Month: April 2021

Uncategorized

SOMEWHERE THERE’S A KILLER

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

It was a beautifully warm Saturday afternoon in East Hampton, New York. The sun was glistening off the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, waves just the perfect height for surfers in early Spring. A few people sat on beach chairs basking in the glow while others wandered through the chic little town looking in boutique shop windows and stopping for a latte. 

The scene inside the exclusive beach house on Oceanview Drive, however, was quite a contrast to the glorious panorama outdoors. It was nothing short of gruesome. 

Inside that house lay wealthy divorcée Linda Myers Bronson, sprawled out on her kitchen floor. Judging by the impressive crossbow bolt protruding from the middle of her chest and the copious amount of blood on the gleaming Italian marble floor beneath her, she was most definitely dead. 

The police showed up after being notified by Linda’s friend, June Parker Singleton. Apparently Linda failed to show up for their usual Friday lunch at ’The Palms’. June said she’d been trying to reach Linda since then but all her calls and texts went unanswered. 

Nothing looked out of place in Linda’s house – no sign of a struggle, robbery, forced entry or even a shattered window. The police were certain Linda was killed by either someone she knew or allowed in. 

Linda’s cell phone was on the kitchen table; police checked messages and calls but there was nothing even remotely unusual or suspicious. Then they discovered a landline phone with a recording machine on a bookshelf in the study. A little red light was blinking, indicating there were messages. The detective in charge, Tony Collins, was anxious to hear what was on that machine. 

There was the usual greeting recorded by Linda followed by a message from the landscapers letting her know they’d be planting the new arborvitaes on Monday. Another message from the local jeweler informed Linda that her pearl necklace had been restrung and she could stop by at her convenience. 

Detective Collins listened to the next message but it was Linda speaking: 

“This is Linda Myers Bronson. I need a job done.”  

Silence. The detective pushed the play button and Linda’s voice came on again: 

“What does it matter how I got your number? You were highly recommended and I’m willing to pay top dollar.” 

Again all was quiet before Linda spoke: 

“Please, I don’t need to know about your various equipment; that means nothing to me as long as everything’s done right. It must be taken care of quickly.” 

The pattern of conversation continued in the same manner with only Linda’s voice on the recordings. It didn’t take a genius to realize that for some bizarre reason the comments from the person she was talking to had been deleted. Two questions remained: who was Linda talking to and why was their part of the discussion deleted? The detective continued listening:

“Yes, that price is fine. The cost doesn’t concern me. I understand; cash only.” 

“A date? Well, as I mentioned before, as quickly as possible.” 

“Oh, that soon!” 

“No, that’s not a problem. I’ll be home.” 

“The address is 7 Oceanview Drive in East Hampton. What time will you be here?” 

“I don’t care if your other clients are okay with a two-hour window. I want to know the exact time you’ll be here.” 

“Oh, and use the rear entrance into the kitchen. I don’t want my rugs getting dirty.” 

Detective Collins listened to the recordings again, unable to hear even a trace of sound between Linda’s comments. “I want this tape machine bagged and brought down to headquarters”  he barked. 

“Hey, Detective” one of the cops called out. “You might want to take a look at this. I found this folder in the victim’s desk.” 

The folder contained medical records and reports from Linda’s doctor. 

Collins whistled, slapping the folder against his hand. “Well, I’ll be damned. According to these reports it looks like our victim was practically dead already. She had cancer everywhere and about two weeks to live.” Closing the folder the detective added “Looks like she decided to end it all and hired somebody to take her out. A classic case of suicide by murder.” 

Returning to the kitchen Collins took a close look at the bolt still sticking out of Linda’s chest. Common, no distinguishing marks, available in any hunting or sporting goods store. He’ll have forensics go over this baby with a fine-tooth comb. After all, somewhere there’s a killer.

“Goddamn! I gotta admit it. This lady had some set of balls!”

