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Breach of Contract
aTwitMystery Blackbird Tale

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Afterword.
Regarding the "Breach of Contract" Tweets, there were no more from that account right away. However, the following article did appear on page 3 of the afternoon edition of the Moira Journal & Commercial Advertiser of Moira, New York, the next day, Friday, September 2, 2011.



Police Called To Barbieri Retreat

DEER RIVER. A 911 "Suspected prowler" call was received late last night from Mr. Michael Velotta, security supervisor at the Deer River residence of Carla Ponti Barbieri, spouse of reputed mob boss Joseph "Clipper" Barbieri of NYC. In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, however, police were unable to respond to the call until after eleven this morning when Franklin County Sheriff's Deputies Milton Clark and Dana Pennington arrived. Ms. Barbieri reported vandals had taken advantage of interrupted communications and the burdened police authorities to shoot firearms on the property, severely damaging several vehicles and causing damage to the residence, shooting out several windows.
     Neither Mr. Barbieri, Mr. Velotta, nor any of the Barbieri security staffers were at the scene when sheriff's deputies arrived and none could be reached for comment. Neither Ms. Barbieri nor her sons, Caesar, 12, and Santino, 10, could shed any light on where any of the security personnel might be located nor how to reach them. "It probably has something to do with my husband's work," suggested Ms. Barbieri.
     Sheriff's Deputy Clark reported that, when he commented upon how clean everything looked inside and outside the residence, Mrs. Barbieri said that a Mr. Hammer had been available to take care of the mess. "He said he knew a guy," she stated.








20


Don't use your family as shields, Joe. Not only is it unmanly, it won't work.
10 hours ago »
 
11:33PM. Blackbird: Yankees win, Joe; You lose. We're done with your imported help and now we're coming for you.
11 hours ago »
 
Hammer: One left.
11 hours ago »
 
Possibly. Possibly.
11 hours ago »
 
Roxanne: Will Sir want his milk and cookies tonight before I turn down his bed?
11 hours ago »
 
11:10 PM. Top of the 9th, Yankees still lead 4-2. Bluebird, your cover's been blown.
11 hours ago »
 
Well, Joe, we do a little fantasy role playing now and then to spice up things. Sometimes I'm the detective--and she's the rich widow.
11 hours ago »
 
Then what's all this business, Joe asks, about a cop, meeting her cold at the N.A. thing, doubts re: the relationship, etc.
11 hours ago »
 
The point of the exercise, Joe, was to flush you out of NYC. Couldn't get at you there. Here we can get at you. Another message?
11 hours ago »
 
Joe says he has a stooge in the PD who checked into Bluebird's trial & the shootout at Hammer's, the suicide cop--None of it happened.
11 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Yankees in the lead 4-2. Sorry I missed that. A message?
11 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: We'd better put the screens aside. This last three seem to have some training. Top of the 7th, still 2-1 Sox. Going dark.
12 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: I got the red sheet on my screen and dimmed down to almost nothing.
12 hours ago »
 
Hammer: No, but he was a terrific halfback.
12 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: Were you close?
12 hours ago »
 
Hammer: Got one. I know him. Vince Vitelli from Newark. Too bad. Use to play football with him in high school.
13 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Crap. The sox just got a homer. 2-1 Sox. Got two more. The other four are staying out of the lights
13 hours ago »
 
Hammer: That's a definite six.
13 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Four down and four to six to go.
13 hours ago »
 
Hammer: I know a guy.
14 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: I have 2. One of them was your maybe, Hammer. These silencers are remarkable. Where did you get them?
14 hours ago »
 
Hammer: 2 for sure, one maybe.
14 hours ago »
 
8:31PM. Blackbird: Let's have a count. I have one.
14 hours ago »
 
8:12PM. Still 1-0 Yankees. OK, the negotiations are over. Clean out the woods. Bluebird, do what Hammer says. Then we'll see about Joe.
14 hours ago »
 
Joe just yelled something about seeing me in Hell. Must have a lot of faith in this bunch. Good shot there, Hammer.
14 hours ago »
 
Joe, I take this as a demonstration of bad faith. . . .
14 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Shoot the night scope, not the guy carrying the Barrett. He might only be a caddy.
14 hours ago »
 
Hammer: If he knows how to use it. I got a shot.
14 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: One of them is carrying a Barrett M82A1 with a night scope. Is that serious?
14 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: It's 1 nothing Yankees over Boston. Burnett may not blow it. The company look serious?
14 hours ago »
 
Hammer: I see 'em. Eight or ten in three cars. It's the Miami bunch. Made good time.
14 hours ago »
 
7:42pm. Bluebird. We have company.
14 hours ago »
 
More f******* free iPad offers. I got this one for the price of a bullet. Beat that!
16 hours ago »
 
Now he wants to know how he can trust me. Now, be honest. You tried to kill me more than a dozen times. How can I trust you?
16 hours ago »
 
This is the best market for the kind of work I do. I don't go away; I work. And, somehow, I try to forgive.
16 hours ago »
 
5:44PM. Another message? Joe wants to know what assurances I can give that after I get paid I'll go away. No, Joe. no, no, no, no, no.
16 hours ago »
 
Your wife and your two boys have done nothing to harm me and I would spare them, if I can. Please remit.
18 hours ago »
 
Don Barbieri, I say this with utmost respect. Burning down your house would distress me very much. I have no desire to harm your family.
18 hours ago »
 
Naa, no, I don't want to find out how you can get me a free iPad! Spammers. Maybe I could do some pro bono work?
18 hours ago »
 
4:06PM. Blackbird: Ah. At last a message. From a lawyer! What were the chances? Let's see . . .
18 hours ago »
 
Hammer: My pinky is up.
21 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: Let's do.
21 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Back to our meal, sir? Madam?
21 hours ago »
 
Hammer: Sorry. I only had 140 characters to work with. ;)
21 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: I am not exposed!
21 hours ago »
 
Hammer: There's a guy shouting some really rough ass stuff from one of the upstairs windows down there. Maybe Bluebird shouldn't be exposed.
21 hours ago »
 
Bluebird: Quoth the Blackbird "Nevermore?"
21 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: As Poe penned, "...truly your forgiveness I implore ...."
21 hours ago »
 
Bluebird here: You know, I'm beginning to feel sorry for Joe. I know he erred in trying to have you killed, about 20 times now, but . . .
21 hours ago »
 
You're trying to get the Russians to help? That's right, we're eavesdropping on your cell calls. Sorry, but desperate times and all that.
21 hours ago »
 
No, Joe! We didn't drive to Denny's for lunch! That's another one on your bill. Your employees have a health care plan? Ought to. :(
21 hours ago »
 
Lunch time.
22 hours ago »
 
Joe, nothing added to the bill for the geriatric effort. Although, if you delay much longer we'll definitely have to consider a late fee.
22 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Those silencers are great. I couldn't hear anything from where I am except for the slugs hitting and the glass breaking.
22 hours ago »
 
Hammer: Me and Bluebird. We're thinking of coming up with a new Olympic event: Synchronized shooting. :)
22 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Who did the side mirrors on that first car? It looked like they both went at the same time?
22 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: I am. So, Joe, the help is gone with nothing more serious than some necessary body work on the cars and a couple of coronaries.
22 hours ago »
 
Bluebird. Tweet, tweet. Blackbird, you are so sweet.
22 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: Right.
22 hours ago »
 
Hammer: Barbieri must've turned out the old-age home. The guy riding shotgun is Al Russo. He's at least 83. Emphysema, too. Scare 'em off?
22 hours ago »
 
