| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted January 27, 2025 | Chapters: |
...19 20 -21- 22... 
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Zhang Makes His Move
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 21
by Begin Again
Zhang sat at the head of the long, dark oak table, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm against the polished surface. Smoke curled lazily from his cigarette, coiling like a snake.
The room was a pressure cooker. The silence was broken only by the faint creak of chairs as men shifted uneasily. All eyes were on Zhang, his calm, almost serene expression a stark contrast to the weight of his presence that pressed down on everyone.
Zhang had spent a lifetime building power, weaving alliances, and exacting retribution. Doyle's death had been a mess, a public spectacle, and now Donatelli — a thorn in his side — was clinging to life in a Bayside hospital.
He flicked the ash from his cigarette, his gaze cutting to Rossi, who stood at the edge of the room, his back rigid and his jaw tight. The nervous twitch tugged at the corner of his mouth — a tell that didn't escape Zhang's notice.
"You owe me, Rossi," Zhang said, his voice cutting through the silence like a razor-sharp blade. "Doyle might have been the one to screw up, but I saved your ass. And I don't like debts." His smile widened, but there was no warmth in it.
Rossi cleared his throat, nodding stiffly. "I'll take care of it," he said, his voice steady despite the cold sweat trickling down his back. "Donatelli won't leave that hospital alive."
Zhang leaned back in his chair, studying Rossi with the intensity of a predator sizing up his prey. "Good," he said after a pause, flicking ash from his cigarette. "But you've always been an opportunist, Rossi. Always sniffing around for a better deal."
Rossi's mouth opened to protest, but Zhang raised a hand, silencing him. "Which is why you won't be alone. Jin will accompany you."
Jin, seated to Zhang's right, rose silently. His massive frame cast a shadow across the table, and his eyes — cold, impassive — settled on Rossi like a hammer. A flicker of amusement played across his face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"You'll go with him," Zhang said, nodding toward Rossi. "Make sure he finishes the job. And if he doesn't —" Zhang's smirk widened, his meaning clear.
Jin nodded once, the faintest flicker of amusement in his otherwise impassive face. "Understood."
For a moment, the room was deathly silent. Rossi swallowed hard, forcing his expression to remain neutral. "I won't fail," he said, though his voice lacked the hoped-for conviction.
Zhang crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and rose. "See that you don't," he said, his tone smooth but final, leaving no room for misunderstanding. As he turned to leave, he glanced back over his shoulder. "And remember, Rossi — I gave you your life back. Don't make me regret it."
Jin glared at Rossi. "We leave in an hour."
Rossi nodded and left the room.
*****
As Rossi paced the dingy motel room, the memory of Zhang's "lesson" clawed its way to the surface, unbidden. He clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms, but it didn't stop the images from coming.
The cold steel table beneath his arms. The blinding light overhead. The sound of his own panicked breathing, loud and ragged. Zhang's men had strapped him down. Across from him, two other men — strangers — squirmed in their restraints, their muffled cries a desperate symphony of terror.
Zhang entered, calm as ever, a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He strolled between the tables like a host at a dinner party, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"You all disappoint me," Zhang said, slowly sipping his wine. "But mistakes — mistakes are opportunities for learning."
One of his men stepped forward, blindfolded, and took hold of a Butterfly Sword. The blade gleamed under the harsh light as Zhang nodded approvingly.
"It's a simple game," Zhang said, his voice smooth as silk. "Throw the blade. Whoever hits a target wins. Simple, no?" He chuckled, but the sound was devoid of humor.
Rossi's breath hitched as the first blade flew, embedding itself inches from his arm. The room erupted in cheers and laughter, but Rossi heard none of it. His eyes remained fixated on Zhang, who watched the spectacle with a faint smile, as if it were a sport.
The third throw found its mark. A scream tore through the air as one of the strangers' hands was pinned to the table, blood pooling beneath it. Zhang clapped slowly, his smile widening.
"Winner!" he announced, gesturing for his man to remove the blindfold. The man stepped forward, knife in hand, and with a single, brutal motion, severed the pinned hand from its wrist.