NAR © 2021

Uncategorized

GUEST POST: LOVED BY AN ANGEL

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

SOMETIMES IT’S BEST NOT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A GUEST POST; DOING SO WOULD SIMPLY TAKE AWAY FROM THE INTENSITY AND BEAUTY OF A PIECE. TO EXPLAIN SUCH A PERSONAL MEMORY WOULD BE A DISSERVICE. I KNOW YOU WILL BE QUITE TAKEN BY THIS POEM WRITTEN BY MY DEAR FRIEND, PAUL GRIFFITHS – THE BIRKENHEAD POET. THANK YOU, PAUL, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE IT HERE. ❤️

I loved her with a vengeance that even the devil failed to understand.
For her I would have gladly sold my soul and for eternity be damned.
She was worth crossing the great divide, the line drawn in the sand.
I’d have broken every commandment and dismissed God out of hand.

My angel who became a mortal and turned her back on heaven above.
Such things are worth the sacrifice if it’s done in the name of love.
When her wings were clipped she did not cry out or complain.
She said to feel true love for just an instant was worth any amount of pain.

I never knew why she would do such a thing, falling for a wretch like me.
She told me, when she looked into my eyes she saw what others failed to see.
To become a mortal woman yet my goddess to me was still held as divine.
I worshiped her with all my heart with a love that transcended time.

I think God punished us by punishing her for abandoning him for me.
God might be omnipotent but I think he got stung by that green eyed jealousy.
She made her choice and she fell in love and it was her free will.
But now she became vulnerable to human traits and my angel fell ill.

God now turned his back on her, as I turned my back on him.
She told me not to go to war with God, it was a battle we couldn’t win.
I told her I was sorry that she ever fell in love with a wretch like me.
She said she would not change a thing that our love was meant to be.

I have yet to face God’s wrath when we finally meet eye to eye.
He’d better beg for my forgiveness; why did he let her die.
For she held heaven in her eyes and a look of love so clear.
If the devil awaits me then I shall enter hell without a hint of fear.

I don’t know if I was blessed to fall in love or is love but a curse.
To be loved an angel briefly then to lose her, what scenario is worse?
God only knows the answer and he ain’t talking to a fool like me.
So I guess I’m damned to walk alone, and if so then it shall be.

PTG © copyright

Uncategorized

HIS MOTHER’S LOVE

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

“Fish” Mulally didn’t come by that nickname accidentally. There’s a good reason: there wasn’t another man who looked more like a cold-blooded vertebrate animal with scales, gills and fins than “Fish”. Radical as it may sound, it’s not an insult; it’s a fact.

Born in 1959, Brendan Mulally was one of those tragic thalidomide babies. His mother Maeve suffered terribly from morning sickness and took the unapproved drug during her pregnancy. She’d heard rumors about the anti-nausea medication being dangerous, possibly resulting in abnormalities to the fetus, but Maeve’s doctor assured her the drug was safe. The moment she gave birth, the delivery room fell silent. The only sound was Brendan’s whimpering.

Maeve knew immediately something was wrong and pleaded to see her baby. The doctor walked to the head of the bed and told her the baby was malformed and it would probably be best if she didn’t see him, but Maeve was of hardy Irish Catholic stock and demanded the baby be brought to her. A nurse gently cleaned Brendan, wrapped him in a blanket and put a little bonnet on his head. With sorrow in her eyes, she reluctantly handed the baby to Maeve.

Even though Brendan’s eyes were closed Maeve could see they were large and protruding. His face was long, his lips flabby. With trembling hands she removed the baby’s cap and drew in a startled breath. Where there should have been hair there were scales – massive amounts of tiny shimmering bony plates overlapping one another. His right arm and hand were covered in the same thin scales. Summoning all her courage Maeve carefully unfolded the swaddling; at first glance her baby appeared perfectly normal and she tenderly placed her hands beneath his back to lift him to her breast. It was then that she felt the two small fins sticking out of his shoulder blades.

The doctor spoke softly. “Maeve, I know this must be a shock to you but surely you realize your baby will not thrive. I suggest we call the hospital chaplain to perform the sacrament of baptism while we still have time.” Maeve silently nodded in agreement and the priest was summoned. At least now little Brendan would go on to heaven and not languish in Limbo with other unbaptized babies.

Maeve insisted that Brendan be placed in a bassinet next to her bed instead of the hospital nursery; she didn’t trust the doctors and nurses and wanted to keep her baby close. The doctor rambled on about going against hospital policy but Maeve would not back down; begrudgingly the staff acquiesced.

