by Patricia Bellomo | Aug 16, 2011 | Mob Blog
Anonymous at A1A Ale Works
Anonymous at the A1A Ale Works, August 16, 2011
[dcs_p]Lunch at the A1A Ale Works in St. Augustine. It’s not Victor’s cooking, but it’ll do. Angie’s enjoying herself, and I suppose that’s what matters. We’re sitting upstairs overlooking the harbor—where the Stella is docked. We came up the coast from Delray with a crew of seven, including the first mate’s wife, Linda. Yesterday we toured the town, which is very old and reminds me of New Orleans, but without the drunks. This morning Angie and Linda went shopping, and I clocked about a dozen calls, including several from Franco, who’s having trouble with some local hoods. Franco has the panic button on, and wants to know if I can send in Victor or Nathan. “Let me make some calls,” I say, and I do, asking Nathan to make some inquiries. I’m pretty sure it’s low-level drug business, but you never can tell. Then I sit back and look at the harbor, watch the sailboats in the distance. I’m totally anonymous here at the A1A Ale Works. Just another tourist in St. Augustine.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]Anonymous at the A1A Ale Works was told in the voice of PAtricia Bellomo’s main character, mobster Louie Morelli. Bellomo’s books are available on Amazon.com and on all e-readers.
by Patricia Bellomo | Aug 8, 2011 | Mob Blog
Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton, August 8, 2011
Lunch with Buddy Shuler, the radio talk-show guy at the Ritz-Carlton on A1A, where Manalapan meets Palm Beach. The Ritz is a class act and has a stellar view, but when I arrive storm clouds are swirling and jagged streaks of lightning are flickering over the Atlantic. Not that we planned on dining al fresco, and by the time we get seated at a table overlooking the terrace, it’s coming down cats and dogs.
I know Buddy from my days in New Orleans, when he used to be a sportscaster covering the Saints. He knows who I am, what I do, and what I used to do. Anyway, he’s an okay guy, and we get together every now and then. But Buddy’s on the air five days a week saying things a lot of people don’t like, and he’s picked up a stalker. It’s a crazed eco-terrorist who’s taking shots at Buddy’s Palm Beach house with a high-powered rifle. Buddy wants to know if I can help him put an end to his problem. Hmm. “Not me, personally,” I say. “But I know someone who can.”
(This is similar to a scene that takes place in Bellomo’s book, Louie Morelli’s Daughter. If you enjoyed this little anecdote, you may wish to purchase one of Bellomo’s books, available on Amazon.)
Bellomo writes mob fiction and mafia romance.
by Patricia Bellomo | Aug 3, 2011 | Mob Blog
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Recession Blues, Detroit, August 3, 2011
dcs_p]The season is on, but where’s the money? The way things are around here, I’m wondering if I’m going to have any customers. Everybody in this town is crying the blues, and it’s no wonder. Half the plants are closed, all the auto-parts places shuttered. Shops that used to breed money … and gamblers. I talk to the builders; they’re broke. Real-estate people surviving on their neighbor’s foreclosures and grand-kids moving into their grandparent’s basements. Everybody’s struggling, everybody’s hanging. It’s like a cyclone tore through southeastern Michigan, taking all the money with it. The joke is … the money got dropped in Washington. [/dcs_p]
by Patricia Bellomo | Jul 25, 2011 | Mob Blog
Beach Day in Delray, July 24, 2011
Dog days of summer. Too hot to be in the sun; I’m lounging with Angie beneath the beach canopy. We’re talking about taking the Stella di Mare up to St. Augustine for a few days. For once, everything is calm–no drama. My son-in-law is behaving, my daughter is happy, and my grand-kids are playing in the surf. My son, Michael, has ditched his bimbo, or so he tells us. Angie’s thrilled, but I’m skeptical. Anyway, he’s teaching my oldest grandson how to ride the boogie board, but there isn’t much of a wake. The sea is calm as glass, and even the sailboats on the edge of the horizon seem sluggish. Angie says, “Victor has the steaks on the grill. Do you want to go up to the house?” But I’m already drifting, and I don’t answer.
by Patricia Bellomo | Jul 15, 2011 | Mob Blog
Happy Hour at Shooters, Fort Lauderdale, July 15, 2011
[dcs_p]Had my crew pull the Stella di Mare into Shooters today. It’s summer in south Florida, lower nineties and hazy skies. The humidity is making Victor’s hair frizz, and he keeps smoothing it down. No wives today–it’s Friday afternoon, and we’ve got the girls on board. As usual, Nathan’s not playing, but Buddy Shuler showed up with his wild chick, Rachel, and she’s keeping us all entertained. She’s been behaving nicely for Buddy, but Victor and I know better, and after a few margaritas, her bikini top comes off. Buddy admonishes her, and she pouts, tells him “he never lets her have any fun”.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]It’s happy hour at Shooter’s. We’re sitting at a table on the deck, in the shade of the canopy. During season Shooters is a real party spot, but midsummer it seems more like a family place, although there are quite a few boats coming and going on the Intracoastal. At any rate, it’s quiet today–no hot bod contests or anything like that. Rachel’s disappointed. She used to be a dancer and was hoping for a chance to showoff.[/dcs_p]
by Patricia Bellomo | Jul 8, 2011 | Mob Blog
Murderers Go Free, Bookies Go to Jail, July 8, 2011
I have buddies sitting in Federal prison for bookmaking, and this bimbo in Orlando walks free. The media did a hack job on this one … and what’s with the judge for allowing cameras in the courtroom? After OJ he should have known better. You take twelve people, flash lights in their faces, add a slick talking defensive with hyped up theories and a prosecution on overkill, and you get “no guilty” for a bimbo who spent five weeks clubbing while her little girl was decomposing in her trunk. OJ’s jury had an agenda … race. This jury is just plain dumb.
