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Post by Dave B on Feb 24, 2019 20:05:54 GMT
Generations
Prologue
Date: September 13th, 1918
Place: Lafayette Airfield France
Major Phillip Wayne was searching the sky for the patrol he sent out this morning, a patrol he would have been leading if not for his wounded leg. He had gotten into an air duel with the Hammer of Hell, the Enemy Ace, the German pilot Hans Von Hammer and like all allied fighters before him lost. But unlike so many before him Phillip Wayne survived his encounter last June. His wound did permanently ground him however. He was promoted and place in charge of a group of fliers for the duration.
The men on he overdue patrol were his best. Each man was an ace and they called themselves the Four Aces. Captain Charles Desmo, the so-called Ace of Spades was the youngest and best pilot of the four, he was also the senior officer.
Wayne spotted his missing squad off in the distance. A trained eye saw one of his planes was in trouble. He quickly barked orders to have emergency and medical personnel ready on the field. He heard the phone calls made to the necessary places even as he left the air tower to go to the field. He still needed a cane to walk and his pace was intolerably slow as he made his way down the stairs and into his automobile. The driver took of immediately to the air field.
Wayne watched helplessly as he saw fire erupt from the plane with spade insignia on the wing. Desmo! He thought, the kid's in trouble. That smoke is right in his face he won't be able to land safely. Momentarily he glances and saw the ground emergency vehicles form around the field even as Captain Desmo began his decent.
Wayne marveled how Desmo guided his wounded plane down to a perfect landing. Phillip who had always considered himself one of the best pilots the Allies had shook his head as he now knew that Desmo was a far, far better pilot that he could ever be.
Captain Desmo climbed out his burning plane and fell to the ground unconscious. He hands were burned, his chest was bleeding from multiple gunshots. The stretcher bearers rushed to him and quickly loaded him into the ambulance. Wayne wanted to follow but instead he waited for the others to land. This was the part of his new job he hated as he had to hear from his pilots what happened on the mission.
The three remaining ace were debriefed and Major Wayne slowly gained an idea what had happened in the skies over the battlefield. The patrol ran into the Enemy Ace and his squadron. Desmo took on the Hammer of Hell. Each one of his men said Desmo got the better of the duel as each reported that the Enemy Ace had been forced to ground his plane. They stated Captain Desmo's plane was obviously badly shot up but that somehow it kept flying. Each said that Desmo signaled he was all right as they headed back to the field. It was only when Desmo's engine caught fire that they became worried, Each man was stunned when hey learned he had been shot.
Major Wayne and the three aces headed over to the hospital t find out Desmo's condition. The young captain was still in surgery. They waited another eight hours before the airbase's chief surgeon came out. Into the waiting rooms.
Cheer rose from the men when they were told that Desmo would recover. The three aces headed over to the bar for a celebration but Major Wayne waited for a more detailed report from the doctor. He was shocked at what the doctor told him. Desmo's hands and arms suffered second degree burns. He had been shot twice once in the right shoulder and another in his right lung. But worst of all Desmo was blind. The magazine in his machine gun blew up when his engine caught fire and the young pilot was blinded in the blast.
Wayne looked long and hard at the doctor who saw the quizzical look on the major's face. “Yes Major, Captain Desmo landed his plane perfectly when he couldn't see.”
Book 1
Reunions
Chapter 1 Landing
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Floyd Bennett Airport, Brooklyn New York
Gabby McGuire couldn't remember ever wanting to get out of an airplane as badly as he did right now as his friend Captain Desmo taxied his plane to a park place on the field. Once that was done Captain Desmo had to remind Gabby that he had to stay in the plane until Desmo shut the engine off. This was the United States and they had to follow the rules now, unlike when they were in the wilds of Asia, or acting as British agents. Here they were civilians.
Gabby was out of the plane within ten seconds of engine shutdown. He jumped on to the ground of home – Brooklyn, and took in a deep breath of the air. According to Gabby nothing in the world smelled better that Brooklyn, or taste, looked, or felt better; even the sounds of the city were better than anywhere else on the planet. Gabby considered himself an expert on the fact as he had spent more than the last dozen years traveling the globe. The last three at the side of Captain Desmo.
Captain Desmo was still in the cockpit finishing shutting down his plane when Gabby yelled “I'll see you in a couple of days Cap.”
Captain Desmo looked up from his instrument panel and said “Right we have a suite at the Ritz. Your key will be at the front desk.”
“Right!” said Gabby before turning toward the terminal, where upon he started jogging to the airport's taxicab area. He quickly found a cab and ordered the driver to take him to 826 Wheeler Ave. Gabby was looking out the cab's window with enthusiastic nostalgia. As they passed Ebbets Field he asked the Dodgers where doing this year. He winced when he was told the bums were awful, same as every year. He sighed and thought some things never change.
Soon, but not soon enough for Gabby the cab came to Wheeler Street. Gabby jump out of the cab, paid the driver and bounded up the stairs. He stopped to looked at the apartment directory. This was where he grew up, but Gabby had earned a lot of money in his travels and he sent it home. He had instructed his mother to buy the apartment building. He knew she had, but didn't know if she had moved to the ground floor like he wanted her to do. She had not, she still lived on he fifth floor.
He smiled and shook his head. He should have known his mother would never leave their old apartment. He entered the foyer and saw new paint on the walls, the place looked a lot better than when he had left. Gabby began a race up the stairs to the fifth floor but was forced to slow down by the time her reach the fourth as he was huffing and puffing by then. I guess I'm not a kid anymore he thought as he stopped to take off his derby hat and wiped his sweated brow. He took out a cigar from his jacket pocket, but put it back when he remembered how Ma hated to see him smoking. She didn't care for any of Gabby's vices. Gabby continued his brief rest before once again going up the stairs, but not as fast as before.
When he reached the fifth floor he walked over to the apartment where he grew up he could smell the corn beef his mother was making. Tears came to his eyes as he knocked on the door. He heard his mother's voice say “Who is it?” Gabby knocked again.
“For lands Sakes! I said who is it. ” he heard her say as he also listened to the sound of her approaching footsteps. “I you're one of Bill Grogan's hoodlums I'm gonna give you a face full of buckshot.” Gabby's smile turned to a monetary frown as he wondered who Bill Grogan was.
All that was erased when his mother opened the door. She stood in the doorway and stared in amazement at her oldest child – home at long last. Tears of joy came to her eyes as Gabby hugged her and said softly “I'm home Ma.”
Chapter 2 For the Want of a License
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: The McNider Residence Manhattan NY
Myra Mason was busy fixing lunch for the man she worked for, the mystery writer Charles McNider, once he was a famous surgeon and medical researcher, but now he was a blind best selling author. She smile again for maybe the millionth time when she thought of Charles cheerful nature and how he refused to take his infirmity and rancor or bitterness of how one horrible explosion could destroy both his career and sight. She was just cutting the crust off the sandwiches when she heard the phone ring.
Charles was in his study typing away. He preferred her not to disturb him during his bursts of creativity. She answered the phone “Dr Charles McNider's residence” (Charles refused to stop using his hard worked for title,)
“May I speak to the doctor. This police detective Art Monahan.” said the voice on the other end after the operator told him to go ahead.
“Dr. McNider is quite busy at the moment and doesn't want to be disturbed” replied Myra.
“Yeah,I'm sure. But I have his uncle...a Charles Desmo in the Brooklyn jail. He's being held by the feds. This guy Desmo asked me to call you.”
Myra frowned. She knew Charles had an Uncle Charles and that he was some sort of world traveling adventurer. “Can you hold on for just a minute Officer Monahan.”
“Yeah, but its Detective Monahan, not officer.”
“Yes, sorry detective. Wait one minute please.” Myra put the phone down and went to Charles's study.
She knock and told her why she was bothering him. She heard his go to the phone in the study and speak with the officer. She was tempted to listen in on the conversation but instead she respected the privacy of the man she admired most.
Fifteen minutes Charles came out of his study with a mirthful smile and asked Myra to order him a cab as he sat down for lunch.
“Charles, I know it's none of my business, but I don't think having an uncle in jail is any reason to smile'” she gently admonished.
Charles nodded in agreement as he ate the egg salad sandwich Myra had made. After he swallowed he said, “Your right of coarse Myra. But his offense is really silly.”
“What...what did he do?” she asked.
Charles shook his head, “It's more what he didn't do. My Uncle Charles was an ace in the Great War. He's spent more that twenty years flying all over the world. He's quite famous in the Far and Near East as both a pilot and adventurer; but he doesn't have a pilot's license. He left the country well before they started issuing them back in twenty-seven. He was arrested at the airport and his plane's been impounded because he doesn't have a pilots license. The World Famous Captain Desmo has been arrested for flying a plane without a license.
Chapter 3 Old Acquaintances
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: 826 Wheeler Avenue Brooklyn New York
Margaret McGuire listened to her eldest child as he regaled her of his adventures across the world. She did not approve of the idea of her son working for the British. The McGuire's were Irish, proud supporters on the Irish Republican Army. Sean told her that if he had the choice of working for the British or the heathen natives – he'd choose the British every time as he then gave what she knew to be a very sanitized report on the natives of the countries he visited and the natives uprisings he helped quell. Grudgingly, she sighed and agreed he was probably right. She was glad to have him home and did not want have an argument with him.
