The Shadow Patriots Box Set 2

by Warren Ray

  After the second round showed up, the cheeseburgers followed and they were big and stacked tall. The guys dug in without fanfare, and no one talked as they devoured the burgers along with the fries. As the guys finished off the last of their fries, a couple of strangers stared at them as they left the restaurant. This got Scar’s attention and pointed it out to Bassett who sat beside him.

  “You saw that too?” asked Bassett.

  Scar nodded.

  “What’s up?” asked Nordell.

  “Not sure. Got a couple of gentlemen taking notice of us as they left,” said Scar.

  “If it’s anything, we’ll know soon enough,” said Nordell.

  “They’re coming back in,” said Bassett.

  Scar picked up his mug and took a sip while watching the guy sit back down and say something to his friend while looking at them.

  “Something’s definitely up,” said Bassett.

  “Should we leave?” asked Burns.

  “Let’s get our check,” said Scar motioning to their waitress.

  “We still need to find a hotel,” said Burns.

  “I’ll ask her,” said Scar.

  She came over and dropped off the check. Scar had already produced five twenty-dollar bills and told her to keep the change.

  “Thank you very much,” she said.

  Scar was about to ask her where the hotels were when four men approached their table.

  The waitress backed away from the table as they pulled out badges.

  “Excuse us, gentlemen, I’m Sergeant Major Wilson with the Sarnia Police.”

  Scar looked at his friends. “What can we do you for?”

  “Americans?”

  “Yes, we’re Americans.”

  “What is your business here?”

  Scar remained calm knowing this could go either way. “Besides getting some amazing cheeseburgers, we’re refugees.”

  “Do you gentlemen have your papers?”

  Scar wasn’t aware refugees were issued papers. Perhaps they did things differently here.

  “That’s the thing, we’re fairly new refugees.”

  “How new?” asked Wilson.

  “Couple of hours, actually.”

  “You just crossed?”

  “We did indeed.”

  “You gentlemen are in violation of the American Refugee Act and will need to come with us.”

  “Sergeant Major, isn’t there something we could work out here.”

  “I’m afraid not. All refugees have to file for status as soon as they arrive.”

  “But we just arrived and when we saw this place, and well, the cheeseburgers were calling out to us.”

  “I understand the hardships you Americans have been going through, but still, we need to get you sized up and make sure you’re not going to cause any trouble.”

  Scar let out a disappointing sight. They weren’t going to get out of this and would be going with them. He was afraid they were going to frisk them. Each of them carried a sidearm, which he was sure would get them thrown in the slammer. This wasn’t how he pictured the evening going. He had made a mistake coming in here and now they were going to pay for it.

  Scar looked at his men. “It would appear we have a change of plans.”

  They all nodded in agreement and began to get up from the table.

  “One at a time, gentlemen,” said Sergeant Major Wilson.

  Sweat formed on Scar’s forehead knowing the cops were going to frisk them. He got up first, and one of the other officers approached him and asked him to put his hands on the table.

  Everyone in the restaurant watched in silence at the scene unfolding in front of them. The officer grabbed Scar’s right arm first and slapped cuffs on him. He then searched him and yelled out when he found Scar’s Kimber .45 pistol.

  “Gun!” said the officer in an elevated voice.

  The rest of the officers drew out their weapons and pointed them at the table while screaming at them.

  “Hey, take it easy guys,” yelled Nordell. “We’re all armed, but we’re not here for a gunfight.”

  “Everyone! Put their hands on the table,” ordered Wilson.

  They all complied while a policeman pulled Scar away from the table. The remaining cops moved in and cuffed the men one at a time.

  “The burgers were worth it, sir,” said Bassett.

  “And the beers,” said Burns.

  Scar grew angry with himself as the police escorted them outside. The gun charges weren’t going to help them talk their way out of this. He thought about the angle he would use and decided to just come clean and hope they were aware of and knew the truth about the Shadow Patriots. His only ace in the hole was their friends in Winnipeg. They would vouch for them, but what he didn’t know was if they had enough juice to get them out of this mess, and, if so, how long it was going to take.

  Chapter 29

  Sabine Iowa

  After sneaking up on the five targets, Winters had the element of surprise, but as he was about to squeeze the trigger, headlights broke through the darkness alerting the men of his presence. It took a second for Winters to recover from the surprise before he pulled the trigger on the first man carrying the pistol. Three rounds punctured his chest and threw him to the ground. He had only seconds before the car behind him figured out what was going on. He jerked the M4 toward the cousins whose reactions were slowed by alcohol. Winters discharged a volley into the one who had placed his shotgun on the hood of the car. He collapsed to the ground as his brother raised his shotgun and fired at Winters. Pellets flew by Winters as he moved out of the way while pulling the trigger. The second cousin fell down screaming in pain, which meant he merely wounded him.

  The car squealed to a stop. A door opened and a gunshot rang out. Winters hustled around the cousins’ car for cover and found the tall man huddled on the ground quacking in fear. Winters took no pity on him. At such close range, the man’s head exploded in different directions. He finished off the second cousin who was bleeding on the pavement, and then looked around for Boxer-boy whom he soon discovered behind another car taking a shot at him. Winters shook his head knowing they got him in a box. If he went to either side, he’d expose himself, which meant he was staying put for the moment. He took the butt of his gun and smashed the headlights of the car he was using for cover.

