Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 5, 2023, at about 11:27 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a grocery store on the 800 block of Redwood Drive in Garberville for the report of an injured man.

Deputies arrived in the area and located a 43-year-old man with significant head injuries in the loading dock area of the business. The man was declared deceased on scene. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division was dispatched to investigate.

Upon further investigation, including reviewing surveillance footage from the business, Sheriff’s Investigators determined the man had climbed the fence separating the loading dock from an elevated alleyway. The man was possibly attempting to vandalize the business’ security camera when he appears to have slipped from the fence, falling several feet and sustaining fatal injuries.

The decedent has been identified; however, his identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. An autopsy is in the process of being scheduled.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

California legislators pass hundreds of laws every year. But sometimes, they free themselves from following them.

On one emblamatic issue, however, this may be the session when that changes: Lawmakers, who have pushed through major bills to support unions throughout California, may finally let their own staffers organize.

For at least the fifth time in the last 25 years, the effort came to an anticlimactic end last year as a legislative unionization bill passed the state Senate, but failed in an Assembly committee on the last day of the session.

This year, there are a lot of pieces in place that could help the new push. For one: the amount of turnover in what is now California’s most diverse Legislature ever .

The legislation was revived — and highlighted as Assembly Bill 1 on the first day of the current session Dec. 5 — by new Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, who leads the committee where it has died four out of the five times it has been proposed.

“It is hypocritical as legislators that we ask our employees to staff committees and write legislation that often expands collective bargaining rights for other workers in California, but we intentionally prohibit our own workers from having the same right,” the Inglewood Democrat said at a press conference introducing the bill in December.

In addition, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon supports the idea of staff unionization. The incoming speaker, Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who is set to take the top leadership post on June 30, is one of 20 Assemblymembers and seven senators whose names were on the bill at introduction.

A wave of unionization in Democratic state legislatures across the country, plus among some congressional staff, could also help the cause. Oregon became the first state to allow legislative staff to unionize in 2021. Similar efforts were started in Massachusetts, New York and Washington state.

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher — one of the most prominent union champions in the Legislature from 2013 until last year, when she resigned from the Assembly to become head of the California Labor Federation — says there’s no legitimate reason for legislative staff to be blocked from collective bargaining.

“It’s an argument that we hear always in unionizing efforts: Our place of work is special, it’s different, we have unique challenges,” she told CalMatters. “We have unions that are used to dealing with a variety of sticky situations. That’s something that can be worked out.”

At last count, there are more than 1,800 full-time staffers in the Assembly and Senate, including legislative directors, district coordinators, secretaries and aides.

Unionization isn’t the only area where the Legislature exempts itself. The state Senate and Assembly also set rules for other state agencies and businesses that they don’t require themselves to follow: minimum wage, whistleblower protections, public access and more.Dan Schnur, a politics professor at UC Berkeley, USC and Pepperdine University, says there’s “no coherent argument” to be made on why legislators should not abide by the laws they pass for other Californians. He also argues that “rules for thee” damages civic engagement.

“This is exactly the type of double standard that makes voters across the ideological spectrum absolutely despise politics and politicians,” he said.

Legislative staffers unite

State employees other than legislative staff were granted the right to collective bargaining in the Ralph C. Dills Act, signed into law by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 1977.

Of the 200,000-plus state workers, more than 80% are represented in one of 21 bargaining units; managers, supervisors and some others are excluded. Last week, for instance, the union representing more than 2,700 state scientists rejected a contract offer from the Newsom administration. The union, which has been without an agreement since July 2020, is seeking 43% raises.

Concerns about past staff unionization bills have included treating the Assembly and Senate as one joint employer though they operate independently, as well as potential timing conflicts between labor contracts and legislative terms.

Other lawmakers have also flagged concerns about outside interests such as unions having a say in the Legislature’s operations, where constituents’ voices are meant to be prioritized above all else.

“People are comfortable trying to exploit our passions for public service. That’s why a union is absolutely needed.”
— Aubrey Rodriguez, a legislative director

But staff members say long hours and low pay can also be damaging to democracy.

“People are comfortable trying to exploit our passions for public service,” said Aubrey Rodriguez, a legislative director. “That’s why a union is absolutely needed.”

