He fell into a light sleep, and again was wakened when he thought he heard something in the lobby. He decided not to check. Mudd was awake and continued to think back.
Another memory flashed in his mind’s eye. Mother and his new band in one of the many casino lounges he used to frequent. Muddy went to see the band. He was shocked, there in a tuxedo was Mother playing a keyboard strapped around his neck. The group sounded great and the good-looking singer was as good as he had heard. As he looked at her again he realized it was Mother’s wife, the girl he had met at the Marriott Hotel on City Line Avenue in the City of Brotherly Love back in the late 70’s. I remember dropping my glass eye in her drink while she was freshening herself in the lady’s room. When she returned she looked in her glass and stated, “Someone has dropped an eye in my glass.” without so much as blinking.
Mother came over; they talked for a few minutes. He never came back to see Mother playing in the casino lounge circuit again.
One day, he and Helen went down to Atlantic City and were about to enter the Gambling Hall while walking through the empty lounge. It was a short cut to the slot area where Helen liked to play. It looked much different with the lights turned on. As Muddy scanned the room there was Mother with a pen and clipboard in his hand. He was busy setting the controls of the mixing board. After saying “Hello,” Muddy asked him what he was doing and Mother told him, he was out of the band business and was working as a sound technician in the casino.
Muddy didn’t see any sadness in Mother’s eyes. In fact, he looked good as they continued to talk. Muddy asked Mother why he was working for a big corporation. Mother said he realized he needed a pension when he retired in about twenty years. He had built a small studio in his new digs and was writing songs again.
They parted until 24 years later when they met at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in southwest New Jersey, for a reunion lunch which has carried them to where they are today.
Muddy was down in the dumps, but equally elated, he now knew what was bothering him. He would continue to think about some of the hurting times.
The biggest hurt he though was when The Norsemen played at The Chatterbox in the summer of 1960. He was sure Mother, would ask him to play with the band. All he remembers was hearing, Bo Diddly as the crowd was going crazy. When the song was over the Norsemen played their theme song; as they introduced each other the band playing on the front stage picked up The Norsemen’s theme song and started their own set, very cool he thought.
Muddy made his way back to the band as they were getting off the stage. Mother was first to greet him; the rest of the band did the same and finally he was introduced to the new drummer. But not a mention of him sitting in with the group. He could have asked me to play one song, I would have said no. No, I would not have said no! Who am I kidding.
Muddy sat up wide awake. “No more lousy memories; today I start looking at things from a positive view.”
Solly was getting ready to welcome the breakfast crowd. He was ready for Noodles plan to take hold. It was a great plan he thought and wished he had thought of it himself. As he finished the final details he noticed Mother coming down the hall dressed in casual shirt and slacks. Just behind him, was the Muddman with a coat and hat over his arm. They met where Solly was standing.
“Good morning gentlemen,” Solly cheerfully says.
“Morning Solly,” said the Muddman.
Mother followed with, “how are you this fine morning.”
“Feeling really good gentlemen.”
Noodles was over two thousand miles from Chateau 54, but today he would be doing his business in New Jersey. Monkey business Solly thought. The plan was in action, there was no stopping it now. He felt a few drops of sweat forming on his brow. If the plan works to perfection the case with the diamonds would be found. The baddies, as Solly called his adversaries, would have a very bad day.
“Well Muddy, why don’t you start and I can interject as we go.”
“Let me start by apologizing,”
“Not necessary, Mudd.”
“It is, you’ll see as I go on. I was sort of, and sort of not, holding a grudge. Let me explain, this’ll help you see how it all came about. I quit the band but it was a hasty decision. I was forced into doing it but not really, I could have said, no, I wanted to keep playing. Helen’s folks wanted me to be a full-time husband and future father with a day job so our marriage would be stable. My parent’s felt the same way but weren’t as forceful when telling me.”
“They were deciding for you,” Mother reflected.
“I felt the pressure and caved in to all concerned. I thought it was the right thing to do. I can tell you now it was tough; I missed the band.”
“What were Helen’s thoughts about you playing?”
“She thought you were a bad influence on me.”
“Exactly what your mother told me back in the late ’50s. She said I was a hoodlum; maybe worse,”
“Not true, she liked you.”
“Did she ever tell you that?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Whatever, let me finish. When you and I got the booking at The Chatterbox, in Seaside Heights, I was elated, really excited. I left the band around April and you were working at the shore for the month of July. One day Helen and I were walking the boardwalk when we heard music coming from the club. I was going to pass by but Helen insisted we go in and say hello.”
“I remember it was on a Sunday afternoon. You and Helen were standing over to the right when I noticed the two of you.”
“The real let down came when none of the guys asked if I was playing again. And the final blow was when you didn’t ask me to sit in for a song or two.”
“Muddy, it was in our contract; there were to be no changes even for one song. If I had known you wanted to sit in, I would have explained the situation to you.”
“It wouldn’t have helped, thinking back, I…I don’t know?” Muddy said in a soft sorrowful voice.