  He needed to know how good a shot this guy was, so he rose up a little and heard a shot hit the side view mirror. “Not bad.” Winters then got on his stomach and looked for Boxer-boy. He spotted bare feet hiding behind the back end of the car. He aimed and took a shot. It missed, forcing him to hide behind the tire.

  “I don’t have time for this,” thought Winters, as he looked toward the road. Behind the shooter, tall grass moved by a girl wearing a red tank top. “What the hell?”

  Laney had pulled away from the clutches of Collette and Finley. She tightened her grip on the Sig Sauer .380 as she scampered across the overgrown lawns. The wet grass slapped against her bare legs making her wish she hadn’t worn shorts. The pint sized girl crouched down right behind the driver, who she knew was Mike Furrier.

  She hated him because he tried to get with her little sister when they were home alone. It was against the very rules he had helped create being one of those in charge. She fought him off her sister but ended up having to give in to him in front of her. He promised never to come around again as long as she promised never to tell Billy Gamble, who kept a tight rein on things.

  Winters’ fired a shot and Laney realized she was in the line of fire. She moved down a little bit and waited for the right moment. She had gone hunting with her dad many times, and he always told her to be patient, and wait for a clear shot. She had taken several deer over the years and loved the experience. “Was this any different?” she asked herself. Not really. Her newfound hero was in trouble, and she had a strong desire to help him. She never could ignore someone in trouble and always jumped into the fray without thinking things through. She did it for her siste
r and again, a couple of hours ago, when she jumped on Owen to help Finley.

  She looked across the street and needed to get closer to her quarry. The .380 wasn’t as accurate as the old Winchester .30-30 her grandpa had given her. She watched Mike take another shot and miss. He cussed up a storm as he tried to line up another shot. Cole fire three rounds that hit the car in quick succession. Then another three hit the same area. Why were they hitting the front of the car? Surely Cole was a better shot than this. Three more hit the same area. Then it dawned on her, he was signaling her. She shook her head when Mike started making fun of Winters’ wild shots.

  This was it. Laney sucked in a deep breath before hitting the pavement with her wet sneakers squeaking as she approached Mike who was still chuckling. He fired a shot and lined up another as Laney slinked ever closer to him. She was only fifteen feet away, and her heart was pounding like a trip hammer as she aimed at his back. She let out a breath and took in another. She squeezed the trigger and the gun went off.

  Mike screamed out and started to turn around. Laney took a step backward and fired again hitting him in the chest. The round forced him to drop his weapon. Blood oozed from his wound as he put a hand on it. His eyes grew in recognition.

  “Laney? Whatcha go and do that for?”

  “That’s for my sister,” she yelled, as she fired again. “And for me.”

  Mike struggled for air as Winters came running around the car. Laney took aim at him but realized it was Cole.

  “Laney!”

  “Cole, you alright?”

  Winters nodded as she wrapped her arms around him. Her body started shaking from the adrenaline. “You did good girl. You did real good.”

  When Winters saw what Laney was going to do, he stormed after Boxer-boy, but couldn’t find him behind the car. He wasn’t sure if he was still around and figured he might have run off for help. He then ran to Laney after she shot Mike.

  Winters pulled away from Laney who was still shaking and leaned down to her five-foot-two level. “You sure you’re okay?”

  She nodded.

  Mike was still struggling for air, so Winters pulled Laney away from him. He pointed his M4 at his chest and finished him off. He was glad he was the one to have actually killed him. It would be easier for Laney to get over it if she needed to, which Winters hoped was the case. He didn’t need another Reese on his hands.

  Chapter 30

  Winters grabbed Laney’s hand and they ran back to where Finley and Collette waited for them. Neither of the other two girls knew what to say when they got there. The only thing they did was give Laney a big hug.

  “C’mon girls, we need to go.”

  They reached the car, and Winters decided it was better for him to drive. He didn’t think they would have a lot of time before Boxer-boy alerted the rest of the gang. He wanted to get the girls and their families out of there as soon as possible.

  Winters peeled out of the driveway and was surprised the girls were still quiet. This was unusual for them, so Winters decided to break the ice.

  “Laney, that was pretty bad ass what you just did. You got my butt out of a jam, so thank you.”

  “I just can’t help myself sometimes,” admitted Laney. “It was probably pretty stupid.”

  “No, what I did was stupid. I shouldn’t have gone in there and left you girls behind like that. What you did was pure bravery. Isn’t that right girls?”

  “Laney, you are a badass,” exclaimed Finley. “I mean, c’mon, I thought you were, like, brave to help me with Owen, but this, I mean, my God Laney, you is craaazy.”

  “Crazy doesn’t even come close,” shouted Collette. “The way you snuck up on him! I mean, Finley and I were watching and squeezing the crap out of each other’s hands.”

  “Yeah, and the sweat was just pouring out of me,” laughed Finley.

