Cline had looked around the parking lot after taking the notice off his truck window, to see if he was being watched.
The bar had closed, and the grounds around it were bare except for his truck. He hadn’t thought to look up at the top of the establishment. If he had, he may have spied the lone, black-clad figure hiding on the flat roof, recording his every move. Cline had dialed the number on the flier and waited for someone to answer.
“Hello, who’s this?” a thick voice had said.
“I’m answering a flier,” he answered. “It was on my truck windshield. Who’s this?”
By the end of the conversation, he had agreed to meet a man, identified only as Cisco, at Papago Park at 8:30 p.m. “Don’t be late,” the thick voice had said. “Or you’ll miss the chance of a lifetime.”
Cline was sitting on the bench at Papago Park. Here I am. I’m all male and ready for anything. Bring it on.
The simple one or two lines on the flier summed up Rick Cline’s lifestyle preferences completely - women and male dominance. He recalled bitterly how he had to flee the area he was last living in to avoid prosecution for his brutal rape and beating of Kelly Michaels. Why should my life have to be uprooted for doing something like that? I’m the man. She resisted me. What’s the problem? I should have killed her when I had the chance. He regretted how two witnesses had seen him approach the young woman earlier and had seen her rebuffing him before he attacked. He promised himself next time, there would be no witnesses. I need someone much more subservient and under my control when I want to have my fun.
He flicked his spent cigarette onto the grass. The opportunity mentioned in the flier might be what he was looking for, a chance for a lifestyle of his choosing without some outside interference. He wondered why it couldn’t be like that in the United States.
Cline was still angry that, after the Kelly incident, the police raided his rental unit and took his computer and life’s collection of photographs and contacts for women and pornography. It had taken him a long time to amass that enviable collection.
He had thought seriously, after hiding out in various campgrounds and abandoned buildings, of leaving the country and settling in a foreign country. Of interest would be one of those places where men were still in charge, and women and children had to do what was asked of them or else. He was convinced this country here was going downhill because women’s rights had ruined everything.
“Cisco here,” the thick voice from the phone call said from behind Rick.
“Hey, you scared me, man,” a startled Cline said. He turned to see who was sneaking up on him.
“We don’t scare men,” Cisco said. “But women, now that’s another story.” He laughed.
“So, what are you selling?” Cline asked, getting right to the point.
“Just what the poster said. We can supply foreign women and a place for them to do what you want, any way you want it.”
“Why my windshield?” he asked suspiciously. “You don’t know me.”
“No, we don’t,” Cisco said. “But one of our members spotted you talking to an Asian woman at the bar tonight, and you looked like you were in your element. So, we took a chance. Hey, if we were wrong about you, we would have brushed you off when you called. We still can if this doesn’t sound like something you want. These numbers are easily changed and replaced,” he said, looking at his cell phone. “So, you interested or not? It’s your call.” He looked tough, bored and about to leave. “Hey, were we wrong about you?”
“I’m interested,” Cline said. “But I have to be honest with you, I don’t have much money. I mean, I’m willing to pay, I just don’t make enough to pay top dollar.”
“You’re getting in on the ground floor of this new culture, my man. You can run a tab and pay on it as you can. If you can’t pay much, you can do some work for us. We always need backup somewhere, sometimes. Right now, the gang needs a driver. Do you have a license?” Cisco asked, knowing that he did.
“Sure, I have a license,” Cline said. “I’ve got a problem, though. I’m sorta wanted by the police. If they stop me for anything and run my driver’s license, I’ll be extradited out of here.”
“What do you mean ‘sorta wanted by the police?’ Either you are wanted or you aren’t.” He sneered.
“What I mean is I’m wanted by the police. I’m just sayin’. ” Mentioning his police problems made him nervous.
Cisco laughed. “Who isn’t, bro? We are all wanted. Everyone in our group is being chased by someone. Don’t worry about your license. We got people who make licenses better than the real ones. So, forget it. We’ll get you a new one.”
“What is this gang anyway?” Cline asked. “I just want to know what I’m getting myself in for.” It sounded suspicious, even to him.
“Hey, if you have to ask, maybe we need to walk away from you.”
“No, I don’t mean anything. I’m just wondering.”
“We’re a group of men from all over the country who like to have a good time,” Cisco said. “American women don’t want to do it our way. They’re bossy and liberated. They have rights.” He frowned at that. “So, we bring in women who’ll do what we want. And if they resist, we force them. We use them for whatever we want. We get some for factory workers, and we get some for ourselves. Sometimes we get them for both. We don’t have to pay them, and we don’t have to keep them. There’s always someone who wants to buy what we cast off. We get females from Mexico, South America, Russia, Asia. You name it, we can get it. All ages, all sizes, depending upon what the membership is looking for. We even smuggle them in from places that pride themselves on abusing their own women themselves.” He laughed out loud. “Those are our favorites.”
“Wow,” Cline said. “Love it. This is a real man’s biggest dream. Maybe we can make this country great again.”
