Dick Johnson episode 2: Blocks and Chops

By: Hokieshibe on February 10, 2015, 10:24 PM | 8 comments

This is part 2 of the Dick Johnson story. If you missed part one, you can find it here:

http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2015/february/6/cases-dick-johnson-foo...

My office lights were on when I got back, and I readied myself at the door. I knew I was leaving that office with a slug in me - the only question was whether it would be made out of whiskey or lead. I expected to find the place trashed, but the decor was the same mess as when I left. Instead, I found a man seated in a chair to the side of the room, flanked on either side by a goon. He was dressed in khakis and an ill-fitting sweater vest, and wore a face that made me think somebody up above had a strange sense of humor. He looked like the kind of guy who fights dirty - a man who would chop a man's knees out from under him when things got rough.

I stood in the doorway and waited for him to speak, my hand resting comfortably on my sidearm. We stared at each other for a long moment before he smiled broadly. "Hello detective," he said, rising from the chair. "My name's Paul Johnson, and I wanted to introduce you to two of my..." he gestured to the two goons standing beside him, "associates." I knew the name - Paul Johnson's gang had been behind a string of brutal muggings I'd investigated, and I recognized the goons. Jeremiah Attaochu was known across the city for his right-hook,

and Jonathon Dwyer was fresh out of the slammer for assault.

I said nothing, and walked behind my desk, making a show of pouring myself a drink. I didn't offer any.

"What do you want, Johnson?" I asked finally, fully aware that both our last names are Johnson, and that the writer of this story really should of thought ahead when he started.

"I don't want anything. Donna Shalala came in here earlier asking about quarterbacks, right?"

"Donna who? Never heard of her." A PI doesn't get a good reputation by singing about clients, and a reputation is the only thing that keeps the flask full in this line of work. I kept my poker face on, but behind it, my mind raced to make the connection between Paul Johnson's gang and the dame.

Johnson grinned again and walked to my desk. "Well, if Ms. Shalala ever DOES show up asking about quarterbacks, I want you to tell her to beat it.

"Why do you care about quarterbacks? You dont even throw it." A vein bulged out of Johnsons forehead like an earthworm and I had to suppress a smile. His two goons looked at each other nervously.

"You don't get it, Dick. There's way more to this than some lousy quarterbacks. Keep outta it." Then he whistled and the two goons followed him out of the door.
I poured myself another drink to slow down my racing head. Could Johnson's gang be behind what happened to Kiel? They didn't seem the type - too brutal, even for them. So then why try and stop the investigation? What were they trying to hide? There had to be a connection.
I asked around, looking for anyone from Johnson's gang who fashioned himself a quarterback. One name kept coming up Vad Lee. He was supposed to be the next big thing the hotshot young gun. Had the city in his hand. But he ups and skips town a year later. They say he didn't have the nerve, but I think he saw something. The question is, what?