Blackbird. There's the sound of cars . . . help coming, at last. I recognize the driver of the first car: Paul Genco. He's in his 70's!
22 hours ago »
 
Hammer here. That was Bluebird's shot. No need to adjust the bill though.
22 hours ago »
 
I just heard a familiar sound. I'll wager you're short another man, Joe. Hammer never misses. I'll put the new one on your bill.
22 hours ago »
 
You know, you could always call 911 and ask for the cops. You explain why you called them; then, from a distance, I'll give my side of it.
22 hours ago »
 
It would make sense to kill me if you thought I was coming after you, but as a cost-cutting measure? You are one cheap rat-bastard.
22 hours ago »
 
Wasn't it your father who always said, "Joe was always a cheap rat-bastard" ?
22 hours ago »
 
Joe, none of the other families or gangs are going to come and help you. They know you welched on a contract. You tried to have me killed.
22 hours ago »
 
All I can say to that is, "Eek."
23 hours ago »
 
Chapter 20. 11:36AM. Blackbird here. Hammer reported he heard someone shout from the compound, "You're a dead man, M****F****!"
23 hours ago








19


Try not to dawdle, and don't waste a lot of time trying to raise the guys at your front gate. Oh. I forgot. That's another $250,000@
23 hours ago »
 
If I'm to stop him, transfer the appropriate amount to his offshore account and I'll try to call him off. He'll want an apology, too.
23 hours ago »
 
Think about paying up, Joe. Blackbird is coming for you and he is only following this on an iPod Touch. Now a glance, then a glance . . .
23 hours ago »
 
At least, not anymore.
23 hours ago »
 
I'm surprised you fell for it, Joe. Vanya can barely figure out how to use his own cell phone. He doesn't Tweet.
23 hours ago »
 
Men are so very protective of that area.
23 hours ago »
 
The one who talked? Well, I'm learning a lot about enhanced interrogation techniques. The trick in Tasering is where you hook the anchors.
23 hours ago »
 
You've been slickered, Joe. The whole Vanya scam was to get you to send someone. You sent three. They've been added to your bill, of course.
23 hours ago »
 
No, Vanya wasn't in his west Pennsylvania castle. He was, as he is now, gathering lividity along his backside due to the holes in his head.
23 hours ago »
 
The fellows you sent out to aid old Vanya, one of them at least, was very cooperative in locating your current stronghold.
23 hours ago »
 
Chapter 19. 10:38am, Bluebird here.That's right, Don Barbieri, our firm's collection department has finally tracked you down. Please remit.
23 hours ago








18

 
Think about paying the money you owe. It will be cheaper in the long run to pay me. These 5 have been added to your bill. Sweet dreams.
11 hours ago  »
 
We've been sitting in the parking lot, eating Power Bars and drinking Coke. The diner is even closed for remodeling. Now you have 5 men less
11 hours ago  »
 
Vanya, I cannot believe how stupid you believe we are. We know you're following the Tweets. Get it yet?
11 hours ago  »
 
10:18PM and it's now Boston 9, NY 5. Well, the pancakes are good. . . . And that makes it good guys 5, Russians 0.
11 hours ago  »
 
Seventh inning stretch and the waitress is bringing our meals. Bluebird gets a salad, Hammer gets a sub, and pecan pancakes for me.
12 hours ago  »
 
We're going to have a talk about her future and our future, before she gets another peek at the iPad. Need to think about the Russian too.
12 hours ago  »
 
She didn't have much time and much of a chance to decide what to do. She just fell in with those who were not shooting at her.
12 hours ago  »
 
Crap. The sox just got a homer and a two run lead. The Russian is toast. Bluebird looks pensive. Copping in NY for her is done.
12 hours ago  »
 
NY beat the Sox last night but I missed it because I had to work. Going to see this one through. We need to eat anyway.
12 hours ago  »
 
Chapter 18. 9:31PM. Blackbird. We're at a diner about a mile from the Russian's castle. The diner has a TV and NY is tied with Boston 5-5.
12 hours ago








17


Dead before he hit the ground. Didn't I want to talk about that? . . . I guess I just did. I better get some shuteye. Maybe we'll talk more.
19 hours ago  »
 
It's like when I offed that guy in Trenton. 900 yards if it was an inch. Got him in the apricot; medulla oblongata to you civilians.
19 hours ago  »
 
Black wants to talk shop, but the shop he wants to talk about can get him a lethal injection, depending on the jurisdiction. I don't know.
20 hours ago  »
 
What about keeping your mouth shut? What about keeping your business to yourself? Yeah, it's nice to have someone to talk to, but check this
20 hours ago  »
 
I don't know any of you. I don't think Black and Blue know you either. If you ask me, this whole thing is kind of creepy.
20 hours ago  »
 
I know what Vanya does. Reads this stuff figuring to get an edge on us. Hey, go suck a pickled cabbage, Vanya. What about the rest of you?
20 hours ago  »
 
Alreadey knew about the 140 characters. What I don't get are you people. I mean, here we are, doing what we do, and what do you do?
20 hours ago  »
 
This is Hammer. Blackbird offered to spell me from driving since I didn't get much sleep last night. Thought I'd try this Twitter thing.
20 hours ago  »
 
I'll get the link for you. All the different formats of Beat The Reaper are at:  Amazon.
21 hours ago  »
 
Old Josh uses the F-word a lot. Be forewarned. Great listen, though.
21 hours ago  »
 
I settle back and have a listen. It's going to be a long ride.
21 hours ago  »
 
The book is Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell. It's about a hitman who goes into witness protection and becomes a doctor! It's great!
21 hours ago  »
 
Blue is in the back sleeping. "Got any good audio books on your iPod?" I ask Hammer. He nods, handing me the tiny computer. "A good on."
21 hours ago  »
 
Killing them, though, that's not an emotional issue; that's business. It's going to be a long trip. I look at Hammer qua Guardian.
21 hours ago  »
 
I take the issue of breach of contract quite seriously. The client must know that shorting me or attempting to kill me are never options.
21 hours ago  »
 
Either no closing payment at all ("Go ahead. Sue me!") or half or a third of the closing amount. ("It wasn't like he fought back.")
21 hours ago  »
 
The only problem, as it is this time, was collecting my fee. Not often, but enough to have formed a policy, the client is short on the fee.
21 hours ago  »
 
A cop kills some loathsome lowlife and then spends the remainder of the episode either drinking or talking to a shrink.
21 hours ago  »
 
Killing came easy to me, if the mark was a bad guy. That's why I don't kill the good guys. I didn't agonize over it, as depicted on TV.
22 hours ago  »
 
Blue mentioned she was a little afraid of me and speculated that I might be a little afraid of myself. Starting out, I used to.
22 hours ago  »
 
Chapter 17. 12:12PM. Blackbird: I call up the TwitMystery Catchup page  to see what's been happening.
22 hours ago








16

We know you're following this, Vanya, and we're coming to collect. Save yourself some grief and transfer the funds to Blackbird's account.
1 minute ago »
 
After neating up the bodies (Guardian knows a guy), the three of us get into Guardian's SUV and ride.
5 minutes ago »
 
Blackbird peeked around the corner of the house and waved. Guardian began breaking down his rifle to put it back in the case. I did mine.
8 minutes ago »
 
As the two stepped through the front door, Guardian said, "Now." The rifles together made a "toof" sound. "Great Silencers," I said.
13 minutes ago »
 
Yeah. Me too. Thought he was up where the big mouth bass gulped. One aimed his Uzi, the other opened the door and stood back. "Get ready."
16 minutes ago »
 