Maeve’s husband Patrick paced impatiently with other expectant fathers in the hospital waiting room. He toyed with the packs of cigars in his pocket, looking forward to proudly passing them out to his friends. Finally his name was called and he was allowed to see his wife and meet their baby. The nurse gave Patrick no information other than to say his wife had delivered a boy.

Patrick entered his wife’s room, his face beaming with joy. He kissed her forehead tenderly then turned his attention to his son sleeping in the bassinet. With eyes wide in shock and disbelief, Patrick flinched and recoiled.

“Holy Christ! Saints preserve us!” he exclaimed. “This is the work of the devil! He’ll not be coming home with us!”

Maeve was not surprised by Patrick’s reaction; he was an arrogant and inflexible man. It would take much convincing on her part to bring him around; however, Patrick was imlaccable and stormed out of the room. Maeve never saw him again. The first night home alone with her newborn son, Maeve knelt before the statue of St. Brigid and prayed for courage and patience.

Despite the doctor’s opinion, Brendan grew strong and healthy under his mother’s loving care. Maeve made sure he wore a cap and glove to conceal his scales but there was no hiding his face. Brendan was bullied relentlessly and everyone called him “Fish” but he never caved under the pressure. He gave as good as he got and eventually earned respect and notoriety.

Brendan’s fighting skills were impressive and he caught the eye of crime boss James “The Prophet” O’Neill who asked him to become his bodyguard. Brendan accepted the job with one condition: for his mother’s sake, he would never take another person’s life.

O’Neill respected Brendan’s devotion to his mother and agreed to his request. “Fish” Mulally made Maeve proud until her last breath.

NAR © 2021

Uncategorized

WHEN IN ROME

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

“Name?” the incredibly bored girl working at the pizzeria asked me indifferently. It was clear she’d rather be doing anything other than doling out food orders. She gave a cursory glance at her clipboard.

“Nancy” I replied hoping my order had been received.

“No kidding?” the suddenly animated young woman said loudly, slapping her hand on the counter and grinning broadly. “That’s my grandmother’s name! You don’t hear that name much these days. What year were you born in?”

It wasn’t really any of her business but I reluctantly told her anyway. This was a new place in my neighborhood in Rome, New York so I tried to play nice.

“Get outta town!” she exclaimed, startling half the people in the place. “Same year as my grandma, too! What are the odds?” she cackled.

I gritted my teeth at the public announcement that I was as old as this girl’s granny. “Little twit” I said to myself.

“Well, Miss Nancy, your food ain’t quite ready yet. Just plop yourself down in one of those booths and I’ll bring it over.”

Plop? I may be old enough to be this bimbo’s grandmother but I definitely do not plop!

I found an empty booth, slid in and looked around the pizzeria. There was a hideously unappealing statue of a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, framed photos of Frank Sinatra, Pope John XXIII and Christopher Columbus. On the far wall was a large mural of a ship with “Nina” emblazoned across the bow – no doubt an homage to the restaurant which was called “Nina’s Place”. The decor was tacky and stereotypical.

There was a sudden pounding on the back of my seat and I turned around to see two toddlers bouncing around their booth, a sullen child of about four years of age, a crying infant in a carriage and a woman, obviously their mother, at her wits end. Food, spilled drinks and toys were everywhere. The woman looked at me, her eyes pleading “Kill me now!” I half-smiled sympathetically at her.

I thought about changing seats but just then the pizza girl arrived with my food.

“Here ya go, Fancy Nancy! One caprese salad with grilled chicken and a Diet Coke. If you don’t mind my saying so, you look really good for a gal your age.”

I blinked a few times, unsure if I should say “Thank you” or “Kindly go the fuck away”. I chose the former which she took as an invitation to join me as I ate!

“So, anyway, my grandma – she’s named after Frank Sinatra’s song ‘Nancy With the Laughing Face’ ” pizza girl said, pointing to the photo of the legendary singer. “Are you, too?”

“No, I’m not. It’s a long story” I explained.

“Ooh, I love me a good story! I wanna hear all about it. But first I gotta make sure Mr. Rizzo doesn’t cheat me outta my tip, that old miser! Be right back, Nance.”

I cringed; only a select few called me by my nickname.

“Take your time” I replied. It looked like it was going to be a long lunch. I really should have ordered the wine!

NAR © 2021