Unionization isn’t the only labor law the Legislature exempts itself from. Lawmakers also aren’t required to pay minimum wage — though many choose to do so — or to pay overtime. And until 2018, legislative staff weren’t included under the Whistleblower Protection Act, which prohibits retaliation against state employees who report misconduct.

A foggy glass house

The Legislature wasn’t immune from the Me Too movement, which raised awareness into rampant sexual harassment and abuse in workplaces. In 2018, leaders released a decade’s worth of records that included 18 cases of alleged sexual harassment and that named four lawmakers then serving — but only after public pressure and the threat of court intervention.

Also in response, Senate and Assembly leaders created the Workplace Conduct Unit in 2019. Last December, the unit released its first report, which said that since February 2019, 91 cases were substantiated and 86 resulted in disciplinary action, including nine dismissals.

The goal was to clear up the “erroneous assumption that allegations are not being substantiated or that discipline has not been imposed,” according to an August 2022 letter from legislative leaders to fellow lawmakers and staff.

But beyond the high-level numbers, the letter didn’t provide a lot of detail. It did not include names or specify disciplinary actions, other than the terminations.

That’s concerning to Ruth Ferguson, a former legislative staff member who helped start the Stop Sexual Harassment in Politics coalition after her unsatisfactory experience with the Workplace Conduct Unit.

“It appears they haven’t kept that promise of reporting out high-level staffers or members who have been found to have done something inappropriate,” Ferguson told CalMatters. “It makes me wonder: Why hasn’t the public been given an explanation as to why?”

The Legislature is exempt from the Public Records Act that applies to other state agencies. Instead, it’s covered by the Legislative Open Records Act, which does not require the release of misconduct reports.

The anti-sexual harassment coalition will focus this year on trying again to pass a bill to amend the Legislative Open Records Act to require the release of those records, using language similar to a law passed in 2021 that applies to disclosing police misconduct.

“The justification [for those bills] was that there’s this lack of trust and transparency and that greater transparency would result in a fair and more just system,” Ferguson said. “I think similarly that’s really true in this case. For staffers in the legislature and the public, there’s no accountability mechanism.”

Public meetings are another area where the Legislature doesn’t have to be as transparent as other elected officials. The 1953 Ralph M. Brown Act and the 1967 Bagley-Keene Act require local governments and state agencies to conduct business at open meetings, with some exceptions for closed sessions requiring confidentiality, such as personnel issues.

The logic: “The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know.”

But that doesn’t apply to the Legislature. Under a 1973 law, legislators can gather privately in partisan caucuses. For example, Assembly Democrats met behind closed doors for six hours at the state Capitol last spring on the speakership fight, then hammered out the deal for Rivas to succeed Rendon as speaker in another six-hour private meeting in November at the Sacramento Convention Center.

“The most angry and resentful populists in both parties are driven by the accurate belief that most politicians think that they’re better than the rest of society,” Schnur said. “Every one of these double standards reinforces that belief.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Heather Jenae Ash Bishop
March 1, 1969 - November 4, 2022

Heather passed on November 4 after several weeks at UCSF ICU due to complications from a kidney transplant that took place in May 2022. She was surrounded by her husband and children as she passed with love and peace.

When she was young she loved soccer and running. Growing up with five brothers, she was thoroughly a tomboy and proud of it. She grew up in Utah in the 1970s and 1980s and moved to California when she was 16. Summer in Utah was spent celebrating the summer rains by jumping through puddles or floating down the local canal on inner tubes. She moved to the Humboldt area in 1989, attending College of the Redwoods, where she met Clarke Bishop in a photography class. They were married on December 17, 1990.

She would have celebrated 32 years of marriage to Clarke Bishop on December 17, 2022. She was very proud of this commitment and always worked to show that going through life together meant going through many different lifetimes and iterations of self. She was deeply grateful for the support of her husband through the years of kidney disease and especially the care he provided doing in-home dialysis for 3 years. The experience of their challenges is not what defined them, but their great love for each other, their children, and their lives together.

Heather gave birth in 1991 and 1993, first with Shenae, then her son Wohali. She gave her all to her children, sacrificing time and sleep to get them to all their sports practices and travel to races, games, and tournaments. These sacrifices led to many academic and athletic accomplishments for both Shenae and Wohali. Knowing how proud she was of them will give them strength in their lives forever.