“Hey don’t worry about it. The way this country is going, just about anything will be legal soon. We’re counting on it. We buy some of the foreign women from their relatives who live here already,” Cisco said. “Many of those are thrilled to get some American money in exchange for some worthless female leeching off their family. Getting those types into the country isn’t as difficult since their relatives are helping. They do whatever is necessary to bring them in. After a few months, they turn them over to us. If anyone asks about them, the family lists them as runaways. There’s no trail to follow.”
Cline thought a minute. “What about visas and passports and all of that stuff.”
“U.S. visa laws and regulations are complicated, time consuming and constantly changing, so we don’t deal with them at all. We’re not getting these women to marry, so why do them a favor and get them here legally? We use that as part of our fear campaign against them. We tell them if they don’t do what we want, we’ll turn them over to the authorities for breaking the law, and they’ll get sent back to their county. We break their spirits, and if we have to, we break a bone or two.”
“I love it,” Cline said. “Sign me up. For whatever I can get.”
“First and foremost, you’re getting yourself in for a lot of female fun. Your way. Consider this to be your introduction into our gang. Tomorrow night, you get a taste of the wares. Meet me then. Nine o’clock. At the Der Schluss bar. Here’s the address. Don’t tell anyone about this, or you’re out of the fun. Come alone, or we won’t let you in. I’ll bring a couple of our prize slaves, er, girls, for you to meet. If you work out, I’ll take you to one of our, what we call, clubhouses. That’s when the real fun begins. Maybe we’ll even let you take one home with you to try her out.”
“Ain’t it grand being a guy?” Rick said. He sat up straighter, full of pride in his manhood.
“You’ll appreciate it even more after tomorrow night,” Cisco replied. “At Der Schluss, we’ll be introducing you to a whole new subculture, right here in the good old USA. Land of the free and home of the brave. Men only, of course.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“If there
weren’t two witnesses to the crime, I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” Vince said to someone speaking to him on his cell phone. “Really, I am.” He was very uncomfortable. This was one of those difficult times that have happened over the years, where he could not provide justice where it was deserved. It was out of his hands.
“Can’t we make an exception just this one time?” Gerry, one of the Searchers, asked. “This crime is perfect for the Theater Group. An elderly couple were out taking their daily, early evening walk, going to get some ice cream. They were accosted by a gang of thugs who had been watching them and casing their retirement community neighborhood. The couple were run down with a car, beaten, and robbed. They even forced the diamond engagement ring off the elderly woman’s hand, breaking two fingers in the process. She had a bad heart and died at the scene from a heart attack. The only problem with the whole case is there is just one witness to the crime, Daddy. But he’s a good witness. Her husband. He got an up-close look at them and their car. Knows the year, color, make and model. So far, the authorities haven’t been able to locate the men or their vehicle. Her husband is desperate for some help.”
Vince was saddened. Almost all the requirements for a Play were met. All but one. “The rules of the Group state that there must be two credible witnesses who can place the Antagonists at the scene of the crime. Two credible eye witnesses. It’s the only way we can be assured of not bringing an innocent person down. That, and all the research we do prior to executing a Play. I wish I could help you, Gerry. Everything you described makes me angry. These three deserve a Play. I’m sorry we can’t do it.”
“I understand, but I had to ask. I’ll pass it on,” Gerry said. “Daddy, the elderly couple in this sad story are my parents.” His voice cracked. “We’ll bury my mother tomorrow.”
Vince heard sniffling. “I’m so sorry, Gerry. Listen. Even though the Theater Group can’t take this one on, I’ll have someone hand deliver to you the name and number of an individual who will be willing to use his office to investigate this for you and your family. We use this contact a lot in cases we can’t do. They’re good and not expensive. You can trust them. These murderers will be tracked down, and our contact will get the information to the police. You know it yourself, Gerry. A lot of these criminals think they’re too smart to be caught. They believe they know more than anyone else and that they are quicker than everyone else. But with the right resources, anyone, and I mean anyone, can be found. So don’t give up hope.”
“Thank you,” Gerry said. “I’ll wait to hear from him.”
“And, Gerry,” Vince said. “Please accept my condolences for your mother and for what your family is suffering. I’m sorry I can’t be at the services, but I’ll send someone in my place.”
“Thank you.” Gerry ended the conversation to go see his father.
Vince put his cell phone down and rubbed his temples. He rubbed his eyes and then down the back of his head to his neck. He picked up another phone and called a trusted Group member whom he knew would attend the funeral for him.
So many unsolved, unanswered crimes. So much injustice, suffering, and hate. We have more than we can handle. Vince resolved to follow through on a Californian’s request for a Theater Group chapter on the west coast. He got out his address book and looked for a telephone number.
Later . . .
“Hi, Allen,” Vince said. “How are you? And what time is it out there in Los Angeles?”
“I’m fine, Daddy. How are you? It’s 8 p.m. I was just finishing dinner,” Allen said. He pushed his plate away.
“I’m good,” Vince said. “Can you talk privately right now? I have something important I want to discuss with you, and I need your undivided attention.”
“Yes. You got it. Barbara’s over at her sister’s right now. I’m alone, and it’s safe.” He was hoping this was the good news he had been waiting on.
