Helund

The town of Helund was nestled into a bend of the fjord. The steep hills and cliffs were blanketed with conifers and hardwood trees. The water in this area of the fjord was placid and almost motionless. A hall stood in the center of town. Built upon a foundation of stone, the walls bowed and gave the appearance of an overturned longship. Surrounding the hall was a handful of longhouses. The houses closest to the hall where walled with wattle and daub, but as they houses got further from the hall they were walled with planks or logs. A dock stretched out into the tranquil water with enough room for about half a dozen longships, nearby along the shore was a half-built ship. Birds flitted about among the rooftops, and dogs chased each other through the buildings. A pen of chickens sat near the forest accompanied by an enclosure of goats. 

A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Black Leather and Blackmail, Issue #8

<<Previous

Warning: This post may contain mature content.

     The Maltese Falcon Taproom was a quiet place on Hawthorne Lane. It had wood paneled walls and dim lighting. David and Jenn sat in one of the booths along the wall. David had a glass of bourbon in front of him, a pair of ice cubes were suspended in the amber liquid. Jenn was sipping on a green cocktail.

     “How you feeling? First time is always an interesting experience,” asked Jenn. David took a sip from his glass.

     “Well, still a bit sore,” muttered David, with a nervous chuckle. 

     “You took it well, though.” Jenn grinned twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

     “Grew up in a tough neighborhood. Learned quickly to take the pain.,” explained David, “Though, I don’t think that getting tied up is my thing.”

     “It’s not for everyone.” Jenn took a gulp from her glass.

     “You said you used to run? I’ve been around runners and you don’t sound like them.” asked Jack.

     “What do you mean?” Jenn looked confused.

     “Well they have almost their own language,” explained Jack.

     “Oh. I only did a couple of jobs. Small time stuff. I wasn’t ingrained into the lifestyle. I’m not to proud of some of the stuff I did. But, I’ve put that behind me.” 

     “I understand. Everyone has things they would rather forget,” said David.

     “I think I need another drink,” she muttered. She slid out from the booth and walked to the bar. David watched her. Her hips swayed as strode up to the bar. He grinned and took a swig from his cup. He turned away when he saw her turn around. She slid back into the booth with a blue cocktail with a straw, and a matching umbrella in her hand. She smiled at him. 

     “What?” he asked.

     “Oh nothing,” she grinned, the straw placed in the corner of her mouth. David jumped as he felt her foot on the inside of his leg. She rubbed his calf slowly. She watched his expression. “You know, No one has looked at me since we got here.” 

     “Really? You look fantastic,” said David, surprised.

     “Awww, you think so?” she cooed. Her cheeks turned a faint pink.

     “Yeah. Of course! You’re gorgeous.”

     “You aren’t to bad looking either,” she flirted. David smiled and looked into his drink. Jenn got up and slid next to him. Her arm slid around his and her blonde head rested against his shoulder. “You know… you look really good without your shirt off.” She ran her hand inside his jacket.

     “Heh,” he grunted, taking a sip from his glass.

     “You do,” she assured. She placed her finger on his chin and turned his face to look at her. She reached up and pressed her lips against his. She pulled away quickly. She looked at the floor, her hand on her neck. “Sorry, I didn’t mean too,” she muttered. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

     “It’s okay. I didn’t mind.” He picked up a napkin and wiped her lipstick from his lips. She looked up at him. He smiled at her. 

     “It’s getting late…” she yawned.

     “I’ll walk you home. The city is dangerous after dark,” said David.

     “Thanks.” Jenn stood, walked to the bar, and handed the bartender her credcard. He swiped it and handed it back. David waited for Jenn at the door, his coat slung over his arm. Jenn pulled on her coat and they stepped onto the streets.