The similarities between Heather and her children include a deep and sensitive heart, goofiness, kindness, a strong spirit, a love for cooking, and a love for the world. Along with some healthy stubbornness and a strong sense of self.

She loved to play with clay, making sculptures and designs. She was an artist in many mediums including collage, clay, painting, and photography. Artists and teachers run in the family and Heather was no exception. She constantly taught patience and joy by bringing art into all activities.

Heather was a gregarious joyful person that always strived to see the good in any situation. She spent nearly two decades working with the children of the Humboldt County community, from her time at Healthsport Kid’s Corner to working at a children’s center temporary shelter in Eureka, and everywhere she found some need.

Over the years while attending College of the Redwoods she earned an Associates Degree in Fine Art Photography, an Associates Degree in Business, and a certificate in Addiction Studies.

She worked for the County of Humboldt as a Substance Abuse Counselor for seven years, specializing in women’s groups and group art therapy. Supporting her clients through recovery while dealing with her chronic kidney failure was a major accomplishment. She led her life in a way that always served those in need, leaving a legacy her children are determined to live up to.

She is survived by her husband Clarke Bishop, her daughter Shenae Bishop, her son Wohali Bishop, her brothers Jonathan Ash, Adam Ash, Nathan Ash, Joseph Ash, and William Ash; her father Fred Ash, her step-mother Louella Jean Ash, and her mother Teresa Whitehawk; her nieces and nephews Issac Ashlind, Eliot Ashlind, Genevieve Ash, Jalen Ash, Makani Ash, Jiaxin Ash, Nakai Ash, Mikel Ash, Emma Ash, Esme Ash, Alia Ash, Joey Ash, Olivia Ash, Penni Ash, and Sophi Ash.

The family would like to invite anyone whose life was touched by Heather, to come for the memorial service and reception that will be held Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Arcata First Baptist Church 1700 Union St. Arcata. This commemorates her birthday on March 1, 1969.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Heather Bishop’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Lisa Carole Feraru was born to Gloria Jackson McDowell and John Levaditis, on February 20, 1959. She was raised in Brisbane, Calif. by her mother Gloria and her step father Jose Reyes Rodriguez. She was called home to her lord and savior on January 23, 2023. She is now reunited with her youngest daughter in heaven, who’s spirit she saw sitting beside her just hours before her passing.

Lisa accomplished many things in her life. She graduated from Humboldt State University in 2005, with a Bachelor of Arts and Major in Psychology. She was an advocate for people with developmental disabilities, and she served as Regional Center President from 1999-2001 and from 2005-2007. She was recognized twice for outstanding service by the Redwood Coast Regional Center as director and president of the board. As well, she served on the executive budget, election, personnel consumer advisory, client benefit fund, and board procedures committee. She also received the C. Raymond Hudson award by the Area 1 Developmental Disabilities Board for outstanding and significant contributions toward the enhancement of education for persons with developmental disabilities.

Lisa was a firm believer in our lord and savior Jesus Christ and was a devoted member of the Galilee Baptist Church. She also served as chief financial officer and Agent for Service of Process for the church. She was baptized by Galilee in 2010. She went to church every Sunday and bible study every Wednesday rain or shine. Lisa had a beautiful singing voice and she often blessed her fellow church members by singing at her church. She made numerous contributions to Galilee Baptist Church during her time with the congregation. The church was like a second home to her, and Pastor Michael Burke was her very good friend.

Lisa loved living in Humboldt County and enjoyed the beauty it had to offer. Lisa enjoyed singing karaoke with her friends. She could often be seen wearing Holly Yashi earrings and her extravagant church hats. She had golden brown eyes and beautiful curly brown hair. She absolutely loved the holiday season and would host family dinners at her home in Arcata. She always made sure everyone she knew got a present on Christmas, and she often bought presents for the children of families who couldn’t afford them.

Lisa touched many lives and her generous soul knew no limits. She will always be remembered for making sure that the people she loved had a place to stay and food to eat, no matter what. Because of her enormous heart her list of family is very extensive. She was known to take people in and add to her family as she had so much love to give.

Lisa was a proud mother to four children: Glenn Whitfield, Amy Feraru, Ashley Davis and Courtney Feraru. She was like a mother to Ella Davis and Jessica Sousa. She was a loving grandmother to Glenn Arthur Whitfield, Logan Whitfield, Annabell Davis, Ripley Davis, Quentin Davis, Kaiya Davis, Luka Davis, Aurora Sousa and Damian Paz. She loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them.

