Arc Five: Something Smells Rotten in the Big Apple
Part 2: Meeting Some Old Friends
Duncan's Toy Chest
December 23, 1991-12:32 P.M.
(Christine's PoV:)
The limo pulls off to the side of the curb, as the three of us look in admiration at the building in front of us. It looks so magical, as if we've found the Fountain of Youth. I start feeling like a kid again. "Well, here we are, you three, Duncan's Toy Chest. I hope you three have a fun time," Mac smiles. I thank Mac for the ride, as my siblings and I exit the limo. We make our way to the revolving door that will take us inside.
"Wow. This is so amazing!" Linnie excitedly says, stopping to look up in admiration at the animatronic sign, with all the different moving toys. There are soldiers marching back and forth, and a big brown bear that wants to give you a hug.
"I bet the inside is even more amazing! It's going to be the like the toy store from the movie BIG, and have a bunch of cool displays and toys to play with!" Kevin responds to Linnie, full of anticipation.
Smiling at my younger siblings, I say, "Well, we're not going to find out, unless we actually go inside the store!" I motion my two siblings gently through the revolving door.
The inside of the store isn't anything like the one we saw in the movie BIG. This store seems to resemble more of a two-story Santa's Workshop. The employees are dressed as elves, who are constantly stocking the aisles of shelves with toys.
There's lots of wooden décor, some cheerful lighting, wonderful Christmas music playing over the speakers, and the feeling of warmth and compassion radiating from everywhere, as if the owner put it there.
There are toys on display that kids can play with (there's no giant piano to play chopsticks on, sadly). There are also dioramas, where you can watch miniature planes, trains, and automobiles travel across the city and countryside.
The store is bustling with lots of people, doing some last-minute shopping, since Christmas Eve is tomorrow. It's a thought that depresses me, because the three of us may not be spending Christmas with the family.
"So, which part of the store do you want to see first, Kevin?" I ask, looking at the different sections of the store. Each section is organized by the type of toy. An example, being there's a section dedicated to video games, etc…
"Let's start with the action figures!" Kevin bounces in excitement, causing Linnie and I to smile.
"Alright, little brother, action figures it is, then!" I reply, grabbing both Kevin and Linnie's hands, as we head for that section of the store, passing by some playhouses…
(Harry's PoV:)
Using a kid's playhouse to plan a robbery, has to be one of the most ingenious ideas Marv has ever come up with, and that's saying a lot. The only thing I dislike about it, is the lack of room to move; it really cramps the back and legs, but that's the sacrifice you have to make with planning for a job that's either going to make us rich or see us end up dead.
Peeking out the door, making sure the coast is clear, I whisper, "Marv, you there?"
Marv sticks his head out of the window. "Yeah, Harry. I just finished using the bathroom," he replies, which grosses me out.
"That's classy, Marv, but getting to the topic at-hand: All we have to do, is come back here later this afternoon, before the store closes, and just hide in these houses, until everyone leaves. Then, the money in the store is ours for the taking, and cartel is out of our lives for good,"
"That easy, huh?" Marv asks.
"The documents that Petrov provided us about Duncan's says that everyone goes home on the day before Christmas Eve, including store security, who leave around 11:59 P.M.. The only other security the store has is an alarm, and that's only set off, if someone comes in from the outside. It's that easy," I explain.
"Uh, how do we get out, then, without setting off the alarm?" Marv asks, to my amazement.
"That's a very good question, Marv. The documents Petrov provided us with has a key code that will shut off the alarm. Then, we just walk out the door to the location, where the Cartel picks us up. We'll be long gone, by the time anyone realizes what's happened,"
"Sounds like a fun time, unlike last year," Marv comments.
"Yeah, real fun," I think about how I'm going to execute my revenge against those punks for last year, when the time is right. The both of us quickly hide out of sight, before someone see us…
(Christine's PoV:)
"Are you ready to check out, Kevin?" I ask, looking down at him, smiling. I carry the things Linnie and Kevin picked out I have drag to William here sometime in the future, and let him experience feeling like a kid again, since that's how I'm feeling right now.
"I guess," Kevin replies, looking sad he has to leave such an awesome store.
"Kevin, if it makes you feel any better, I'll try to bring you back here, before we leave New York, OK? If I don't, I'll take you to Children's Circusland, when we get back to Chicago," I promise him.
