of blocks away and put on his wheel lock the club. An elderly woman came up and said” Flowers for the Missus, only ten dollars a rose?” He just ignored her and walked by. He could hear her call him “Jerk!” There was a muscular doorman who opened the door for him. It was a spacious place with a large horseshoe bar. There were about thirty tables in the bar. In the back he saw a group of people sitting at tables with checkered tablecloths. The band had just come in and a man who looked like Tony Bennet was singing New York New York. He sat at a table near the group. There were five men and three women. One he was sure was Heather. The other two women had high hairdos and a lot of jewelry one of the men had to be Crusher. Evolution must have missed the guy he thought. Crusher was too big for his suit and was one ugly man, Salvadore Cabone one of the men at the table looked at Reginald and got all excited.” Look its Basil Rathbone the actor. Manny who was impeccably dressed told him” You schmuck he is dead for a hundred years.” Reginald looked around and the rest of the people dining were locals. They were well dressed and he knew they were decent people. Heather looked hard at Reginald and said "I think he is cute and he doesn’t look dead to me." A young woman in a cocktail dress came over to take his order. He ordered from the pasta menu Spaghetti and meatball dinner with red Chianti. He figured he better be careful here but did notice there was no ring on the waitress’s finger. (He always checked.) Reggie wasn't use to classy places and watched how others acted. It was too dark to take a picture of Heather and the men at the table as it was dark back there and only illuminated by candles. Salvador asked Crusher if he collected the vig from the list of unfortunate horse players." Yes Boss, I had no problems." He took out a fat envelope and passed it over to Sal. A man and woman entered the bar and took a table next to Reggie. The man had an ill fitting suit but the blonde he was with was in a red dress that someone poured on her. He looked and on her finger were an average size diamond and a wedding band. He put his hand in his pockets and came out empty. He asked the blonde if she had any matches to light his table candle. She reached in her small Black Hand bag and came out with gold lighter. Being the pro that he was, he saw the name Carol on the lighter. In his phony English accent he thanked her, looking deeply into her baby blues. She asked" Don't I know you from television or something?" He told her he was on stage and had parts in some movies.( This cad would say he was an astronaut to impress a fair damsel.)The husband didn't blink an eye that his wife was talking to a stranger who was strange. There was something about Reggie that attracted woman, kind of a fatal attraction.

Salvatore came over to the couple next doors table and welcomed them to the club. The man was a mogul in real estate and was named Carlos Destona and his wife Carol. The woman told him to meet Reginald as he was a play actor. Salvador was a movie fanatic and immediately shook Reginald’s hand.” I don’t remember your work sir.” Salvador had seen about every movie that was any good and went to plays often.” Well I would doubt you have, my name is Reginald Rathbone the great grandson of Basil Rathbone and I belong to the London Repertory ensemble.”” My films are all in Europe and have not come over yet.” Salvatore took it hook, line and sinker. “My friends noticed the resemblance to your famous ancestor.” Salvatore said he was a fan of old movies and had seen most of the Sherlock Holmes ones. Salvatore ever the gracious host invited Reggie and the other couple to his table. Everyone accepted and stood up to go over. Salvatore saw the union button and was looking closely at it. It had a British emblem on it and Reggie told him it was the British actors gild. Reginald saw his chance and got a nice face shot of Salvatore with the concealed camera. He wanted to get a shot of several of the people at that table for his files. When they went over Salvatore introduced the group to the mobsters at his table. Standing there Reginald got a shot of Heather and Crusher. He would need a lot more then two people at a table though. Salvador ordered more Chianti and asked Reggie if he had a favorite song. Reggie was clever and said he had a favorite singer, Frank Sinatra and liked all his songs but especially one called ‘My Way’.
Salvatore called it over to the band. The band was excellent and Reggie noticed the female singer and wondered if she was married. Reggie had a weakest for married woman as he did not want to commit to one lady. He usually liked it if their husbands were rich because they usually meant gifts, his gifts. He was an opportunist and his British persona attracted many an attractive woman who was bored with her hubby. When they sat down Reggie took out his pipe .It was the same kind as Sherlock Holmes used in the movies. He reached in his pocket and took out a small tin marked Petersons Sherlock Holmes tobacco

The pipe was the final touch to impress the people. He tapped some into the pipe bowl. Heather who was on his left handed him a lighter with ‘To Heather with love’ written on it. He lit the pipe and gave a look of contentment. After a couple of puffs Heather looked at him dreamy eyed and told him she loved the smell of a good tobacco. (Heather wouldn’t know a good tobacco from burning spinach) Crusher gave Heather and Reggie a disapproving look. Manny asked Reggie if he had pictures of his ancestor. Reggie told him he had a private collection of Basil on sets of movies and would love to bring them in. He told them they were heirlooms past down to him.( Actually he got them on E-Bay.)