  “Girls, all of you,” said Winters. “All of you are badasses. Each of you has proven that tonight. Just trust me on this, okay? However, we still have much to do so I need you guys to focus. We need to get your families out of town, so who lives the closest?”

  “I do,” said Collette.”

  “And then who?”

  “That’d be me,” said Laney.

  “Okay, Collette, how many are there?”

  “It’s just my mom and little brother.”

  “Perfect. What about you Laney?”

  “My mom and little sister.”

  Winters already knew Finley had her mom and sister at home. There wasn’t enough room in the Impala, so he planned to go to Collette’s place first. He’d drive them to the police van he left on the outskirts of town. He’d have her mom drive the Impala back to their hideout.

  Winters pulled into Collette’s driveway and turned his head to the back. “How do you want to handle this?”

  “Let’s just all go in. I think that would more dramatic.”

  “An actress through and through, huh?” smiled Winters.

  “Big entrances,” replied returning a smile.

  Collette opened the front door and they all followed her inside. She began lighting candles in the living room and kitchen. The room was soon bright enough to see the place was neat and well kept with little furniture.

  Collette disappeared down the hall and reappeared a few minutes later with her mom in tow.

  “Mom, this is Cole Winters, Cole this is my mom, Stacey.”

  Winters came forward and shook the hand of a woman who looked like she was in her late thirties. She looked worn down and the hard living was stealing what youth she had left.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Stacey.”

  She shook his hand with a limp-wrist. “I heard you were in town.” She turned to Collette. “What have you gotten yourself into?”

  She gave her mom a short version of the night and pleaded with her to grab some things. Stacey shook her head angrily and muttered to herself while she went back down the hallway to gather up her sleeping son, Seth, who was nine years old.

  Winters was surprised at her reaction. Shouldn’t she be happy her daughter wouldn’t have to prostitute herself anymore? Perhaps they didn’t get along very well or maybe she herself had been involved with it. She had the looks for it, but he couldn’t be sure. It was a delicate thing to ask and it didn’t really matter. He had hoped to ask her to drive, but because of her poor response to what they were doing, he decided against it.

  After a few minutes of waiting in silence, they exited Collette’s house and hopped into the Impala. The smaller Laney sat up front on Finley’s lap while Collette and her family squeezed into the back seat. The silence continued for a few minutes until Stacey broke the ice and asked where they were going.

  “There’s a place west of town where I’m staying. It’s big enough to be comfortable.”

  “How long will we be there?”

  Winters wasn’t sure. “A day, maybe two?”

  “Do you have food? Because this one is supposed to be working to get us some today?”

  Collette turned to her with a frustrated look. “Mom, why can’t you be happy about this?”

  “Because come morning your little brother is going to be hungry and I’ve got nothing to give him.”

  “But I won’t have to work anymore,” pleaded Collette.

  Winters could not believe what he was hearing and realized there was something wrong with this family. “You don’t need to worry. I have food there.”

  “Worry is what we do, Mister Winters. When you’ve gone days without food, worry is what you do.”

  “I understand,” Winters said, with more than a tinge of irritation in his voice.

  “Do you?” she asked in a harsh tone.

  Winters gripped the steering wheel tighter deciding to give Stacey some perspective.

  “I do. You see Stacy, I’ve been all over the Midwest and I’ve seen old people, women, and children executed for no other reason than the killers didn’t want to feed them. I’ve rescued young girls taken into slav
ery and raped repeatedly all day. I’ve seen the bodies of close to a thousand people murdered inside churches all at once. I’ve seen people begging and scrounging for their next meal.”

  The dead silence in the car was eerie as Winters continued.

  “But I’ve also seen amazing things. Men and women rising up to fight evil, forfeiting their lives to save the person next to them. I’ve seen young girls like these three here, muster up incredible courage and do things they never would have thought possible. I know an eleven-year-old girl who fought with everything she had and never gave up on me. You don’t get to see that kind of human spirit every day, but when you see people fight when they had nothing to go on but faith, that is something quite special.”

  Winters could almost hear everyone breathing it was so quiet.

  “You should be proud of Collette. She helped save her friends’ lives tonight. She did it willingly and bravely. All three of them have been nothing but courageous.”

  The rest of the drive to the hideout was in awkward silence. Winters hadn’t meant to be quite so blunt, but he couldn’t take her negativity any longer. He thought he’d seen it all before he had come back to his hometown. However, if the other parents were anything like Stacey, it would be even more unimaginable than the prostitution itself. She seemed to have completely given up and had adopted a level of acceptance that Winters hoped wasn’t prevalent.

  Chapter 31

  Winters ushered everyone inside and introduced them to Ashley who looked like she had been dozing off and on. He checked on Blair, the girl from Jarvis’s house who had passed out and found her still sleeping. He thanked Ashley for the help and told Finley and Laney to get ready to go.

  Winters stepped outside to wait for them when Collette joined him. He turned around to her and said, “Hey, you alright?”

  “Yeah, thanks for sticking up for me.”

  “You deserved it.”

  “I’m really sorry about my mom.”

  “Don’t be.”

  “She’s always been, like, a negative person.”

  “Some people are just like that.”