"Alright," Kevin smiles, feeling better. We head over to the counter, so I can pay for the toys.
A kind-looking older man, who's running the counter, greets us, as I place the toys onto the counter. "Did you three find everything alright today?" the man asks, ringing up the slime and several G.I. Joe figures Kevin wanted. I warned him earlier that he'd better not use the slime as a prank on anyone, unless he wants to incur my wrath.
"We did. Visiting this store for the first time today, made me feel like a kid again," I reply, smiling. My siblings are smiling, as well.
The old man reminds me a lot of my Grandpa McCallister. I remember screaming at Uncle Buck last year, for not telling me about Grandpa passing away, and having to find out, when Kevin told Mr. Marley last year at Church.
"I'm glad to hear it," The kind old man smiles, ringing up the collector's edition Christmas Barbie I'm getting for myself, for display purposes, and the plush bear that Linnie found to be cute.
"You know, other toys stores I've visited over the years, like Lionel's Kiddie City, KayBee Toys, Children's Circusland, and Toys "R" Us (R.I.P.), don't even allow the children to play with the toys,"
"Is that so?" the old man replies, surprised, while ringing up the final total. It's not too bad, since I had to start using Dad's money to pay for things.
"Yes. Mr. Duncan must be a very kind-hearted man to allow the kids to play with all the toys," I hand him the money I owe.
The old man beams. "Well, you see, Mr. Duncan loves children. That's the reason he opened this store: He wanted a place, where children can come and have fun, while making the adults feel like they're young again. The chain toy stores you mentioned do not offer that kind of feeling. I'll give you another example what Duncan's does different than the chain stores: You see that big treasure box over there, full of money?" The old man points after giving me my change.
"Yes," I reply, while my siblings and I look in that direction.
"Well, all the money that the store takes in today, is going to be donated to the Shriner's Children's Hospital on Christmas Eve morning,"
"How's all that money going to get to the hospital?" Kevin asks, while I'm thinking about what Mom said back in Chicago: not forgetting about those not as fortunate as us this holiday season.
"Well, young man, to answer your question: Santa is going to deliver it to the hospital himself," The old man beams at an awestruck Kevin.
"I would like to donate a hundred bucks to that treasure chest. I'm sure the kids at the Shriner's Hospital could really use all the help they can get," I hand the old man the money, who's taken aback by surprise. My siblings are also in shock.
"Oh my… That's so very generous of you, young lady," The man is trying his best not to cry. "For the act of kindness you bestowed today, I'm giving you an ornament of your choosing off the store's Christmas Tree, as a token of our thanks."
I look in awe at the beautiful tree and the beautiful ornaments, hanging on it. "Which one should I choose?" I ask my siblings. Kevin suggests the star, while Linnie suggests the angel.
"If I may, I have a suggestion, too," the man chimes in. "Take the turtle doves. You know, like in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas," He removes the ornaments off the tree. "Keep one for yourself, and give one to a special friend." the old man says, showing the beautiful ornaments to my siblings and I.
"I'll take them. I promise you, I will cherish these forever," I place the ornaments securely in my backpack. "I guess we'd better be going. It was nice meeting you today, sir. I hope you have a merry Christmas," I smile at the old man, while the three of us place the things I purchased in our backpacks.
"Merry Christmas to you three, as well. It was nice meeting you three today. Do be extra careful, while travelling. Please come back again," The old man waves, as we head for the exit.
"We will, and thanks again for the ornaments," The three of us wave back, smiling.
"Hey, check out those two paintings. The one on the right looks like the old man we were just talking to,"
Kevin points out the paintings of two smiling older gentlemen, hanging high on the wall, right next to the exit. The one we talked to has the initials "E.F. Duncan", while the other picture has the initials "C.L. Duncan".
"You're right, Kevin—he does look like the old man we just saw," Linnie agrees with me. I look back to discover the old man is suddenly gone. He was just there a second ago.
"Hey, there's a plaque with a small inscription," Linnie points out, as she reads, "Duncan Bros. Toy Shoppe, later renamed Duncan's Toy Chest, was founded in 1944 by two brothers with a big dream to bring happiness and a sense of hope to children and adults alike, even in the darkest of times."
