Jim Audrey and Joy V'Marie
Jack is a fast-talking salesman who doesn’t hold his alcohol well. When he is working on US Navy warships in the Mediterranean in 1960 selling navy uniforms and custom-tailored suits, he discovers that a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise has five million dollars in cash on board in a safe. More importantly, he finds out the ship’s Disbursing Officer is the only one with the combination to the safe. During a drunken fantasy, he plots to relieve the Navy of the cash. It’s the perfect ploy. The Navy and the US Government could never let the heist become public or they’d become the laughing stock of the KGB and the rest of the world. One night during a drunken argument, he unknowingly punches a French Mafia boss and the fantasy of the heist becomes his only bargaining chip to stay alive after a hit contract is put out on him.
Authors Jim Audrey and Joy V'Marie work well together. They met years ago when living overseas in Germany and collaborated on this book on either side of the ocean - Jim and his wife Marcia are now in Ireland, Joy is in Arizona. Both Jim and Joy embrace life fully, delight in causing laughter, and have combined efforts to create this faction - is it fact - or is it fiction?
from the Prologue.....
What was that guy saying? His voice was interrupting the music. Jack sat up straighter, thinking that would help him hear better. Snatches he heard revved up an engine inside him that hadn't run in a long while. He could almost hear that engine cough and sputter before it roared into gear. Jack felt himself propelled out of his chair. He found himself pushing his way through the crowd, through those seated, those standing, those dancing, he pushed his way to the stage. He knew that his right fist was ready, but he listened before he swung. He had heard right: the man near the stage was voicing his opinion, that Kenny shouldn't be on stage. That they had hired professional entertainment. Jack snorted. Anyone who heard Kenny croon fell in love with the guy. Christ! He had a following in nightclubs not just in France, but in Italy and in Germany, too.
Jack's ears took him away from his thoughts. Good God. The man in the three-piece suit had just called Kenny a fag. Who was he kidding? Jack knew Kenny inside and out, and sure, he might be an artist, and artists often take the rap for being homosexual. But Kenny, a faggot? Ridiculous!
Jack's footing was wobbly, but his aim was careful. His fist silenced the man. After that, Jack's mind could take no more. The lights went out and he sank into a darkness.