The memory was so vivid that Rossi stumbled, catching himself on the edge of the motel dresser. His stomach churned, bile rising in his throat. He wiped a trembling hand across his face, his breath shallow.
"Focus," he muttered to himself. "Just... focus."
*****
The clock on the bedside table ticked loudly, reminding him of the hour he didn't have to waste. Zhang's orders had been clear, and Jin wasn't a man who left jobs unfinished. Rossi's hand shook as he dialed Jack Lexington's private line, hoping against reason that the man would pick up.
The line rang twice before Jack's familiar, steely voice answered. "You've got a lot of balls calling me."
Rossi wasted no time. "Just don't hang up."
There was a pause, and then Jack's voice turned sharp. "I have nothing to say to you, Rossi, except this — you've got half the country looking for you with orders to shoot on sight. Enjoy whatever time you've got left."
"Wait, Jack! Listen to me. Zhang's sending me to take Donatelli out."
The line went silent for a moment. "You're dealing with Zhang. Word was that New York busted you out."
"They did, but somehow Zhang heard about it, and he got to us first."
"Interesting! So, what's this about Donatelli? He's dying as we speak."
Jack's senses went on alert. He wasn't Donatelli's best friend, but he knew how Frank felt about him, and that was enough to make him care.
"Zhang wants to make sure."
"When?"
"We leave in an hour," Rossi said, his voice quick and breathless. "I'll have to case the place, see what I'm up against."
"So why the hell are you calling me?" Jack snarled.
"Because I thought you could help me out."
Jack let out a bitter laugh. "You're joking, right? After what you pulled, do you think I'd help you? And bring the heat down on me when I'm considering retiring."
"I've got information," Rossi said quickly, desperate to keep Jack on the line. "Stuff you'd like to know about."
"Don't play with me, Rossi. What could a low life like you possibly know that would interest me?"
Rossi hesitated, then threw out his trump card. "The smuggling operation in Bayside. How the mob and Zhang plan to take you out of the equation."
There was a beat of silence before Jack's voice turned deadly quiet. "And why are you telling me this?"
"Because I know when this job is finished, Zhang's man will never let me live," Rossi said, his voice cracking slightly. "He's sending Jin with me, Jack. I'm dead the second this is over. But I can give you everything you need on Zhang, the NY mob, all of it. Just — help me make it out of that hospital alive."
Jack didn't answer right away. Rossi could hear the faint sound of ice clinking in a glass on the other end, a slow, deliberate pause that made his heart race.
Finally, Jack spoke. "Okay. One question."
"Sure, what is it?" Rossi had already promised to tell Jack what he knew, so he was curious about what else he wanted to know. Did he want to know why he'd joined with Doyle? Or did he wonder if any other of his men were in on it? "Ask me anything, Jack. After all, it's all in the past, right?"
"Relax, Vince. You tried to climb the ladder, even thought you'd take my place, and it didn't quite turn out like you wanted, now did it?"
Vince cleared his throat. He needed Jack's help and if it meant groveling, then that's what he would do. "Uh, I screwed up, Jack. Doyle — well, he convinced me to get on his bandwagon and promised me the world."
Jack laughed. "Didn't see much of that from those prison walls now, did you?"
"Naw, it didn't go as expected. Is that what you wanted to know — if I knew I'd been blown out of the water."
"No, there's a rumor I heard. The package the mob received with your cuff links."
"Zhang's evil side is not for the weak."
"Was it yours?"
"No!" Rossi flexed his fingers as an icy shiver ran up his spine. "No, it wasn't."
Jack tipped the bottle of bourbon, topping off his glass. He took a sip, letting the warmth soothe his throat. Finally, he spoke, "I'm in. Tell me everything you know about Zhang and the NY mob, and I'll make sure you leave that hospital alive."
Relief washed over Rossi, but he didn't have time to enjoy it. Jack's voice hardened as he continued. "Here's how this is going to go down. You follow my lead to the letter, Rossi, or Zhang won't have to kill you — I will."
