DEADBEATS

by Ted Miller

Eddie Thomas, a slick car wholesaler gets too slick when he borrows twenty thousand dollars from an ill-tempered loan-shark, Joe Lags,by using cars on his lot for collateral, cars he doesn't own. Eddie had consigned the cars from different dealers. When Joe learns that he's been duped, he goes ballistic and informs Eddie he wants all of his money back and within sixty days, OR ELSE!!!!!!! Eddie's recourse could be a case of the cure being worse than the disease. Seeking help from the man he fears most, John Salle, he asks John to intervene and get him ninety days to repay Joe's loan. John is quick to ask how he intends to pay the loan in ninety days when he's unable to pay it now. Eddie explains that he's been romancing a local banker and has put him in the trick bag. The trick bag being Eddie will be able to finance people who in most cases would never be able to secure any credit. John skeptically advises,"Eddie, you've been trying to get even for ten years and this scam might work and then it may not. I'll get you your ninety days slack, but in ninety days you pay Joe and I don't care where or how you get the money. All you have to do is come to work for me and you're even. When's the last time you've been even?" Eddie doesn't reply to John's offer, just thanks him for getting him out of the jackpot.
Eddie spends much of his working day dodging loan-sharks and bookmakers, then goes home to a beautiful vixen with extreme demands. When Joyce gets pregnant Eddie learns just how demanding she can be.
The Chief of Police is no friend of Eddie's, and is on the take with Joe Lags. Chief Harry Burton is also a good friend of Frank Castellano, proprietor of The Castle, Eddie's favorite hangout. There have been a rash of holdups at the city's drive-thru banks, and the Chief is on the hot seat. The Castle has it's own cast of zany characters and Frank is forever trying to get Eddie to do the right thing. The Chief and John Salle also do not get along. But John is one of the highest ranking mobsters in New England and not easily intimidated.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2014