The Damascus Chronicles (18 page)

They all nodded in agreement. “We must be especially watchful of the triad gangs in the city. Rumors suggest that they have obtained a powerful force. We must discover what this force is, and if it poses any threat to this Coven and organization, we must destroy it,” said Marianna.

“Very well. Contact the young fledgling in five days to give him his first trial and we shall see how much courage he has,” said Lord Zoratus.

In the meantime, back at Michael’s pad, Serena and Michael sat by the fireplace where golden flames burned brightly. The two gazed at the moonlit sky out of their window and dreamed of happier times.

Friday night and the Black Spider Club teemed with people. Mickey Blue and his band were warming up on the main stage as the crowd was being served cocktails. Isabelle was speaking to Michael behind the stage about the songs she would be performing for the evening’s festivities.

“Now listen Isabelle, I want you to knock’em dead tonight. You do this, and I’ll get you in a music magazine, you can do it honey,” said Michael confidently.

“Mikey have I not always delivered? You know I will,” said Isabelle.

“Good. Go for it and kick ass.”

“Thanks. You’re sweet,” said Isabelle as she kissed Michael on the cheek and prepared for her number with Mickey Blue.

Michael left the stage to have a drink at the bar as Mickey and Isabelle began to play the night away. The bartender, Ronny, gave Michael a smile as he poured his employer a Chinese Snake Blood special, the special being actual snake’s blood. Michael had a strong taste for the ethnic delights of China. “How have you been boss, you look a little tense tonight?”

“I’m just a little tired, that’s all Ronny, but don’t worry.”

“I just don’t like seeing you down.”

“I’ll be fine, just keep pouring the drinks and keep them coming for the customers, I anticipate this night is going to be a killer.”

“Not a problem,” said Ronny.

“So tell, me what’s been going on lately with you and Mickey?” asked Michael.

“Mickey’s been doing well. It’s too bad you can’t be here every night at the club,” said Ronny. “I know he has a soft spot for me in his heart.”

“He told me he thinks of you as a son. Too bad the man has never had children.”

“Mickey is a good man and a kind one,” agreed Michael.

“Oh well. Say listen, how would like to have one of my newest paintings?” asked Ronny.

“Sure,” said Michael. Just then the phone rang,

“Good evening, this is the Black Spider Club, this is Ronny. How may I help you?” Michael heard a muffled voice speak over the phone. “Yes he’s here, I’ll tell him right away,” said Ronny as he handed Michael the phone. “It’s for you and it’s important.”

“Thank you,” said Michael as he held the phone to his ear to listen
.
“Hello?”

“Yes, this is Mrs. Jane Mitchell from the Las Vegas Department of protective child services, I have unfortunate news about your young niece Sally Henderson, your deceased sister’s daughter,” said Mrs. Mitchell.

“Yes, what’s wrong, what’s happened?” asked Michael, worried.

“Sally has been staying with your father and younger brother. We received word from the police department yesterday that they were killed in a car accident two days ago,” said Mrs. Mitchell.

“What!” Michael exclaimed.

“I know that this is a shock to you, but your niece has nowhere to go. We have tried to find relatives that would take her in, but they are all deceased,” said Mrs. Mitchell.

“Of course I’ll take her in immediately, she’s my relative,” Michael agreed. “Where is she now?” “She is with me at the Protective Child Services building,” said Mrs. Mitchell.

“I’ll be there in 10 minutes. Thank you.” Michael hung up the phone, sad to hear such grim news.

“What’s wrong?” asked Ronny.

“My father and younger brother were killed in a car wreck. My little niece has no one now but me, fucking a.”

“I’m so sorry Mike,” said Ronny, giving his boss a sad look.

“Anyway, tell Isabelle and Mickey Blue that they’ll be having company in the penthouse upstairs,” said Michael calmly.

“Of course boss,” said Ronny.

Michael sat down his drink and hurried out the door to pick up Sally. He hopped into a cab. “Where to Mack?” asked the cabbie.

“The Department of Protective Child Services and step on it,” said Michael, handing the cab driver a fifty-dollar bill.

“You got it,” said the cabbie as he hit the pedal. Staring out the cab window at the endless rows of massive lights, glaring signs, and many casinos, all Michael could think about was his family. He felt terrible about his absence and the neglect of his true family. The two years he had spent in the criminal underworld had consumed his mind and time and he was very worried about Sally. He had not seen her for a long time and was concerned about how she would react to seeing him. He also knew that he would now have to be especially secretive. “She must never know what I am,” said Michael to himself. “I will protect her.”

Ten minutes later Michael arrived at the Protective Child Services building. In the waiting room he found a little nine year old girl with brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a red sweater and red dress. Sally was Katrina’s daughter from a previous marriage. Mrs. Mitchell was comforting her, as she was crying for her grandfather and little cousin. “Now dear, don’t cry, your Uncle Michael is here to take you home,” said Mrs. Mitchell.

Sally wiped her tears as she saw a tall Italian man in nice suit smile at her. “Uncle Michael,” said a shy Sally. The two stood motionless. They had not seen each other for two years. Then they hugged tightly and a tear ran down Michael’s right cheek. “I have to take care of you now sweetie, Grandpa and Peter have gone to heaven to be with your mother,” Michael explained softly.

“Thank you so much,” said Sally with tears running down her face.

“Come now, let’s go home,” said Michael. He turned to Mrs. Mitchell and asked, “Will she be all right?”

“At this stage it’s too early to tell. I’ll keep you informed about the legalities. After the paperwork has been processed, the adoption will become legal,” said Mrs. Mitchell, handing Michael the documents.

