Unremarkable Read online

  UNREMARKABLE

  ISBN: 978-1-932926-50-7 (eBook edition)

  Copyright © 2018 by Geoff Habiger & Coy Kissee

  Cover Design: Angella Cormier

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the authors or the publisher.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission of the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review

  Shadow Dragon Press

  9 Mockingbird Hill Rd

  Tijeras, New Mexico 87059

  www.shadowdragonpress.com

  [email protected]

  Geoff and Coy dedicate this book to our moms (Connie, Linda, and Lynn) who encouraged our fantastical imaginations and who share our deep love of reading. This book, and who we became as adults, are all thanks to you.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  About the Authors

  “This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it.”

  ~ Al Capone

  Prologue

  “Al Capone murdered me tonight.”

  I could hear the creak of the chair as the agent leaned forward. His face was in shadow, not that I would have been able to see him anyway. I’m pretty sure that he introduced himself to me, but I forget his name. I couldn’t think straight or feel much of anything; drugs, I guessed. I knew that my words were true, but it was just taking my body some time to realize the facts. I could feel the bandage on my head, wrapped too tight, covering my face and wrapping around to cover my left eye. My right eye was swollen to a narrow slit through which I could barely make out my surroundings.

  I knew that I was in a hospital; the sharp smell of alcohol and antiseptic assaulted my nose. I was lying in a hospital bed; I could see the white sheets that were stretched over my body and the frame of a white metal bed past my feet. A dim light came from my left, its feeble glow barely reaching the foot of the bed. Something was taped to my left arm, and I could just make out a large bandage across my chest. “Gevalt! Mom’s going to be pissed at me,” I sighed, and then had to laugh at the absurdity of my words.

  The man in the shadows spoke. “Mr. Imbierowicz, I need you to tell me exactly how Alphonse Capone murdered you.” He didn’t seem to be bothered by the incongruity of that statement. Apparently, he could see the same thing that my body had not yet figured out.

  “Call me Saul. My father is Mr. Imbierowicz,” I said with a croaking rasp. I coughed and pain overcame the drugs and shot through my chest. I had a metallic taste in my mouth and I spat out a glob of blood and phlegm across the white bedding. Somebody to my left held a glass of water with a straw to my mouth. I smelled the scent of lavender and caught a glimpse of red hair. My heart leapt, but it was quickly dashed as an unfamiliar voice said, “Here, drink this.”

  I sipped the water slowly, letting it quench my parched lips and wash the bloody taste from my mouth. I got too greedy and water dribbled down my chin, which was quickly wiped away by my red-haired imposter. “Not too quickly, you’ll have plenty of time to finish.” She’s obviously not a doctor, I mean, has she even seen me?

  At that point a blurry figure stepped up to the bed, lifting a clipboard. I could hear pages being flipped. A man’s voice said, “There’s nothing more we can do for him. At best we can make him comfortable. You need to leave.”

  “No,” the seated man said. “I need Mr. Imbierowicz to tell me what happened.” His voice was sharp and authoritative.

  “As his doctor I insist that you let him be.” The doctor’s voice had risen to match my visitor’s authoritative tone. Here I am, literally lying in my death bed, and these two schmucks are getting in a pissing match over how soon I would die. If I was a betting man, I’d take the under on my dying in an hour.

  The shadow in the chair stood and moved away from me, grabbing the doctor by the arm. I could hear muffled voices from across the room. Heated whispers at first, then the doctor clearly saying, “Very well, but it’s on your head.”

  I convulsed in a coughing fit. Pain pounded through the drugs. More blood came up, and again the straw was held to my lips. Before I could take a sip the doctor commanded, “Nurse, see to your other patients.” I heard the glass being set on the table, and then watched my red-headed vision walk out of the room. Even partially blind, my good eye lingered on her retreating form. “Too bad I’m already dead,” I muttered. I never did get that sip of water.

  A few seconds passed and my visitor purposefully cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you alone now,” said the doctor. “But if anything happens to my patient you need to inform me immediately.” I heard footsteps and the door shutting briskly. My visitor returned to his chair and sat down. I watched as he wiped something from his pants, then crossed his legs. “Now that we are alone, Saul, let’s start at the beginning.” The man’s voice was polite, though it had an edge of insistence to it that commanded respect. The chair creaked as he pulled something from a pocket. “I hope you don’t mind if I take notes. I want to make sure I get all the details.”

  I sighed, and stared at the dark ceiling. “What would a goy like you want from me? I’m gornisht. A nobody.” I turned my head toward the table with the lamp.

  “I don’t think you’re a nobody and neither did Al Capone. He has had many men killed over the years, but he only gets personally involved for special cases.”

