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    Short Adventure Stories
    Short Adventure Stories
    Short Adventure Stories
    Ebook253 pages3 hours

    Short Adventure Stories

    By Burr Cook

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    About this ebook

    This is a book of short stories all of which are sold separately as well. The first is “Finding Billy Boy”, a young boy runs away and has an adventure on the Appellation Trail. Second is “The Witness”. A man in the witness program is found and hides out in the Canadian North West with Native Americans and makes pets of mountain lions. Next is “The Prisoner”. A POW at Moosburg Germany during WWII kills a guard and suffers guilt. Fourth is “Princess”. Princess meets a very strange alien and falls in love. He likes to gamble and she likes dancing and country music. Fifth is “Six Wagons to Laramie”. The Hansom family travels by wagon train from NYC to Laramie having many adventures. Jack Hansom gets involved in the hanging of Big Steve Long. Stories six and seven are sequels to Six Wagons making up a trilogy of western stories with lots of action and gun fights.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLulu.com
    Release dateJul 2, 2014
    ISBN9781312324718
    Short Adventure Stories

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      Book preview

      Short Adventure Stories - Burr Cook

      Short Adventure Stories

      Short Adventure Stories

      Copyright 2013 Burr Cook

      All rights reserved

      ISBN: 978-1-312-32471-8

      Book I Finding Billy Boy

      Chapter I

      William Bradford was 13 years old and was quick to add that he was soon to be 14. Billy was a quiet kid, kind of a loner. For at least a year now he had an interest in girls. He was well liked by members of the fairer sex. They liked his muscular build and his light brown curls and big brown eyes. Even though his clothes all came from the Salvation Army Stores he looked good in them. He lived with his mother and step father. His mother had been divorced and remarried more than once so his name was different from his parents. They were Edward and Susan Mosher. They lived in a dark and dirty tenement in the Bedford–Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. His bedroom used to be a closet. There was just room to stand up next to the cot and he kept his few possessions in a box underneath.

      It was early on a Saturday morning and Billy was still in bed trying to think of something new and different to do. His body ached from the beating he took last night. His step father was very abusive and was drunk last night and even though Billy was sure he could have given his step father the beating he didn’t do it because that would just mean he would get a worse beating later on when the guy was halfway sober.

      Billy knew that his mother was a prostitute and his step father was a pimp. Both parents were also addicts, which was the main reason there was never enough to eat in the house. He knew where his mother hid money and when she came home drunk and high she never knew how much money she had and it wasn’t hard to take a little as long as it wasn’t too much. He was still dressed from the night before. After being beaten he had crawled into bed without undressing so that he would not be noisy. His step father soon passed out and his mother hadn’t come home yet.

      When he finally slipped out of bed in the morning he found the house to be silent. His parents were still sleeping. As he passed through the kitchen on his way out of the door he found two dry slices of bread on the table. He was hungry so he ate the stale bread in the hallway on his way to the two flights of stairs leading to the sidewalk below. He walked to a park nearby and sat on a bench. It was almost the first of June and the sun felt good on his face. Even this early in the morning he could observe a group of men hassling over a crack pipe. 

      There was a playground in the park which Billy ambled over to. He was too old, he felt, for swings and slides but some kids his age hung around there. He sat on a bench in that area for about an hour before being visited by Julie Cristal. He liked Julie a lot, although he would be quick to say she was not his girl friend, he didn’t want to go steady. She was however his best friend. She took one look at him and said your step father beat you again.

      Yeah he was in a bad mood last night; came home drunk and smoked some crack and started yelling at me. I told him to fuck off and he beat the shit out of me. I could have knocked him down with one punch but he would get even later when he could walk again. He’d use a belt on me. I’ve got to get out of that apartment and find another place to live.

      Julie was deep in thought for a few minutes before she responded. Can’t your mother do anything?

      You know what my mother is, don’t you? Then Billy answered his own question. She’s a whore.

      Yes I know about that, Billy. A few more minutes of silence followed and then she said I had a friend in school that went to see a lawyer.

      What did the lawyer do for her?

      He called some kind of agency that got her placed in a foster home. She says it’s working out real good for her.

      Don’t lawyer’s charge money.

      Not that one. He just made one phone call and some people came and fixed things for her. I suppose they do charge money if they’ve got to do some work.

      I could steal my mother’s money. I know where she hides it so my step dad won’t find it. She says she works hard for it but I know what she does and it aint like working. Julie laughed then Billy asked where the lawyer’s office was.

      It was in the village someplace. Maybe it’s near Washington Square someplace. I think the subway goes there. I can ask my friend in school.

      No don’t do that. I don’t want anybody else to know about it. I’ll skip school on Monday and go over and look around.

      The conversation ended there and Julie showed Billy that she had a Frisbee. And they spent a couple hours with that before they both went to Julie’s apartment and ate some lunch. Billy was hungry but he didn’t say so.    