Salvatore was hooked and told Reggie to come down anytime and sit with them as he gave the club some more dignity. He turned to Carlos and asked him how the real estate market was doing. Salvador and Carlos had been on some shady deals in Florida. Carlos told him he had some things they needed to talk over in his office. A minor thief named Joey came over and whispered in Sal’s ear. Reggie got a good head shot of him. Salvatore told Crusher to go with Joey and help him. Joey knew where a truckload of expensive furs were and would sell the truckload for a thousand dollars but it was being guarded by a coupe of men until morning. Crusher did not want to leave Heather there with this British loser but when Sal said to do something it was written in stone.

Reginald and Heather struck up a friendship over the theatre and classic literature. (Heather had trouble reading a newspaper) a few more cronies of Salvatore’s arrived and hung around the bar. Salvatore left with Carlos to discuss business in his office. Carol talked with Manny about many places Carlos had taken her around the world. Heather took a pen out of her pocketbook and scribbled her cell phone number on it and passed it secretly to Reggie. Reggie winked at her and put it in his pocket. Reggie was always eager to mix business with pleasure. The fact that her husband was paying the bill was right up a free loader like Reggie’s alley.

At the storage house on the docks on Boston harbor a truck was parked in a loading dock. Two men were smoking cigarettes beside the truck. They had arrived too late and would have to wait until morning to unload the furs and head back to New York. Joey walked up to the men and asked directions to Washington Street. As they tried to point the way the crusher came up behind them. He grabbed ones head and twisted it breaking his neck. The other reached in his pocket for the AMT backup pistol he kept there. Joey grabbed his arm and Crusher put him in a bear hug. You could hear the crack as the means spine was broken. Joey searched and found the key to the truck while Crusher got his van. There were many furs on racks in the truck. They loaded the van with the furs. Crusher took one sable wrap and put it behind his seat and told Joey to forget he saw that. Joey knew better then to cross Crusher. They drove the van to Dorchester where Sal had a warehouse. It said Dorchester Linens Company on the outside. A couple of tough looking men opened the electric door that allowed the van to be driven in. The men brought a some hampers and stored the furs.

Back at the club Reginald told them he had to go home and finish writing a story he was selling. Add playwright to Reggie’s repertoire .He held Heathers hand and kissed it. “Pleasure to meet you, Heather!” “Give my regards to your husband! She kept her voice low and said” That Neanderthals not my husband!” Carol held out her hand also, (This gold digger always kept her options open.) He kissed her hand also. Salvatore and Carlos came back to the table. Salvatore was sorry Reggie was leaving and told him to return anytime.