What about the guy going around back?" I asked. "Blackbird'll take care of him," he assured me.
17 minutes ago »
 
Guardian shakes his head. "Nothing like that. I got a bad back. If we get them just inside the front door we wont have to drag them so far."
45 minutes ago »
 
"So we don't spook the third guy?" I asked, pointing toward the one walking around the back of the house.
48 minutes ago »
 
He pointed at the two creeping up on the front door. "Wait until those two go in the door then we fire together. Understand?"
50 minutes ago »
 
"Same thing if we ask them to surrender?" I inquire. Guardian faces me and says, "Then what we'll get are thre Uzies shooting at us."
54 minutes ago »
 
"If the cops come and say, 'Give up and come away quietly," the next thing you'll hear are three Uzies hosing down the neighborhood."
57 minutes ago »
 
"Shouldn't we give them a chance to surrender first?" I ask. Guardian glances at me and returns to looking through his scope. "No."
1 hour ago »
 
Guardian shrugged his shoulders and turned down the corners of his mouth without removing his eye from his scope. "Well, here they are."
1 hour ago »
 
So the gorillas pulled out their Uzies and I nodded at the foot-long silencers on the rifles. Those are illegal, aren't they?
1 hour ago »
 
9:43am. Sorry about the interruption. We had to stop for a roadblock. nothing to do with us. All flood related. The detour was rough.
1 hour ago »
 
"Anytime's a good time for coffee and donuts," he says, then gave a nod. "OK, there they are." I look and the suits all have Uzi Model As.
1 hour ago »
 
All three are wearing suits and look like gorillas selling subscriptions to Watchtower. "Where's our drive-by?" I ask Guardian.
1 hour ago »
 
Blue, 8:51am. The local gendarmerie is supposed to be driving past Guardian's house every so often. Haven't seen them for awhile.
1 hour ago »
 
Three of them and they don't look like cops, retired or otherwise. Pros have been employed. Shovel-ready project coming up!
3 hours ago »
 
Blue: 7:14am. Blackbird was right. They're still after me. Guardian and I are observing from across the street. Through rifle scopes.
3 hours ago »
 
If they cut Bluebird loose, both of you meet me 2pm where you caught the large-mouth bass in '06. You got it: we're going back.
4 hours ago »
 
Guardian (a pretty fancy name she gave you, Hammer), the DA should have gotten either confessions or suicides out of everyone by now.
4 hours ago »
 
Chapter 16. 5:44am. Blackbird: The Russian is on the run. We tested his security system earlier this morning and found a few flaws.
5 hours ago »








15

 Guardian and I had a late dinner, I showered and went to bed. It is now 10:05pm and I am tired. Goodnight all, and goodnight Blackbird.
12 hours ago »
 
I think I'm a bit afraid of Blackbird (don't take this the wrong way, Blackbird, but I think you might be a bit afraid of yourself).
12 hours ago »
 
"Perhaps it was with a .44 Magnum blade," suggested Guardian. There wasn't much more, but the strreet was awash with blood.
12 hours ago »
 
Blackbird had used a knife. I pointed at the slit throat and asked, "All of them killed that way?" I asked. Sadsack nodded. "Yeah," he said.
12 hours ago »
 
Sadsack took our names, told us not to leave town, and went outside where the last ambulance was removing the last body. One close look.
12 hours ago »
 
"I believe I might have enemies," I say to Guardian. "Hmmm," he says studying the door. "That might explain all the bullet holes."
13 hours ago »
 
He studied me for a few seconds, then asked, "Do you have any enemies?" And then Guardian asks Sadsack, "Are you effing kidding?"
13 hours ago »
 
"I still need 'em." I pointed toward the door. "You show me one entrance wound out there mady by a .44 or 9mm and you can have them."
13 hours ago »
 
"No you don't," I answered. You will note that all of the bullet holes in that door entered from the outside. None originated from inside."
13 hours ago »
 
Middle aged, black balding hair, watery blue eyes, and a nose like a beefsteak tomato. He looked at us both. "I need your pieces," he said.
13 hours ago »
 
Chapter 15. Det. Sadsack knew who I was, and much time was wasted while he wondered if associating with me might harm his police career.
13 hours ago »








14
 
When I returned the Internet was up. So now, for Blackbird and you, the investigation after Guardian and I almost blew up:
13 hours ago »
 
Lots of stuff going on in my head, so I went to a meeting to stop the squirrel cage. Afterwards we kissed and he left to do his work.
13 hours ago »
 
New York is the Big Apple. The Yankees are blowing it right now, but they are still the Yankees. I still own a piece of the old stadium.
13 hours ago »
 
It's a union thing; a blue wall thing; an old school thing. Maybe I could be a cop somewhere else, but it'd be like being sent to the minors
13 hours ago »
 
I'd read Serpico's book. Even saw the movie with Al Pacino. He went through the door first followed by a cloud of bullets. Shot by cops.
13 hours ago »
 
Could I remain a cop? I'd worked hard to get my detective second grade, and when cop work is good, it's the best. But going through doors.
13 hours ago »
 
I was also feeling a bit guilty that it was he instead of me who had taken care of the invaders. There was some panic, too.
13 hours ago »
 
I'd been sad, no hurt, by the police officer and the three retirees coming after me for wanting the force to be clean ande honest.
13 hours ago »
 
Listening to others at the meeting, I realized I hadn't been mad at him. I had been scared for both of us. Something else.
13 hours ago »
 
I needed an N.A. meeting, there was one only two blocks away, and I showed. You'll never guess who was there: Blackbird and a big grin.
13 hours ago »
 
Going up against four armed pros and almost getting killed himself, not to mention killing an additional four men, a cop and three ex-cops.
13 hours ago »
 
It not only went on the blink, I was steaming about Blackbird's rather nonchalant attitude about almost getting me killed. And, well . . .
13 hours ago »
 
Blue here. 8:44pm. Right after Blackbird suggested I relate the investigation following the attempted invasion, the Internet went down.
14 hours ago »
 
Blackbird: I can check later. Tell the peeps how the cop thing went after the locals arrived. Ta ta.
16 hours ago »
 
Black: I disagree. He contracted with me to kill them the second he gave the order to them to try and kill me. Gotta go. Logging out.
16 hours ago »
 
Blue: Well, he really didn't contract with you to kill them.
16 hours ago »
 
Black: All but the Russians. The fellow doeswn't want to pay for hits for which he didn't contract. Mighty proud of his security, too.
16 hours ago »
 
Blue: That's "Blue and Black." You finish up those other things?
16 hours ago »
 
Black: Notice with these headings folks will be calling us "Black and Blue"?
16 hours ago »
 
Blue: There are a lot of good cops that are going to be tarred with the same brush when all this gets out.
16 hours ago »
 
Black: No, which makes the NYPD mess a lot bigger than the DA thinks. They act like they're just another crime family.
16 hours ago »
 
Blue: Gives us all hope for the future. Any of those guys numbered among the New York Seven minus one?
16 hours ago »
 
Black: What a great little poem! OK, they were a little more aggressive than I thought. Three of those guys were retired, for Pete's sake.
16 hours ago »
 
Blue, here. They were about to open the door with C-4.
16 hours ago »
 
Chapter 14. Blackbird logging in. Technically, Blue, I used you for bait, I suppose. But, you already were bait. I just used what was there.
16 hours ago








13

 
"He used me for bait," I stated with just a modicum of heat. Guardian put the teapot on the stove and nodded. "Worked like a charm, too."
1 minute ago »
 