She was sister to Sheila Eacret, Deanna and Raymond Anthony Rodriguez, and Jerry Savage. She was Aunt to Ronald Wayne Morrow, Walter Morrow, Leanna Morrow, Jamie Lopez, Angela Reed, Raymond Eacret, Janell January, Kindy Cloaky, Travis Steel, Juston Steel, Brian Steel, Mailisa and Vanessa Levaditis, and Mariah Snowton. She was mother-in-law to Eion Davis and Jennifer Whitfield. Lisa’s extended family includes, Lacy Moore, Shana McLain, Shannon and Tracy Steel, Dixie Savage, Vickey Levaditis, Brenda and William Levaditis, Deon Schori, Victoria Vargas, Arlene Lopez, Robert Feraru, Brian Feraru, Monica O Grady, Arthur and Anne Feraru, Brandi Bettencourt, Malcolm and Lenora Combs, Deenie and Paddy Davis, Megan and Mike Horcasitas, Niamh and Lilliana Horcasitas, Erin Davis, Orlagh Powell, Jennifer Cejas, Megan Cejas, John and Linda Fraley, Gary and Lepeical Upshaw, Monica and Octavia Upshaw, Willie Michael Jr. and Princess Burke, Monique Smith, Malary and Debra Morrow, Zu Kenya Zawadi, Cathy White, Haley Castillo, Tanya Christian, Kym January and her children. Lisa is loved by so many and she is dearly missed.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lisa Feraru’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Georgia Lee (Bucknell) Hespen
November 8, 1937 - January 17, 2023

Georgia Lee Hespen passed away, at St. Joseph Hospital, in Eureka with her family by her side at the age of 85. She was born in Upper Lake, California to George and Royce (Lightfoot) Bucknell. As a baby, her family moved to Larabee near the small school house. Then moved to a ranch, where they had a myriad of animals. She enjoyed working side by side with her father on the ranch. Georgia attended Fortuna High School.

Georgia met the love of her life, Walter Hespen in Alderpoint at her sister, Barbara’s home. They were married in 1954 and began their life in Alderpoint. They had three children, Jackie Lee (b. 1954), Connie June (b. 1955-d.1955), and Delores Diane (b.1957-d. 2019).

Georgia was always a huge part of her community. She belonged to the American Legion Hall, was on the board for the Alderpoint Water District, and always participated in community events. She also worked as a carrier for the United States Postal Service for many years until her transition to an assistant Postmaster. After her retirement from the Post Office, Georgia spent her retirement years supporting her children and grandchildren.

She enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, playing games, and taking care of her family. Georgia’s years in Alderpoint gained her many friendships. They would go hunting and fishing together. They would also spend hours playing games including cribbage, yahtzee, dominoes. With friendships also came many shenanigans, including “borrowing” a kitten from outside the Brass Rail, in Redway, being chased by a bear while hunting, being a willing participant in wild hairstyles and color changes. Georgia’s home was always open to family and friends and would many times be the center for gatherings.

In June of 2020, Georgia moved to Fortuna to be closer to her family.

Georgia was preceded in death by her daughters Delores Heil and Connie June, her husband of 44 years, Walt, her sister’s Beverley, Barbara, and brother, Butch.

Georgia is survived by her son, Jack Hespen of Fortuna, her four granddaughters, Sabrina Young of Fortuna; Jamie Heil of Garberville; Tiffany Heil of Rohnert Park; Tabitha Cheadle of Norman, Oklahoma;, nine great-grandchildren, Annabell and Titus Young of Fortuna; Sean Akselsen of Garberville; Piper and Tanner Hernlund (Lance Hernlund) of Hidden Valley; Angel, Lily and Alexis of Norman, Oklahoma; her sister, Pattie Johnson of Fortuna; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. at The Monday Club, 610 Main Street, Fortuna. Guests are encouraged to bring a potluck item and share memories of Georgia.

Douglas J Hall, 73, of Eureka, passed away the morning of December 22, 2022, in Daly City. Doug passed due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease, Stage 4 lung cancer, and Covid-19.

Doug was born in November 1949, to Chester Lee and Wilma Leona Hall (née Parsons) in Eureka.

