Tag Archive for: Bruce Sarte

Philadelphia Story by Bruce Sarte

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by Bruce Sarte
This is an excerpt from my latest novel, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter
Detective Novel. In this scene, Lance receives another phone call from the
mysterious young girl and gets some important information from his partner,
Linc Diesel.

___________

After Nathalie left I was able to unwind on the couch with Copper
and another glass of Jack Daniels. It wasn’t until my phone began ringing did I
remember that I missed a call while being accosted by the inner city version of
Menudo.

Unknown. Great… my favorite caller.


“Hello?” I offered, hoping for a response but just like earlier in
the day, nothing. It was actually starting to get on my nerves considering the
kind of day I ended up having. “Look, I know that you are with or work for #1
Velvet Dragon Industries and I know where the warehouse is so I’d really…”


“You shouldn’t have come to the warehouse today,” she interrupted
in a flat monotone.


“No? Why not? You…”


“Javier and Miguel will shoot you,” she interrupted again in the
same flat monotone. So that’s what Sleeves’ and Crucifix’ names were. Wonder
which was which.


“Your Hispanic friends don’t scare me. I was just trying to make
sure you weren’t in trouble.” I paused hoping for some input from my mystery
caller. “Are you in trouble?”


“I… I…” she stammered, unsure of herself suddenly. “I should have
never called you, I just want to tell you not to worry and that it was a
mistake for me to call you.” Her speech pattern had increased almost to the
level of panic. “Just stay away… they will hurt you and…” She stopped suddenly
and let her words hang.


“And?” I prompted.


“Nothing,” the flat tone had returned, “just stay away.”


“Who is this? Why are you calling me?” No response. “Hello? Are
you still there?” But the mystery girl was gone. Just like before, I didn’t
have anything tangible but I felt like something was wrong and I was
responsible for thisgirl. And somehow, she felt a responsibility for… me?


I looked at my missed calls and saw it was Linc who had called
earlier.


“Lance. Linc. Call me. You want to know whose car that is.” He
said it matter-of-factly, as if I wanted to know whose car that was. Not
implying a question. So I did as instructed by my venerable partner of few
words but many skills.


“Hey Linc!” I said in my best mobster impression. Linc loves it
when I poke fun at his Italian heritage. “Wassa happening!” More ethnic humor.


“The car is registered to Soriano Mustafa.” That Linc, always
right to the point. But this little piece of information caught me off-guard.


“Say what now?” Soriano Mustafa was one of the biggest crime
bosses this side of New York City and the word was that he even had ties
upthere.


“And do you want to guess who is listed at the owner of #1 Velvet
Dragon Industries?” Linc added in his gravely baritone.


“Soriano Mustafa?” I wagered a guess.


“Bingo.” His gritty voice stayed steady.


“You didn’t happen to see what #1 Velvet Dragon Industries does
exactly?” I took a shot.


“They are listed as an import and export enterprise. But I made
some calls.” Linc is nothing if not thorough. “You familiar with Savannah’s?”


“Of course.” Savannah’s is a high-priced, elitist gentlemen’s
club. It was the kind of place that had a membership fee per year, not a cover
charge. Only the wealthiest people were members. Only the youngest and most
beautiful women danced at Savannah’s. There were rumors that for the right
price, anything could be had. “You know, I’ve heard of it.”


“Number 1 Velvet Dragon Industries owns eighty percent. They also
own a stake in the Maritime Museum and The Moshulu.”


“So why does this make me want to find this girl even more, Linc?”

 _____________

Philadelphia
Story is available in Paperback, Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook and Apple
iBookstore formats. Find out more about Philadelphia Story at my website, http://www.bruceasarte.com.
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Bruce
A. Sarte

Author,
Sands of Time, Towering Pines, The Star of Christmas

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Out My New Release — Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel

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me on the web:  http://www.bruceasarte.com

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Sands of Time

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Sands of Time is a novel about a man, Sam Shepard, who has lost his family to a horrible tragedy. He falls into a deep, alcohol laced depression. But then, with the help of his friends and church he fights to save himself and the people he loves. One of these people that Sam leans on the most is the manager of his Inn, Natalie Stevens. Today, we are fortunate enough to have Natalie spend a few minutes with us and talk about the events of that fateful month of March.

Bruce: Natalie, thanks so much for taking the time to be with us today. I know you are busy this time of year, how are things?
Natalie: Bruce, thank you for having me. I love doing these things and look forward to doing a live interview on the website sometime. The Inn is just jumping this time of year. Guests always flock to the Jersey Shore every summer and this year is no different.
Bruce: I’m sure the publicity didn’t hurt.
Natalie: Are you kidding? Last season was one of our best ever. We were booked solid to come and see the Sam Shepard. And this summer looks like it won’t be any slower.
Bruce: Sam’s diary being picked up by the publisher, how did Sam feel about that?
Natalie: Sam is an intensely private man. Always has been since I’ve known him. At first he was upset about it but Pastor Paul and I talked with him about it and he realized that getting the story out there was the best thing for everyone. It helped clear the family name and the people of Pine Beach got some closure on the disaster.
Bruce: How about you? How has it affected you? You’ve gone from an unknown manager at a Jersey Shore Inn to someone who kicks-ass and takes names. You helped the FBI and a man you care about rid the area of an evil presence. How is Natalie?
Natalie: Natalie is fine, let me start off telling you that. I have so much more in my life today than I ever thought I would. I’ve done some interviews for local papers and a few television interviews but that has all died down – until this interview, of course. But let’s not forget, I’ve been kicking-ass and taking names for a long time. So, that’s not going to change just because people know who I am. They’ll forget next month.
Bruce: Let’s delve a little deeper here, how is Sam? Has he started drinking again?
Natalie: No, he’s been sober ever since that night in his study when we… well, you know what we did. He’s been clean since then and continues his recovery from alcohol. He works very hard at it.
Bruce: You brought it up, so I’m going to ask. Are you and Sam Shepard an item? Are there wedding bells in the future?
Natalie: Now that is private! Seriously though, you never know how things will play out. We are taking things one step at a time. Everyone knows that we are very close and that will never change.
Bruce: Effectively evasive, Natalie.
Natalie: Thank you!
Bruce: OK, off Natalie’s private life. How did you become involved with Pastor Paul and Curtis in your little vampire hunting gang?
Natalie: Well it’s a simple story really. I have been a regular church goer since I was a little girl. My parents raised to me to love and trust in God and He is my rock. When I was 14 I saw a Jackie Chan movie and was captivated by his speed and skill in martial arts. I whined and got my dad to sign me up for Tae Kwon Do and I took to it like a fish to water. When I was 19 I won a regional championship, everyone knew about it at church. One Sunday, Pastor Paul called me into his office and explained what it was the he does fighting vampires for God. I was already working at the Inn, so I knew Curtis but had no idea we he did in his free-time, but we clicked. We’ve been vamp-hunting ever since.
Bruce: Well Natalie, we’ve run over our time so thank you so much for coming.
Natalie: Thank you for having me and I hope everyone picks up a copy of Sands of Time!

Bruce is holding a contest on his website, www.bruceasarte.com, and giving away a copy of a book to one luck person who signs up for his mailing list before May 30th. He will also be appearing at Border’s in Philadelphia on June 10th, see his website for details.