There was no way they could have known I was here. And there was no way Blackbird could have known they were here, unless he, we . . .
3 minutes ago »
 
"Tea sounds good," I answer without too much of a quaver in my voice. Guardian shakes his head in wonder, saying, "Glad he's on our side."
7 minutes ago »
 
He was gone before I could say a thing. Guardian stands, puts his piece away, and says, "While you update his followers, I'll make tea."
10 minutes ago »
 
"It's me," says Blackbird. "The four on your door are done. Local cops'll be there in a minute and you have no idea what's going on. Bye."
11 minutes ago »
 
He puts the phone on speaker, places it on the floor, and returns to aiming his gun at the front door. "Yeah?" he calls out. "Talk to me."
14 minutes ago »
 
Another minute. Another. Guardian's cell rings with the machine gun opening of the Coaster's hit "Riot in Cell Block #9." We both jump.
16 minutes ago »
 
"Yeah," he whispers. "Neighbors must've called 911. Soon local cops'll show and these guys are out of their uniforms and jurisdiction."
21 minutes ago »
 
The seconds become a minute; the minute becomes two. I look at Guardian. "Don't they have to do it soon?"
23 minutes ago »
 
I don't like loud noises. I get migraines. Desperately I look for something with which to plug my ears. Bowl of hummus on the counter? No.
26 minutes ago »
 
"They got something better'n a key. C-4." We turn the heavy oaken kitchen table over with the top facing the kitchen door. Then we wait.
29 minutes ago »
 
Back again, he scurries into the hall bent over, grabs my arm, and pulls me back toward the kitchen. "What?" I demand.
31 minutes ago »
 
Guardian wants to know what do I want to do. "Staying alive would be good," I whisper back. Guardian slips back into the living room.
34 minutes ago »
 
We were obviously silent for too long. Man at the door says, "Open up this door, ratfink, and get what's coming to you!" How utterly rude.
36 minutes ago »
 
"They have a key?" I ask, referring to the concrete-filled steel pipe battering ram cops and troops use to open locked doors. "No," he says.
42 minutes ago »
 
He nods. "But they're in back yard scrufties. On their own time and not wanting to be seen to be cops." He grins. "A buzz-cut convention."
44 minutes ago »
 
"Then, can you let us in?" he asks. All I can think of are very rude comments. Guardian whispers, "Four of them. Loaded for bear." "Cops?"
48 minutes ago »
 
Someone calls out my name. "We understand you're being held against your will," he adds. "You're wrong, and the new door is on you!" I call
53 minutes ago »
 
From the living room door, Guardian holds a finger to his lips, then he slips back into the living room. Footsteps on the stoop outside.
56 minutes ago »
 
Where the peephole used to be is a hole about two inches across. More holes stitch down as we both jump through doors to get out of there.
58 minutes ago »
 
I take my Glock to back him up and he motions me to one side of the hallway. He glances quickly through the peephole then ducks---
1 hour ago »
 
"Allow me to get that," says Guardian as he draws a Colt Magnum .44 Anaconda from beneath his jacket. He suspects an elephant at the door?
1 hour ago »
 
Blackbird seemed like he couldn't let a minute go by without Tweeting, suddenly he's the silent type? Knock at the door. Another.
1 hour ago »
 
Bluebird again. Talked with ADA Barrington who reports that one of the defendants in the case is claiming the dead one's suicide is staged.
1 hour ago »
   
Chapter 13. The Irene storm and damage news seems to have chased other news out of the media. Cop suicide? Organized Crime shakeup? Nada.









12

 
It's like finding out Hulk Hogan follows ballet. Time to go to the payphone and call the DA's office for the latest. Hear from me soon.
6 minutes ago  »
 
Now that I think about it, getting rid of this particular iPad would be a wise move. Guardian says I can use his. Guardian Tweets?
11 minutes ago  »
 
He managed to figure out who the follower was that was tracking him at Carlo's, and that fellow's following has been deleted.
19 minutes ago  »
 
He left a note saying to update all of you, which I am doing. This hobby of his, to be frank, strikes me as rather unsafe for Blackbird.
22 minutes ago  »
 
So, we crashed and were too pooped to update everyone. Blackbird got what he needed from Guardian, and was gone before I awakened.
25 minutes ago  »
 
These Tweet limits are frustrating. At this rate the dust will have settled long before anyone finds out about it. Meanwhile . . .
27 minutes ago  »
 
It seems that one of the defendants committed suicide last night leaving much incriminating litter. No details. Blackbird, where are you?
30 minutes ago  »
 
Guardian and his friends were to drive me to court, but at my prearranged payphone call, DA says the trial is postponed.
32 minutes ago  »
 
@Grizzlefur Glad you're enjoying the ride. BBL would like to remind all that the saga from the beginning, is at: http://www.sff.net/people/bblongyear/TwitMysteryCatchup.html
36 minutes ago  »
 
A little before midnight we crashed with a rather dour fellow I'll call Guardian---Hourly useage limit? I just started!
55 minutes ago  »
 
Blackbird wants to thank Jay for the nice message, and it seems to me the only mystery here is who kills who first. Back to last night . .
1 hour ago  »
 
Chapter 12 (Cont'd.) Bluebird here taking over from Blackbird. I didn't pick either name and should be held blameless. Blackbird has flown.
1 hour ago  »
 
Chapter 12. 11:03pm. Another hour and a half and we'll be at Sanc's Bluebird needs to forget such folks. Still reading.
10 hours ago










11

 
"The offer still stands," I say, and then settle in to get miles behind me before we quit for the night. She picks up the iPad and reads.
3 minutes ago  »
 
"Sure." She rummaged in her purse until she produced a hanky and dabbed at her eyes. "That's sweet. I can't let you, but that's very sweet."
5 minutes ago  »
 
"Would it accomplish the same thing if they should happen to get whacked?" Her eyes went wide, then she smiled. "You'd do that for me?"
8 minutes ago  »
 
She frown. "Cops?" "Yeah, the ones you're testifying against. How many?" "Seven," she answers. "Three of them pretty high up."
9 minutes ago  »
 
"Trying to kill you still violates the terms of your contract with him." I nod. "That's right." I glance at her. "What about the cops?"
12 minutes ago  »
 
"I'm always looking over my shoulder," I remark. "It goes with the territory. I'll get my money but trying to kill me . . ."
13 minutes ago  »
 
"Will that settle it?" Bluebird asks after reading the tweets. "Or will you be looking over your shoulder from now on."
16 minutes ago  »
 
Joe Barbieri, not the hamster.
18 minutes ago  »
 
"That settles it with me. You'll have to find out from Cloud what he wants." Another hamster goes to glory. I think he croaked good-bye.
19 minutes ago  »
 
Now he gave a very long pause during which it sounded like he was trying to swallow a hamster. "Done," he says at last. "That settle it?"
21 minutes ago  »
 
"They weren't all my people," he protested. I give him another long pause. "You are the contractor. Get your money back from the others."
24 minutes ago  »
 
"The balance on my contract, for starters," I say at last. "Done" he agrees. "And the same price on each of the others I had to kill."
26 minutes ago  »
 
"To settle this thing," he says. "What will it take?" I leave the phone silent for a very long time. Then I clear my throat. And cough.
28 minutes ago  »
 
The call to Joe Barbieri is interesting. I made a bad mistake, he says. We're professionals, he says, and wants to know what I will take.
29 minutes ago  »
 
"It's still on for tomorrow," she says, her voice edged with tension for the first time. "We're going to need a 4x4." I agree.
32 minutes ago  »
 