Sean McGuire was as talkative as ever she noted. His healthy appetite was also the same as it ever was.
He looked good as she was glad to have him home. “How long to you intend to stay Sean?” she inquired.
Gabby smiled at his Ma, who would only call him by his given name. “I don't know what Captain Desmo's going to do. I may or may not keep working with him. That depends on how things are around here Ma.” He pushed his empty plate away from him and went to get one of his cigars before he remembered his mother's intolerance for smoking.
She took his plate over to he kitchen as she asked “What about around here do yo mean?”
“Well... how's me brothers and sisters?”
Margaret turned on the hot water as she said “Well you're not the only McGuire with the wanderlust, Danny joined the merchant marine five years ago and is at sea.”
“God” said Gabby as he crossed himself, “I hear there all sorts of German submarines out the there.”
“Aye,” she affirmed, “He's already had one ship sunk on him last year. I pray for him every day.” I prayed for you too Sean when you were gone she thought.
“What about Tommyy” asked Gabby.
Margaret smiled at the thought of Tommy, “Tommy's a priest. He has a parish on Long Island.”
Gabby noted the pride in his mother's voice when he spoke of Tommy. “Before you ask I'll tell you that Michael's a policeman over in the Bronx. He and his family comes to see me ever Sunday.”
Micky was his youngest brother and the thought of him having a family took him by complete surprise. “Mickey's married” he said in a stunned voice.
“Yes and he has a fine brood of his own - Michael Jr, Patrick, and little Lucy. You'll be here this Sunday when then come here.”
That last sentence was nether a question nor a request, it was an order. Gabby meekly said “Yes Ma.”
As for your sisters Mary became nurse and joined the navy. She in Hawaii right now, been there for the last three years now; but her last letter said she requested a transfer to the Philippines. And Maureen's working over at the library in Manhattan. She has an apartment over there and she is also here every Sunday.”
Gabby took in all the familial information with a smile before he asked about the people he was pals with when he was growing up. It was a mixed bag, most were married with families and good jobs, a couple were dead, a few she lost track of, one became a cop while another two spent time in jail. Ma did not mention two names he really wanted to know about. One he really wanted to know about when his mother thought his was a hoodlum working for Bill Grogan as he had known Aloysius Grogan and Gabby remembered he had a younger brother named Willie. The other, more important name could wait.
“What about Aloysius Grogan Ma?” He asked.
“That no good gangster's been dead half a dozen years now. They say is own brother Bill killed his over a girl” she replied.
“That the same Bill Grogan that's been giving you trouble. What's his racket?” asked Gabby.
She turned to look at her eldest before saying “Aye Sean, he wants half my rent money. I don't need it but he threatens. He knows Micky's a cop, so all he does is threaten me, but he's gouging the other landlords. Their building are damaged if they don't pay his insurance Old man Meyer's building burned to the ground last April. Please don't bother with the likes of him Sean. He's a killer.”
Gabby just nodded as he took in the information, but he thought it looks like Captain Desmo in me will have some unexpected fun after all. “Ma, you told about everyone I wanted to know about, except Fiona, Fiona O'Brien, she's the one I really want to know about. Is she married? She knew I had to see the world...but I told her I'd marry her when came home...if she's still have me” said Gabby.
Margaret McGuire put her hand to her mouth and whispered “Mother of God!” Sean, son... Fiona's father threw her out of house a few months after you left because she was in the family way. Father Murphy helped her move to a home for wayward girls. He later told me Fiona died in childbirth.
The word's it Gabby like a gunshot to the chest. He had always figured Fiona was married by now, but he had always hoped that she was still waiting for him, even after more that a dozen years. “I wrote her Ma, every time I wrote you, I wrote to her. I moved around too much to get a reply.... but I loved her.”he said as the tears rolled down his cheeks.
Margaret McGuire felt her son's pain, but Fiona's death was years old to her and she realized her eldest son had possibly shirked his most important responsibility as a man. “Sean, Fiona is gone, but according to Father Murphy she had a son who'd be twelve or so by now. I'll ask you once: are you the father of Fiona's boy.”
Gabby wiped away the tears from his eyes and looked his mother in the eyes before saying “Yeah Ma, I have a son. A son I need to find” he said quietly.
Chapter 4 The Famous Writer
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: New York City Police Brooklyn District Headquarters
Dr Charles McNider exited the cab in front of the Police Brooklyn District Headquarters. It was an old building dating back to when Brooklyn was an independent city, and not a mere borough of New York City. Charles walked up the stairs with his blind man's cane telling all the world that he couldn't see. He could actually see in the daytime thanks to the special glasses of his own invention; while in the dark he could see perfectly with or without the glasses. That along with his specially created blackout bombs allowed him to recently become the costume mystery man known as Dr Mid-Nite.
Charles was afforded every courtesy from the police; he was told that his uncle was meeting with Detective Monahan, a man from the federal government, and an official from the British consulate. Charles smiled at the news, saying to the desk sergeant “I believe my uncle has caused an international incident.”
“Nah, merely a misunderstanding. That fed that brought him in here was one of those fussy types that always stick to the letter of the law. He could of given Captain Desmo a warning, but he went overboard' said the man behind the high desk. “Them Krauts are like that you know.”
Charles nodded as he was escorted to a desk in the detective rooms. “This is Detective Monahan's, he'll see you here Dr McNider” said the officer whom the desk sergeant ordered to bring Charles upstairs. The policeman said Charles sir name loud enough that several detective looked over to see the famous criminal writer. Slowly but surely they went over to talk to the author. Some to stump him with a particularly tough case they already solved others in hope that Charles would use their story in his next book.
A half an hour Captain Desmo came in to the detective area with Detective Monahan. “What is all this!” the big burly detective cried out when he saw all of his fellow detectives around his desk.
The lieutenant turned to his and “You've got a celebratory at your desk Monahan.”
“Yeah, well according the British, I have one at me side as well” said Monahan.
The lieutenant gave Monahan a momentary blank stare before he looked at Captain Desmo. “No Moanhan, what you got is a genuine war hero at your side. Charles McNider is a the celebrity. He's a famous author. No offense Desmo.”
“None taken” said Captain Desmo. “But I would like to see my nephew if you don't mind.”
The lieutenant in his best authoritative voice boomed “Alright men! Break it up. You've got work to do and Dr McNider's ready to leave.”
Slowly the men parted as Captain Desmo went to his nephew. “My God! It's good to see you Chuck!”
Charles McNider beamed a broad smile at his Uncle Charles, the man he was named after and the only person who always called him Chuck. “Are you free to leave Uncle Charles? I'll call a cab if you are.”
“I am Chuck, but there's no need. There's a British diplomat in a limousine waiting outside for us. Thanks for calling them.” Together the pair left and went to the waiting Rolls Royce.
Chapter 5 A Game of Pool
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Bill's Billiards Brooklyn NY
Gabby McGuire left his mother's apartment and headed for Saint Augustine's Catholic Church to talk with Father Murphy. On the way he passed a pool hall with the sign that read in large print Bill's Billiards, followed underneath in much smaller letters Bill Grogan, proprietor. Gabby smiled a devilishly mean smile when he read the smaller print.
Gabby was whistling a tune he picked up in Madagascar when entered the pool hall. He scanned the room nonchalantly as he took a cue after paying for the privilege. The place was empty except for the fellow behind the counter and two other men playing at another table. Gabby recognized Bill Grogan even though he was only a boy the last time Gabby saw him. He did resemble his brother Aloysius, except Bill's nose wasn't broken yet.
Gabby's whistling got louder and off key every time Bill took a shot. Finally he said to Gabby “Will you stop that!”
Oh, I'm afraid I have to do that lad” said Gabby as he took a shot, sinking two balls in the corner pocket. “I might miss if I don't whistle.”
“Joey, throw this bum outta here,' Bill said to the man behind the counter.
Gabby smile “Oh, that's too bad. I wanted to speak to Bill Grogan.”
Grogan put up his hand, stopping Joe from moving any closer to Gabby. “What do you want with me? Mister...?”
“McGuire, Gabby McGuire, I was friends with your brother Aloysius, even though he was a crook.“
“You're old lady McGuires's kid,” said Grogan. “Has she come to her senses and gonna start paying me insurance?”
“No, she not going to pay you one red cent. But you're going to stop charging anyone on Wheeler Street for your.. protect...pardon me, your insurance racket,”. said Gabby as he made another shot sinking a ball in the side pocket.
Grogan made an evil laugh and Gabby's pronouncement. “Why would I want to do that McGuire?”
“For the protection your person and property” said Gabby as the cue ripped through the felt covering the pool table. Grogan's mouth dropped open as he and the man he was playing pool with were stunned at Gabby's action.
Joe however picked up a baseball bat from behind the counter and was rushing towards Gabby, who calmly picked up the cue ball flung it at Joe. It caught the big man between the eyes and he went sown in a lump.
The man with Grogan was reaching in to his jacket when Gabby stepped forward and hit him over the head with the barrel end of the cue stick. This caused the man lose his balance , causing him to stop getting his gun as he tried to use his arms to steady himself. But gabby had closed in on him. Gabby gave the man two quick rabbit punches to his face with his left hand before hitting him in the breadbasket with his right. This knocked the wind out of the man and he fell to the ground in a heap.