Reggie went out to his restored red Austin Healy convertible and drove to his flat in CambridgeWhen Reggie got home and opened a closet. In there was a plastic bin with a cover. He removed the cover and put the contents of his pocket in the bin. There were two lighters one with Carol and the other with Heather on them. There was also eight pens with Cambridge national Bank and three candles. His flat had three rooms and a small kitchenette. One room he called the sitting room was pure nineteenth century. It was immaculate unlike his office in Boston. There was a grand clock with a pendulum, a brown comfortable easy chair with embroidery, a mahogany desk Sherlock would be proud of and even an old radio from the twenties which was the most modern item in the room. There was no phone as he had a cell phone that played the melody Green Sleeves when it rang. He had a beautiful Liquor cabinet that had the finest whiskeys, rums and English Gins. There wasn’t a bottle that was not from England or Ireland. Reggie only bought the best and usually only had one after a day of sleuthing. He took out a bottle of sixty year old Macallan Whiskey and poured himself a small goblet. He sat at his desk which has a pipe rack with ornate pipes from the nineteenth century. He used his cell phone and called a very good friend Detective Marty Walsh of the Boston police department. He often traded information with Marty, and he could have his pictures developed in their lab. It was eleven pm but Marty usually was up anyway. Mart was pleased to hear from his eccentric friend. Reggie told him of his case and how it led him to the club.” We are very interested in that club and want to get something on the crew there. He went on” Did you hear about the murders on the dock?” Reggie told him no but he knew there was hanky panky about. He told him he had pictures of a sort of meeting with a real estate guy and a suspicious weasel like character that Crusher went with. Marty was very interested. “I will come over and pick up the camera, and can I bring someone?” Reggie asked who. She is formally of Scotland Yard and now lives in Boston. She is also a detective who has been investigating the mob scene in and around Boston.
This peaked Reggie’s interest as he never met a detective from Scotland Yard. Reggie asked her name. “It is Catherine Bryce Reggie!” “Sure I was having a nightcap but I will wait until you arrive. Marty called Catherine and she was very interested. She was thirty years old and had shoulder length brunette hair. She had an athletic body from vigorous exercise. She as Reggie was the spitting image of a movie star. She looked like Diana Rigg when she was in the spy series. Marty drove a dented Chevy Cavalier that he used on stakeouts. Catherine relied on Boston’s trolley system and used department undercover cars. It was twenty minutes to Reggie’s place and Marty warned her Reggie was a bit weird at times. They parked the car a block away and Catherine saw the Austin Healey in the guarded parking lot. Marty told her it was Reggie’s car. “He has good taste I see in Auto’s” Reggie’s flat was four floors up and had a rustic elevator. When they got to his door Marty told her to brace herself and smiled. Reggie came to the door in a smoking jacket and greeted them with a handshake with Marty and took Catherine’s hand and kissed it” Charmed to meet you.” He usually did that to check for a telltale ring mark or an actual wedding band, there was none to his dismay. Catherine looked around and thought it looked like her Grandfathers study in Heathrow. He offered them a goblet of whiskey. Mart preferred beer and Reggie got him a stout. Catherine said” Ooh Macallan I sure would. Reggie sat behind the desk and the detectives sat in a couple of his comfortable chairs that you could just sink into and fall asleep. Marty had him tell all he had seen at the club. He explained about Heather and Crusher. He told them of his ploy with Salvador telling him he was an actor. Catherine had a strong accent and asked about the weasel character. Reggie loved her accent and told her so. He told her that the creep was about one hundred and thirty pounds and five foot nine. He wore a coat that must have come from the cheapest of stores a green windbreaker. He had a flat hat that was brown. He had acne and his teeth needed serious cleaning. His fingers had tobacco stains and he had a Brooklyn accent. Catherine asked how he remembered all that. Reggie smiled and winked” Elementary Miss Bryce.” Catherine asked if he would be willing to go back to the club and bring her as a companion. Reggie didn’t like being around single woman, but it was after all a good cause.” Sure Miss Bryce maybe we can both win in this. She thought this would be an interesting assignment and told him.” Please call me Catherine or Kate at the Club as we need the cover to be real.