Bodies I can trust. There are a few terminal favors I can call in. Have to make a stop in Jersey and half the state is under water.
37 minutes ago  »
 
I'll need something better than my .38. Clothes. Disguises. Two sets of wheels, maybe three. And to keep Bluebird safe. I'll need bodies.
38 minutes ago  »
 
6:56 PM. While she talks to the D.A.'s office, I begin planning my . . . well, let's call it what it is: my campaign.
40 minutes ago  »
 
"Find out," I say. "Don't let them drag out the call. We don't know what stories have been told about you." She nods and turns on her cell.
53 minutes ago  »
 
"When do you have to appear in court?" I ask. "It's supposed to be tomorrow, but Irene hit the city hard. I don't know if it's still on."
56 minutes ago  »
 
I turn west to enter New York from an unexpected direction. "You have three major gangs and the NYPD gunning for you by now," she observed.
58 minutes ago  »
 
"The Godfather?" she repeats. "Your client is Joe Barbieri?" "That's Cloud's best guess," I answer. "I'll know for certain soon."
1 hour ago  »
 
"One way or the other. Keep your head down." I cut off the call and shut down the cell phone. Bluebird is looking at me, a big frown there.
1 hour ago  »
 
"Give me his number. And is he the one we call The Godfather?" "I think so," answered Cloud. "You going to settle with him?"
1 hour ago  »
 
Cloud says the client got bad advice, is really sorry, and wants to talk about settling things before they get out of hand.
1 hour ago  »
 
Cloud has a place, he'll let us know where in person. He's doing OK and is safe. Also, the client wants to talk to me. "Oh, really?"
1 hour ago  »
 
"Keep it short and cut off your cell right after," she cautioned. I nod in response, turn on my cell, and put in a call to Cloud.
1 hour ago  »
 
"I have a feeling if it hasn't been tossed and torn apart, it'll have crosshairs all over it: Police, mob, or both. I'll call Cloud."
1 hour ago  »
 
"Do any other cops know about your safe place?" I ask. "Two or three, but these guys I'd trust with my . . . life. You have a place?"
1 hour ago  »
 
"Is there any point in getting your car?" I ask her. "No," she says. "It'd be a trap. Get me to New York. I know a place I can stay."
1 hour ago  »
 
Cop runs the plates and finds they belong on a 2011 white Chevy Avalanche, and sure enough that's where they are. Let them alone.
1 hour ago  »
 
I drove it to the local airport, we went into the long term parking lot, found a another white Avalanche and I swapped plates with it.
1 hour ago  »
 
Wait, friends, for the unveiling of the brand new 2012 Chevrolet Nuclear Meltdown!
1 hour ago  »
 
We find a Chevvy Avalanche in a Walmart parking lot far from the cameras and leave the Ford. Why "Avalanche"? Why not Tsunami or earthquake?
1 hour ago  »
 
5:13 PM "Steal a car now?" I ask. "Yes." she says with a sigh. "Now we steal one."
2 hours ago  »
 
All Points Bulletins. The bad cops get the good cops to do their work for them. Every badge in New England now looking for us.
2 hours ago  »
 
I spelled "luckily" lucily? That's what I get for looking at the road while driving. We shook the posse, but APBs are out on on the Ford.
2 hours ago  »
 
Uh oh! The posse is getting close. Be back as soon as we shake them.
3 hours ago  »
 
She's the key witness against her blue pals, and it looks like Mayor Bloomberg hasn't gotten rid of all the worms in the Big Apple.
3 hours ago  »
 
Did I mention that it was cops who tried to kill us at the motel? That was the talk we had. Big cop corruption scandal.
3 hours ago  »
 
Lucily I was driving and didn't have to take time to explain that her cop buddies had issued a watch on her name, which she triggered.
3 hours ago  »
 
We're driving out in a red Ford Taurus and fighting about the ID thing when a slug somes flying through the closed driver's side window.
3 hours ago  »
 
I had no ID, my phony stuff being with what we left in the motel. She used her ID, and I never thought she'd use her own ID(!). Sheesh!
3 hours ago  »
 
4:22 PM. We had our first argument, second if you count the guns. We steal a car says I, we're going to Hertz says she. Hertz it is.
3 hours ago  »
 
I'll have to check in later. There isn't any way around it: we need to steal another car.
7 hours ago  »
 
I put the car in park and we strolled away hand-in-hand.
7 hours ago  »
 
I look at her and say, "We need to talk." She nods and says, "We're sitting in a car stolen from that motel's parking lot."
7 hours ago  »
 
Across the street, actually. Cops, crime scene techs, detectives . . . We ask a man standing there. "Cop got killed last night," he says.
7 hours ago  »
 
Got a charger at an Apple store, there's wireless here, and BBL managed to update the TwitMystery Catchup Page. We're at the last motel.
7 hours ago  »
 
Oh, we have lots more to talk about, but first she has to buy me a shirt and a pair of trousers. More when I have a charger and wireless.
10 hours ago  »
 
Seems that there are folks trying to kill Bluebird, and she3 went to the meeting to ditch her ride which she suspects has a tracking device.
10 hours ago  »
 
Half the microwave towers are down, BBL can't update his Catchup page, and we're driving back to the NA meeting location for her car.
10 hours ago  »
 
Chapter 11. What a mess. Bluebird managed to get her skirt and blouse on and bring her purse. I'm still in pajama bottoms, no iPad charger.










10

 
We keep driving into the night as Irene's winds buffet the car.
 »
 
And then she began crying and I began cursing. We damn near managed to get each other killed.
 »
 
As we squeal out of there, the submachine gun roared from the window. The car's radio was on playing Willy's "On the road again." We laughed
 »
 
We check and it's clear. She leaps through the opening head first and I follow with my gun and iPad. In the rear lot a car with keys.
 »
 
I scoot to the bathroom during the relode. Bluebird has the window open. "Someone doesn't care about the noise they make," she muttered.
 »
 
I immediately flatten out on the floor as rounds from a submachine gun shatter the glass and tear off the curtain.
 »
 
"This has to be taken care of now," he says. "Oh, all right," I say sulkily as I aim at the shadow's head and pull the trigger.
 »
 
I can see his shadow on the curtain covering the window next to the door. Don't know how they found me, but they did. Man has a gun.
 »
 
"Manager" he calls out. There's a problem with your credit card. "Can't it wait until morning?" I put an irritating whine in my voice.
 »
 
"In a minute," she calls from the bathroom. I hear her opening the small window there as someone knocks at the door. "What?" I say angrily.
 »
 
She has her piece in her hand. I point to the bathroom and she nods as I pull out the .38 turn out the lights and call, "Coming to bed?"
 »
 
Then we both heard the familiar sound of someone jacking a round into a semiautomatic outside the door. I prop a chair beneath the doorknob.
 »
 
"I believe in last chances," I answered. "It's crazy, but it feels like you're mine. It's all wrong, but I want it."
 »
 
"You've put it all on the table, to a cop. Why?" she asks. "You believe in love at first sight?"
 »
 
Mobsters, their killers who freak, crooks, secret-police scum, certain politicos and others---She knows them all now. I confess.
 »
 
Oh, thanks Flash for spreading the word. I'm really beginning to feel like this is a story that needs telling. Getting damned complicated.
 »
 
8:32 PM tonight will be our 24 hour anniversary. Did I only kill bad guys, she wants to know. One-by-one, my entire career. Caramba!
 »
 
If this was all a big ploy to get me to confess, it's certainly a different approach. And what if it is that? Is it worth the risk?
 »
 
There's something we need to do before hitting New York. We need a motel again, but for lots and lots of talk.
 »
 
What it was, there was some information she needed to reconfirm. Helped me make up my mind, too.
 »
 
Chapter 10. Wow. Bluebird thought hard on it. Back on I-95 again, she took an exit, found a state park and we went in the back seat . . .
 