“It’s time we added a west coast chapter to the Theater Group. We’re getting overwhelmed and spread thin by having just one Group.”
“Too many Plays, too little money?” Allen said.
“The need for Plays, plenty of money,” Vince said. “There are many people we want to help and not enough time to do it. We’re doing a play in the Midwest right now that could have been handled by a west coast group if we had one. What do you think? Are you ready to go from the job of Solicitor to becoming an Agent? It would mean a drastic change in labor and responsibilities.”
“Are you asking me to head up the west coast Theater Group?” Allen asked. “The one you and I had talked about before? Is that what you’re asking?” He steadied himself.
“That’s what I’m asking. Before you answer, you might want to think it over. It’s a big job. When we’re running a Play, it’s almost a 24-hour-a-day commitment. Can you spare that kind of time and energy?”
“After what happened to Barbara, and the way the Theater Group ran her Play, I would be honored to step up from being one of the Solicitors to becoming an Agent,” Allen said. “When do I start?”
“Right now,” Vince said. “Get everything in order and clear your calendar, because a private jet will be landing in LA to pick you up and take you to Niagara Falls, New York. I’ll let you know exactly when, in a couple days. You and I will meet at a Safe House there to begin laying out plans for the framework of your Group. Just you and I. Together, we’ll launch the west coast Theater Group. Understand?”
“I understand,” Allen said. He raised his fist and punched the air in response. “This is great news, Daddy. It will be good to see you again. Even though we talk on the phone a lot, I haven’t seen you in years. You were just a 20-something when I first met you. You must be in your late thirties now, right?”
“I’ve definitely aged,” Vince said. “I’m looking forward to seeing you, too. Early tomorrow morning, you will be given a folder with all the details about our upcoming meeting. I’m sorry I can’t specify the exact date we’ll be meeting, because we have something big coming down in another state tonight, and I must be ready for anything. I also thought you would need the extra time to take care of things on your end. I’m sure your law practice will need to be reassigned. I have already found a Solicitor to help with your new Theater Group work, but he will only be temporary until we find someone to replace you. You’re on your own with finding someone to take over your law practice.”
“I’ll be able to meet you whenever you say,” Allen said. “I’ll need to make some arrangements for Barbara’s care, but my daughter can always help out with that.”
“How is your lovely wife?” Vince asked. “Is there any improvement?”
Allen’s wife, Barbara, had been severely injured more than a year earlier when a drunk driver lost control of his truck, crossed the median and hit her car head on. It was his sixth drunken driving charge in as many months. Despite having lost his license and having served time, he continued driving and drinking, drinking and driving. When he got out of jail and was behind the wheel again, the Theater Group took it on. If the law wouldn’t do it, someone else had to stop this irresponsible maniac.
“She’s okay. But she still cannot walk without her walker. Her memory is slowly returning and the feeding tube is out,” Allen said. “However, the doctors don’t believe she will ever be able to dance again. Her ballerina days are over. She hasn’t accepted it and cries a lot. So, now she’s in therapy and taking antidepressants. And the bills are mounting.”
“I’m sorry. I seem to be saying that a lot these days to victims, but I really am sorry.”
“We’re glad she’s still alive, Daddy,” Allen said. “That’s more than a lot of the Theater Group members can say about their loved ones. Our daughter and I are thankful Barbara is still with us. It could have been worse.”
“You’re right. Thank God for that. How is your daughter? I forgot to ask about her. The last I heard, she was ready to graduate from college.”
“She’s great. In her first year of law school now. I’m
very proud of her,” Allen said. “She’s following in her father’s footsteps.”
“That’s good. I’ll see you soon. Wait to hear from me,” Vince said. “Oh, I want to let you know, both you and I will be searched for bugging or taping devices before we sit down to talk. I know neither of us would intentionally wear any electronics, but they could be planted on us without our knowledge. Just wanted to let you know.”
Allen ended his conversation and punched in some numbers on his cell phone.
“It’s finally happened. I’ve been offered the west coast Theater Group Agent’s job,” Allen said. “I’m to meet with Daddy soon at Niagara Falls. We’ll be spending two days discussing the formation of the new group. He’s sending a folder of information sometime tomorrow morning by special courier. I’ll make some copies and send them on to you as soon as I receive it.”
“I’ll be looking for it,” a woman said. “And it’s time for you to dispose of this phone after you hang up.”
“Okay,” Allen said. “Will we be meeting before I go to the falls?”
“Absolutely. We want to be as prepared as possible on our end. I expect their team will be suspicious and want you searched, so we’ll have to have some of our people there to get us the information we want. Keep tomorrow open, and we’ll get together.”
“Just let me know when and where you want me to be. And, after I meet with Daddy at Niagara Falls, I’ll get back to you with a full report.”
“Well done,” the female said. “We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and hearing from you after you return.”
Allen put the cell phone in a bag with some others for destruction. The container was almost full, so he sealed it to be sent out. For just a moment he reflected on his history with the Theater Group and felt some nervous apprehension. Then he put it out of his mind.
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