“Pick me up at my home Reggie around eight pm tomorrow night.” We can go over to the club and mingle, besides I want a ride in your Austin Healy” She sipped the fine Whiskey and went on. You know Reggie this apartment is perfect, I admire your decor.” Marty gave her a look and thought “Maybe she’s nuts also. Reggie picked out a practically well carved pipe and from the tin tapped in some tobacco. He really was in his element now. Too bad she was single as they were always a problem .Catherine asked if she would be so bold as to ask for a puff. Reggie was baffled was this woman making fun of him. He handed her the pipe and she took a couple of puffs and the sweet smell permeated the flat. He took back the pipe and noticed how green her eyes were. She walked over to his bookcase and peered at the books while Marty talked with Reggie and obtained the camera. He told Reggie he would have it back to Catherine the next day before they went to the club. Catherine marveled at the collection of Arthur Conan Doyle and the amount of classics he read. Everything reminded her of a time long ago when she visited her Grandfathers study. It had a feeling of security. Reggie poured another whiskey into the goblets and Catherine told him she really shouldn’t but what the hell.” Catherine you must tell me about Scotland yard and some cases.” She told him it wasn’t all excitement but dogged police work. ”Reggie did you ever hear of the case in England of a Jack the ripper copycat?” Reggie advised he sure did as he read the London times and pointed to one on his desk.” I helped solve that one and it was just before I moved to the states. She went over to the hat rack and there were several hats and one was the infamous deerskin hat that Sherlock Holmes would have worn. Marty told Catherine they must be going as he wanted to drop the camera off and needed some sleep. “Nice meeting you Reggie, see you tomorrow night. She handed him a paper with her home address “About eight Reggie.” She looked at him one more time and she left. “Reggie figured if she ever got married he would chase her down. On the way back Catherine and Marty discussed the club and he told her to be careful as it is a rough bunch. She was day dreaming about Reggie’s Study and how comfortable she felt there. Reginald sat in his comfortable beer and finished his whiskey. There was an old antique Philco wooden cabinet radio that he turned on and listened to the classics and as he has on many a night fell asleep. Reggie the next morning after breakfast at Anne’s Hash house on Cambridge Street went to his office. He looked up all he could on BoBo and the Crusher. He looked up Carlos’s Real Estate Company and found he sold a lot of land in Florida and was married to a former Beauty Queen from the sunshine state Carol Bianca. He got a call from BoBo who told him his wife was wearing a Sable Wrap he did not buy for her, and did not come home last night. He asked her where she got the wrap and she told him to do things that were anatomically impossible. Reggie told him he was working on a dossier on them both and will be seeing where they go. He told him if he finds them in a compromising position he will tell him. “There is no law against talking to someone BOBO, we need hard proof she is cheating on you.” BoBo swore he would kill Crusher if he found out. Reggie thought’ Not until you pay me I hope’. Reggie Called Heather on her cell Phone. She answered and sounded out of breath. He could hear Crusher in the back round. ”Hi Heather I hope I did not call you too early, its Reggie. She talked very low. “Hi babe I can’t talk long .He asked her what she was doing on Saturday Night as he had tickets to a Celtics Game. She told him she would love to go but they would have to meet somewhere. He told her he had met a woman from England but she couldn’t go and he didn’t want to go alone. “He could hear Crusher yelling “Who the hell are you talking to, come back to bed.” “She whispered “Gotta go, meet me beside Park Street station at five pm and we can have a couple of drinks before the game. Reggie told her ok and hung up.
Reggie’s Secretary Veronica came into work and went into his office. Morning Boss is there anything I can do for you. Yes get me two tickets to the Celtics game on Saturday, please.” She told him she would call Reggie’s friend at the Gardens. When she turned to leave he gave her a once over and thought ‘maybe I should break my rule about dating employees someday’.

Reggie got a call from a woman who wanted to check-up on her husband and wanted to know if he would take the case. These were the kind of cases that put bread on the table. He told her the rates and she said fine. She was Barbara Taylor married to Angus Taylor the oil Tycoon and Reggie saw dollar signs. He told her to write down all she could of his habits and to come in on Friday around 10 am. She thanked him and agreed to come in. For the rest of the day Reggie did paper work and checked on his accounts receivable.

That night he picked up Catherine at seven pm. He called her on his cell phone outside her brownstone apartment building on Beacon Hill. She came out in a Lavender dress, which was above her knees. She wore black laces nylons and Lavender hat that matched her dress. Stiletto high heels completed the package. He got out of the Austin Healy and opened the door for her. He whistled at her and she said “ Down Boy!” They sat there for a few minutes and discussed their cover. She was in town from England and had seen Reggie act in London and knew he was in the area and looked him up. He told her he had made a date with heather to get information for his case. He wanted to get the case wrapped up soon as he had other fish to fry. She handed him the camera and told him Marty had put fresh film in it and the other fill will be his after they copy it. She looked at Reggie and he was wearing a perfect suit for an English gentleman and it looked like he had it ordered from overseas. He turned on the radio in the car to the classics and asked.” Shall we go me Lady?” She told him that they should be going. They arrived at the club at eight pm. The doorman greeted them and opened the door. Salvador was holding court like a king. He was center stage at the usual table. There were three men and heather sitting there. Salvatore saw them and motioned them over. He told the others that Reggie was an actor from the British Isles and a friend. Salvador liked to show he had class. He asked who the Lady was. Reggie told the cover story to him. Salvador was standing and shook Christine’s hand. “Are al British woman as beautiful as you?” Christine faked a blush and said thank you. The three thugs at the table didn’t seem impressed with Reggie but Catherine had turned their heads. When they sat down Reggie noticed a discoloring on Heathers cheek. He thought that animal Crusher had hit her for being on the phone. He introduced Heather to Catherine . Heather had a sable wrap that was way to expensive for her to be wearing. Catherine asked her where she ever got such a wonderful wrap “ My husband is a professional wrestler and bought it for me last year.” Salvador was staring at the wrap and the wheels were turning. Salvador asked what Catherine and Reggie wanted to drink. Reggie ordered a Manhattan and Catherine wanted a whiskey sour. Salvatore was taken back that she ordered a whiskey Sour. He asked her what song the band should play. She new he liked Frank Sinatra but requested Sorry seems to be the hardest word by Elton John. Salvador grimaced inside but was enchanted by this great looking broad as he would put it. He told the bandleader to come over. He asked if he knew it and the man told him “Of course it is an old song Ray Charles use to do it. He told his band and they began.