*****

     Jack sat at his desk, cigarette balanced between his fingers. 405 West Wisconsin Street. Hmmm… The dominatrix must be behind this. I know it. But why would she not ask for money? Why would she ask him to follow her instructions in the city council? He obviously liked relinquishing control, but outside the dungeon? Something’s off. What would push a domme to do this? Power. Yeah, but would she have put slugs into him? If it was power she was after, she lost it when he died. Someone else must be behind this. His mind drifted to what the detective said about the bullet. Nine-millimeter, hollow point. He got up and opened the filing cabinet. He pulled out a file labeled, ‘Maxine Grove; 25 Aug.-Sept 3 2043’. He opened the file and pulled out the baggie with the shell casing.  He opened it and pulled out the brass cylinder. He held it up to the light to read the etching on the bottom, “9MM-HP”.  Who ever called me must be behind this. But just because Alderman Malone was killed by the same round, doesn’t mean that whoever that voice was, is behind this. He took a long drag on his cigarette. I need to find out what is going on. I need to get into that dungeon and find the computer. There might be some clues as to who is behind this. E-mails, transaction history, something… Jack put out the cigarette. He grabbed his coat and headed out of the office.

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What If...

http://www.aspergerrus.com/asperger-cards.html

I've been thinking. What if I didn't have Aspergers? What would my life have been like. Well for starters, I probably wouldn't have been interested in Legos, Fantasy, Science Fiction. I probably wouldn't have been interested in playing Dungeons and Dragons. I probably would not have asked my friend about D&D that morning, in Chemistry Class, during my Junior year of high school.

 If I hadn't done that, I would never have met all the wonderful people in my life. I probably would have gone to college, gotten a degree, and gotten a job somewhere. I would probably have a girlfriend. But instead I dropped out of college my second semester, I became invested in gaming. I met the best sort of people. People that make life interesting. People that I can truly love. If it wasn't for Aspergers, I wouldn't have discovered any of that. It brings tears to my eyes that if I didn't have Aspergers, I probably wouldn't have met any of the people I hold so close to my heart. I probably wouldn't be sitting here writing this, I'd probably be off at some university writing a paper or studying.

I almost definitely would have been able to support myself...

Even though I wish I could have all those things, I've realized that if by some miracle I could magically not have Aspergers and live in a world where I understood social situations, a world where I was neurotypical. I wouldn't trade that for the world. Aspergers has given me a unique gift. My friends. No, my family. Vixy and Tony I think said it best:

But them that run with me's got my back 

It's a fool don't know that his family's his crew

If I didn't have Aspergers... I can't imagine... I'm proud to say, I have Aspergers, and I wouldn't trade that for the world, because this is who I am.

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/077/9/7/aspergers_by_miissrowena-d4t4keb.png

A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Black Leather and Blackmail, Issue #7

<<Previous

Warning: This post may contain mature content.

     The rain came down in buckets as Jack exited Cordell’s apartment.  He hailed a cab and headed back towards the office. His mind mulled over what he had just told her. He jolted back to meat-space when the cab pulled up to his office. He paid the cab driver and stepped out. A black sedan with tinted windows was parked on the street. He looked at it curiously; it looked familiar, though he couldn’t figure out where he had seen it before. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He looked around, there was no one on the street. A hint of movement was visible out of the corner of his eye. He spotted a security camera perched on a lamp post. It’s lens stared at him. He looked at it curiously. His mind strayed to the mysterious voice on the phone. A traffic camera had stared at him only hours before he received the call. He blinked. I have heard about ghosts on the grid. Net-jockeies that could hack into security cameras and use them as eyes for runners. He shivered, turned his back on the camera and walked into the office. 

     Jack opened his office door. David was standing in front of Jenn’s desk; Jenn was sitting in her chair. Jack stared at Jenn for a moment, taken aback by her clothes and makeup. He pulled of his dripping jacket and hung it on the peg. As he turned around he noticed David was standing strangely.

     “So, How was your date?” asked Jack with a sly grin. Jenn put her hand to her mouth, blushed and giggled. David scowled.

     “It was fine,” he spat, “We did find a camera though, in the room depicted in the photos. Did you find the location of the computer?”

     “Yeah,” said Jack.

     “Where?” asked Jenn.

     “405 West Wisconsin Street,” informed Jack. The office fell silent. “What?” Jack looked at them confused.

     “That’s the address of the dungeon,” stated David. They jumped as the door opened. A man with blonde slicked back hair, and blue eyes stood in the door way. He wore a dark blue suit and red tie, and a London trench coat. An e-cig was balanced between his lips. 

     “Forgrave?! What the hell are you doing here?” questioned Jack. 

     “Police Business, we need to talk.” stated the blonde man, his eyes shooting towards David and Jenn, “Alone.” David and Jenn looked at each other.

