The Beadle Files: Gypsy Curses

Ken R. Abell

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN:
  9781666790481
• Print ISBN:
  9781666734539
  9781666790474
• Topic: Theology & Religion

Gypsy Curses, the sixth installment of The Beadle Files, begins in Buffalo where LC Beadle is investigating the mysterious disappearance of Bernadette Millier, a cabaret singer climbing the rungs of success. During the course of his digging and inquires, he discovers a bombshell secret about her manager Alfonso Kosteas, which the pair had conspired to keep hidden. The narrative weaves its way around organized crime circles populated by gangsters, including Stefano Galleo, an authoritative kingpin who is somewhat obsessed with Bernadette Millier. His fixation results in him pulling strings and manipulating events on her behalf. In Durango, Tatiyana Baglio, proprietor of Jewel's Tea and Spice Emporium, is kept busy by those seeking an advantage in receiving a glimpse of the future, including Jack Whistler and a pair of veteran mobsters, Hacksaw Maddox and Jimmy Pachino. Josiah Grassley, along with Cynthia Sue Hopple and Megan Kitner, are on an urgent quest to recover a treasure entrusted to Josiah then stolen by a pair of ne'er-do-well flimflammers. The travelers form a bond and experience misadventures whilst being enlightened or entertained by a neverending commentary from Cynthia Sue telling longwinded stories gleaned from her past.

I

~Genesis~

“In visions of the dark night

I have dreamed of joy departed

But a waking dream of life and light

Hath left me broken-hearted.”

~Edgar Allan Poe~

In June 1926, LC Beadle had to deal with a puzzling situation. He was in Buffalo investigating the disappearance of Bernadette Millier, a talented cabaret singer he had profiled. Shortly thereafter she went missing, which prompted the journalist to dig into her life and times by arranging to interview her manager at The Chippewa, a downtown hole in the wall saloon.

Alfonso Kosteas sat across from him chain-smoking cigarettes and sipping beer. He had a swarthy complexion and woolly-worm eyebrows. “I don’t know anything that’ll be helpful.”

“Let me be the judge of that, Mr. Kosteas.”

“I’ve been looking after her business for ten years or more,” he told him while absently scratching his forehead. “Whatever happened to her couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

“Why?”

“Her stint here at the Blue Bison Tavern garnered much attention and interest. I’ve got her booked at the Cotton Club in New York City next week,” he said excitedly. “Nothing but the glare of the spotlight and big cash. Bernadette was an up and comer on her way to the top.”

“Was? Don’t be so quick to put her in the past tense,” LC advised, sharp and terse. He took a no-nonsense look at the man. “Unless you know something you’re not sharing.”

“Know something? No. Just got a bad feeling.”

“Take a step back from your feelings.”

“Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

“Suspicions, Mr. Kosteas? Yes. Knowledge? No.”

“What kind of suspicions?”

“Nebulous and sketchy,” LC said, leaning over to reach into his knapsack. He retrieved a pen and notepad. “Is there anything significant you can tell me about Bernadette Millier?”

“What are you looking for, Mr. Beadle?”

“Friends? Enemies?”

“Everyone she ever met became her friend,” Alfonso answered, a strident edge in his voice. “Enemies? An unthinkable possibility. Bernadette was loved and respected, Mr. Beadle. As far as I’m concerned, you’re responsible for whatever it is that has happened to her.”

“Me? That’s malarkey.”

“The article you wrote.”

“The piece was positive.”

“True enough, Mr. Beadle.”

“I’m waiting for a but or however.”

“It put her in the crosshairs.”

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Kosteas.”

“Bernadette has a past.”

“Meaning what exactly?” LC fired back, scribbling notes. “Are you suggesting that she has hidden skeletons or such that would make her susceptible to blackmail or intimidation?”

“That’s spot-on, Mr. Beadle.”

“Tell me her secrets.”

“No can do.”

“Why not, Mr. Kosteas?”

“Because I am a man of my word.”

“Perhaps this is the exception,” LC opined, hands flexing rapidly. “If you are correct about my article being the catalyst for whatever has occurred, then give me a tidbit of gossip or something to use for a follow-up piece in which I can put some pressure on the investigation.”

Kosteas wagged his head ever so slowly. He stubbed a smoldering cigarette out. “I highly doubt that is at all possible,” he said while getting the fixings to make another rollup. “Therefore, it’s not worth an effort.” His fingers were quick and nimble. “Do you understand? Don’t bother me again.” He put the ciggy between his lips, then got up and hurried away.

Beadle made a cursory note before glancing around the sparsely populated barroom. He twiddled with the pen while pondering options for how to pursue the story. There was a detective he needed to interview, but so far, the cop had proven to be elusive, which only stoked the fires of determination in him. He should...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1: ~Genesis~
• Chapter 2: ~Chronicles~
• Chapter 3: ~Good and Bad~
• Chapter 4: ~Chronicles Revisited~
• Chapter 5: ~Good and Bad Revisited~
• Chapter 6: ~Revelations~