9

 
Yes, I know the revolver in the image is not a S&W .38 Special. It is, I think, a Colt Python .357 magnum. Nice shot, though.
 »
 
The rain eases up for a moment. She nods at the iPad and says, "Put that up for a bit and let's drive. I have to think."
 »
 
"You want to do that?" I ask her. "No, I don't.You?" she asks. I shake my head and ask, "What are we going to do?"
 »
 
She nodded. "That's right. Once we get to New York, we could go our separate ways and forget we ever met," she stated.
 »
 
"What're we going to do?" we both started to ask at the same time. "This is silly," I say. "We only met last night."
 »
 
"Think the bosses sent a cleaning crew to neat up Carlo's?" she asks. "Maybe," I answer. "Keeping whacking me low key."
 »
 
"Somewhere there is someone riding around with a crapload of bodies in his trunk," I remark.
 »
 
Decision time seems near. "The local cops got a prowler call at Carlo's. Place was wide open, lots of blood, nobody there," she says.
 »
 
The return of Bluebird. We go out to my rental, get in out of the rain, and she sits behind the wheel tapping her nails on it.
 »
 
Bartender asks if I want something. "Diet Coke," I tell him. "Promise you won't get mean?" he jokes. No promises, skinhead.
 »
 
I know who she's calling: Carlo's hometown PD. "Is there evidence of a genuine massacre at Carlo's place?" Am I real or a flake?
 »
 
Tweet limits . . . Check messages --- What kind of cop is she? Can't say. Same reason I call her "Bluebird" -- unintentional irony there.
 »
 
Chapter 9. "Being in a bar is not a good idea," I say. She says she has to make a land-line call. By the by, Chris, thanks for the push.
 








8

 
"So, you're a contract killer?" she asks. "Is that being trustworthy?" "You never said you're a cop." And she -- I've reached my tweet limit
 »
 
"Before dealing with the first set of goons," she says. I nod. "So, you are a contract killer? Call that being trustworthy?"
 »
 
"Is this fiction?" she asks. "Some of it is," I answer. "The part about the mugger. Had to give myself time to save Cloud.
 »
 
So, she demands my iPad (actually, the goon's iPad), and begins reading, her eyebrows ascendant. And she reads, eyebrows . . . not matching.
 »
 
I ask her to drive, and I explain my tweet story to her. Before she got the Glock out, I explain it's all anonymous. Just like a meeting.
 »
 
Before we leave the shop, I give her the Glock's firing pin. She has it all back together before my gun man returns with her change.
 »
 
My gun man in upstate NY, ready for the post hurricane looting to begin, frowns at Bluebird while he replaces the .38's hammer. She pays.
 »
 
We agree that once we get my .38 repaired, I'll give her back her firing pin. She knows someone. So do I, I say. Trust is everything.
 »
 
I point out to her that once I give her back her firing pin, her piece will be good as new. I'll have to replace my .38's hammer.
 » 
She pulls her piece out of her bag, pulls back the slide, and says "M*****f*****, where is my firing pin?" Blah, blah, b----
 »
 
I was driving, but she pulls the wheel to the right and jams her foot on the brake. Actually, her foot on my foot which was on the brake.
 »
 
Then I say I noticed the firing pin on my .38 had been filed down and that her diamond dust nail file is scratched, blah, blah, jeeeez! . .
 »
 
Oh, that was Chapter 8 beginning on previous tweet. So, the movie, blah, blah, blah. She prefers Day of the Jackal, the original. Me too.
 »
 
She's driving, I'm tweeting. Conversation went like this: blah, blah, blah, I had a great time last night. Blah, blah, blah, me, too.
 








7

 
Starting this conversation is going to be interesting . . .
 »
 
Oh. BBL informs me that his TwitMystery Catchup Page is up and it contains all the old Tweets. It's at: http://www.sff.net/people/bblongyear/TwitMysteryCatchup.html
»
 
Neither one of us can shoot. Perhaps we should talk. There is a back road that connects with I-95 ten miles south of here. We're off!
»
 
It is possible that we were two ships colliding deliciously in the night. I really, really, REALLY like her.
»
 
We're about to get going and I'm not certain what to do. Cops are the only shooters the client(s) haven't sent after me.
»
 
If this relationship is going to go anywhere, it needs to be based on trust. She woke up and we stayed in. [More glorious details]
»
 
I found the firing pin to my S&W .38 filed down just far enough to make the piece worthless. So I worked on her Glock.
»
 
I found her badge. She's a cop! Another coincidence? She didn't have a tweet reader of any kind in her purse or bag. Could this be love?
»
 
about 3 AM I took a look in her purse. First I found a gun, a Glock 17. Could she be in the take out business too? What a coincidence!
»
 
We talk. Have a late night snack then it all winds up in my motel room. I'll spare you the glorious details. This never happens to me, so
»
 
I'm going to NY, so is she, she needs a ride, how about a movie? wonderful she says, we see Columbiana, and it's about a female hitter.
 »
 
Gorgeous, smart, funny, and very fit. During the meeting she smiled at me: thrice! ---Damn rain is really dumping now. The short version.
»
 
I introduced myself as Luke and settled back to listen to the real stories of others. About 30 minutes later, let's call her Bluebird.
»
 
There was an N.A. meeting nearby, and I qualify thanks to this war I had with tranquilizers some years ago. It's anonymous and it's company.
 »
 
Got a room in a motel off I-95, satellite TV rain-faded out. Motel's WiFi was down. Hate sitting alone in a motel room.
»
 
Chapter 7. Damned Irene is complicating everything. Same level of TV hysteria, so I thought the storm would be nothing. I got flooded out.
»








6

 
Time to grab a bite and hit the road. Carlo's got PB&J. Love this version of Jackal, too. Bring in another chair and finish it before I go.
»
 
I put Carlo's PPK in his left hand. He's a lefty. Put my .22 in one of the Russian's right hands. Love to see the police report on this one.
»
 
Carlo has a home theater. Had to bring in extra chairs and do some hauling now everyone is watching Day of the Jackal. The original.
 »
 
Oh. I know.
 »
 
Should start driving. Some folks in Jersey and NY need to pay up before I invoke the termination clause. What to do with all these bodies?
 »
 
The rain stopped. Irene is hitting NC. Bands reaching up through NY & S. N.E. Multiple police forces getting cranky. Dark, too.
»
 
The original 4 goons from Jersey, and 3 Russians and 4 Irish from NY. I am owed for the balance on Carlo and the 11 extras.
»
 
Yes, the two in the house were reluctant to meet with me concerning my need to tweet. Left a really rude message. Weird porn.
 »
 
Kind of tense, my iPad took a bullet, so I was out of touch for a bit. I got the goon's iPad from inside the house.
 »
 
That was sticky. Two kinds of help arrived. Three competing crime organizations total. And it started raining. Left my iPad on for bait.
»
 
These guys, too, have some interesting phone numbers. Three bosses are (is) the client? I'm going to be busy. Where to stack the bodies?
»
 
The guy who yelled, "Prove the house is wired with a bomb," do you really want me to do that? Oops. Here comes more help . . . .
»
 