     “We were just leaving,” said David, “Jenn here owes me several drinks.” David and Jenn stood, picked up their coats. David held the door open for Jenn. She smiled and left the apartment, David followed her. Forgrave watched them leave.

     “Office Romance? Thought you didn’t like that?” said Detective Maxwell Forgrave. 

     “What? Jenn? David? They aren’t together,” said Jack. Forgrave puffed on his e-cig. “Why are you here Forgrave?” 

     “I’m here about a murder,” said the police detective.

     “Oh, Let’s step into my office.” Jack gestured towards the door. Forgrave opened the door and Jack followed. He walked around his desk and sat in his chair. Forgrave sat opposite from him.

     “So who’s murder are you here about? I didn’t kill anyone,” said Jack.

     “The murder of Dixon Malone,” reported Forgrave. Jack blinked and looked at Forgrave.

     “Dixon Malone?” questioned Jack.

     “Yeah, You know him?” asked the detective.

     “I can guess that you already know the answer to that question,” grunted Jack. Forgrave pulled a plastic bag from his coat pocket. It contained the scrap of paper that Jack had scrawled his CommNet address on.

     “We found this on his body,” said Forgrave.

     “I didn’t kill him,” drawled Jack, taking a drag on the cigarette.

     “I never said you did,” commented Forgrave, “But what was he doing with your CommNet address?” 

     “He hired me for a job,” reported Jack.

     “So Alderman Malone hired you to do a job?” asked Forgrave, eyebrows raised.

     “You got that right.”

     “What did he hire you for?” 

     “To find out who was blackmailing him. He had been receiving letters from a mysterious person for some time now,” explained Jack. He picked the letter that Malone had left and handed it to Forgrave, “He left one here.” Forgrave opened the letter and read it. When he was finished he looked back up at Jack.

     “Is this all he gave you? It’s not much to begin to find out who was blackmailing him. These initials could be anyone,” Forgrave stated. “Did he give you anything else?”

     “Yeah, This flash drive,” said Jack, pulling the flash drive from his pant pocket.

     “What’s on it?” asked Forgrave.

     “The pictures he was being blackmailed with,” stated Jack.

     “Is that all?” 

     “Yup,” affirmed Jack.

     "Thats not a lot to go on,” noticed Forgrave.

     “Yeah, you got that right. But he paid up front. Ten big ones,” replied Jack. Forgrave leaned back. In his seat.

     “I’m going to have to ask you to turn over your case file,” said Forgrave.

     “I figured you would say that,” said Jack, “All he gave me was the flash drive and that letter. Take ‘em.” Forgrave slid the flash drive and letter into individual baggies. 

     “Is there anything else?” asked Forgrave.

     “No.” Jack lied.

     “Thank you for your cooperation,” said Forgrave.

     “Anything to help the cops,” smiled Jack. Forgrave stood, tipped his hat and headed towards the door.

     “One last thing,” said Jack.

     “What’s that?” said Forgrave, turning to face Jack.

     “How was he killed?”

     “Three shots to the chest,” replied the police detective.

     “Caliber?” asked Jack.

     “Why?”

     “Just curious.” 

     “Nine-millimeter. Hollow-point,” informed Forgrave.

     “Oh, Thank you.” said Jack. Forgrave's gaze lingered for a moment before he exited, leaving Jack alone in the office. Jack reached down to the bottom drawer of his desk, and pulled out a glass and a bottle of scotch. He poured himself a glass and stepped to his window. He looked out across the city. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. Something is going on. Someone is pulling the strings in this city. I will find out who H.W, is.

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Check back in next week for the next issue of The Jack O'Callahan Mysteries!

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A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Death by Diamonds and Pearls, Issue #1

Issue #8 of Black Leather and Blackmail will be released on schedule. I will finish Black Leather and Blackmail, don't worry. The release date of subsequent issues of Death By Diamonds and Pearls has not yet been decided.  Cheers!

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     Jenn was already at her desk when Jack arrived, late monday morning. She greeted him with a bright smile.

     “Mornin’ Jenn,” said Jack, stepping up to the coat rack and hanging up his coat and hat

     “Morning. You have a beautiful woman in your office, and I mean beautiful. I would turn lesbian for her,” mentioned Jenn. Jack paused and held up his hand.