Bill Grogan had recovered by now and almost had his gun out of his jacket when Gabby spun and side-kicked him in the face. Grogan flew across the pool table and on to the floor, his gun flying from his hand. Grogan was on his hand and knees when Gabby came around the table. Gabby McGuire was many things , but a fair fighter was not one of them. He smashed his heel down on to Grogan's right hand and heard the nauseating sound of breaking bones.
Grogan screamed in agony even as Gabby grabbed by his his tie. “Consider this your only warning. Bother anyone on Wheeler Street again an I'll be back with my partner. And he's much tougher than me.” Gabby dropped Grogan, who collapsed to the floor and walked away, once again whistling the tune he picked up in Madagascar.
Chapter 6 A Family History Lesson
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Charles McNider's uncle told him that British diplomat probably wouldn't speak to much in the limousine because he was secretly working for the British and they considered his mission hush hush. But the Englishman surprised both of them when he said halfway to the hotel, “Captain Desmo, I really must insist that you take off that ridiculous Great War helmet and goggles. You need to be discreet here in New York, but that bloody headgear make you stand out like like that Superman chap in Metropolis. You're not one of those mystery men you know.”
Captain Desmo frowned at Lord Chatley comment. “Maybe not sir, but trust me. I have a very good reason for not taking these off.”
“Really, Captain Desmo, I don't see how you're going do your work here for His Majesty's Government with them on” said the Lord Chatley.
“How I do my assignment is my business my Lord. And I think we stop talking about this with an uncleared civilian listening. No offense Charles,” said Captain Desmo.
The British Diplomat was quiet after that as Captain Desmo had sufficiently reprimanded his for speaking out of turn. The chastened diplomat handed Captain Desmo two keys and said “You're in the presidential suite” as Charles and his uncle exited the Rolls Royce.
Charles pretended to be blind and was gently guided by his uncle to the elevators. He watched his uncle turn pale when he saw a sign in the lobby declaring “The Ritz welcomes the members of the 2nd Air Squadron for their 25th Anniversary Dinner.” Charles then remembered that was his uncles squadron during the war.
They hurried into the elevator, told the operator what floor they wanted and went directly to the presidential suite. Captain Desmo saw that his bags were already delivered. He went over to the bar and started fixing a drink. “I know you can see me perfectly well, despite your pretense in public,” as an explanation for his no longer guiding his nephew. “Those glasses are the same as my goggles and the pair of glasses you sent me in Panama.”
“So the glasses worked. I wondered when you refused to take off your signature helmet and goggles, replied Charles.
“Yes, quite, can I offer you drink?”
“Bourbon, neat, if you please. But why haven't you worn them in New York?”
“I'm on a mission for the British government and I'm afraid Lord Chatley is under suspicion of having German sympathies. A lot of the British aristocracy does.” said Captain Desmo. “Charles why in the world do you pretend to be blind? You're a gifted surgeon and medical researcher. You should be continuing that work instead of writing crime stories.”
Charles took his drink as he said “Uncle, my blindness is well known to the public. If I were to suddenly regain my sight I could do harm to millions of others who are blind by giving them the false hope that I found a cure for their condition. So I quietly continue to do research on it.”
Captain Desmo asked “What have you learned so far?”
“Our blindness is do to trauma and our cure is these lenses which allow us to see during the day. It seem to be a family trait, but I can find no other explanation for it since we are the only two cases I've been able to discover.” said Charles.
“You are correct Charles about it being a family trait. It has to do with our maternal Bulgarian ancestry.” Captain Desmo watched his nephew's face and saw a puzzled face before continuing. “ My mother and your grandmother was Bulgarian. Not quiet fifteen hundred years ago the Bulgarian people began warring with the old Byzantine Empire, a war that lasted off and on for close to five hundred years. Almost always the Bulgarians lost, were conquered and late rebelled again. Every time the Bulgarians were defeated the Byzantines blind nine out of every ten of their captives with the tenth only being blinded in one eye so he could lead the other helpless men home.”
“My God” said Charles, “And they called the Bulgarians barbarians.”
“Yes, well it seem our ancestors fought in those wars time and time again...”started Captain Desmo
“And some how developed a mutation that would allow them to see with corrective lenses” completed Charles McNider. “But how did you discover the right lenses. They have to be very exact.”
“Well I was very distraught after my injury during the last days of the war. They gave me the best care and ship home. Your grandmother was very upset. She told me about a family legend about a famous warrior who wore strange dark glass around his eyes after being blinded. How he rebelled against the Byzantines and won freedom. for his people. Ivor the Just, he was called.'
“That got me to thinking and I went to Bulgaria with my mother back in 1922. We found our old ancestral village, Ivor has a statue in the square. We then research how his glasses were made. That led us to an old glassblower name Dmitri. I contracted him to make me a set of lenses, but he died of a heart attack after making these over-sized goggles. I think he planned on paring them down but he never had the chance. He had no known apprentice and his art was lost. I fitted the lenses into the goggles of this old Russian aviator helmet and could see again.”
“Yes I remember how you constantly wore them when you and Grandma came back to the states. I thought it was strange. Then Grandma died and you bought a plane and left” said Charles.
Captain Desmo said “Yeah I couldn't stay, not with me having to wear this all the time. Plus I have to admit I craved the action and adventure I experienced in the war. I tried to write you and your mother at least once a month.”
“So yo did, and continued to right up until today” said Charles. As he reached into his jacket.
“But Charles, how and why did have your glasses fashioned?” asked Captain Desmo.
With his hand still inside his jacket Charles said “Well remembered how you left America blind and returned being able to see. Realizing that you, like myself, were blinded by an explosion I reasoned the lenses might have been the reason why. So I made them.”
“But Charles, you're blind without the glasses. How were you ever able to make them with out seeing?” said an astonished Captain Desmo
Charles took out an eyeglass case as he asked “Uncle, can you see in the dark?”
“No, I have always had better than average night vision, but I can't see in the dark,” said Captain Desmo.
Charles hesitated for a moment before saying “I've never told anyone this, but can. That's how I was able to make my glasses. And these as well Uncle Charles, ” as he handed the glass case to Captain Desmo. “Here's another pair. I always carry two, just in case anything happens to the first pair.”
Chapter 7 Confession and Penitence
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Saint Augustine's Catholic Church NY
Gabby saw the sign in front of Saint Augustine saying that confession would from five PM until seven PM this evening. He glanced at his watch and noted it was six-thirty. He entered the church and asked one of the now penitent parishioners Father Murphy was in the confessional. Gabby went to the pews and waited his turn when he was told that Father Murphy was the priest hearing confessions tonight.
Gabby waited for the rest of the evening until only he and the priest were in the sanctuary of Saint Augustine's; then he proceeded to give his first confession in over a decade. He told the priest of the lives he had taken, the women he had met in the coarse of his adventures both before and after meeting Captain Desmo. He spoke of all is sins before talking about Fiona and how he had just discovered he was a father.
“Ah Sean, what would a man like you know about being a father. From what you've confessed your not man enough t raise a son” said the priest.
Gabby grimaced at the rebuke before saying “Father, I have been remiss in my practice of confession and church going, but there weren't a lot of churches where I've been. But I'm home now and want to make things right.”
Father Murphy gave Gabby a long list of prayers to recite. He would be there for several hours. Gabby
complied with his penitence once he left the confessional. Once he was done he looked at his watch and saw that it was just past eleven. He thought to himself I hope Father Murphy is still up as he stood.
“I didn't think you would actually do the whole penitence Sean” said Father Murphy from behind Gabby.
Gabby was smiling as he turned. “Oh, I meant what I said Father, especially about finding Fiona, and our child.”
Gabby saw the old priest now in the light instead of the shrouded darkness of he confessional. He was older that Gabby remembered, his hair was white now, his face was wrinkled; but he could see he still had the same restless energy from the way he moves and the same gentle soul from the kindness in bright blue eyes. “Well, walk with me Sean, walk with me to the rectory,” said Father Murphy.
They left the church in silence. Gabby had a loquacious nature, hence his nickname, but he bit his tongue and waited for the old priest to start the conversation. They walk out of Saint Augustine's, through the gardened courtyard to the rectory. Once there Father Murphy led Gabby to the library and offered him a chair before offering Gabby a glass of blackberry brandy as a nightcap. Gabby took the drink and waited for the priest to talk.
“Sean, I'm sure your mother told you Fiona's dead” said Father Murphy
Gabby nodded as he said “She did, but had to hear it from you Father. I'd like to visit her grave before...before I find my...our child.”
“Well, I can take to the grave easily enough, but as for finding Patrick, that won't be easy. He and three other boys ran away from he orphanage they were at” explained the priest.
Gabby heard Father Murphy but all he heard was his son's name. “Patrick...Patrick....my boy's name is Patrick” he exclaimed as he now sobbed. Father Murphy put his hand comfortingly on Gabby's shoulder until the younger man regained control. Gabby wiped away the tears from his face as he said “Father the way to find him is to back trace his life. If you're free tomorrow, I'd like to go to the foundling home where Patrick was born after visiting Fiona's grave. Then I'd like to go to the orphanage you say he ran away from.”