After the band finished, they went back into Sinatra Mode. The selection was My Way a Sinatra Classic. Salvador asked Catherine for a dance. This is what she hoped for. She would work her way into his trust and get enough on him for a jury. Catherine was repulsed by this criminal and found his cologne overbearing. As they danced slowly Salvador’s hands were everywhere he thought he could get away with. He asked if she and Reginald had something going. She told him Reggie was just an actor she wanted to see in America.” I would really love for you to come back and have dinner with me!” Catherine told him he could call her Kate. Only special friends could call her that. He told her to call him Sal. She agreed to come back on Saturday night for Dinner. Reggie was for a reason he did not know, upset that Salvador was squeezing Catherine tight. He asked Heather to dance and she didn’t need a second invitation. He could smell her Lady of Sin perfume. She was a pretty woman but had seen more bumps in the road then a Boston Cab. He told her he was glad to be going to the Celtics game Saturday with her. She snuggled real close and kissed his neck. Reggie out of character had his thoughts on Catherine not the Harlot in his arms. He noticed her diamond earrings. He understood why this woman who was too pretty to be with the likes of BoBo or the Crusher. She was milking them for all they were worth. BoBo had not made enough on the wrestling Circuit for her lifestyle. She took up with the Crusher as he was showering her with trinkets. Then Reggie thought ‘She would sell her soul for a price and maybe this would work in his favor’. Thursday Reginald was called by Marty and asked to meet him and Catherine at Rory’s a hash house beside Boston Police headquarters. When he got there Catherine was already in the restaurant, Marty informed them he would like to show them some pictures at the station and they all ordered a cholesterol breakfast of hash and eggs. They walked the block to the station and Reginald asked if his car would be alright parked at the meter for two hours. Marty told him it wouldn’t take long. The Station house was near the John Hancock Building and a short distance from the prudential center. It was a glorious day in August and birds were chirping in the planted trees along the way. The station was busy with officers coming and going. They entered the station and walked by the booking desk.” Hi Sam, Catherine said to the officer behind it. Hello Detective he responded. They didn’t see the man in handcuffs sitting in a chair on the far wall being interviewed by a police man. It was Joey the weasel and he got an earful. He recognized Reggie and Catherine. ‘Lousy coppers. He thought. He had been caught boosting cigarettes at a local market when they opened. He knew he would make bail and bring the information to Salvador. Marty brought them into a room and produced some mug shots. Catherine pointed to two she had seen at Salvador’s Club. Marty identified them as Whacko Lester Carsino out of Detroit and Roscoe Berdinado from Springfield both suspected Button men for hire to any mob who wanted them. “Hit men for hire!” Reggie added. “I want you both to be careful with these characters they wouldn’t hesitate to kill you both.” “I meet with Heather Saturday and I will try and get her out of the mix.” Reggie never wanted to see a woman hurt. Reggie asked if there was anything on Carlos and Carol. Marty told them Carlos had dealings with lawyers, appraisers, mortgage lenders, title and escrow workers, mortgage brokers, and real estate agents -- who conspire to get mortgages for more than the actual value of the property and then walk off with the difference in Florida. The authorities there want them badly; also there are some shenanigans in Louisiana. After the meeting Reginald went to East Boston to see a man about an employee insurance fraud. Catherine called her father at the New Scotland Yard in London. He told her he wanted her to come back and work for the Yard. She had missed Britain and didn’t realize so until she met Reginald and was in his drawing room. She liked America and Boston but she missed her family and maybe after this case she would go back. She would miss Marty and Reginald was such a gentleman, a throwback to other times.