Doug finished High School at Eureka Senior High in 1967, and worked summers thereafter as a commercial fisherman based in Kodiak, Alaska, with his father, Chet, and brothers Gary and David, and would often return to Eureka between fishing seasons. On one of his return trips to Eureka, Doug fell for and soon married Susan Sarlund in the summer of 1969. They had one child together, Robert, born in March of 1970.

Doug was drafted into the US Army in 1969, and later moved his young family down to Fort Davis in Colón, Panama, where he was stationed until his honorable discharge in May of 1971.

Soon after his discharge, Doug and his family relocated to Kodiak so he could pursue his career in commercial fishing with his father and older brothers. Doug and Susan divorced in 1973, and Doug never remarried. He eventually moved back to Humboldt County and mostly split his time between Eureka and Blocksburg, until his passing.

Doug was an avid reader of all things science and science-fiction, and was particularly intrigued by astrophysics and the prospect of human, interstellar space travel. He also loved fishing and hunting, and was an accomplished horticulturist and proponent of small-plot farming.

Doug is survived by his former wife, Susan, son Robert, sisters-in-law Louise and Yvonne, nephews Mark and Bryon, and niece Megan.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents Chester and Wilma, and older brothers David and Gary.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held for Douglas Hall at the Eureka Elks Lodge, located at 445 Herrick Ave. in Eureka, on April 1, 2023, from 2-4pm. And, yes, he would absolutely chuckle at the idea of a Memorial in his honor being held on April Fools Day. Some light food will be provided. Please come with any stories or anecdotes about Doug that you’d like to share…the funnier and more irreverent, the better. He was quite a character, and he wouldn’t expect or want a somber or sad get-together in his honor. Please join us in humor and love as we remember and celebrate the life of this singular, much-loved member of our family.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Douglas Hall’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

[Just discovering this LoCO feature?
Find the beginning by clicking here.] 

CLEAN BREAK

by

Lionel White

CHAPTER TEN

1

In spite of the questioning, the confusion and the general all around hysteria, Big Mike was the first one to arrive at the apartment on East Thirty-first Street. He got out of the elevator and knocked on the door at exactly eight thirty-five.

Marvin Unger’s face was like chalk. His voice, coming through the thin panel, sounded hoarse and frightened when he asked who it was. His hands were shaking uncontrollably as he pushed the door open from the inside.

Big Mike slipped in without a word.

The Venetian blinds were down and there was no light on, although it was past dusk.

Big Mike went to the couch and slumped.

Unger stood with his back to the door.

“Christ,” he said. “Oh, Jesus Christ, I never thought it was going to be like that!”

Big Mike looked at him without expression.

“Like what?” he said.

“Why…”

“Were you there?”

Marvin nodded dumbly.

“O.K.,” Big Mike said. “Then stop worrying. It went off just as Johnny planned it. No one else here yet?”

Unger shook his head. He went out into the kitchen and then returned with a partly filled bottle of rye.

His hands still shook as he poured two drinks and handed one to the big Irishman.

“God!” he said.

“Take it easy, boy,” Big Mike said. “It went off perfect.” 

“I know,” Unger said. “But you haven’t heard the radio. That horse was killed. Four of the jockeys are in the hospital. There were dozens of people hurt in the riot.”

“Yeah,” Big Mike said. “And if you listened they also said that the kitty was over two million dollars.”

Unger didn’t say anything. He lifted the shot glass to his lips and spilled half of the drink getting it down. He started to cough.

“Peatty should be here,” Big Mike said. “Hell, they didn’t even hold the cashiers. Guess they’ll get around to them tomorrow. We all got to get back early tomorrow morning. Everyone who works out at the track.”

“How come…”

“Cops just had too damned much to do,” Big Mike interrupted. “They picked up probably a couple of hundred suspicious characters at the track. And they’re questioning the people who worked in the main offices. They’ll get around to the rest of us, don’t worry.”

“God, I wish it was over,” Unger said. “This waiting is driving me crazy. Where the hell are the others, anyway?” 

Mike shrugged.

“Take it easy,” he said. “Randy has to check out and he didn’t want to come direct. He’ll be along soon. Peatty should be here, but he probably stopped home to check up on that wife of his. Johnny—well, Johnny has to go back and pick up the loot where Randy dumped it off. He’ll be here all right.”