Father Murphy went over to his desk and scanned his calendar. “I'll meet you here in the afternoon at two o'clock Sean.”
Chapter 8 The Ace of Clubs
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
When Captain Desmo had ordered lunch for two from room service to be sent up his nephew Charles McNider asked him what he would do about the large the reunion sign for the the 2nd Air Squadron 25th Anniversary Dinner; the same outfit Captain Desmo served in the Great War. Captain Desmo's lips thinned as he said, “They know I'm blind....or at least that I'm supposed to be. I can't have them asking questions. That's one reason why I work mostly in Asia and Africa Charles. No one there knows of my condition.”
There was then a knock at the door with an accompanying voice crying “Hey Desmo Are you in there. H'its me, Fog Fortune.”
Charles looked at his uncle, whose face paled as he licked his lips. “Uncle, it looks like they know your here. Fog Fortune is one of the Three Aces. Their reputation is almost as great as yours.”
Captain Desmo gave his nephew a quick glare before saying, “They should be, I trained them, along with Major Wayne – the same guy who trained me. Wait a minute Fog!”
Captain Desmo went to the door and opened it, he smiled at his former squad mate and wing man, Fog Fortune, the Ace of Clubs. Fog was an over weight middle aged man with brown curly hair with matching mustache. He was neatly dressed a brown suit, but his left arm was in a sling.
“God Charlie! H'It is good to see you,” Fog Exclaimed when Desmo opened the door, putting his hand out.
Captain Desmo extended his hand as well and hugged the burly visitor. “Fog! It's good to see you too!” Said Captain Desmo. “What Happened to your arm Fog?”
“Oh, this.. h'I was shot by an arrow by a poor castaway on a desert island before he knew we were there to rescue him last month.* (*Action Comics Vol 1 #40 September 1941) It missed the bone, but it still hurts like hell.”
Captain Desmo just nodded as he said “Yeah I know. Flesh wounds don't hurt in the movies. In real life they can hurt more that one that breaks a bone.”
“But not after this long Uncle,” said Charles.
Fog Fortune turned to see the young man siting at the bar. Captain Desmo introduced Fog to his nephew when the burly man turn to see who was speaking. Fog said “Charles McNider! The writer, h”I just finished “The Cold Cuban Cigar Case.” This is an honor.” Fog walked over to Charles and said “My hand is just in front of you sir, cause h”I'd like to shake hands with you.”
Charles put his hand, pretending not to see Fog's. The man had a strong handshake; but it was too warm for him to be running a normal temperature. Fog's face was also flush. Charles glanced down at the arm in the sling and noted that the hand was swollen. Here was a dilemma. Charles could see at a glance that Fog was in need of medical care; but to the world Charles McNider was blind.
Charles let go of Fog's hand and said to Captain Desmo, “I have a couple of questions Uncle. Is our friend red faces?”
“Yes” said Captain Desmo with a suddenly concerned voice.
“Is his other hand – the one in the sling swollen?” inquired Charles.
“Yes” said Captain Desmo.
“I see. Mr Fortune, you'd better get to the hospital at once because I think your arrow wound is infected.” said Charles.
“You better listen to him Fog. My nephew was a doctor before he went blind,” said Captain Desmo.
Fog said “Okay Captain. But h'I need you to tell Whistler and Gunner. What's going on.”
“Okay, where are you guys staying” asked Captain Desmo.
“Here in this hotel, but Gunners in Connecticut at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, showing them some designs for fighter engines. H'I don't know where Whistler h'is. He met a girl last night. Might not see him until the party tonight at the banquet. H'I hope h'I don't have to miss that. The whole squadron h'is supposed to there. Even the ground crew. The major said he contacted every but you captain.”
“Right,” said Charles, “I've been able to keep my attending privileges over at Mercy General Hospital. Let's go there, get you treated as quick as we can. If we break your fever you can put in an appearance. But only if you leave immediately after eating to meal.”
Fog shook his head in agreement and said “Boy h'I am sure glad you brought your nephew captain. He's sure a lot different from the major's.”
Captain Desmo walked with Charles and Fog as they went to the elevator. “Does Major Wayne's nephew live in New York like Charles?”
“Nah, he's from Gotham City lie the major. But he's here for some reason. Nice enough guy, but a bit of a fop h'if you ask me.”
Chapter 9 Plots and Plans
Date: June 16th, 1941
Places: A Couple of Old Abandoned Warehouses in New York City
1. The Staten Island Warehouse
Adolph Krause arrived at the location in his official State Department car. He had no driver for he was not a high enough functionary for a limousine, but was high enough in the department's food chain to merit a car. Fortunately the Wayne Shipping liner which contained a ship load of refugees from Europe was within a mile of the warehouse so Adolph wouldn't have to explain any extra mileage. Adolph entered the building, gave the password to the sentry standing guard, and entered the main building. From there he went to the office to talk with his superior in his German spy ring.
Otto Marks was reading the New York Ledger. He continued reading when Adolph came entered the office. Adolph knew his Superior was aware of his presence and chose to wait until Otto asked for his report.
Otto put down the paper as he said “I can find nothing in any of today's newspapers afternoon editions about the refugee ship.”
Adolph nodded and said “That is because I have been unable to force the ship back out to sea.
Otto rose in anger very quickly as his voice raised when he exclaimed “What! Why! You said you could quietly force this ship of undesirables away from America's shores. You said you make them leave port. We have a submarine waiting for them; waiting to sink that ship!”
Adolph held up his hands as he said “I know, I know. But the owner of the Wayne Lines took a personal interest in this boat. He used his influence to make certain that it could dock and its passengers could come to America. He was there personally”
Otto almost spat out the name “Phillip Wayne! That pig has had three, now four vessels filled with refugees arrive in America.”
“No, not Phillip Wayne. A much younger man – Bruce Wayne was there. Along with papers signed by my superiors in the state department. I could not stop it.”
“No Adolph this is the older man's work. I have read that he is in New York for a reunion of his old fighter squadron from the First World War. There are other notable American Heroes and therefore enemies of the Reich there. We must send the Bund's Brown Shirts out and smash their banquet tonight.”
2. The Bronx Warehouse
Ali Bosma sat in a small circle with a dozen other men and women from the Mid East. He sat attentively waiting for Aswar to speak. Aswar was the leader of this mission of the League of Assassins. Captain Desmo was an arch enemy of the League. He had in fact destroyed the eastern branch of the League in India. The League has its origins there. It had thrived for centuries, but now was only a memory. The Master of the Western League had ordered the Captain Desmo death. And that said death was to be made as publicly as possible.
Aswar coldly stared at each of the twelve men and women sitting in the circle with him before he spoke, “Hear me comrades, Captain Desmo dies tonight. He and his comrade fliers from the last great war are attending a banquet tonight. We shall disrupts their party and kill Captain Desmo. Make certain of three things: one, Captain Desmo is dead before you leave the hall where they are eating, two that he know and the public knowhe has been killed b the League of Assassins, and three, that this order was issued by Ra'hs Al Ghul.”
Chapter 10 The Aviation Fan
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Dick Grayson was bored. He was at his guardian, Bruce Wayne's Uncle Phillip's World War one American Air Corp squadron diner reunion dinner. He was excited at first because he was able to meet the two of the famed Three Aces, as well as the recently retired Flying Fox. Dick, like most boys of his generation he was enthralled with the adventures of the heroic daredevil aviators of the past and current decade. He had hoped to meet Captain Desmo, the most famous of all the fliers in this amazing squadron.
But the captain was a no show and the famed pilots were not interested in a thirteen year old boy. Bruce was too busy talking to his uncle. They had spent the day cutting through red tape for the refugees of a ocean liner Bruce's family owned and were now hand in hand with one another as Bruce's uncle introduced the pair to his friends from the old war. I should of stayed home Dick thought to himself just before he noticed Fog Fortune walk in with a a tall blond blind man and a shorter man who could obviously see, even though he was wearing sunglasses in the evening.
Bruce Wayne meanwhile was pretending to be as bored as Dick really was as he had to maintain an identity of a rich pampered playboy. This act had cause his ex-fiance, Julie Madison to call off the wedding and now it put off Linda Page. Bruce liked Linda a lot and enjoyed company very much, but he held back the fact that he was the Batman. Only two people knew his secret identity: Dick, his ward and as Batman, his juvenile partner against crime – Robin, the Boy Wonder. The other was his Uncle Phillip, who had discovered Bruce's identity on his own.
Phillip didn't approve of his nephew's costumed identity, but he did not try and dissuade Bruce from it either. Phillip objected to the lazy rich playboy act Bruce used to his his identity. Phillip had his own secrets, including his financing the transatlantic transportation of European refugees escaping the horrors of Nazi occupation to the shores of the United States. Phillip's reputation was that of a ruthless, cold hearted business man. Bruce noted that the men of his old squadron knew better as he heard some of the conversations about the room of how Phillip had paid for several of the member's trip as they could not afford it.
Captain Desmo walked in the the room gently guiding his supposedly blind nephew. Fog Fortune was on the other side of him. Gunner Bill and Whistler Will came over to them as soon as they walked in. Desmo greeted them and introduced his nephew even as other members of his old squadron approached.