      Chapter II

      Monday morning came and Billy made his way to lower Manhattan. He had managed to slip a couple dollars out of his mothers stash. He got off the train in Greenwich Village and began his search for a lawyer. He saw a sign right away that read David Paulson Attorney And followed the arrow pointing to a stairway which he immediately climbed. One flight up there was a door with a frosted glass panel on which the name David Paulson was printed but it didn’t say that he was a lawyer, instead it said Private Detective.

      Billy knocked on the door and heard someone shout Come in it aint locked. When he opened the door he was surprised to find a man sitting at a desk about as big as an aircraft carrier and surrounded by very expensive looking office furniture. There was a large conference table with several comfortable chairs around it. The man at the desk said howdy there young fellow, what can I do for you?

      I thought you were a lawyer. Billy stammered.

      Well I was a lawyer but I had a disagreement with the Bar Association. So now I’m a private detective. My name is David, What’s yours?

      Billy Bradford.

      Why are you looking for a lawyer Billy?

      Billy was caught by surprise and had to think fast for the right words and he knew it didn’t come out the way he intended so again he stammered I’m looking for foster parents.

      David smiled at that assertion. He was beginning to like this kid. He asked why Billy was seeking new parents. Did he not have parents?

      Billy could feel the friendly nature this man was showing him so he decided to come right out with the truth. I’ve got a mother who makes her living as a whore and a step father that beats me regularly. Things get real bad at home when they’re both drunk and high on crack at the same time. I want to get away from them.

      Well Billy, I do most of my work for one client who pays me well but let’s talk for a few minutes. Doesn’t your mother ever interfere when you’re being beaten?

      No, I don’t think she cares. When I was little she used to hug me now and then when I cried, but not anymore. She just acts like I’m not a real person.

      Do you still cry?

      Not very often, I try hard not to make any noise at all. It just makes it worse. I don’t think my mother cares what my step dad does to me. After saying this Billy’s eyes filled with tears.

      David found himself becoming emotional also. Billy was portraying a rather pitiful scene.

      Chapter III

      Just then the door opened and in walked a man without knocking. Billy noted that he was a very large muscular man with dark black curly hair. Even though he wore a business suit he looked really tough. He promptly sat beside Billy and proceeded to take in the scene around him. Before anything was said he could sense the emotion in the room around him. What’s going on here David? You guys look almost like you’ve been crying.

      So David said This is Billy Bradford. He’s looking for a lawyer. Then Billy remained quiet while David told the newcomer the whole story as it had been relayed to him. Then as an afterthought he added looking at Billy now this is my client Mr. Salvador Lattona. 

      My friends call me Sally. I’m not fond of that name though I don’t mind just Sal. Some call me The Don. Then The Don looked over at David saying I dropped in to talk to you about the situation at the club but I left my wife in the limo and have to drop her at the mall after which I’ll return. Can you hang around for a while?

      Sure Sal. I’ll be here. And with that The Don walked out leaving David again alone with Billy. They made small talk for a few more minutes before David handed a card to Billy with his phone number on it. Let me think about this for a while. Can you call me tomorrow?

      I sure as hell can. Can I use your bathroom before I go?

      It’s through that door right over there.

      While Billy was in the restroom David’s phone rang. He was startled since he expected no more calls. It turned out to be Don Salvador on his car phone. Hey Sal, what’s up?

      Is the boy still there?

      Yeah, he’s in the bathroom taking a leak.

      Well hang on to him for a few minutes, I’ll be right back.

      What happened, Sal?

      Well, I told my wife about the kid and now she’s mad as hell at me. She say’s I should’ve offered to help him instead of just sending him back into the lion’s den. So anyway we’re both coming up. I’m turning around right now. Just keep him there.

      When Billy came out of the bathroom David said sit down for a minute, son, let’s talk some more.

      While David was trying to think of something else to say Billy asked was that Salvador Lattona the mafia boss?

      Well that’s what they call him in the news papers. They don’t really know him like I do.

      And you were his lawyer?

      Yeah, and I’ll be his lawyer again soon. He’s working on helping me get my law license back. He’s got connections?

      Did you ever kill anybody?

      No Billy that stuff is just in some news reporter’s head.

      Did The Don ever kill anybody?

      I don’t know son, I wouldn’t ask him that though.

      Suddenly the door swung open again and there stood The Don and a lady. They both sat down at the table and invited David and Billy to sit there also. This is my wife, Celestia The Don said.  

      Are you hungry Billy? Celestia asked. I am.

      Billy answered quickly I’m always hungry.

      Do you like Chinese?

      I don’t know any Chinese people.

      Celestia laughed and said I meant do you like Chinese food?

      Billy smiled for the first time as he replied I like all food.

      So Celestia looked at David and said Why not ask your secretary to send out for some food?

      David pushed a button on his phone and spoke Janie, call and order some various Chinese foods and have them sent up right away. There are four of us here. Get something for yourself too if you want.

      Fine Dave but it’ll be quicker if I run out and get it myself. I’m not busy.

      OK Janie.

      For the next two hours the gangster and his wife quizzed Billy about his dilemma at home. David interrupted now and then injecting some legal aspects of the situation. During this meeting at the conference table they all enjoyed stuffing themselves with some good Chinese food. Janie joined the party and even asked a question now and then. They all were appalled with the story of Billy’s home life.