Those who are still alive, I'll let you know when the Catchup Page is up.
»
 
Ten, nine, eight, seven . . . .
»
 
Probably why you two fools are still holding out. I can't wait until you run out of food. Accept this: the house is rigged with explosives.
 »
 
I'm new to Twitter and assumed that once you began following, you'd get all the tweets. Silly me. Arranging with BBL site for catchup page.
»
 
We need to stay in touch if any of you are going to get out of this alive. I didn't catch that. The name of your boss is what?
»
 
The reason why I didn't shoot the last person who appeared in a window is because you're down to 2. 50-50 I'd nail the guy with the iPad.
»
 
Still here, guys. Don't get sloppy on me, now. Are you following along?
»
 
And, yes, they had some interesting phone numbers, too. Different than Bob's. Have to think about that.
27 Aug »
 
If you're wondering what happened to the help you sent for last night, they have expired. I used Carlo's PPK. Great noise supressor on it.
27 Aug »
 
There goes another one, and then there were two. This guy at least came after me. Interesting numbers on his phone, though.
27 Aug »
 
OK, that's one down. Something for your notebook: When searching for a sniper, don't stick your head out of a window. Your boss' name?
27 Aug »
 
Chapter 6. Morning, guys, and no message. The Yankees lost last night and I'm not in a good mood. Your boss' name?
27 Aug







5

 
That's right, maybe I'm just outside waiting for you. Maybe not. Come on out and see. Pleasant dreams.
26 Aug »
 
Will you join your boss in that great Bodda Bing in the sky? That's the question. Think it over. No, the mugger was made up.
26 Aug »
 
Attempting to kill me violates the terms of the contract, and there is only one remedy. Helps enforce future contracts, you see.
26 Aug »
 
My end of the contract has been performed and I still expect to be paid. Doesn't matter to your boss. He still dies.
26 Aug »
 
By now you fellows have confirmed that Carlo is dead, and how he died: two in the hat. You have informed your boss, I presume.
26 Aug »
 
Or die.
26 Aug »
 
Why I'm back from New York is to get one of you fellows alive for questioning. Still need to know who the client is. Message me.
26 Aug »
 
See, I did the mark back there in Chapter 3 when I was supposed to be pumping iron. Cloud is safe. The goons are dead.
26 Aug »
 
Probably doesn't seem smart doing a mark on Twitter. Mob follower and all. Wouldn't be if I'd been honest about the time. Heh.
26 Aug »
 
I'll be gone by the time you get back, but you'll have to check anyway. Thanks for following.
26 Aug »
 
Actually, I haven't even begun. In the diner I noticed four mobbies at a table, one had an iPad. Previous tweet cleared the table.
26 Aug »
 
I'm in. Can't believe how easy it was. Ought to be done in a couple of minutes. Skipped chow.
26 Aug »
 
Chapter 5. I get it: that was Chapter 4. OK, I was tired. The sun is behind yon hill. A bite to eat, then to business.
26 Aug








4

 
Still have a couple hours. Maybe I can get back to sleep. Welcome all. Chapter 4 begins as soon as I wake up.
26 Aug »
 
There they go at high speed searching for some female friendly facilities. Wonder why Fido spurned friend Agapov? A cold, perhaps.
26 Aug »
 
See we lost a follower. Well, everybody was warned. Thanks Chris for spreading the word. Much appreciated.
26 Aug »
 
Dad, Bunky, head for the tall trees, Mom and Sis stay in the car, Fido heads for my car to inhale the aroma. Nope. Just pees on it.
26 Aug »
 
Car driving up woke me. Dad, Mom, Bunky, and Sis. And Fido. Everybody has to take a leak and no restroom facilities.
26 Aug »
 
Perhaps beneath a friendly pine. Gregor Agapov has the car.
26 Aug »
 
I'm beginning to suspect that I am the actual mark. But sending Agapov. That's pathetic. What must they think of me? I need to take a nap.
26 Aug »
 
Agapov from Newark, NJ. Ya think the client might be from that neck of the woods? NJ muggers don't need to travel so far north.
26 Aug »
 
Jesus, does he stink. No, he's not Dan Lucas. His ID says he is Gregor Agapov, 27, and he's an antiques dealer(!). So was Al Capone.
26 Aug »
 
One becomes a lone wolf for self-preservation. Is the life thus preserved worth living, then? Better check the kid's pockets. Is he Dan?
26 Aug »
 
3:24 pm. I can't really do anything until it get's dark. Seven thirtyish. Call an old girlfriend? None of my numbers are current.
26 Aug »
 
Dan's parents admit that "little Danny" is no angel. "He's a spirited boy, though," says Dad. There's something I moved into past tense.
26 Aug »
 
Dan's parents on the radio. You ever notice that most parents in similar sit's get their hair done before going on TV?
26 Aug »
 
You can still message me. Cloud has me worried. The Mark has me worried. Irene does, too, and Junior (Dan the man) is getting a bit whiff.
26 Aug »
 
Speaking of communications, I had to unfollow everybody so you wouldn't have to pick it out from a bunch of other tweets. Sorry.
26 Aug »
 
Oh my. Lucas last seen outside the Irving station on . . . well, that road. So, why was a teen idol mugging folks? That's the economy.
26 Aug »
 
News guy on the radio taking Irene very seriously. Then a local story. Teen football idol Dan Lucas reported missing. 5'9", brown & brown.
26 Aug »
 
Complications. A hurricane shutting down the eastern seaboard, guns on Cloud, something nasty waiting for me at the mark's. Don't know what.
26 Aug »
 
A little more jive and Cloud managed to tell me he has two goons watching him. Not cops. "I'll call when I'm done," I say, then cut off.
26 Aug »
 
First I turn off my cell phone. I'm being tracked. Cloud managed to code that to me. I set him up for the danger code and he gave it.
26 Aug »
 
Good place to wait while Junior moulders . . . hold on. It's Cloud.
26 Aug »
 
Beautiful little pond, not a cloud in the sky, and not a soul in sight. People, rangers, boats all gone in advance of the storm.
26 Aug »
 
Just have to drive someplace else until I'm ready to move on the mark. Maybe farther into the park, away from the cats.
26 Aug »
 
I don't get it. Junior is sealed in plastic, the edges taped down so tightly even air cannot escape. Five cats sniffing at the trunk(?).
26 Aug »
 
Three cats? Are they sniffing around junior? I'd better look.
26 Aug »
 
Two cats crying.
26 Aug »
 
The site's cleaned up. my weapon is loaded and ready to go, all I'm doing is waiting for the dark. . . I hear a cat crying near the car.
26 Aug »
 
To get by a motion detector you need - to - go - very - very - slow. No sudden movements. I'm not going now. Still too light. In awhile.
26 Aug »
 
There's a motion detector about thirty feet from the entrance. Thanks to the Mythbusters show, I know how to defeat motion detectors.
26 Aug »
 
Not locked on the inside. The tunnel is well maintained and clean. Apparently my target has no desire to become a target. Pity.
26 Aug »
 
There is a dummy padlock on the metal door to discourage those happening to stumble upon the entrance. If pushed from inside, it opens.
26 Aug »
 
They are smaller for a reason. The old trees cleared to excavate the tunnel, and new trees brought in after construction. I found the door.
26 Aug »
 
After studying the trees, I note that the ones from the northeast corner of the mansion heading toward my left are much smaller.
26 Aug »
 
B&B made up a lunch for me, so I'm having a bit of a picnic. Sliced bagels packed with ham, lettuce, tomatos, mayo. Black cherries. Yum.
26 Aug »
 