Charles McNider tightened his grip on his uncle's arm as the men approached before saying “Uncle Charles, I'm going to get a drink” For Fog's benefit he added “I can hear the tinkling of the ice at the bar at my four o'clock.”
Dick saw the blind man leave Captain Desmo's side as the famed aviator's old comrades approached him. Dick went to the blind man and offered his assistance. He thanked Dick as the youngster led him over to the bar.
Charles thanked the earnest young man and started a conversation while they walked. Carefully he asked Dick “Are you a child of one of my uncle's compatriots?”
“No,” said Dick. “My guardian is the nephew of one of them though. How did you know I'm not an adult?”
“Your voice is cracking, telling me that you are a teenager, and its direction comes from a lower direction than most adults” explained Charles.
Dick nodded as he said “You could be a detective.”
Charles smiled as he said “Well I do write detective and crime stories. My name is Charles McNider.”
“My name is Dick Grayson. We're at the bar now.”
“Thank you Dick.” Charles then ordered a scotch and soda before ordering Dick a coke. Once they had their drinks Charles asked o be escorted to a nearby table. Once they sat down Charles asked “where are you from. I can tell you're not from New York City by your voice, but I can't tell where you're from.”
“Well, I live in Gotham City now” said Dick.
“But not always. Gotham has its own unique accent. You have a trace of it. But you have traces of at least six different accents,” declared Charles.
Dick smiled as he said “That makes sense. I used to be in the circus...until my parents were murdered.”
“Oh good Lord! I'm sorry Dick. I remember reading about that. You're parents were the Flying Grayson's,” said Charles
Dick was felling a bit of sadness at his parent's memory as he said “I didn't know my parent's murder was written about in Braille.
“What? Oh no, I was blinded just over a year ago in an explosion Dick. I remember reading about your family in the newspaper. It was national news” said Charles.
“As was the news of Doctor Charles McNider being blinded by a gangster's bomb last year” said Dick as he clicked his fingers when he realized was talking with the famed research physician who was now an equally famous crime writer.
Charles smiled back at the youth as he said “But why are you in New York now, and here at this banquet? I'm here because of my uncle. I don't think he was even aware of this reunion. But he asked me to come with him only this afternoon on a whim.”
Dick was in a bit of a quandary as Bruce hid his Batman identity by pretending o be a bored playboy millionaire; and his Uncle Phillip kept his own philanthropy hidden as he preferred his reputation as a ruthless businessman. Dick took a deep breath before saying “Well, my guardian has a charity that started in the name of his murdered parents to help the victim's of crime. This charity has been helping European refugees get to America because the Nazi's are nothing but bunch of criminals in charge of the German government. The State Department started putting up roadblocks for the passenger's entry to the US. So Bruce came to New York to help clear the way. I tagged along as I I'm not old enough to spend the weekend at home by myself. Bruce knows about my fascination with aviators so he asked his uncle if we could come.”
Dick's guardian Bruce Wayne came over to Charles's table and introduced himself. They had a shared laugh at being nephews at the reunion of their uncle's army air corp squadron before Bruce said to Dick “I think we had better go. I have some business to attend. We'll eat supper later.” Dick then said goodbye and they hurriedly left the banquet hall.
The supposedly blind Charles discreetly looked around the hall and saw something that was not quite right. He glanced over at the bar and saw a different bartender than the man who had just given his drink. This man was not white either, None of the waitstaff were either. They were all different and had the skin tone of Eastern Indians.
Charles was not a prejudiced man; but this was the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the only people of color that could work in this establishment were at shoeshine booths, and possibly dishwashers, or maids. His mind was racing as he stood, remembering his Uncle Charles fought the natives in India for the British he knew they had come for revenge on Captain Desmo. Charles was glad he had brought his valise with him. Quickly he went to the elevator and headed for his uncle's room and his Dr Mid-Nite costume.
Chapter 11 The Retired Ace
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Rex Darrel, like Dick Grayson, felt uncomfortable at his old squadron's reunion but for totally different reasons. While Rex, like Captain Desmo and the Three Aces had been an air ace during the war, the three men of his old patrol group, the men he was closest to during the war were all deceased. They had survived the war but two were murdered while flying a a radio controlled plane over the Pacific and the other, his best friend, Bob Merritt, died a hero's death in Germany later that same year.* (*see Times Past Federal Spies)
Rex was not part of Bob Merritt's company as he became an aviating adventurer/detective back in the n1920's. He specialized in stopping air piracy. He became famous. He had book and movie deals detailing his exploits. It was his publisher that had him wear a helmet resembling a fox's head because his code name was the Flying Fox.
He was not treated to his now accustomed celebrity. The men in his old squadron knew him back before he became famous. He was finding that his fame was fleeting as well since he was forced to retire from flying because of a heart condition accompanying high blood pressure. To his old mates from the war he was simply former lieutenant Rex Darrel. He only one twenty-one pilots from the old squadron that were still living from the old squadron.
Rex was waiting for Captain Desmo to arrive. Desmo was blinded on the last of the war. According to the doctors the damage to is eyes were irreparable. Yet by all accounts he could see and his fame in America was growing. He would soon surpass Rex, whose cash cow made from his reputation was starting to dry up. Rex wanted to speak with Desmo because he hoped that whatever miracle cure he found for his blindness could cure his heart as well.
He was talking with two of the Three Aces and a few other pilots as well when he saw Desmo arrive with the third ace, whose left arm was in a sling and an obviously blind young man. The two aces he was talking to excused them selves and went over to Fog Fortune. Several of the other pilots went with them. Rex went over to the bar and ordered a drink.
The bartender made his scotch and soda. Rex turned around and saw that more and more of the squadron were going over to Captain Desmo. Rex drank is his drink down in one gulp. He turned back to the bar and saw a dark skinned waiter go behind the bar and come up from behind to the bartender. Rex noted a startled look on the barman's face when the other man was close. Rex believed the man had something he could no see pressed against the now ashen faced bartender.
Rex watch as the waiter spoke in softly in the fear stuck man in a voice that was inaudible to Rex. The barman turned and left the bar towards the kitchen. Rex swallowed hard. He was going to draw the .45 colt he always carried and follow the pair. He was smiling now as the thrill that always came when stopping a criminal in his tracks. He turned and saw all the wait staff were dark skinned East Indians.
“Jesus!” Rex said softly. They were here for Desmo. Hero of the British Raj in India.” Rex decided that he had to alert Desmo right away. He he felt a sharp pain in his chest that went down his right arm as walked towards the crowd around Desmo.
Chapter 12 Spies
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Karl Schmidt had been a bellhop at the Ritz Hotel for the last five months. He had been a German spy for the last five years, but he only arrived in America six months ago. He and his fellow recently arrived spies were desperately needed by he fatherland as the strange mystery men had taken down the
entire German espionage operation set up by German master spy Fritz Klaver* (See All-Star Comics Vol 1 #4 “For America and Democracy”) in the beginning of the year.
The Fuhrer had given his new operatives explicit orders not to fight the Justice Society of America. Karl had once seen the Hawkman flying through the skies of New York City and he still shuddered at the plethora of America's mystery men. He asked the front desk clerk if he could take a break once he saw Captain Desmo enter the hotel's banquet hall. He had his hand from his pockets, that was the signal that the agents arriving to kill Phillip Wayne, and the other former airmen should proceed with caution. He would have used the all clear sign except several of the American had formidable reputations as fighting men.
He took a quick glance at New York's skyscrapers and swallowed hard when he saw the Batman and Robin climbing down the Ritz's fire escape. Karl quickly lit a cigarette as that was the signal to call off the attack.
Otto Marks was in the lead car when he saw Karl furtively light a cigarette. He had the car stop at the curve and went over to the man. Karl saw his superior walk towards him as he rolled his eyes upwards. Otto glanced up and saw the colorful costume of the Boy Wonder, but not his mentor. Otto reached into his coat and took out a silver cigarette case. He took out one of the American cigarettes because though it pained him to admit it; the Americans had the best tobacco in the world. He asked Karl for a light when he was near to the man. “I just saw the boy. Is the adult with him?”
Karl nodded in the affirmative as he lit Otto's smoke. Otto frown as he took a inhales the wonder smoke. He exhaled and said “We are done for this evening.”
Chapter 13 The Squadron Commander
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Phillip Wayne was a very happy man as he surveyed the banquet hall because all but two of the all the surviving member of his old squadron were here. Phillip had gathered the entire unit, from ground crews to support staff to his airmen. Phillip worked long and hard to reunite with these men. He had spent a lot of time, money, and effort in making this possible now because he knew it could not be done once America entered the new war raging in Europe.
He was also happy because his nephew Bruce was in attendance. More importantly Bruce had done a large favor for him in seeing to the ship filled with refugees from the horrors on the Nazis in Occupied Europe was allowed to dock and the passengers let into the country. Phillip knew that a lot of government bureaucrats were adverse to let these so called undesirables into the United States and would try to block their entry. They were all either Jews, Gypsies and/or homo sexual. It was the fifth and final ship Phillip had brought across the Atlantic.
