M.A. Rothman [Rothman - Never Again

Never Again

M.A. Rothman

Copyright 2018 Michael A. Rothman

Cover Art by M.S. Corley

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

Crises must be prepared for not only politically and economically, but also psychologically. Here propaganda has its place. It [the media] must prepare the way actively and educationally. Its task is to prepare the way for practical actions. It must follow these actions step by step, never losing sight of them. In a manner of speaking, it provides the background music. Such propaganda in the end miraculously makes the unpopular popular, enabling even a governments most difficult decisions to secure the resolute support of the people. A government that uses it properly can do what is necessary without running the risk of losing the masses.

Joseph Goebbels, Nuremberg, 1934.

Translated from the original German.

If all you drink is seltzer, how am I supposed to seduce you into seeing reason?

Levi took another sip of his seltzer and stared across the table at the attractive thirty-something Asian woman. They were sitting in Gerards, his favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in New Yorks Little Italy. A few customers chatted amiably at the bar, and the smell of garlic and marinara wafted in from the kitchen.

Just because you think youre right doesnt mean Im going to agree, he replied. Im not this angel you think I am.

Lucy Chen was nursing a scotch and soda. She leaned forward and shook her head. I never called you an angel, she said with her slight Russian accent. I just know you. Youre willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, but youre picky about the kind of jobs youll take on. Too picky. She motioned discreetly toward two beefy men digging into heaping portions of pasta. Youre loyal to your family, I get that. I admire it. But I want you and I to work together on this. We can do so much good in this crappy world if we cooperate. I need a partner in this.

Theyd been having this debate for over a month. Lucy wanted Levi to go into business with her, but he had other obligations. Besides, he wasnt sure what to make of her. The smoldering behind those dark brown eyes was intense. In fact, everything about her was dialed up to eleven. The widow of a Chinese gang leader, she was the epitome of the dragon lady stereotype. And through a strange twist of fate, Levi had managed to get himself entangled with her.

He did trust her. To an extent, anyway. After all, she knew more about him than most. Few outside of his normal mob connections knew he was a member of the Bianchi crime family.

Denny, the owner of the bar, walked over and knelt so that he was eye level with the two of them. Can I get you guys something to eat? The girls in the kitchen are using Ginos recipes. He hitched his thumb toward the two mob enforcers devouring their food. Its pretty good stuff, even if I say so myself.

Levi smiled ruefully as he realized how much Gerards had expanded over the last year. Once a small, some would say cozy, neighborhood bar that only served drinks, it was now a mob hangout complete with a dinner menu. Hed preferred it as a quiet place, because Denny wasnt just a bar owner, the skinny black man born and bred in Brooklyn was Levis main intelligence contact. He was a gadget man, a genius with electronics, and had his ear to the ground about nearly everything.

Lucy shook her head. Levi and I are going out on a date, so its best we dont ruin our appetite.

Levi worked hard to keep his frown from showing.

The front doors bell jingled as it opened, and with a smile, Denny turned away to greet his newest customer.

Lucy smiled as she stared back at Levi and he felt as though she could read his mind. She leaned forward and whispered, You know damn well that anyone who knows Im staying at your apartment figures were a couple. And if they know were not, that can bring up some awkward questions Id rather not answer.

Levi sat back in his chair and nodded. Of course she was right, which annoyed the hell out of him. Shed been living with him for the last six weeks, ever since the FBI cracked down on the local Chinese gang shed been affiliated with and ended up taking down of one of the major Triads in Hong Kongthe same one that Lucys deceased husband had headed. He couldnt be sure how much shed been involved in orchestrating that revenge. But one thing was certain: she was a marked woman, and hed offered her whatever protection he could until things calmed down.

Denny walked back over with an odd expression. He leaned down and hitched his thumb toward the door. Levi, that lady says shes looking for you. But I get the distinct feeling she doesnt really know who you are. Do you want me to send her away?

Levi turned in his chair. Standing by the door was a woman in her fifties, dressed all in black, wringing her hands and looking very uncomfortable. He waved at her, caught her attention, and motioned her to the empty seat at his table.

Denny shrugged and went back to the bar.

The womans look of discomfort was obvious as she skirted past tables and patrons, trying not to touch anything. She pulled out the proffered chair, sat, glanced at them both and said, I was told to come here, and that Mister Yoder would help me with my problem. She looked at Levi. Are you him?

Levi extended his hand. Im Levi Yoder. And you are?

The woman looked at his outstretched hand and shook her head slightly. Im Rivka Cohen.

Lucy extended her hand and said, At hassidi?

As soon as the woman nodded and shook hands with Lucy, Levi understood. He didnt speak Hebrew or Yiddish, and he was mildly surprised that Lucy knew any, but he knew enough to realize this Cohen woman was very much out of her element. A Hassid was a follower of an ultra-orthodox Jewish movement. Not the type of people Levi often crossed paths with, but there were plenty of them in Crown Heights, only twenty minutes away. And it explained why she wouldnt shake his hand, but would shake Lucys.

Because he was a guy.

Levi smiled, trying to make this woman, who was clearly a bundle of nerves, more comfortable. Im sorry, I would offer you a drink, but I know you wont take it, so how can I help?

The womans eyes grew shiny as if she were about to start crying. My Uncle Menachem, hes a jeweler at a place on Franklin Avenue. He said that you once bought something from him and left with him a promise. Do you remember that?

Levi pulled in a deep breath as his mind raced back many yearsto when hed been looking for an engagement ring for his now-deceased wife. Menachem Shemtov? he said. The same Menachem who worked at a jewelry store at Franklin and Park Place?

The woman nodded.

My God, that was ages ago. Your uncle did this goy a great favor on a purchase. Im surprised he remembers me. I promised to return the favor someday. What can I do for you?

Rivka wrung her hands together with a pained expression. My husband died four months ago. The police say it was a suicide, but I know that hed never take his own life. She screwed up her courage, even though tears began dripping down her cheeks. They said he was having an affair, but I know thats impossible too. I have evidence that says so. Can you help me clear his name? Its very important to me, to our kids, to our family. I dont have much money, but I can help pay expenses, I think.

Levi tried to keep what he was thinking from showing on his face. This wasnt what he did. And what shed described made sense. Religious guy has sex with some random, or maybe some not-so-random person, he feels guilty about it, and he kills himself. This situation had disappointment written all over it.