“You’re telling me each time you came to see the band you expected us to ask if you wanted to play the drums. I’m really sorry we couldn’t see through your smile and happy-go-lucky attitude. You never brought up the subject, you know that don’t you?” Mother told him.
“We’ll you just finished the story for me.
“You’re not over it yet and I will still have to deal with your feelings popping up at any given moment,” Mother asked.
“No, I feel much better. I realize you guys had your own agenda; it had to be.” “I’m really glad we cleared the air. You’re a good friend.
Glad we were able to get it all sorted. Now, let’s concentrate on the next sessions.”
They took a beeline to the studio.
ThirtyThree — Would the Baddies Please Stand Up
Noodles had come up with a scenario, if worked correctly, would put Gerald in the position of no longer having the upper hand. The plan included using Maggie as the carrier of bad news. Solly would drop information when he gets a phone call from Noodles. He would talk as if the call was from his superior giving him details of someone named Elliot Grogzynski (a made-up name which would be used as bait). Elliot had come to the FBI and handed them a file in which Lucian Gerald’s name was listed.
There was a connection between the names on the list and a smuggling racket which had been perpetrated without success by Sean Malloy and Gerald. However, the FBI was about to reopen the case as some of the other information lead them to believe Gerald was involved with Sean Malloy. This was mostly untrue but Gerald would have to question himself and get in touch with Sean. This could help the FBI track him down.
Solly would have to be convincing as he spoke to Noodles on the cell, all the time sounding like a superior was giving him the information. Gerald would immediately realize the names on the list were legit. Once Gerald had an inkling of a possible problem cropping up as he was about to pull off one of
the biggest capers of his criminal career he would have to act. Once Sean is involved if only in Gerald’s mind there was a possibility of many actions being taken which would put Sean and Gerald at odds with each other. That, thought Solly, would be the perfect storm.
Solly had seated all the breakfast fare when his cell sounded. He took a deep breath and answered. He listened intently to Noodles, who had a script in front of him. He told Solly he would read his lines to himself and then read Solly’s lines for him to repeat. Noodles read the first line, Solly repeated it almost word for word. Noodles read the next statement and Solly repeated again. By this time Maggie who was bored doing nothing had the volume of her headphones turned up hoping to get some information which would get her out of this goodie-two-shoe place. She sat up straight as she heard the story. The microphone she had installed was working flawlessly.
“Could you repeat the name please,” Solly asked. “Elliot Grogzynski…no, I don’t know him.”
The conversation continued as Noodles passes the information to Solly, who kept repeating the exact lines given to him by Noodles. When all had been conveyed, Solly repeated the final line.
“If it’s true Gerald will be questioned?” Solly paused then continued. “What about Sean?”
A short pause and Solly agreed; Finally, Noodles said to Solly, “Let’s hope this works.”
Maggie was excited, maybe this will get her out of Chateau 54. She copied the phone conversation onto a flash drive and called for a taxi. Solly watched as a taxi arrived to pick her up.
Something was going to happen soon if it was up to Maggie. The taxi dropped her in Toms River where she went to the nearby pub belonging to her uncle. She headed directly to the phone booth, one of the last of it’s kind. Sean answered, she told him she had a message. There had been a phone call at the chateau. She played the whole one-sided conversation. Sean listened intently.
Sean told Maggie, “play the phone conversation for Gerald, tell him you were directed by me to do so. After he listens see what kind of reaction you get from him and get back to me as quickly as you can. Don’t let Gerald see you leave the chateau. Wait 45 minutes, see if Gerald exits the place. If he hasn’t done anything by then, call me on the cell I gave you. You have it all?” Sean asked Maggie. She mumbled a confirming reply. Maggie called for a taxi and was back at the chateau in less then 30 minutes. Fifteen minutes later she had calmed down, put on some fresh make up and was knocking on Gerald’s door.
“Come in,” came a pleasant, but phony voice from Gerald.
“Hi, Lucian,” said Maggie. “I have a message from Sean and a flash drive for you to hear.”
“Thanks,” he said, expecting her to leave.
“Sean wants me to stay while you listen and see if you have anything for me to relay to him.”
“You know what’s on the flash drive?” Gerald asked, somewhat annoyed.
“Yes, I do.”
Gerald put the flash drive into a USB slot on his personal computer. He listened. When finished he put his hands together as he paused a moment.
“Tell Sean I never heard of Elliot Grogzynski, but the list sounds like the real thing. Something covering the failed enterprise we were both involved in. Tell him I’ll get back to him as soon as I can ascertain if what I just heard is accurate. If it is I’ll have to make plans to get out of the area quickly. I’ll be in touch within four hours.”
“You will have to get in touch with me and I will relay the information to Sean,” Maggie told him.
“I can’t get in touch directly with Sean?” he asked.
“No, he’s hiding out. There was to be a raid this morning on one of his warehouses.”