Phillip was too busy with his personal mission to have this reunion to give the attention to the arriving ocean liner its needed attention. Phillip had paid for the use of the liners, with the approval his nephew, by using the funds of the Wayne Foundation. The charity was set up by Phillip after the murder of Bruce's parents. Its main function was to help the victims of crime and their family's. Overseeing the rescue of the refugees was considered by many to be a stretch of the foundations purpose, but both Bruce and Phillip believed the German Nazi government to run by the criminals imaginable.
Only Prop Wash* (*Prop Wash is Hop Harrigan's legal guardian) had told Phillip he could not attend t because his fledgling All-American Aircraft Company was having trials for the new bomber for US army and navy. It was a make or break deal for Prop. Phillip owned a small portion on that venture as he loaned Prop some seed money. Phillip believed in Prop's design. That plane was also going to be a vital weapon in the coming war. Much more important Prop's attending a reunion of veterans from the last one.
The only living pilot Phillip was not able to contact was Captain Charles Desmo because the famed aviator had been constantly on the move this past year. Phillip had been in correspondence with Desmo throughout the twenties and thirties when the pilot was having all kinds of adventures in India and Africa. Often working for the British government.
He was just talking about the man with his nephew when Desmo arrived with Fog Fortune and a young blind man. Unlike most of the other pilots, Phillip did not go over to he newly arrived Desmo. Phillip decided to let his fellow pilots greet him first. Phillip just smiled and looked for the head waiter as it was time for them to eat now that Captain Desmo arrived.
“Bruce. Do see the head waiter?” He asked his nephew.
Bruce look around. He then frown and said “I don't see him Uncle Phillip. And I'm afraid I have to go.”
Phillip raised an eyebrow at that because Bruce had said he had no plans. He also noted the near instant change in Bruce's deportment from bored playboy to the Caped Crusader. Phillip had seen this occur only once; when his nephew helped him when he was being black mailed*. (See the Times Past Story Secrets*)
Phillip nodded and perplexedly look about to see why Bruce changed even as his nephew exited the dining hall. The he saw it the entire wait staff of the hotel was East Indian.
Chapter 14 The Mystery Men
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Batman spotted the pair of men sharing a light for a cigarette and noted that they saw him and Robin as the ran down the Ritz Hotel's fire escape stairs because they did not act the way people did when they saw the Caped Crusaders. Neither one pointed with fixed wonder or joy they way innocent citizens did. Neither did they try scurry away like the common criminal element Batman was dedicated to defeating. Instead they pretended not to notice the famed pair of costumed mystery men. Batman knew they were up to no good; but he had a more pressing issue. The waitstaff of the hotel's banquet had been replaced and he believed they were in danger. Once they reached the ground Batman and Robin headed for the kitchen entrance to the hotel.
Meanwhile Dr Mid-Nite was running down the stairwell of the hotel. Charles McNider, like Bruce Wayne noted the hotel's staff was being replaced by East Indians. He took the elevator to his Uncle's suite, and put on his famed costume and went down the long flight of interior stairs even as Batman and Robin used the ones outside.
Dr. Mid-Nite cause excited gasps as he entered the lobby except for one bellhops who paled in fear. I'll talk to him later thought Dr Mid-Nite to himself as he rushed to the kitchen entrance. He planned of tossing a blackout bomb before entering but he heard the sounds of fighting in the banquet hall. A second later he heard dishes fall from behind the door and a startled cry.
Batman and Robin burst through the door of back alley kitchen entrance. Inside thy saw three East Indian with long knives guarding the tied up kitchen and wait staff. Several plates fell as two of the guards approached Batman and Robin. On was far away towards the lobby entrance. He was bringing his knife down one one of the captives saying “Stop or I'll kill this man!” Neither of the Dynamic Duo were close enough to stop the villain.
Doctor Mid-Nite entered quietly quickly as soon as he heard the threat following the crashing plates. He was surprised to see that is was Batman and Robin and not his uncle confronting the two knife wielding East Indians. He then saw the third man threatening the chef. The hero was behind him in a flash and he never saw the blow to the back of the neck that rendered him unconscious.
Batman then immediately dispatched his opponent easily as well but young Robin had unfortunately taken on the most skilled of the assassins. The man kept well out of robin's reach and constantly flicked his knife out toward the young hero. The Boy Wonder decided he had to take another tack. Robin did several back flips away from the knife wielding assassin. In the middle of his second flip he took out his slingshot and fired as soon as he landed. The would be killer never saw the move or the rock that hit him in the head and knocked him into dreamland.
Chapter 15 The Adventurers
Date: June 16th, 1941
Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
While the young costumed mystery men of the 1940's were going down their respective staircases the older middle-aged veterans and adventuring pilots were coming up with a plan to keep their families safe and the would be assassins defeated.
Captain Desmo said after he was apprised of the situation said “Seems like I'm the target, given all the years I spent in India. I'll head over to the bar alone and draw them to me and keep everyone safe.”
Phillip Wayne asked “Are you armed?”
Captain Desmo smiled and said “Always.”
The Flying Fox said “I've counted ten of these monkeys. Too many for you to handle by yourself.”
“Two of them are women” chimed in Whistler Will of the Three Aces.
His partner Gunner Bill said “But woman can kill with a gun as easily as a man Will” even as he deftly drew his own pistol.
Phillip Wayne “There are too many noncombatants here. We need a plan.”
Right said Captain Desmo. “Rex, Will, and Bill here are still adventuring...”
“H'I am too.” Cut in Fog Fortune.
“But your wing is clipped”, said Captain Desmo. “Besides, we need you to back up the Major” as he nodded to Phillip Wayne. “Both of you are armed and no one else is.”
“Right” said the former major, Phillip Wayne. “You four go to the bar the rest of us will go over to our tables'” Wayne then headed to the dining area and said in a loud voice “Alright folks, I think it's time we seated ourselves for dinner.”
Captain Desmo looked at two remaining Three Aces and the Flying Fox and said “That's our cue. Don't wait for them to start. Hit them as soon as they're near cause they may be remnants o the League of assassins and they play for keeps.”
Aswar, the leader of this cell of assassins discerned the aviators had surmised his planned attack. No matter he thought as he saw the four separate from the others who headed for the tables. His target was walking directly towards him as he was pretending to be a bartender. Aswar watched as the nine members of his cell on the floor started their nonchalant approached the the four. Aswar reached down and picked up his special surprise for the infamous Captain Desmo, a Browning Automatic Rifle.
Captain Desmo saw the bartender bend down behind the bar. The way he was coming back up made let Captain Desmo know it was some sort of rifle. Captain Desmo drew his colt .45 and shot the man in the head even as he was beginning to bring the BAR into firing position.
The other Nine other nine cried either “Death to Captain Desmo!” or “Die by order of Ra's Al Ghul!” or lastly “Die by the League of Assassins.” Nine shots then rang out in response and the nine assassins were either dead or gravely wounded.
Batman, Robin, and Dr Mid-Nite all heard the shots ring out even as they brought down their opponents. Bruce Wayne and Charles McNider each feared for their respective uncles as the race out into the banquet hall. The carnage of the scene was immediate and appalling.
Charles saw his uncle was fine. He then looked over at the other attendees of the reunion and saw they were also unhurt. Then he ran to the nearest wounded assassin Charles knelt besides the woman and began tending to her injuries. The wounded woman tried to stab him with her knife, but Charles stopped her by grabbing her wrist. He felt her strength weaken in his grasp. He took the knife away and continued treating her. Batman and Robin were doing the same for another survivor even as the reunion attendees joined in their work.
The Three Aces guarded the two less injured assassins while the Flying Fox fought to catch his breath and calm his racing heart. Captain Desmo saw all was well in hand and waited for the police because he knew the League of Assassins
Chapter 16 Breakfast Conversation
Date: June 17th, 1941
Place: 826 Wheeler Ave. Brooklyn
Gabby McGuire woke to the aroma of cooking bacon. He looked at the clock in his old room and saw that it was half past eight in the morning. Five o'clock on the west coast, which is where he was yesterday and his body had not yet adjusted to he time difference. He quickly dressed and went into the kitchen.
His mother beamed at him as she said “Tomorrow's breakfast will be at eight Sean, the day after that seven, and from Friday on it will be served at six.”
“Understood Ma,thank you for making mine late today, but I can get up tomorrow for breakfast at six.” relied Gabby as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “I've gotten used to change times zones flying with Captain Desmo.”
“What are you going to do today Sean?” Ma asked as she served him a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon.
“Well, Father Murphy's picking me up at two. So I thought I'd take a walk around the old neighborhood. “
“Stay away from Bill Grogan's Billiard parlor” she said.
“Too late Ma, I already had a conversation with Aloysius' younger brother.” said Gabby.
“What! What did you do Sean! She exclaimed.
“I knocked out his toughs and broke his nose” he declared.
His Mother stifled a smile forming on his lips before telling his of the dangerous repercussions that could follow.
After she finished lecturing him he said. “Ma, I've been dealing with the likes of Grogan all throughout my travels. I gave him a warning to stay away. He's smart. He hasn't come after you with anything but threats because Tommy's a cop. I'm betting he won't came after me for the same reason. I also told him my partner s even tougher than me.”
“You mean this Captain Desmo ?” She asked. “I wanted to talk about him. He's on the front page of today's paper.”