“I can’t understand why Kennan couldn’t have brought it direct,” Unger said.

“Don’t be a damned fool. You think he wanted to take it in with him when he checked out of the prowl car? For Christ’s sake!”

“What happened about the fight?” Unger asked.

“Nothing,” Big Mike said. “So far they haven’t made the connection. Killing that horse, that’s all they’re thinking about right now. And I don’t think they’ve even figured yet what happened to Black Lightning.” He stood up suddenly and walked over toward the door.

“Hear the elevator,” he said. “Probably one of the boys.”

# # #

2

George Peatty was able to get away from the track by seven o’clock. No one had bothered him with questions. They’d only told him to show up the next morning, at ten instead of the usual time. The cops had their hands full without bothering with the cashiers. Apparently they still hadn’t figured out exactly how Johnny had got into the offices in the first place.

George’s nervous system was shot and he knew it. But every time he started feeling sorry about ever getting mixed up with the thing in the first place, he’d remember Sherry. And that made it all right.

When he got off the train at Penn Station, instead of going across town and over to the meeting place as he had at first intended, he decided to stop up at his own apartment. For some reason he had been worrying all afternoon about Sherry. He just wanted to stop in and see her, see that she was all right.

He knew, somehow, the minute he put the key into the lock and twisted the doorknob, that something was wrong. He couldn’t tell how but he knew.

She wasn’t there, but then again, that in itself was nothing to worry about. But this time he did worry. Walking over to the telephone, he looked at it for several minutes. It told him nothing. Then he went through the rest of the apartment. Everything seemed normal. But he still worried. He went back to the phone and he called several of Sherry’s friends. No one had seen her that afternoon or evening. He went into the bedroom and opened the top bureau drawer.

George locked the apartment door and went downstairs. He walked over to Broadway and called a cab.

Heading downtown, he felt the bulge where the automatic weighted down the inside breast pocket of his jacket. His face was yellow and drawn, but his hands were steady.

George had heard at the track that the robbery loot was more than two million dollars.

Johnny had thrown the bag containing the fabulous fortune out of the window. Randy had picked up that bag and driven off. Randy, George knew, was going to transfer the money back to Johnny and Johnny was to bring it to the meet tonight.

For the first time George began to wonder if Kennan actually did transfer the money.

For the first time he speculated on the possibility that Johnny Clay might take that money and light out alone with it.

His mouth set in a tight, hard line and his weak chin was temporarily firm as once more he felt the outline of the revolver.

# # #

3

It was nine o’clock and Randy was talking. Big Mike and George Peatty sat on the couch listening to him as the cop spoke. Marvin Unger paced the floor.

“Sure they know,” he said. “They know the dough went out the window. They know that somehow or other it was picked up. So far that’s all they do know. They haven’t yet connected a police car with it. Whether they do or not, I have no way of telling.”

“About you, though,” Big Mike asked. “About you? They figure yet you were off your…”

“Yeah. The Lieutenant knows that I didn’t answer a couple of calls. But he thinks I got half a load on and was sleeping it off. I’ll be busted probably and put back on a beat. But that’s all, as far as I know.”

Peatty suddenly looked up.

“God damn it,” he said, “where the hell is Johnny? He should be here. What the hell’s keeping the son of…”

“Take it easy,” Randy said. “Keep your pants on. I dumped the bag all right and Johnny will pick it up all right. He’s taking it easy and playing it safe. You don’t have to worry about Johnny.”

“I do worry,” Peatty said. “How do you know…”

“Look, you little bastard,” Randy said, stopping and turning toward him, “don’t you get any fancy ideas about Johnny.” 

“Right, lad,” Big Mike said. “You don’t have to worry about Johnny.”

Marvin Unger stopped his pacing and swung toward the rest of them.

“Well, as far as I’m concerned,” he began. And then his voice died out. He turned toward the door. The eyes of the others in the room also suddenly swung toward the door.

They had all heard the soft, rustling sound.

# # #

4

Johnny Clay left the newsreel theater at seven-thirty. He had seen the program through and then sat on for half of the second showing. Once more he was feeling all right. It was almost like coming out of a post-operational shock.

He walked across town, taking his time. When he arrived at the parking lot on West Fifty-first Street, the place was rapidly beginning to fill with the theater crowds from the suburbs. He waved the attendant who approached him aside, and went to the office.

