NEEDLES. A Novel
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BY JEREMIAH TREACY
About NEEDLES_thebook
(Describe when you were founded, the most important thing your company does, what you care most about, and what sets you apart from similar businesses.)
NEEDLES_thebook is family-owned and operated right here in Petaluma, Ca. Since our company opened its doors in 2006, we’ve treated every customer like they were a part of our family. Other companies may offer similar services, but our services are the best, and come with a personal touch.
Dr.Dom Martinez, a divorced plastic surgeon in Hollywood, watches his son, Quentin, commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. This sends Dr. Martinez into a cocaine tailspin as he ratchets up writing prescriptions for his Hollywood Hills’ poolside glitterati.
Dr. Martinez is soon caught for his illicit prescriptions, but the authorities offer him a deal. He can avoid jail time if he works with them handling facial reconstructs on some “off the record” Russian gangsters with whom the authorities have a certain quid pro quid understanding.
When the wife of a heavyweight Russian mobster ends up dead on his operating table Dr. Martinez is in danger from the Russians. His federal contact, Jack Murphey, isn’t sold on Doc’s relocation plan, and only later finds that Doc is in Needles, California, in the Mojave desert, still under the Witness Protection Program.
He has a new name but the same profession. Doc’s also left behind a young Russian girlfriend Helena, although when he calls, she finds this patch of desert perfect for hiding from her own past, as well.
Doc’s weekly visits to the local liquor store catch the attention of Chet, the phlegmatic 70-year old proprietor and retired, dirty Needles cop. With the help of Detective Donovan Casey, a friend in the Needles police department, Chet digs up Doc’s past. Chet uses the information to make Doc an offer he can’t refuse. Doc resumes writing illegal prescriptions which are distributed throughout the southwest by Chet and his family: his wife CC, and sons, Phil and Roy, who are also ex-Needles cops, and Phil’s 20-year-old stepdaughter, Rita. Chet assures Doc that his secret’s safe with him as long as Doc keeps writing. Doc’s script pad coupled with Chet’s family of heavies deposit big dough in his pocket.
Then the situation gets even more complicated: the Russians have uncovered Doc’s location, the family of cops are demanding more of their share, Phil and Rita hijack a black leather bag full of cash; even Doc’s personal Fed, Jack, wants a slice of the action, and Helena, Doc’s Russian girlfriend also has demands: notably his ampules of liquid cocaine. It seems the only one who doesn’t want a piece of the Doc is his friend Ivan, a sober Russian with the temperment of a terrier and packs a .357 Python. Ivan has a thing for scorpions hanging from his neck.
In a final lethal encounter, Doc, Helena, Jack, and Ivan, enlist the mystical powers of an aging Brujo who channels pit vipers and carries a rusty canteen containing a mind-bendng concotion of plant-based psycho-tropics that take Russian gangsters on a deadly trip though the desert. The flat, parched skillet of the Mojave is the perfect place to bury their secrets, along with what’s left of Doc’s life.
Synopsis
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