Fifteen minutes later, Jack leaned back in his chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips. On the speakerphone, Rossi's voice carried the nervous energy of a man clinging to his last shred of hope.
"You got everything straight?" Jack asked, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.
"Yeah, I got it," Rossi replied, his voice steadier now. "I go in, do my thing, and get out through the stairwell. You'll have the gun where I can grab it?"
"Don't worry about that," Jack said coolly. "I'll make sure everything's in place. Just make it look convincing when you take the shot."
Rossi let out a shaky laugh. "Convincing's not going to be the problem. And you?"
Jack's voice turned icy. "Don't worry about my end, Rossi. Just stick to the plan, and I'll take care of Jin."
"Right!" Rossi rubbed his wrist — a reminder of how Zhang played the game. "I better go. Jin will be waiting."
The silence felt like an eternity, the weight of their pact settling between them. Finally, Jack ended the call with a simple, "Don't screw this up."
Jack reached into his desk drawer, took out another phone, and pushed the speed call button. The phone in Frank DiVito's drawer rang.
Frank answered on the second ring. "Jack, what's going on?"
"I know you're en route to get Donatelli, but I just got a call from Vince Rossi. It's urgent," Jack said, his voice tense.
"Rossi? What's that guy calling you for?"
Jack's words went straight to the point. "Zhang's put out a hit on Donatelli."
Frank said nothing, but tossed Sam the car keys as he digested what Jack Lexington had told him.
"Frank, you still with me?"
"Yeah, Jack, I'm here. I'll call you from the car, and you can fill me in. I'm sending my guys to Bayside, but I can always make a few changes if necessary."
"Trust me, Frankie. This is going to be a tricky one."
"Then we better pull a rabbit out of the hat."
 Recognized |
Summary:
Eleanor discovers Miriam is missing and trapped in a mirror by Cornelius Webb, whose schemes threaten the Vineyard. Rebecca meets Grayson Webb, a manipulative descendant of Cornelius, while a missing boy tied to the Vineyard raises the stakes. Althea Cascio, connected to both the Vineyard and the Mob, fears for her son as Grayson abducts her under Cornelius's orders. Antonio, Miriam's first love, returns to help and reveals the Vineyard's dark history to Rebecca. Eleanor and her allies work to protect the Vineyard as Grayson's alliance with Zhang collapses, leading to betrayal, violence, and a confrontation between Grayson, Doyle, and Cornelius. Donatelli is wounded during Doyle's escape, leaving the group fractured as the danger grows.
Donatelli is critically wounded by Doyle during a confrontation. Danni, Eleanor, and DeLuca rally to save him, but chaos ensues as Rebecca goes missing. Eleanor tracks Doyle, confronting him after his car crashes. Her fury burns hot, but she ultimately spares him, only for fate to seal his end in the wreckage's flames. Overwhelmed by the night's tragedies, Eleanor is grounded by Charles's comforting presence, renewing her resolve to protect those she loves.
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York mob
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Eleanor discovers Miriam is missing and trapped in a mirror by Cornelius Webb, whose schemes threaten the Vineyard. Rebecca meets Grayson Webb, a manipulative descendant of Cornelius, while a missing boy tied to the Vineyard raises the stakes. Althea Cascio, connected to both the Vineyard and the Mob, fears for her son as Grayson abducts her under Cornelius's orders. Antonio, Miriam's first love, returns to help and reveals the Vineyard's dark history to Rebecca. Eleanor and her allies work to protect the Vineyard as Grayson's alliance with Zhang collapses, leading to betrayal, violence, and a confrontation between Grayson, Doyle, and Cornelius. Donatelli is wounded during Doyle's escape, leaving the group fractured as the danger grows.
Donatelli is critically wounded by Doyle during a confrontation. Danni, Eleanor, and DeLuca rally to save him, but chaos ensues as Rebecca goes missing. Eleanor tracks Doyle, confronting him after his car crashes. Her fury burns hot, but she ultimately spares him, only for fate to seal his end in the wreckage's flames. Overwhelmed by the night's tragedies, Eleanor is grounded by Charles's comforting presence, renewing her resolve to protect those she loves.
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York mob
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