Still haven't found the entrance to the alledged escape tunnel. Perhaps B&B was simply passing on a rumor that was too good to be untrue.
26 Aug »
 
Chapter 4. This is some rough terrain. I'm sitting high on a boulder behind some scrub brush overlooking the rear of the mark's mansion.
26 Aug








3

 
Plenty of shade along the road where I left the car. Perhaps junior will stay cool. 87% charge on my iPad. Off to investigate . . .
26 Aug »
 
Can't tell where the mark's property line is. Don't think his escape tunnel would extend into the park. A contractor wouldn't do it, unle$$$
26 Aug »
 
OK. The mark's mansion backs up against a rather attractive village park. Dense growth of trees, big cliffs and boulders.
26 Aug »
 
What a nice guy! He saw Mass. plates on the car and warned me the coastal roads will likely be impassable starting Sunday. I made a note.
26 Aug »
 
Now here's a thrill. Cop flashed his blues at me and pulled me over. Here he comes. Gun under my jacket on the passenger seat . . .
26 Aug »
 
Wrap junior in plastic garbage bags. Best I can do for the moment. Supposed to get to 78 degrees F today. Junior is getting ripe.
26 Aug »
 
It appears that if one fills one's freezer with ice, the food will stay frozen during power outages lasting days.
26 Aug »
 
You know there is not a spare ice cube to be had in this town! Walmart, Hannaford, gas stations, Big Apple - sold out. "Irene's comin'."
26 Aug »
 
1/2 hour on the weights, 1/2 hour on the bike. A shower then find out about the tunnel. And get some ice.
26 Aug »
 
Everybody in town knows the mark is a NY mobster. B&B knows about the escape tunnel the mark had constructed. Hmm.
26 Aug »
 
B&B man turns tv to local news. My target has made a big donation to the First Baptist Church. Local leading citizen. B&B man laughs.
26 Aug »
 
Flights being canceled. I'll need another car.
26 Aug »
 
Wonder if I ought to get some ice to throw in the trunk with junior. Don't want him getting too ripe.
26 Aug »
 
TV down here, everybody concerned about Hurricane Irene. Might hit here Sunday. Need to be done and gone by then. Cloud is in and alive.
26 Aug »
 
Chapter 3. The B&B owner allowed me to use his exercise equipment in the cellar. Good wifi signal. On the bike now.
26 Aug








2

 
Time to call Cloud and tell him the hit is tomorrow, then put junior back in the trunk. Friday morning is going to be busy.
25 Aug »
 
Yes. And then I call Cloud for the last half of my fee, which let's the client know I'm not yet dead. Then I might learn who the client is.
25 Aug »
 
I use the kid's knife to kill the mark, put my .22 in the mark's hand, leave the kid's body there to be found in the ashes for the cops.
25 Aug »
 
A close up hit on the mark would pin down my location for a moment. Enough to kill me, perhaps. As long as I'm alive they won't kill cloud.
25 Aug »
 
The client doesn't want any loose ends. Cloud is one such loose end, as am I. I look at junior as a plan forms. Lucky I didn't bury him.
25 Aug »
 
I sat junior up on a park bench, sat beside him, and took a moment to think. And I think I smell a rat.
25 Aug »
 
Still puzzled about Cloud. Sounded different. Anxious. Almost panicky. Why a close up execution? Back to hiding junior.
25 Aug »
 
Okay. No guards or park rangers. And they said all those budget cuts were bad for the economy. Now to drop off junior and get back to work.
25 Aug »
 
Damned iffci,, I don't know how anyone texts and drives at the same time. Getting near that one state park. Unguarded gate please.
25 Aug »
 
The kid is in the trunk of the rental. Getting dark. Big forests around here. Must be a quiet little gully where the kid can be hidden.
25 Aug »
 
It'll need a few stitches. Kleenex and duct tape will have to do for now. Knife wounds get reported to the police. Need to finish up soon.
25 Aug »
 
Can't attract the cops. But where to hide a body so it will never be found. Damned kid cut my coat. . . And my shirt. And me. Not deep.
25 Aug »
 
What is with this damned town? Coming back from the gas station a kid tried to mug me. He had a knife. Now he has two in the hat.
25 Aug »
 
Coffee, Slim Jims, a Hershey Bar, and a whoopee pie. All the major food groups.
25 Aug »
 
At the bed&B, nearest restaurant is a twenty minute drive. Pizza Hut. Vending machine at the gas station next door.
25 Aug »
 
Why hasn't the mark been erased? Cloud know better than to push me. What's going on? Back to the room to think and dry off.
25 Aug »
 
Chapter 2. Everybody getting ready for Irene. No raincoats, no soup, no movie. Cloud calling ...
25 Aug








1















Intro

 
This might be a good place to end the chapter. Besides, my feet hurt.
25 Aug »
 
The new Planet of the Apes movie is playing at the local theater. Movie, a light meal at that Soup-For-You place, then back to work.
25 Aug »
 
I'm not going to slay half the county's population to take care of our client's mark.
25 Aug »
 
Going to have to come back when the convention is over. Thunderstorms predicted for tonight. Good cover. Better get a raincoat.
25 Aug »
 
Who eats pizza for breakfast? Oh, great. Now his cat walker is coming up the block.
25 Aug »
 
He's smoking a cigarette. That's why he's out ... oh, hell. He has someone with him. Female. Cute. Friendly. Domino's Pizza calling.
25 Aug »
 
Windy, though.
25 Aug »
 
Dude on the street. What's more innocent than a man texting? Mark's on the balcony suspecting nothing. What a sniper target. Damn!
25 Aug »
 
Looking at me ...
25 Aug »
 
He ... Yes, he's back.
25 Aug »
 
Hold on
25 Aug » 

Triggering off mob war? Fitting a frame on some family's number two? Simple adherence to tradition? None of my business.
25 Aug »
 
Hmm. I wonder who?
25 Aug »
 
Client wants it to look like a hit. I prefer a sniper shot; client wants two in the hat with a .22, close range. It's a frame on someone.
25 Aug »
 
Wonder when this guy is going to get up. It's getting close to noon.
25 Aug »
 
Daytime is good. Both wife and bro are gone. Don't know where the cat is.
25 Aug »
 
Text-book job. Mark lives alone. Only possible complications are unpredictable visits from estranged wife, drunk brother, and a cat.
25 Aug »
 
Chapter 1. The job came down from The Cloud on the net. Current mark: Male, mid-thirties, member of a crime family. Six-figure fee, half up front.
25 Aug »
 
Can't be too specific. Can't pick the followers of this tale. You know at least some of them will be blue. Forgive necessary vagaries.
25 Aug »
 
Why tell my story? Loneliness. I am a master at what I do: death. Never get to talk shop, though. Then the Twitter commeth. Now I can talk.
25 Aug »
 
Time enough between jobs to key a few lines: staking out the hit, awaiting the moment, adjusting things after. Time enough for 140.
25 Aug »
 
Stories that can't wait for publishers, can't wait for agents, can't even wait to be written. But I give it to you now and gratis.
25 Aug »
 
TwitMystery 01: BREACH OF CONTRACT. A thriller and a confession (if you're quick enough). Call me Blackbird; I'm in the take out business.
25 Aug »
 
TWITMYSTERY - BARRY B. LONGYEAR http://www.authorsguild.net/sb/page.php?mode=edit via @
17 Aug

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"Breach of Contract" A Blackbird Tale by Barry B. Longyear


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The Sunday Papers: Poetry of a Serial Killer by Barry B. Longyear






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306