I notice below the plaque, there's a framed, small, yellowed newspaper clipping, dated 1944, with the headline: Industrialist Charles L. Duncan and Philanthropist Edward F. Duncan celebrate grand opening of Duncan Bros. Toy Shoppe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt both were on-hand to witness the ribbon cutting… Linnie admires the newspaper photo of our favorite President, Mrs. Roosevelt, and the Duncan Brothers, holding a giant pair of scissors. I then usher her and Kevin through the exit…
Outside Duncan's Toy Chest
December 23, 1991-1:32 P.M.
(Harry's PoV:)
"So, how do you want to spend the rest of the day, before we do you know what tonight?" I ask Marv. The both of us are exiting the toy store, as I tighten up my jacket, with it being so cold. I then light up a cigarette.
"You did say we could check out the zoo at Central Park," Marv replies, stealthily swiping a scarf from a person walking by.
"I did, didn't I? OK, that's what we're going to do, then,"
Marv and I prepare to head in the direction of Central Park, when I think I see Louis, Hector's toady, watching us, from afar. I realize I'm just seeing things after shaking my head and noticing he's no longer there. Unknown to me, however, I really did see Louis, and he just blended into the crowds. It explains why I thought I was seeing things, and that he's still watching Marv and I…
That's when I see the name "K. McCallister" monogrammed on a backpack being worn by a boy, whose face really looks like the one I encountered last year, when Marv and I tried to break into 671. I'm about to pass it off as bad memories, when I catch a recognizable glimpse of the red-headed girl's face, talking to said boy.
Is it them, the ones who gave me this awful disfigurement on my hand? The reason why we're in trouble with the cartel, to begin with? And, the reason Marv and I ended up in prison? Or, am I seeing things again?
If it is them, then it's the perfect chance to get revenge, without having to wait to finish the job for the cartel. But, if it isn't them, then I have to explain to Hector why I recklessly killed some people and robbed them in a back alley. I feel he wouldn't be happy about me jeopardizing the job.
Deciding to take the risk, I toss the cigarette aside and speak, "Well, look who it is, Marv… It's our dear old friends from 671 Lincoln Blvd., Winnetka, Illinois," I then speak to them, "How have you been doing, pals?" Seeing both the girl and kid flinch, confirms my suspicions that it's, indeed, them, after all.
I quickly grab for the gun in my pocket and press it hard against the older girl's back, where no one can see my finger on the trigger. "If you move, pal, your sister gets a bullet in the back," I whisper, menacingly. I see the kid is about to make a run for it. Marv is in disbelief about what's happening…
(Christine's PoV:)
I'm having a discussion with Kevin and Linnie, while waiting for the limo to return and pick us up. I suddenly feel the sickest of chills creep down my spine. I flinch, when I hear the very familiar voice of the little Wet Bandit, who tried to break into Mom and Dad's house last year, speak to Kevin and I.
"God, please don't let my nightmares come true…" I silently pray, my body shaking in fear.
The anxiety is increasing. I feel the need to cry, thinking of the trauma the bandits caused Kevin and I last year, as well as all the therapy Kevin and I went though, afterwards. I'm about to go through it all over again… My fear spikes, when I feel something hard being pressed into my spine. I don't have to guess what it is, especially after the threat the little bandit directed at my brother.
A pit forms in my stomach, I begin to sweat, and I feel like I'll start hyperventilating, at any point. After all the nightmares I've feared happening, the worst has really come true… If there's a chance we do get out of this alive, I don't think I'll ever feel safe again.
'Oh my God, Linnie…' I remember.
She's probably trying to figure out what's going on, why the bandits are holding Kevin and I hostage. She knows who the bandits are from the papers, but she's not aware of Kevin and I's past dealings with them. I now realize that keeping this a secret from the rest of the family wasn't one of my best ideas. Hopefully, Linnie can get away and get help. The bandits won't be focused on her, since they'll be focused on Kevin and I. They don't know who she is.
"Alright, you punks. How about we take a little walk to the docks? And, I don't want to hear no lip from any of you, especially from you, blondie," the little man snarls in a low tone, prodding the gun in my back to move.
To my horror, I see the big goof prodding Linnie in the back to move. Linnie is shaking and in tears. I try to protest for them to leave her alone, but then, I hear a clicking sound, and see Linnie flinch in fear from the gun the big goof has stuck in her back. I quickly shut my mouth, for the safety of my siblings, knowing these men are crazy enough to kill a child. All of us begin marching to our deaths.
"I know blondie's your sister. I know you have two more brothers and another sister. Well, I hope your parents enjoy having three children after we take care of you three at the docks," the little man sickly whispers to me, making me shiver in terror.