Saturday at eight pm Reggie parked his car in the Boston Commons Garage and slipped the toll taker twenty dollars to keep the Austin Healy beside the booth. He walked the short distance to the commons and met Heather. She was wearing tight leather pants and a green blouse. She had a light black sweater to match the pants. Reggie was in a relaxed dress for him. He wore a Harvard pull over shirt and pleated brown pants. There was a beige porkpie hat that sported a small feather on his head. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. They walked down Boylston Street towards the bank north gardens on Nashua street, they past a window and there was a poster of a wrestling menu at the gardens next week. There in a large picture was her husband BoBo. She ran her finger along the glass over the image. The stopped in the horseshoe bar next to the garden for drinks before they went in. Reggie asked about her marriage and why she was with such a creep as Crusher. She told him that she had married BoBo when she was young. She loved going to his matches. He was always kind of old fashion and didn’t take her to popular places or shower her with gifts. Crusher and BoBo had a match that didn’t go as scripted and Crusher took a cheap shot and almost broke BoBo’s Jaw. Crusher was running around with a redhead back then and was always seen with fabulous jewelry and the most up to date fashions. She told BoBo she felt like he didn’t do enough for her. BoBo thought jewelry and expensive clothes were frivolous and they lived in a small flat in the South end of Boston. Things were never the same between them. She had been drinking at this very bar when Crusher came in. He ignored his redhead friend and talked to her most of the night. This happened several times and one night he met her on the public Gardens and started a romance. He gave her diamond ear rings and other jewels that she at first hid from BoBo. Crusher was a mean man and had an ugly temper. She became afraid to leave him as he said he would kill her and BoBo. Reggie told her in the London Theatre he had been engaged to a woman and she broke his heart and ran away with a stage manager. He said it is a hurt that never goes away. “BoBo sounds like a thrifty bloke and I think you misjudged him” I bet he would take you back in a heartbeat. “You think so Reginald?” “I think it would be worth a try Heather. “Reggie, do you mind if I skip the game?” Reggie knew he had struck a nerve and she would now go back to BoBo which would get her out of the picture when this all came to a finally. The made up story had worked. They did not notice the hulking figure peering through the window at them. She kissed him on the cheek and got up and left. Reggie saw a man he knew at the bar and asked if he wanted to see the came.
That night outside BoBo’s flat in the brownstone that was on a quiet street and no one was around Heather fished for her keys. It was over in a blink of an eye. Crusher came out of nowhere and grabbed her by her slim neck. The snap was audible. He pushed her behind the hedges like yesterdays trash.
Christine never went to the club; two men Whacko and Lester had buzzed themselves in by ringing other apartments and taken broken into her apartment and taken her hostage. Joey has given Salvador her name from a plaque on the wall in the station. She was not hard to find.
When Reggie left the garden that night he headed home. Outside his flat in Cambridge the monster Crusher came upon him and hit him on the side of the head with his ham fist and knocked him out. Two people walking along saw it but fled. He dragged Reggie into his car and headed to the waterfront and Salvador’s warehouse.
Crusher sounded the horn in his Mercedes and the door raised open. He drove into and stopped short of the truck that was in there. He dragged Reggie out and tied his hands with a plastic tie. Reggie felt like he was hit by a train. He opened his eyes and as soon as he was able to focus he knew he was doomed.
There was a small office used for accounting when the warehouse was a legitimate business. On the floor was Christine her dress in tatters and hands tied behind her back with rope. The two hit men had searched her all too thoroughly. Whacko was playing with a blowtorch. Crusher tossed Reggie in a heap beside her. “When the Boss gets here, the fun will begin!” Crusher was enjoying this.” You can kill me, but if you harm a police woman there is no where you creeps can hide!” Reggie looked towards Christine. Whacko lit the Blowtorch and laughed. “We have a tree shredder downstairs and no body, no crime.”