“I’m a friend of Randy Kennan’s,” he said. “Supposed to pick up his car. He tell you about it?”

The man at the desk looked at him for a second, and then smiled.

“Sure,” he said. “Sure thing. You know the car?” 

“Yeah.”

“It’s the Dodge sedan—the blue one, second row over at the end,” the man said. “Key’s in it. You want to go down and take it out yourself? The boys are kinda busy right now.” 

Johnny said that he’d take it out.

“Any charges?” he asked.

“No, he keeps it here by the month,” the man said. 

Johnny thanked him and walked out.

It felt strange driving again.

Joe Piano opened the iron grilled door in the basement when he rang the bell. He said nothing until after Johnny was in and he had started following him down the hallway.

“He came,” he said then.

“Good.”

“Yeah, he came and he left it. It’s up in your room.” 

“Thanks,” Johnny said.

He followed Johnny to the door of his room.

Johnny started to unlock the door.

“You won’t be back, I guess?”

Johnny went into the room and then turned and closed the door after Joe Piano followed him in.

“No,” he said, “I won’t be back.” He hesitated a moment, his eye taking in the duffle bag laying over in the corner. 

“I’d like to do something for Patsy,” he said.

Joe Piano shook his head.

“You don’t have to,” he said. “You already done enough.” 

“I’m going to leave something for Patsy in the bureau drawer,” Johnny said.

Piano stared at him for a minute.

“O.K.” he said. “You can do that then. I’ll tell him.” He turned and reached for the doorknob.

“Some stick-up out at the track this afternoon,” he said. A moment later and he was through the door and was closing it softly.

Johnny went over to the duffle bag. He opened the draw cord and put one hand in, pulling out a sheaf of bills. He didn’t bother to count the money but went to the bureau drawer and opened it. He shoved the bills inside and then closed the drawer.

A moment later and he closed the top of the duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. He carried it downstairs.

Joe Piano was waiting at the iron gate and opened it for him.

“I left the key on the bed,” Johnny said.

“Good luck,” Joe said. “I’ll tell the boy what you did for him.”

Johnny went to the car at the curb and tossed the duffle bag over the door so that it landed on the floor next to the driver’s seat. He climbed in and pushed the starter.

# # #

5

Val Cannon stopped the car in front of the apartment house and cut the lights. He turned and spoke over his shoulder.

“Get the key out of her bag,” he said.

The thin-faced man reached down to the floor and picked up the leather strapped, woman’s pocketbook. He fumbled around inside and finally took out three keys on a small silver ring.

“Must be one a these.”

“Ask her,” Val said.

The heavy-set man laughed.

“Ask her hell,” he said. “She’s passed out again.”

“O.K. Get her ass off that seat and carry her inside. You pass anybody, say she’s drunk. Take her upstairs and dump her.”

“You want we should try and bring her to?” the thin-faced man asked.

“I want you should get her inside her apartment and drop her.” Val turned into the back of the car. “And God damn it, get back down here right away. You’ve had your fun with her. I want to get on downtown.”

The big man carried her and the thin-faced man opened the doors. Entering the apartment, the smaller man flipped on the light switch at the side of the door.

The other man dropped Sherry Peatty on the couch in the living room. He turned away.

His partner walked over and looked down at her for a minute.

He lifted his hand and slapped her twice across the mouth. She didn’t move. Deliberately, he spit into her face, then turned away.

“Dumb bitch,” he said.

Val had the engine going as they both climbed into the front seat. Twenty-five minutes later he pulled up in front of Marvin Unger’s apartment house. He cut his lights and as he did a man stepped out of a car across the street and walked over. He leaned on the side of the door.

“Well?”

“The guy got in shortly after six,” the man said. “The big Irishman came in around eight-thirty, then the other guy who works at the track and the cop soon after.”

“How about…”

“No. He hasn’t showed. Of course he could have got here before I did, but I doubt it.”

“O.K., Trig,” Val said, at the same time reaching for the ignition key and taking it out. “We’re going on up. You stay down here and wait. If he’s already up there—fine. But I doubt it. If he should show; I want you to give him plenty of time to get inside and upstairs and then follow him on up. I’ll see you.”

He turned to the others.

“You all set, Tiny?” he asked,

The heavy-shouldered man grunted.

“You, Jimmy?”