'Mom, Dad, family, I'm sorry…' I think to myself. I'm almost paralyzed with fear. I wince, as the little bastard keeps prodding the gun painfully hard into my spine. It's almost as if he's doing it for fun…
(Louis' PoV:)
My eyes widen. What are those two idiots doing? Are they crazy? They're going to blow everything! The boss needs to know about this… I witness Lime and Merchants take an adult woman and two kids captive at gunpoint, as I shadow their every move. I quickly hide in the alleyway, pulling out a two-way radio, while still able to observe Lime and Merchants.
"Louis to Big Bossman, come in please. Urgent! Repeat: Urgent!" I quickly speak into the radio in Russian, not wanting anyone to overhear.
"Hector here. What's the problem, Louis?" Hector replies, in Russian.
The rest of the conversation continues in Russian, "Lime and Merchants have taken captives at gunpoint, and are heading in the direction of the docks," I respond.
"WHAT?! Run interference, Louis. They must not succeed with the disposal of the captives, at all costs. Let the captives escape. Remember, you can't be seen, either; especially by Lime and Merchants. You have my permission to kill Lime and Merchants, if other options fail," Hector rants and curses.
"I'm on it, Boss. Louis out," I respond, pocketing the radio and disguising myself, where I can't be recognized. I hurry to catch up with Lime and Merchants, before they reach the dock…
(Harry's PoV:)
Marv is giving me the look, whenever he feels uncomfortable about doing something. I mouth to him, "Don't you want revenge for last year, after what they did to you?"
Marv looks down, before mouthing, "Yes, I want revenge against the redhead and little punk, but what do we have to kill blondie for, Harry? She hasn't done anything to us. Can't we just let her go?"
We mouth the rest of our conversation, "That's a great idea, Marv. Just say we let blondie go, then what? She goes to the police and rats us out. That puts heat on us, which means the cartel kills us,"
I jab the gun hard into the redhead's back again. It brings me pleasure, making the bitch whimper in pain. I feel the urge to light another smoke, so I can make the redhead cry from blowing smoke in her face and flicking hot ashes onto her skin.
Marv starts, "I just thought…"
That's when I interrupt him, "Well, you can leave all the thinking to me. I'm warning you, Marv: If I get one hint, you're planning to sell out me or the cartel, or help these punks in any way, I will kill you on the spot, no regrets. You're just as much to blame for our time in prison as these punks here," I glare at him.
"Don't worry, Harry, I'm not going to do anything to ruin the cartel's plans. I want that money, as much as you do," he replies.
"Now, that's thinking smart, Marv. Let all that money we'll be making be your focus," I say, nodding…
(Christine's PoV:)
My back is beginning to ache, from where that bastard has been prodding me with the gun. I take a quick glance at my siblings to see if they're OK. Kevin is trying to be brave, but I know, on the inside, he's frightened, because he knows the bandits are going to kill us. Linnie, on the other hand, is not hiding her distress at all about being marched at gunpoint by two maniacs.
"Hey, sirs," I hear a man, with a British accent, speak. "Yes, you in the black toboggan cap. Do you and your friends have a moment?" He's obviously trying to get the evil little man's attention. I don't know if I should pity him, if he gets himself killed, be angry at him, for potentially getting my siblings and I killed, or be happy with him that he might save us.
"I don't have any time for you, screwball. Don't you see I'm busy? So, get the fuck away from me, pal," the bastard growls, trying to shoo away the man.
'He's planning on feeding Linnie, Kevin, and myself to the fishes…' I choke a sob at that thought.
"Now, sir, there's no need to be hostile. Just give me a second of your time, and I'll let you be on your merry way, OK?" the tall guy persists, now standing in front of us. He's blocking us, which I'm grateful for. His face is concealed by a long coat, hat, and dark glasses he's wearing.
He must have some grapefruit-sized kahunas for daring to stand in the way of two-armed mad men, who are planning to shoot my siblings and I, once we reach the docks. The little bandit growls and is red in the face.
"OK, you have three minutes, and that's it. So, start talking,"
"Excellent. Well, sirs, my name is Rev. Walt G. Alden, and I work for the House of Little Prairie Grove..." the guy rambles, forcing himself in between the bandits, my siblings, and I. It causes the bandits to drop their weapons, to their anger and my relief.