“Why, He told me he was going to lay low. He wanted visit with his nephew” replied a perplexed Gabby. “What do you mean he's in the paper?”
“It's in the morning edition of the Ledger. A bunch heathen Indians attacked a bunch of pilots having their reunion” she said.
Gabby asked to see the paper and read the headline “Flying Fox, Captain Desmo and the Three Aces Stop Assassins Attack” with a subtitle saying “ Dr Mid-Nite, Batman, and Robin also on the scene.” Before he read the article he asked his mother “What or who are Flying Fox, or Dr Mid-Nite, Batman, and Robin”
“Flying Fox is just about the most famous hero this side of Superman. You have heard of Superman haven't you?” said ins mother.
“Yeah I heard about the Metropolis Marvel” replied Gabby.
“Well the Flying Fox was at this reunion. He and your Captain Desmo were part of the same unit. Along with along with the Three Aces” she explained.
“I heard Captain Desmo talk about them. He trained how to be pilots during the war” said Gabby with a note of pride.”But who are this Doctor Mid-Nite, Batman, and.... er, Robin” he said after reading the subtitle in mid-sentence.
“Batman and Robin are costumed mystery men from Gotham City. Though I've read that Robin is but a strapping boy. Batman used to spend a lot of time in New York, but this is the first I've read about him being New York in at least year. But I often read about Dr Mid-Nite in the Ledger about some local criminals he brought to justice.”
“Are you telling me they go around dressed as a bat and a bird...And I thought Captain Desmo was nuts with his Ruskie helmet. Leave the States for a decade and their all nuts when you get back. Who's the doc.”
“Oh Sean, no one knows who those three are. They wear masks and fight crime, just like Tommy and the other police” she said.
“Me and Captain Desmo do that, but we don't need no masks. Hel...Heck, Desmo has even been taking his helmet off lately. This Doc from around here? And do we have any other of these joker her in the city?”
“New York has quite a few, but I can't think of any who live in Brooklyn: MA said
“Good.”
Chapter 17 New York City Isn't India
Date: June 17th, 1941
Place: Wheeler St Brooklyn NY
After breakfast Gabby went down the stairs and out into the neighborhood. He had several hours before Father Murphy was to pick him. He reached into pocket, taking out his last cigar. He lit only after glancing upstairs to make sure his mother didn't see him smoking.
He first walked over to Rogers Rd where Carnelli's Tobacco was. There he splurged by buy a half dozen Cuban cigars. He was leaving when he thought about Father Murphy and then bought the priest a half dozen as well.
Next he walked around the neighborhood. He was surprised when he saw Grogan's Billiards was closed. More stunning was the for sale sign in the window. He thought to himself: Maybe I'll buy that once finish this last assignment with Captain Desmo and find Patrick.
He then went into Johnson's Drug Store and made a phone call to Captain Desmo. He could of used the one in the ground floor hallway of his mother's building, but he wanted some privacy that the phone booth and his relative anonymity gave him. He traded pleasantries with Captain Desmo when the answered the phone before getting down to business.
“I read in the paper The League of Assassins are in town” Gabby said.
“Yeah” replied Captain Desmo. “It's caused quite a stir. There's an official police investigation going on. No one except the masked characters can leave town because they disappeared as soon as they heard the sirens.”
“Geez” interjected Gabby.
“Yeah, anyways the DA says he'll make a ruling as to whether he'll charge us early next week” said Captain Desmo.
“Charge you with What?” question Gabby.
“Murder or manslaughter” said Captain Desmo. “New York City isn't India Gabby. On the bright side my would be co-defendants are also all well known adventurers and our former C O is a big shot lawyer and industrialist. He assures me that it's just a formality. Especially now.”
“Why now?” Gabby asked.
“Well, while one of the six surviving assassins died later that night the other two wounded ones escaped, killing a nurse and the four cops guarding them. And the three that those masked characters took down escaped the police before they even made it to jail making six more police wives widows” explained Captain Desmo.
“That means they'll be coming for you again Captain” said Gabby with a note of concern in his voice.
“Yeah” replied Captain Desmo. “Worse, It might interfere with our assignment for the British. We'll see how it plays out next week. When are you arriving at the hotel.”
Gabby thought about it before answering. His mother wanted him to stay for the week, but now the captain's life was at risk. “Tomorrow morning” he said. “But I've some family business that I have to attend to for a while. And I have to be at my mother's this Sunday no matter what.”
“Right” said Captain Desmo. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye.”
Gabby hung up the phone and returned to the build where he grew up. There he saw Bill Grogan and five of his men waiting outside the entrance. Captain Desmo's words were ringing in his ears: “ New York City isn't India Gabby.” He looked at his watch as he knew the beat patrol man would be coming by in fifteen minutes. Gabby decided not to wait. Instead he went in the direction the cop would be coming. He saw the officer, he was a young tall blond haired man, and went over to the policeman.
“Officer” Gabby said “How would you like to arrest Bill Grogan and his gang for attempted murder and extortion?”
The Cop's Eyes lit up as he been trying to bust that particular thorn in his beat ever since he started this start pounding the pavement. Hell the precinct had been trying to put Grogan away for years. He would probably make detective if he could make a bust stick. “How?”
“Grogan and I had a disagreement yesterday. I won and now him and five of his bully boys are waiting at the entrance of my mother's building. If you get some reinforcements I walk right up to them and you can bust him when he attacks. You'll get him for sure cause there's nobody to warn him if he has any crooked cops on his payroll.” Gabby hope he didn't offend the young officer with his last sentence.
It did but the officer knew there had to be someone tipping off Grogan. “my police phone's on the corner. But I have a better idea.” As hey walked the Cop said “You're Tommy McGuire's older brother Sean, right.”
“Right” said Gabby. “But only me mother calls me Sean. The rest of the world calls me Gabby. How do you know Tommy, he works in another borough.”
“We graduated from he police academy together. That's why I keep an extra eye on your mother's place and warned Grogan off” explain the patrolman. “Names Tobias Meriwether” he said as he put his hand out for a shake.
Together the went to the phone at the corner drug store. he cop put a call into the radio squad instead of his precinct because he was worried that Grogan did have some one there on his payroll. Three radio squad cars arrived at the corner with in fifteen minutes. There were no sergeants or detectives but the seniortwo of the men from the radio cars took charge.
The Building that Gabby's mother owned was in the middle of the block. They planned n using two of the cars two block the intersections on either side of the building while three cop waited on foot behind the corner while Gabby walked over to Grogan.
“Look Officer...” Gabby started to say before the policeman making the plan interjected “Keane, Sandy Keane”
“I want you to know I have a gun.” continued Gabby
“I know” he said. Make sure you don't use it unless they shoot at you. And don't hit any of them cause then our case is weakened.”
Gabby merely frowned as he nodded thinking “New York City isn't India Gabby”. He then sighed as he took out one of his Cuban cigars, lit it and then proceed to his mother's building. As he turned the corner he and walked to place where he grew up Grogan's gang saw him. That was when he saw the Cadillac across the road. The vehicle was out of place in his old neighborhood. Furthermore he saw there was both a driver and another man sitting in the back of the car. The car's engine was running and it bolted out of its parking place while the man in the backseat was pulling out a machine gun.
Gabby swore. There was no place to dodge the coming attack. Instead he said “The hell with it” as he pulled out his gun from his shoulder holster, shooting the driver with his first two shots and the machine gunner with his next two. The car swerved into the side of a building two doors in front of his own.
Bill Grogan and his men were all smiles when the saw Gabby walking down the street. Bill gave the boys in the car his signal and watched this moron get what was coming to him for messing with Bill Grogan. The smiles and laughter turned to anger as the car crashed into the building. Bill Grogan was a cautious man but he threw all caution away with his rage. “Murder that bastard! He cried. “He don't have many shots left.
Gabby winced at that pronouncement because Grogan was right, he didn't have many shots left as he wasn't carrying extra ammunition. I won't make that mistake again he thought. So intent was Grogan on killing Gabby that he ignored the three police men coming around the block neither did he see the patrol car cutting off the intersections in front of of him and behind him. He had his gun out and was shooting at the crashed car's gas tank even though two of his men were wounded in the vehicle. “Fire at the gas tank Boys! Blow this son of a bitch to hell!”
He fired two shots, as did his men when he heard “Stop police! You're under arrest” Grogan ignored the cry as he told his men to “Kill those cops. McGuire's mine.”
Gabby saw one of Tobias go down in a heap as they exchanged gunfire with Grogan's gang. He also had heard Grogan. Gabby slowly backed away from the car in a crouch. He then opened fire on Grogan as soon as he spotted him firing his remain six shots. Grogan went down as he was shot three times, one in each leg while a third bullet tore through his stomach.
The two gunmen still standing surrendered when their boss went down as Bill Grogan's criminal reign ended in the middle of Wheeler Avenue. Gabby waited for the ambulance and police detectives. The police let his mother through to see him. She scolded him for causing all this violence in her neighborhood but her smile when she saw the Grogan gang taken away in either a paddy wagon or ambulance belayed her anger.
Gabby spent the next five hours at the police station answering questions and filling out forms. While he was happy to have gotten Bill Grogan taken care of once and for all the precinct was a very somber place as Officer Tobias Meriwether was dead at the scene. Grogan would never walk again and Gabby heard how the DA plan on asking for the death penalty for him and the rest of his gang.