The three thugs left them sitting there on the filthy floor and went outside waiting for Salvatore to arrive and sound his horn. Reggie looked at Catherine and knew she was the one woman he had met that gave him a warm feeling deep inside his heart. “Kate I just want to tell you I wished I never brought this matter to Marty. I have never met a woman such as you. In another place and another time maybe we would have a chance.” Reggie it is not your fault, really.” Meeting you brought back memories of when I was a younger woman in England. Thoughts of my Fathers house in Heathrow and my Grandfathers drawing room.” A tear came to her eyes. I had made plans to return to England to be with my father and my friends at London’s Scotland Yard. I would miss Marty but I think I would stay up nights with memories of you.” She worked her way over to Reggie and kissed him on the lips. “I want my last minutes to be with you.
A horn honked and Whacko pushed the button to raise the door

The warehouse door rose and in came a black dented 1999 Chevy Caprice .It slammed against the rear of Crushers car, the driver’s door was flung open. Out jumped BoBo with a double barreled shotgun in his hand. The gun roared as he sent a volley into Roscoe. Whacko fired two rapid shots from his Glock 9mm and hit BoBo in the chest once. BoBo grimaced as he fired again and hit Whacko in the upper torso. Catherine and Reggie were on the office floor and could not see what was going on. Crusher’s eyes were ablaze with hatred as he watched the carnage. BoBo looked through the office window at Crusher and threw the shotgun to the floor. BoBo had found his wife’s lifeless body and grabbed his shotgun and headed towards Reginald’s home to find out where Crusher was .He knew the broken neck was sure to be the work if Crusher . He drove around the corner as two people wee running away from the scene and saw Crushers car drive off with an unconscious Reggie inside. He kept back and followed it to the warehouse. He heard the car horn beep and the door open as he drove past. Now he stood with wounds in his chest as Crusher came out of the office. He cursed BoBo and asked why he had killed Heather. Crusher laughed and said because he was through with her. BoBo on pure adrenalin though wounded attacked Crusher. This would be the ultimate match with the outcome death. Crusher grabbed BoBo by the neck and tried to violently twist it, but BoBo’s neck was not the thin neck of a helpless woman and he kneed Crusher in the groin. He Gave Crusher a neck breaker by putting it in his forearm and dropping to the floor rapidly. Then he put Crusher in his trademark sleeper hold. Crusher struggled as best he could but even though BoBo was weakening from his wound he tightened his grip. Crusher went silent but BoBo held on. All air had been shut off to Crushers Brain and there would be no referee to stop this one. BoBo left the lifeless body of Crusher and stumbled into the office. Catherine started tearing up as she saw the wounded BoBo .He untied Catherine and fell to the floor exhausted from the battle and loss of blood. Catherine looked in the desk drawer of the office desk and found a pair of electrical pliers and took them over to Reggie. She cut of the plastic tie and went over to BoBo. “You will make it sweetie, hold on!” Reggie searched the bloody bodies of the two thugs and found a cell phone. He called 991 and called for an ambulance and the police. Within ten minutes there was an ambulance from Massachusetts General Hospital and four squad cars of Boston’s finest. Marty arrives in his crown Victoria and rushed in .Marty hugged Catherine and Reggie.” When you did not turn up at the station Catherine we went to Salvador’s and with a search warrant obtained from Judge Grogan and found Salvador had an illegal gun on him. It was enough to keep him in the cooler until we found you. He would not talk and is squawking about getting a lawyer. The Medics had been working on BoBo and now were taking him to the ambulance. Sadly BoBo died on the way to the hospital after the match of his life. ”Florida sent warrants for the arrest of Carlos and Carol and we are looking for them. The next day the weasel was picked up and he turned on Salvador to stay out of jail. He truly was a weasel. Catherine and Reggie began a wonderful romance and when Catherine went back to England Reggie went with her. She is an inspector for the New Scotland Yard in London and Reggie with Catherine's help has set up a private investigators office in London and they are very happy. They bought a cottage on the outskirts of London that is a step back in time inside. Reggie has his drawing room and many a night they sit discussing cases with each other. BoBo was sorely missed by his wrestling fans and they dedicated a training camp for wrestlers to him. Well that’s it folks and if you are ever in London and see a Red Austin Healey and a man that looks like Sherlock Holmes driving give him a wave he is probably on a case.

NOTE: The above is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, places or events is entirely coincidental. The following is the sole intellectual property of the author (unless otherwise noted) and should not be distributed or altered without permission of the author. The author does not necessarily support or condone the actions or opinions of the characters