“Okay,” Michael agreed, and he and Sally headed out and flagged a cab to take his niece to the guest penthouse he had at his nightclub. It was dark when they arrived at the Black Spider Club; the club had been shut down out of respect for Michael’s loss. Ronny had gone home for the night; the only ones watching over the club were Mickey Blue and Isabelle, who lived upstairs in the double guest penthouses. Michael opened the doors of the club and he saw Mickey Blue come down stairs. “Well now, who is this fine and lovely little lady that we have here tonight?” Mickey Blue asked, smiling. He caused Sally to smile a little in return; she was shy at times but not always.

“Sally, Sally Henderson.” She hid half her face behind Michael’s left shoulder.

“Tell me honey, do you like music?” asked Mickey Blue.

“A little, will you play something for me?” asked Sally.

“Of course missy,” said Mickey Blue happily as he whipped out his saxophone from his saxophone case and began to play a sweet soft melody that sounded like robins singing to their young. Sally began to cheer up a little. Her face brightened and she clapped for Mickey Blue when he had finished playing for her. “That was wonderful,” said Sally.

“She loves jazz; I can tell,” said Mickey Blue. “Maybe she will want to be a singer someday,” said Isabelle, who had come halfway down the stairs while Mickey Blue was playing . Coming down further, she introduced herself to the little girl. “Hello, you’re very beautiful,” said Sally, smiling at Isabelle.

“Thank you sweetie. I’m Isabelle and this is Mickey.”

“Are you hungry dear? I’ve been cooking beef stew upstairs,” asked Isabelle.

“A little,” admitted Sally.

“Are you going to stay with us tonight Michael?” asked Isabelle.

“Yes, I am, but first I’m going to make some calls. Then I’ll join you all for dinner upstairs,” said Michael. Isabelle and Mickey Blue escorted Sally up the stairs to Isabelle’s penthouse for supper while Michael made his calls at the empty bar.

“Hi love, it’s me,” said Michael over the phone.

“Are you coming home soon, baby?” asked Serena. “I’m going to be here at the club tonight. My little niece just came into town, and she’ll be staying here in Mickey Blue’s and Isabelle’s care,” said Michael.

“What happened? You sound depressed,” pressed Serena.

“My father and younger brother died just two days ago. They were killed in a car wreck. Sally had been staying with them after my sister passed away. Now she has no one but me,” Michael explained.

“Can she stay with us? I could look after here darling.”

“No, she must not know what you or I am, or our business with you know who,” said Michael firmly.

“Will you be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll be here for a few days until I can complete the adoption paperwork with the city. Then I’ll come home to check in on you. Are you all right baby?” asked Michael.

“I’m fine; you go and keep watch over the little one. I’ll see you in a few days,” said Serena.

“By the way, any word from the Coven?” asked Michael.

“No word from them yet, but expect to hear from them soon. Normally the trials begin shortly after introductions have been made,” said Serena.

“Thanks baby, take care, love you.”

“Love you too,” said Serena. Michael hung up the phone and went up stairs to join the others.

At dinner they sat and talked. “I hope you’re all hungry because I have a lot of this tonight,” said Isabelle, bringing out the pot of hot beef stew and serving everyone.

“But of course, everyone knows that you’re the most wonderful cook in the world,” said Mickey Blue as he spread his napkin on his lap, ready to eat. “Thank you, Mickey. I’m glad that someone appreciates my cooking, unlike some people here.” Isabelle winked, teasing Michael.

“Come on Issy, I think your cooking is great,” said Michael, blushing. They all laughed and the penthouse began to feel warm and comfortable. As they passed around food, Sally spoke.

“How did this all happen here, I mean this entire big place?” asked Sally.

“Well, your uncle and Mickey here have been friends for a few years and they dreamed of setting up a night club, so here we all are,” said Isabelle.

“I came from New Orleans, playing around the states as far back as the 1990s. I opened my own club, The Swallow’s Nest, here in Las Vegas, but it closed down due to criminal elements. Many years later, your uncle here gave me the opportunity to start over with him and that’s how we got this place going.” said Mickey Blue as slurped down a hearty helping of Isabelle’s hot stew.

“What about you?” Sally asked Isabelle.

“Your uncle and I grew up as kids together in Brooklyn, New York, before he moved out here to work for the CIA. We were friends and wrote music together,” said Isabelle.

“Is that why you sing?” asked Sally.

“Yes, I love to sing. A few years ago when I was out of work as a secretary, your uncle told me about this club. He gave me the opportunity to pursue my singing career here and things have never been the same,” said Isabelle, smiling at Michael. Michael couldn’t help but smile back.

“So tell me, how would you like to help me on stage sometime singing?” Isabelle asked Sally.

“I would like that very much. When mom was alive she enrolled me when I was six in dance and singing classes,” replied Sally.

“Really, what type of dance?” asked Isabelle.

“Swing,” replied Sally.

“You might just have a protégé,” said Michael and Sally smiled.

They talked for a long time after Sally had been settled in Isabelle’s bed. Mickey Blue bade Michael and Isabelle good night as they went downstairs to have a nightcap at the club bar. Michael poured Isabelle and himself each a glass of red wine.

“You know Mikey, Sally reminds me of you when we were little. You were always shy.”

“And you were always teasing me,” said Michael as they both chuckled.

“You know it’ll be nice to have some company around here. Sally might actually entice you to come around more often,” said Isabelle.

“You know the people I deal with. I have to keep certain commitments.” Michael shook his head.

“Too bad they have to be such shady people.”

“That’s business. Do you think I enjoy having to do this? I do it out of duty to the people who saved my life. God wasn’t there for me but they were,” said Michael.

“God has never abandoned you. What’s happened to your faith?” questioned Isabelle.