Yet what saddened Gabby even more that the policeman's death was the fact that he had missed his meeting with Father Murphy. To his surprise he found the Priest waiting from him by the entrance to the police station.
Chapter 18 The Name Is Not the Same
Date: June 17th, 1941
Place: Saint Ignatia's Foundling Home New Jersey City New Jersey
Gabby greeted Father Murphy at the precinct's doors and thanked him for waiting. Father Murphy took the younger man's hand and said “The blood shed this morning was awful. Poor Officer Meriweather. He was good lad, even though he was a Baptist, God bless is soul. He'll be missed, but at least Bill Grogan and his cronies won't plague the neighborhood anymore. But you son need to give up this violent life or you'll end up like poor Officer Meriweather.”
Gabby said nothing as they continued to walk to Father Murphy's car. He was surprised to see the old priest still had the old 1929 Stutz Model M LeBaron road car he had inherited when his father died. The vehicle looked like new even it was over a decade old. The priest smiled at Gabby saying “I took a vow of poverty when I joined the priesthood Sean, but I was allowed to keep my father's car. My brothers divided up the rest of the family fortune. I don't drive that much here in the city, but we're off to New Jersey.”
The old priest drove like a demon and was actually stopped for speeding once they were on the open road, but he cop let Father Murphy off with a warning when he saw the old man's collar. The priest smiled at Gabby afterwards as they continued on their way. “This car and my need to go as fast as I can when I'm driving her is the one vice I can't seem to shake” he said with a smile. “Father Tim is going to give a tough penitence next confession.”
Once at they arrive they went straight to the office of the Mother Superior Margaret, the nun in charge of Saint Ignatia's Foundling Home. Gabby thought well it is a better name than some of the other places like this as they were usually called a home for wayward girls. Gabby literally bit his tongue while Father Murphy talked, explaining why they were there because his loquaciousness had given him a very, very justified nickname.
The nun called upon a secretary outside her office and told the younger woman to get the records on Fiona O'Brien. Ten minutes late the nun returned and handed a folder before exiting the room. The mother superior studied the contents and said “Fiona listed the father's name as Sean MacGuire and that is what is on the child's birth certificate.”
“What! Me name is McGuire, Sean McGiure. No one by that name ever lived in the neighborhood. Why the devil did Fiona misspell my name.”
“I don't think she did Sean” said Father Murphy. “Tell me Mother Superior Margaret, Did Fiona write the father's name, or was it dictated to another nun?”
The nun was quiet for a moment as she recollected about Fiona. “No, Sister Mae wrote down what Fiona said. “It was typed up later that day for the poor girl to read. But in the meantime Fiona went into labor. She died giving birth to the Patrick.”
“Mother of Christ!” exclaimed gabby softly. “How could someone put an a in McGuire.” The nun gave Gabby a cold hard stare at his first words.
Gabby, taught in Catholic schools felt a twinge of an old fear of getting his knuckles whacked with a ruler. He rubbed his knuckles with the other hand as he experienced a phantom pain from the past as he whispered an apology. “But can you please tell me why the name was changed. It's going to be harder for me to find my boy.”
The old nun knew that Sean McGuire had just discover he had a son after more than a dozen years and admired the fact that the man wanted to take responsibility for his child. Too many fathers did not. “I will have a note typed up explaining the circumstances to Father Michaels. I”m sure he will let you take your son from the orphanage – if he has not been adopted. I must warn you that if he was, the State of New York won't give you custody if he's been adopted.”
Gabby nodded saying “if he's been adopted by a good family I'll just make sure he's money provided for his welfare and education. Please Mother Superior, what orphanage was he sent to?”
“Saint Dominic's in the Bronx” said/.before adding “Sister Mae is from China and was just learning English when Fiona was with us. I was teaching her, and I apologize for the grievous error. We will help you in anyway we can in getting reunited with Patrick if he is still there. Do you know ho to get there Father Murphy?”
The old Priest said “yes” as he looked at his pocket watch. “It might be too late to get there during visiting hours but Sean's waited long enough to see his son.”
Chapter 19 A Predator in Priest's Clothing
Date: June 17th, 1941
Place:Saint Dominic's Orphanage, the Bronx New York
They arrived at Saint Dominic's Orphanage around 4:30 P.M.. When they came to the outer office of the priest who was the chief administrator, their eyes opened with disgusted amazement. Father John Minoza was a familiar name to both men. The man was a pervert who twenty years ago preyed on the alter boys of Saint Augustine's. Gabby had been a victim of the man, and was the one who exposed the man to Father Murphy when he went after Gabby's younger brother Danny. Father Murphy was the priest who reported reported him to the diocese. Both were told that he had been defrocked.
Father Murphy put his hand on Gabby's shoulder saying “it might be a different man Sean.”
Gabby, who was getting angrier by the second said “Maybe – but I doubt it” in a soft whisper.
The priest nodded and said “In any case, I better talk to him alone.”
“Yeah, we're not in India” said Gabby softly.
Father Murphy gave Gabby an odd look before he knocked on Father Minoza's door. Both men winced when they heard the familiar voice say “come in Flip”
The old priest stared hard at Gabby as he silently told him to “stay” before entering Minoza's office. Gabby wanted to go and beat Minoza's head in, but instead paced the outer office until a young black boy about twelve years old arrived. Gabby look at the lad, who seemed quite nervous. Gabby's stomach tied itself into another knot as he guessed at the reason. Gabby smiled sadly at the youngster as he said “Father Minoza is talking to another priest right now.” Gabby put his hand out to the lad as he introduced himself.
The boy palms were very sweaty and his face was etched with fear as he took Gabby's hand. He swallowed hard before say “My name's Walter, Walter Johnson, but everyone calls me Flip.”
Gabby smiled at the boy in a friendly manner this time. “I'll tell you why I'm here Flip. I'm looking for a boy who was sent here shortly after his birth because I just came back to he States and found out I'm a father. He's about your age. His name is Patrick McGuire. Do you know him?”
“No,” said Flip. “I know a Patrick MacGuire, but we all call him Scrapper.”
Gabby grimaced when heard this son called MacGuire. But it quickly turned into a smile as he realized how close he was to finding his boy. “Is Pa...Scrapper still at the orphanage?” Flip looked down on the question and shook his head.
Damn, thought Gabby as he next asked Flip where Patrick was.
“I don't know. He ran away with rest of the gang” said Flip sadly.
“The rest of the gang. Are they friends of yours Flip?” asked Gabby.
Flip nodded his head, “It was Tommy's idea. Big Words, Gabby, Scrapper, and I were all going to getaway together, but I came down with the measles. They left without me” he sobbed.
Gabby knelt down in front of the Flip so they were eye to eye. “Do you know were they went?” Flip shook his head no
Gabby was silent for a moment before saying “okay. Flip I have a couple of tough question for you. Father Minoza told me when I was your age that I would go to Hell if I ever told anyone the truth to the questions I'm going to ask you.” Flip looked at Gabby with puzzled eyes. “Yeah, was your age once and Father Minoza like to have me touch him in places I shouldn't He like to touch me as well.” a tear ran down his cheek as Gabby told Flip, who was also silently crying. “Is he doing this to you and the other lads who ran away?” Flip was too overcome with emotion to do anything but nod.
Neither one had notice when Father Murphy came out in to the outer office the old man had heard the latter part conversation and exclaimed “Holy Mother of God!” Flip's fear suddenly increased a thousandfold for now he was damn to go to Hell. The unfamiliar priest was going to damn him.
Gabby turned to look at Father Murphy and then again at Flip. He knew why the boy was suddenly so scared. “Father Murphy this Flip and he needs absolution right away. Just like you did for me years ago.”
Father Murphy blinked twice as his anger with Minoza turned to concern for the boy. “Yes, yes of coarse” he said before going over to Flip saying “you've done noting wrong my child' as he went over to Flip.
Gabby stood as the old priest came over to Flip. As he did he said “It's my turn to talk to Father Minoza.” Father Murphy said nothing as he continued to comfort Flip.
The priest's back was to Gabby as he walked to Father Minoza's office. He drew his pistol as he entered the office unannounced. Forty minutes later he exited Minoza's office with his pistol in one hand and three sheets of paper in another.
Forty minutes later Flip and Father Murphy' eyes open wide as Gabby put the pistol away. “Don't worry, it's empty. Has been since this morning with Grogan.” he pointed his thumb over his shoulder saying “Father Minoza didn't know that though. I had him write out a full confession to what he's been doing here; and what he was doing in Saint Augustine's twenty years ago and everywhere in between. Then I had the bastard write two copies of his confession. He gave one of the sheets of paper to Father Murphy. “Give that one to the bishop.”
“What are you going to do with the other two?” asked the Father Murphy.
“One I'm giving to the police and the other is going to the Ledger” said Gabby.
Father Murphy said “Sean – you can't make this public! It'll scandalize the Church.”
Gabby look long and head before saying “the Church had a chance to make this go away quietly. Instead they sent that bastard to new parishes where he continued to prey on kids. And then they sent him here. HERE! Where the bastard did my son. Now I'll make sure the bloody Church does the right thing!”
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