THE MAN WHO WASN’T DEAD

A Danny Marino Mystery
By E.J. Gold

Danny Marino was sitting in his office on a Wednesday afternoon, trying to decide whether he could afford lunch, when a man walked in and offered him fifty dollars. The man was about sixty, well dressed, with a narrow face and the sort of carefully maintained mustache that suggested he had plenty of time in the mornings. His suit was dark gray, his shoes were polished, and he carried a black umbrella despite the clear weather. Continue reading →

Once again I have devoted an entire evening to video searches and song searches. Continue reading →

I did it again, spent the whole night finding good tracks to play for you this morning! Continue reading →

That’s right, another dj morning at KGOD, the station that makes it. I’ve found a number of early songs that you might like. Hope to see you on zoom! Continue reading →

I spent the night as the KGOD Radio Program Director, going over some of my earlier songs from two years ago up to one year ago, and I think you’ll be amazed at the subject matter. The lyrics could be written today.

The way radio shows used to operate was the program director would select the songs, the DJ was responsible for patter, intros and outros, commercials and call-ins.

Continue reading →

KISS ME, YOU MAMALUKE

A Danny Marino Mystery — by E.J. Gold

Danny Marino had been in love twice in his life. Both times it had cost him money, and neither time had he gotten a receipt.

He was sitting in the back room of the Downtown Athletic & Bridge Club, watching Nicky Bellomo eat a corned beef sandwich, when Tony Spada looked up from his racing form. Continue reading →

THE DEAD MAN’S LUNCH

A DANNY MARINO MYSTERY

“Marino, I need you to find out why a dead man keeps ordering lunch.”

Danny looked at Tony Spada, who was sitting in the corner. Not eating, not drinking, just sitting. He was a compact, well-dressed man in his middle fifties, with iron-gray hair and the quiet authority of someone clearly accustomed to being obeyed. Exactly what he did for a living was something Danny had never been foolish enough to ask. Continue reading →

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

THE RANSOM

Danny Marino was beginning to understand that getting rid of something was not the same as knowing where it went.

He was at home when he thought of this.

Home, in Danny’s case, was the second floor of an old warehouse in the meatpacking district, not far from Washington Street.

The place had once been used for storing cheese.

It had not stored cheese for a very long time.

It still smelled like cheese. Continue reading →

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY NICKELS

Danny Marino had never thought of an umbrella as threatening. He was beginning to reconsider.

The man was half a block behind him. Danny crossed Seventh Avenue. The man crossed Seventh Avenue. Continue reading →

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THE WRONG BOX

Danny Marino had looked at the gray man.

Then he had looked at the box. It was a cardboard box about the size of a cigar box, tied with string. It didn’t look important. Danny was beginning to understand that this didn’t mean anything. Continue reading →