      When it came time to break up, Sal asked Billy if he needed a ride home, He replied I can use a ride to Brooklyn but I’m not going home yet. I skipped school today and my folks probably got a call from them. That really pisses them off when the school calls. They’re afraid somebody might come to the apartment.

      Then Sal asked him a question that shook him a little. Billy, suppose I wanted to talk to your parents. What would be a good time?

      Billy answered emphatically, Oh my God they would beat the shit out of me.

      The Don looked him in the eye as he said Billy, have you heard of me before today.

      Yes, last year you were on TV during your trial. I’m glad you got off.

      Sal smiled as he said Do you believe that I could scare them out of beating you?

      I guess you could but you won’t find them home until early in the morning. They go out about this time and don’t come back ‘till it’s almost daylight.

      Sal then spoke to his wife, Celestia, do you think that we could put this fella up for the night for protection. I could speak to his parents in the morning.

      Salvador my love, I’m Celestia Sarah Lattona you know I’m the one that brings home stray cats and dogs. If I can watch over cats and dogs I can take care of this boy’s needs. What do you say my boy would you like to spend the night at our house on Long Island tonight?

      If you promise that I won’t get a beating in the morning.

      I don’t think you will The Don said. I want to speak to them.

      David was quick to throw in his opinion, I would like to go along in the morning, even though I’m not allowed to practice law right now.

      I’m fixing that The Don said.

      David replied OK, pick me up then, you may need some legal advice and I don’t think it would be wise to hurt anyone, physically that is.

      Celestia said I need to stop at the mall to buy this boy a new outfit to wear. I don’t want to take him home in these rags. He’ll need something to sleep in too.

      Good sweat heart. I can make some phone calls while you shop, if you do it fast that is.

      I will.

      Chapter IV

      So Billy was treated to new pants, shirt, under wear, socks and shoes. He also got new pajamas, something he never had before.

      He had never been in a mansion. I could get lost in this house he thought as he was ushered to a bath tub already filled with warm water by a servant of some kind. After his bath the servant handed him first a towel followed by his new clothes. He was then shown to the dining room where dinner was about to be served. 

      Billy was very shy about eating since he knew nothing about the proper way to use the forks and spoons but he ate anyway. The food was better than anything he had ever tasted. Celestia sat next to him and kept heaping more on his plate and it disappeared as fast as she piled it on. Finally, for fear of making him sick, she slowed down a little.

      After the meal Billy was shown to a basement game room with a pool table. He loved pool. A man servant played the game with him for a couple hours. Billy had never known anyone with their own private pool table. After that he was even more amazed to find that they had a private heated swimming pool and the servant, Jack, gave him shorts to swim in and they both enjoyed a dip in the pool.

      After all that Billy yawned and began to look tired. He was shown to a bedroom with a private bath and the cleanest sheets and most comfortable pillows he had ever seen and never imagined even existed. Jack said that he would be in the next room and that his job for tonight was to keep him, Billy, occupied and happy. Well you’ve done a good job. Billy told him.

      Morning came and Billy was treated to a very good breakfast on the patio near the pool. He ate ham and eggs with toast and pancakes. There was a bowl full of doughnuts and another of cereal. There was milk and fresh orange juice and even some various fruits on the table. I could get used to this, Billy exclaimed with a mouthful of food. When he was full he asked Celestia if she had any kids.

      No I was never able to have children but if I did I’d want one that looked like you.

      He didn’t know how to reply to that and luckily he was rescued by The Don who announced that the limo was ready. They walked out the front door and found the car parked in the circle with two men in the front seat. The house was very private with no neighbors in sight. Billy and Sal got in the back seat which was bigger and provided more space than any car he had ever seen. Sal told the driver to proceed to David’s office where they picked up the detective. There were now five people in the limo and there was still room for a few more. The next stop was in front of the tenement where Billy lived. Four men and a boy proceeded to enter the building and very noisily climbed the staircases and found themselves at the doorway to the Mosher couples flat where they knocked loudly.

      A few moments later they could hear some movement inside and after what seemed like an eternity Sal was ready to knock again when the door opened. Both parents stood wide eyed for a minute then the step father, Edward, shouted William Bradford, you skipped school yesterday. Who are these men with you? Are they from the school? Don’t worry guys I’ll take care of this kid good and proper. Ed had his hand in the air about to swing at Billy when one of The Don’s men grabbed the arm with a vice like grip twisting it while he put the step father in a chair.

      Sal said Now stay put for a minute, I want to talk to you. You sit down too Mam.

      Ed started to get up as he asked hey, what the fuck goes on here. He was shoved back into the chair a little more violently this time.

      I’m Salvador Lattona, I’m sure you’ve heard of me. On my left is my attorney, Mr. David Paulson and these two men work for me. You’ve already met one of them. While he was talking Sal unbuttoned his jacket purposely revealing a holstered pistol. Now Mr. Mosher, I don’t want to waste time here. As he continued talking he drew the gun and

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