  I turned and squinted toward the chair. The man leaned forward, his face still half in shadow. He pulled a pack of Lucky Strikes from his inside jacket and tapped out a cigarette. A match flared, and then he leaned over and placed the lit cigarette in my lips. I took a deep drag, then blew out a stream of smoke. “Normally the condemned man gets his cigarette before being killed, not after.” I chuckled,
which was a mistake, as pain rippled across my chest. I coughed up more blood, spitting it out around my cigarette.

  The chair creaked again as my questioner leaned back. He lit his own cigarette, the flare of his match reflecting in his eyes. “I think there is something special about you Saul. What is it? Why did Al Capone kill you?”

  I leaned back into the pillow and closed my eyes, taking another drag on my Lucky. “Until about two weeks ago I was the most unremarkable person in the world. All that changed on February 14.” I blew out a stream of smoke. “St. Valentine’s Day.”

  Chapter 1

  The cold February air stung my cheeks as I stepped off the L at Sedgwick station. Turning the collar up on my overcoat I moved through the morning commuters waiting to board the L and head to work. I still wasn’t used to working the night shift at the Post Office, but at least I didn’t have to fight the morning commute.

  Sedgwick wasn’t my normal stop; I lived a few blocks west and to the south on Racine Avenue, my small apartment overlooking the ‘picturesque’ North Branch of the Chicago River. Exiting the station, I paused next to the iron pillar supporting the track to get my bearings. I heard the squeal of brakes and the clack of wheels on the tracks as the L left the station.

  “Hey, stranger.” The voice was silky, with just an edge of seductiveness to it. I turned toward the sound.

  “Moira!” I exclaimed. She stood next to the station door, a lit cigarette held lightly in her left hand. Moira wore a cream-colored blouse with a green tie that matched her eyes. She had on riding pants and calf-length brown leather boots. Her red hair was tucked under a green felt cloche hat, with the brim rakishly turned up. Despite the cold weather, she only had on a light brown jacket. “Aren’t you cold?” I started to take my coat off to give it to her.

  “My valiant knight,” she said as she took a drag on the cigarette and stepped toward me, putting her hand on my chest. I could just make out the subtle scent of her lavender perfume through the harsh cigarette smoke. “But don’t bother, Saul. I like the cold weather. It invigorates me.” She gave me a playful look with those lovely green eyes, then she grabbed my hand and headed across the street. I struggled to keep up and dodged the fender of a taxi, as well as the driver’s curses.

  “Try to keep up, Saul,” Moira teased. “I’m starved, and there’s this great coffee shop up on Clark I want to try.”

  “We could have had a cup of Joe at the diner at the Post Office, or at Sam’s place near my apartment.” I know I was whining, but I was cold and tired from working ten hours the night before and didn’t like having to come up north to be able to meet Moira. “This place better be good.”

  Moira gave me a look but didn’t say anything. We headed east toward Lake Michigan. At North Clark she turned and headed up the street for about a half a block, finally stopping at a typical coffee shop, the last of the morning regulars heading out for work.

  “Yeah, this place looks really special,” I quipped.

  “Dry up, Saul. This place is really swanky.” She smiled, flashing white teeth. “Besides, they have great pie.”

  We went inside and sat down at a booth. The waitress dragged herself over, obviously put out that she had to deal with more customers. We both ordered coffee. Moira ordered a slice of apple pie, and since I hadn’t eaten since my ‘lunch’ at 2 a.m., I ordered eggs over easy, hash browns, and pancakes.

  “My, aren’t we hungry,” Moira said as the waitress went to get our coffee.

  “I could eat a pig, but I’ll settle for eating like one. I don’t think my mother would like it if I ate one.”

  “I don’t think this place is Kosher,” said Moira, smiling as the waitress set our coffee down with a glare.

  I ignored Moira’s comment, and added sugar to my coffee. “So, last night when you were leaving my place you said you had something special to tell me. What’s up?”

  Moira took a sip of her coffee, and then set the cup down. The bell to the shop rang as the last remaining customer left. “Oh, it’s nothing important. You are taking me out to dinner tonight, aren’t you?”

  “I have to work tonight,” I protested.

  “But its Valentine’s Day,” she stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “You can take me out to dinner before going to work. I know this place where we can get a real drink.”

  The waitress returned with my breakfast and Moira’s pie. A big piece of ham covered the hash browns and eggs. The waitress gave me a smirk. I frowned, but didn’t say anything. She turned away with a laugh.

  Moira reached over and grabbed the ham and flung it on the floor. It landed with a dull splat. The waitress started to say something, but Moira stopped her with a look that even gave me chills. The waitress seemed to recoil, then quickly went back to doing something else.

  “I’ll come to your place at seven and we’ll go to the Lexington.”