     “Didn’t need to hear that,” commented Jack.

     “Just saying,” grinned Jenn, her eyebrow raised.

     “Thanks for the heads up though.”

     “It is my job,” smiled Jenn. Jack nodded and stepped into his office.

     Standing by the window was a woman. She wore a plain, sequined ebony  dress, that clung to her curves like a monkey to a vine. The neck of the dress was cut in a v-shape, not exposing anything but enough to spark the imagination. She had legs that went on for miles, accentuated by a pair of raven leather six inch heeled, platform pumps. Her curled copper hair hung around her shoulders curtaining her soft feminine face. Her grey eyes where lined with soft lines of eyeliner and her lips where as red as a freshly picked Jonagold apple. A black handbag hung on her shoulder. She eyed Jack as he entered. Jenn was right. She’s gorgeous.

     “Your secretary said I could wait inside. She’s such a beauty,” admitted the woman.

     “Yeah, she is. What can I do for you Miss…?” began Jack.

     “LaChance, It’s French, but you can call me Lucy,” she grinned. Jack raised his eyebrows. He walked over to his desk and gestured to the chair in front of it. 

     “What can I do for you Miss LaChance?” asked Jack.

     “Please call me Lucy,” she requested, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

     “Alright Lucy, what do you need?” Jack inquired.

     “I am the owner of a piece of jewelry, a diamond and pearl necklace,” Jack leaned forward.

     “Alright. Let me guess it was stolen.” 

     “Yes, you have that right,” she stated.

     “So, go to the police. Don’t waste my time,” growled Jack. He reached into his jacket, withdrew a cigarette and lit it.

     “The FBI and the Chicago Police department is already looking into it,” stated Lucy.

     “Then why the dìyù are you here telling me this gǒu shǐ?” hissed Jack.

     “Because I don’t trust the police. The officers in this city are some of the most corrupt I have ever seen, and I’ve done business in Singapore,” elaborated Lucy, “ I don’t want some dirty cop giving my diamonds to some mob boss.” Jack reclined in his chair, taking a drag on his cigarette.

     “So you want me to go around the law. You do realize that I could lose my license right?” questioned Jack.

     “Yes, I’m aware. But I will make it worth your while. Would two-hundred thousand be enough for you?” 

     “You have my attention,” said Jack.

     “The necklace was stolen from the Field Museum last Thursday. It was on loan for the Diamonds of the World exhibit. It disappeared with out trace. Nothing showed up on the cameras and the security systems didn’t pick up any disturbances,” she began. Jack raised his eyebrow. “The FBI are taking their sweet time and the thief is probably already found a fence. It’s a family heirloom, and I want it back in my possession as soon as possible.”

     “I’m not so sure. If the FBI is involved this could get incredibly dangerous for me. There is no way they will let me look at their case files,” explained Jack. She stood and stepped around his desk.

     “Mister O’Callahan, I searched for a private detective to take this case. It took a glowing recommendation from Maxine Grove for me to find you.” Jack could smell her perfume, a floral, yet woody fragrance.

     “I had to turn down that case part way through,” commented Jack.

     “Yes but she said she liked your professionalism,” smiled Lucy. Jack took a long draw off his cigarette.

     “I’ll take it. But make it three-hundred thousand and you got a deal.” 

     “If you insist,” she breathed. She leaned down and her lips brushed his cheek, “Thank you.” She straightened, smoothed her skirt and reached into her bag. Jack stiffened, but relaxed when she withdrew a business card. “Call me if you need anything.” Jack watched her as she left. Her hips where a pendulum, swaying with each step. He heard her say a few words to Jenn, before stepping into the hall. Jack looked at a the card, and twirled it in his fingers. Jenn knocked on the door.

     “Well?” she asked.

     “We got a new case,” replied Jack. Jenn leaned against the desk. She pulled a tissue from her pocket and licked it. “What are you doing?” asked Jack.

     “You got a little lipstick here,” said Jenn wiping his cheek,        “Wouldn’t want your lady friend to see this. There, good as new.”

     “Thanks, what would I do without you?” asked Jack.

     “Well, you might have had to explain yourself,” smiled Jenn.

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