“I’ll do what I’ve got to do,” Gerald answered as he ushered Maggie out of the office.
Maggie went to the café entrance, which was empty. The only thing she heard was the clatter of dishes and roar of the vacuum. She stood back in the entrance so as not be noticed should Gerald leave the building. Before a half hour was up she saw him leave. Maggie immediately called for a taxi and did as Sean had told her.
Solly, in the meantime, had a good vantage point himself from behind the front desk. What he couldn’t see Cassandra could. He headed to his office to call Agent Weisman and Noodles. What was to happen next was anybody’s guess.
One by one the baddies were standing up, now Solly thought we have to put them down!
ThirtyFour — The Sweetning Hour
M&M were oblivious to what was going on. They were in the studio going over the charts Duke had left. Mother was at the piano playing the horn parts.
“They sound fantastic, Muddy exclaimed.
“I agree with your assessment.”
“Let’s hear the string parts.”
“Let me turn on the synthesizer, so we can listen to them as I play along with the track.”
Mother played the strings on Helen Oh Helen. They fit perfectly. He brought up the track for The Long Road Back, which had a rough vocal by, Ms. Austin. He proceeded to play the string parts. They fit like a glove and sounded like fine silk.
“Fantastic Mother, I’m thrilled, what do you think?”
“I’m very happy with all the arrangements. How do you feel about the rough vocal?”
“Rough you say…you mean she can do better?”
“It was one quick take I recorded the other day while you were out and about. Duke, wanted the vocal to be there, while he worked on the string and horn arrangements.”
“I can’t wait for the session. This’ll be a first for me. I never did any over-dubs.”
“The first session, which are the strings, will start at four in the afternoon and the horn session at eight o’clock.
“I’m ready now, but I promise to wait patiently.”
Mother laughed.
~
Meanwhile back at the FBI office in Newark, Solly was about to hear the latest on the drug bust.
“We crushed the storage facility, but only arrested seven people, none of which were high on the totem pole.” Agent Weisman told the gathering, using metaphors which dated him. “Five of the young guys have no records and are already out on bail. The two older guys are probably ready to take a year or two in jail for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“What do you think happened?” Solly inquired.
“The way I see it, there had to be a leak. We were successful in part, Malloy is now in trouble financially. He’s been losing money for some time now and will have trouble replacing all the drugs we confiscated.”
“Is there a leak somewhere in this office?” One of the agents asked.
“Yes, but it’s still amazing how quickly they gathered seven men and had them ready for us to arrest, knowing they would not help us in the least.” Weisman added. “It will however put a big dent in their business.”
A short pause as Weisman continued, “Solly, I need to see you about another item in my office, please.”
Solly followed Weisman to his office where they talked about the case, diamonds and Lundgren. Weisman also inquired about the idea Noodles had come up with and how it was going.
“All seems to be working, although a bit slower than expected,” Solly said.
“Burns left the premises via taxi. She returned within the hour, headed to her suite from where she went to see Gerald. This gives us assurance; the bait has most likely being swallowed. After leaving his office, Maggie waited at the café entrance until she saw Gerald leave. He looked harried as he left the building. Maggie called for a taxi.”
“Is this is what was expected?” Agent Weisman asked.
“Yes sir,” Solly replied and added. “We were trying to put a wedge between Gerald and Malloy, it seems we have.
“How about if we add one or two more agents, possibly younger men who can act as if they are visiting relatives.” Weisman suggested.
“It’ll help” Solly said. He suggested Agent Cassandra Greene
be alerted to all the happenings.”
“Absolutely,” as he added, “good work, tell Agent Greene as well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Solly went to talk to the two men suggested by Weisman and found them quick learners. Agent Donald Sanderson and Agent Rodney Williams looked forward to working in the field as they were new graduates from the academy. They didn’t have much field work under their FBI belts, but Solly felt they were perfect. They would not be known to anyone.
“Keep your firearm from being seen, maybe an ankle holster or whatever you feel comfortable with.” Solly told them. “Dress casually.”
Before he left he went back to talk to Weisman about Lundgren. “Sir, do you think I should fill in Sanderson and Williams about the case, diamonds and Lundgren.”
“Feel them out; if you get a good feeling go for it,” Weisman said.
“Yes sir.”
He always liked Agent Weisman, mainly because he trusted his men to do the right thing. He headed back to Chateau 54 with a feeling of accomplishment. Things were headed to a conclusion and he had the right people ready to go.
By the time Solly returned it was getting close to dinnertime. M&M were sitting in the lobby talking laughing and generally having a grand old time.
“What has you two in such good spirits?” he asked.
“Everything,” Muddy replied as he explained further. “Tomorrow is sweetening day. We’ll spend lots of time in the studio and I’m loving it!”
Tomorrow started like any other day. There was, however, excitement in the air. The countdown had started. The clock was moving ever slower to the magic hour. The session loomed as one by one the dynamic trio would be one step closer to their goal. M&M and Jonas met in the café at 8:30.