He mouths at us, "You three are free. Now, run. Move it!"
He's holding back the bandits. Understanding this strange guy was putting on a charade the whole time, he somehow knew we were in trouble. How he knew, doesn't matter. He saved our lives, for the moment.
"Let's do like the guy says, and run like hell!" I cry to my siblings.
I grab their hands, and the three of us begin running in fear for our lives, in the direction of the hotel. It's not long, before the bandits are hot on our tails. They push away the guy, who saved us, and are now chasing after us…
Cartel Secret Base of Operations
December 23, 1991-1:52 P.M.
(Hector's PoV:)
I haven't been in a good mood, since getting the report from Louis about those idiots kidnapping three people in broad daylight, risking the entire plans for the toy store heist. I'm going to find out the reason, when I see them again. I throw a glass against the wall, shattering it, which catches Petrov's attention.
"Hector, calm down. Drink this, comrade," Petrov pours me some vodka. I quickly gulp it down. "Louis reported in just a while ago that the task you assigned him was a success, and the captives are now free. However, the bad news is, Lime and Merchants are now chasing after the freed captives. Heading unknown." Petrov informs me.
"Why are they doing this, Petrov? What do they have to gain from this?" I ask, pouring myself another glass of vodka at the bar.
"I don't know, Hector, but I can find out, if you let me have Lime and Merchants for a few hours to myself. I've got some new truth serums and painful interrogation procedures I want to test out," Petrov smirks.
"I'll consider it, if other options have failed," I reply.
"Another thing, Hector: I finished the job you asked me to do, about searching for the information that you requested on Peter G. McCallister and the home address of 671 Lincoln Blvd. in Winnetka, Illinois. Everything you want to know is in this folder," I toss the thick, heavy folder onto the table.
"Good work, Petrov!" I praise, quickly grabbing the folder and begin browsing through the contents. "Vasily, you even got pictures! How did you manage this?" I ask, addressing Petrov by his first name. I'm amazed, as I continue flipping through the contents. I read the bios of the family members, starting with Peter, and the news reports related to the street they live on.
"Some computer hacking mixed in with a little extortion," Petrov replies, smugly, taking a seat and lighting a cigar.
I laugh, when a news article from last year catches my interest about Merchants and Lime being caught at the scene of a crime, connected to several other burglaries, and receiving mysterious injuries.
'Not to mention, costing me a lot of money, but the article doesn't mention 671 being one of the houses hit. Maybe reading more about the McCallister Family will help me with why 671 seems so familiar…' I think not realizing the answer is in my face.
I continue reading about the family members, and don't find anything of interest; except that Peter's wife, Kate, has just released a new fashion line of women's clothing last Spring. Her oldest daughter, Christine, modeled off said fashions last Summer. It isn't until I start reading about Peter and Kate's six children that things get very interesting.
"You find something, Hector?" Petrov asks, seeing the smirk on my face.
"I have indeed, comrade," I show him the pictures of Christine, Melinda, and Kevin. I explain that those three are currently staying at the Plaza Hotel. Petrov gets one of those looks, as if he remembers something from seeing those pictures. "Something on your mind, comrade?"
"Yes, I just remembered Lime telling me something about wanting revenge, when I visited him and Merchants in Chicago," Petrov states.
"Really? Did they tell you why?" I ask, looking interested.
Rubbing his beard, he replies, "Yes, it was something about an older girl and young boy putting Lime and his partner through, as they described it, a 'funhouse of pain', when they tried to break into one of the houses they planned to rob last year. It also explains their injuries,"
Sipping some vodka, I say, "I think I just remembered why 671 seems so familiar now: It was the house Lime and Merchants had trouble breaking into, but I never really found out the reason, until now," I hold up the pictures of Christine and Kevin, angered that the McCallisters had made fools of the cartel again. I think of an incident years ago that occurred in Stockholm, where another pair of nosy McCallister siblings interfered with cartel business.
"I know that look, Hector. You're planning revenge against the McCallister brats, aren't you? Do you need Louis' assistance with this?" Petrov smirks.
"I am, and I can handle those two myself. Inform Louis of the situation, and that his previous orders still stand. If you see Merchants and Lime, too, by any chance, tell them revenge against the McCallisters is no longer their problem. If they give you trouble about it, just kill them," I stand up and prepare to head over to the Plaza, to deal with some loose ends…
END