“Couldn’t be more set,” the smaller man said. He shifted in the seat and loosened the gun in its shoulder holster.

“Let’s go then,” Val said, opening the door on his side of the car.

# # #

6

Randy Kennan was reaching, almost instinctively, for the gun he always carried as the door burst open. He was standing not more than three feet away and the big man’s blackjack caught him across the eyes before he had a chance to move.

Val followed the big man into the room and Jimmy shut the door quickly behind them.

Unger, Big Mike and Peatty stood frozen.

Randy Kennan slowly slumped and then sprawled on the rug. Blood began to seep from his nose and down across his chin.

“All right,” Val said. “Just hold it. Don’t nobody make a move.”

The gun was in his hand and he stood with his back to the closed door. The heavy-set one, the one he had called Tiny, stood balancing on the balls of his feet, gently moving the blackjack back and forth. Instantly the thin man went into the bedroom. He returned a moment later.

“No one else,” he said.

Val nodded.

“Get that slob on the couch and take his gun,” he said. 

The other two lifted Randy to the couch, at the same time frisking him. Kennan opened his eyes and stared at them. 

“The rest of you sit down.”

Peatty slumped into a chair near the kitchen. Unger, his face deadly pale, leaned against the edge of the couch. Big Mike just stood for a second. His face was red as a beet.

“I said sit down.”

Mike went over and sat on the couch next to where Randy was slowly trying to get up. He put a hand on Randy’s knee and held him down.

“Search the joint,” Val said.

There wasn’t a sound then as Tiny and Jimmy started going through the place. It took them only two or three minutes.

“Nothing,” Jimmy said, finally returning from the bathroom. “It ain’t here yet.”

Val nodded. He turned to Unger.

“All right, you bastard,” he said. “When do you expect him?”

“Expect who?”

Val didn’t answer. He walked across the room and using the barrel of the gun, swiped it across Unger’s forehead, leaving a wide red gash which quickly filled with blood. Unger half sobbed and sat down on the floor.

“I’ll ask the questions. When do you expect him?” Val turned to George Peatty.

“We don’t expect anyone,” George said.

Val walked over in front of him.

“You’re cute too,” he said. This time he used the butt. Deliberately he smashed it into Peatty’s face.

“Two down and one to go,” he said as Peatty fell from the chair to the floor. He turned to Big Mike then.

“O.K., Papa,” he said. “We know all about it. We know you guys knocked off the track. We know you’re splitting it up, here, tonight. And we’re cutting in. Now when does that other son of a bitch show up here with the money?”

Big Mike looked at him for a moment before speaking.

“He don’t,” he said then. “We were just getting set to meet him.”

Val started toward him, again holding the gun by the butt. As he did, Randy suddenly kicked out and caught him with a blow on the shins. At the same time he rolled off the couch and started to reach for the blackjack he carried in his hip pocket. Tiny’s own blackjack caught him across the top of the head as Val stumbled and fell over him.

Unger screamed.

It was then that Peatty fired.

The bullet caught Val Cannon in the throat and he suddenly coughed and the blood began to pour down his shirt. Big Mike leaped for Tiny and at the same instant Jimmy began shooting. His first shot hit Marvin Unger in the chest.

The second one entered George Peatty’s right cheek.

Big Mike, backed against the wall in a bear hug, hit the electric switch. A moment later the place was in complete darkness.

And then hell broke loose. 

# # #

7

Mrs. Jennie Koisky, sitting in her living room in her apartment directly under Marvin Unger’s, got up and walked over to the telephone.

“I don’t care what you say, Harry,” she said, “they got no right making all that noise over our head. Like it or not, I’m calling the police.”

She picked up the receiver and dialed for the operator.

Five minutes after she had put the receiver back, Mrs. Kolsky was in her bathroom, washing her face with cold water. She was nervous and it always calmed her to wash her face. It wasn’t often that Mrs. Kolsky had found it necessary to call the police department.

Lifting her face from the washbasin, she reached for a hand towel. She was looking directly into the mirror. That’s how she happened to see the face.

The blood-soaked face of the man who was making his way, fumbling blindly, down the fire escape which showed through the opened window opposite the mirror over the sink.

Mrs. Kolsky screamed and the sound of the scream suddenly blended with the sirens from the street below.

# # #

Tune in next week for the next chapter of Clean Break!

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