  I nearly spit coffee all over Moira at the suggestion. “Who do you think I am, Al Capone? I can’t afford to take you there.”

  Moira laughed and reached across the table to hold my hand. “Honey, you’re no Al Capone. But you can take me to the Lexington. I know some people. Don’t be such a wet blanket.”

  “I’m not being a wet blanket,” I protested. “You know I just started working at the Post Office. I haven’t even gotten my first paycheck yet.” I was starting to sound like a wet blanket, but it was the truth. I had been able to pay the rent for my apartment using money that I’d saved from my bar mitzvah, but I needed the paycheck in order to keep it. I was splurging with my breakfast. I usually just grabbed a cup of Joe and a sinker for ten cents from the shop at the Post Office.

  Moira just ate her apple pie, looking at me impatiently. Glaring at me, more like it. I was starting to feel pretty intimidated by her stare. I picked at my eggs and tried to ignore her, but she continued to watch me. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer.

  “Fine. I’ll take you to the Lexington tonight.”

  Moira smiled and patted my hand, “Of course you will.”

  “I’m glad to know that I had a choice in this decision.”

  Moira grinned at me, then raised her coffee cup at the waitress indicating that she wanted a refill. The waitress sheepishly walked over. “I brewed a fresh pot just for you.” As she poured the steaming coffee into both of our cups, Moira narrowed her eyes and asked, “Don’t you have something to say?” The waitress seemed to pale, lowered her eyes, and said, “I hope you know I was just joshing with you with the ham. I didn’t mean anything by it, honest.”

  “No offense taken. I actually thought it was pretty funny.”

  “But I didn’t,” Moira said flatly.

  “Can I get you anything else?” the waitress asked nervously.

  “Well, the pie was really good,” Moira said in a sing-song voice. “So you should bring us two more slices on the house.”

  “That’s not necessary,” I protested. “It was just a joke. Nobody was hurt.”

  “No, that’s okay. I’ll take care of it,” the waitress insisted. She turned and walked toward the counter.

  Moira smugly leaned back, shaking her head. “Honestly, Saul. You can’t let people push you around like that.”

  “What? She didn’t mean anything by it. She could get in trouble for giving us the pie for free.”

  Moira just laughed. “Come on, Saul. We deserve it for what she did to you.”

  I sighed, and decided that it was best to not press the issue any further. I’d be sure to leave enough of a tip to cover the cost of the pie.

  The waitress brought two plates with extra-large slices of pie on them. I noticed the white name tag with red letters spelling out “Gladys”. “Thank you, Gladys. Can you bring us the check, please?” I asked. She smiled politely and hurried away.

  “I think you kind of scared her,” I said.

  “Good.” Moira�
�s fork dug into the pie.

  We finished up our breakfast about twenty minutes later. It really hadn’t been any better than the shop at the Post Office, and I told Moira that, but she just laughed it off. We spent the time eating our pie and not really talking about anything special. Moira occasionally giggled to herself, and when I asked her what was so funny, she’d just say “Nothing.”

  Moira and I had met just a week ago and most of our conversations were the same. Small chit-chat and not much else. I guess that was my fault as I spent most of the time just staring at how beautiful she was. Meeting Moira had been part of my lucky week. I started my new job at the Post Office as a mail sorter on the fourth of February. Three days later, I first laid eyes on Moira at the coffee shop at the Post Office. It was love at first sight when she sat down next to me at the counter. And the funny thing was that she thought the same thing.

  We saw each other the next couple of mornings at the diner, and I invited her back to my apartment on our third meeting. I was afraid that I was being too forward, but she smiled and said sure. We didn’t do anything other than just talk over coffee—though I wanted to do something more. Moira seemed to be more amused than upset by my boyish attempts to kiss her. She laughed it off and said, “In time, tiger.”

  We went out for dinner and drinks at a speakeasy she knew a couple of nights ago. I had been nervous about going to a speakeasy with her. Not that I was a stranger to drinking or any kind of prude or anything. I was just scared that she’d leave me to sit alone while she went and flirted with better guys. I mean, I’m a pretty good guy, but I’m just an average Joe—plain brown hair, sappy brown eyes, not very tall, and on the skinny side, despite my mom’s attempts to fatten me up. Nothing special. I guess I was just still amazed that Moira wanted to be with me. I hadn’t needed to worry. Moira had spent the evening chatting and flirting with me. Not that there weren’t plenty of opportunities for her to flirt with others. It seemed like every Joe in the joint came up and tried to get her to dance or was trying to buy her drinks. The guys always went away disappointed. The joint—it was called The Green Mill—was not a bad gin mill, and Moira seemed to be great friends with the barman so we got our drinks for free. I knew that night that Moira and I had something special going.