by Warren Ray
Meeks looked at Winters and shook his head.
“No, I won’t be able to see them leave. Why? Cuz I’m going to be sleeping that’s why. You’re gonna need me bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow when the town realizes their saviors are gone.” Posey laughed again. “Alright, well happy hunting and I’ll get with you tomorrow, over and out.”
Winters pulled out his Colt .45 and watched the light go out before Posey opened the door. Winters gripped his pistol tighter as Scar and Meeks spread out to surround the man. Posey walked out pulling the door shut.
“Don’t make a friggin move, Posey,” yelled Winters.
The heavy-set former cop froze. His sunken eyes darted around at the three men who held guns on him.
“Now, get your hands up.”
Posey did so. Scar then rushed in and forced him to the ground. He slapped flex cuffs on him and then checked him for weapons.
Meeks helped Posey up. “Morons, huh?”
He didn’t respond.
“Let’s bring him around front,” said Winters. “Meeks, let the girls know we got him.”
Scar pushed him down the driveway to the road.
“Well, Mister Posey, this was your last broadcast and I just want to thank you for it.”
“Why’s that?” he asked in an arrogant tone.
“We know this was a set-up.”
“Yeah, well they still have your precious daughter.”
“Not for much longer.”
They reached the street where Reese had driven the old pickup up the block. She left the headlights on as she and Amber got out of the truck.
“I know this son-of-a-bitch,” said Reese as she hobbled closer.
Once again, it came before Winters could do anything to stop her as she swung her crutch at Posey’s head. The impact echoed in the night air. Posey let out a scream before Reese rammed her new red crutch into his gut, knocking the wind out of him. He collapsed on the ground while Meeks grabbed ahold of the crutch.
“Hey, careful how you break in your new crutch,” chuckled Meeks.
Scar grabbed Posey by the arms and picked him up.
“Oh, my God, this is the guy,” said Reese. “This creepy bastard actually came into my room while I’m lying there all shot up, thanking me for everything I’ve done. He shook my hand and held on way too long.”
She reached for the knife in her boot and tried to rush him again, but Scar moved him out of the way causing Reese to lose her balance.
Meeks grabbed the back of her jacket before she fell over.
“Damn you, Scar.”
“Hey, c’mon now, Reese,” said Scar.
She shot him an angry glare and then turned to Amber and said, “You remember this guy?”
“Oh, I remember him, he was being creepy alright, didn’t want to leave the room. Cole, this guy visited all of our wounded, thanking everyone for their help, asking where everyone was from and getting all chummy. This guy’s one sick bastard.”
Winters tightened his fists into a ball as he listened to Amber and Reese talking about the grim reaper visiting his men, knowing he was setting them up to be murdered. His blood started to boil again and wished he hadn’t promised this man to Nordell. He looked at the disgusted looks on his friends’ faces. He turned to Posey and now wanted to extract some revenge for his murdered friends. He fought for control as he moved over to Reese. Her face fell in disappointment as he grabbed the knife out of her hand. Then without thinking, he twisted around and lunged at Posey, thrusting the knife into the left side of his gut and pulling it out.
The man crumpled to the ground yelling in pain.
Everyone drew back surprised at what Winters had done.
“I’ll keep my end of the bargain and give him to Nordell, but first we’ll let the last remaining doctor decide if he wants to treat him.”
“Damn, Captain, that’s some poetic justice,” said Meeks.
“Throw him in the back of the truck,” ordered Winters.
Scar and Meeks bent down and dragged him to the bed of the truck.
Winters took a rag from the cab and wiped the blood off the knife. He handed it back to Reese who looked both disappointed and pleased at the same time. He looked at Amber who couldn’t stop staring at him and wondered if this reminded her of Reese when she killed Jaeger. She didn’t judge her then but wondered if she was now judging him. He turned back to the truck and wondered if he’d be judging himself later. His spontaneous attack showed a lack of control, but for some reason, he didn’t care. It felt good and the man deserved it.
Chapter 78
Grosse Pointe Michigan
Cara jumped into the pool and decided to do laps. Growing up in Iowa, she loved to swim and often went to the public pool in her hometown. She thought about joining the swim team in high school but lost interest when she started hanging around new friends. She renewed her interest when she got to Florida, often swimming in the Gulf, which she had never done before. Swimming out as far as she dared was both scary and exhilarating, knowing she was never really in charge out there. It was a rush and she loved it.
Swimming at night in a pool was liberating and offered solitude where you could forget about everything as the cold water pushed away all your thoughts. She needed this release as she needed to get her dad out of her mind.
The water was colder than before and shocked her senses when she jumped in, but now after a few laps, she barely noticed it. CC jumped in and only swam for a couple of minutes before getting out and wrapping herself in a towel.
After ten laps, Cara climbed out and dried off before sitting down.
“You love to swim, don’t ya?” asked CC.
“Used to swim a lot when I was a kid and then when I was in Florida.”
“I’m more of a watcher when I’m at the pool.”
“Boys?”
“Of course, but I love watching people.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“You nervous about tomorrow?”
Cara hesitated before answering. “Yeah…I’m just, like, not sure what I’m gonna say to him.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“I guess…it’ll be weird though.”
“Can’t imagine what it must be like for ya, to know that your dad is this monster, you know.”
“I thought I’d gotten like used to it, until today when you told me about those twin girls.”
“Yeah, that’s messed up.”
Cara didn’t want to talk about it anymore and leaned back on the chaise lounge. She looked up at the clear sky and gazed at the stars for about five minutes trying to think of anything else but her dad. This proved to be difficult, so she got up and jumped back in the pool. The cold water instantly pushed aside the thoughts as she began to do more laps.
“Cara, I’m ready to go back inside.”
“Wait for me,” said Cara not wanting to be left there again. She hopped out and dried off before they dashed across the grass and entered through the front door.
“Are you hungry?” asked Cara.
“No, I’m good.”
CC headed upstairs while Cara went to the kitchen hoping to get some food out of the refrigerator. She entered the kitchen to find Thomas making a sandwich.
He looked up and smiled. “Hey, Cara.”
“Hey.”
“I got some extra chicken breast here, you up for a sandwich?”
“Oh, gosh yes, I’m starving again.”
“Did you not get enough to eat?”
“I did, like, a bunch of laps in the pool.”
“That’ll do it every time. Wheat bread okay?”
Cara nodded and then sat down on a wooden barstool in front of the dark granite topped island where Thomas made the sandwiches.
“Mayonnaise or salad dressing?”
“Oh, Mayo, of course.”
“Alright, a girl with good taste.”
She watched him cut the chicken into thin slices and then pile the meat high on the bread.
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“Now, I’ve got Swiss or Provolone.”
“Swiss.”
Thomas gave her an approving nod and threw on a couple of slices. He then cut the sandwich and placed the plate in front of her.
Cara picked up a half and bit into it. “Hmm.”
“Good isn’t it.”
“Thomas this is so amazing.”
“It’s the spices the chef cooked it with. You want a soda?”
Cara nodded and took another bite. She was happy that she came to get something to eat and found Thomas here. The twins still bothered her and thought that maybe he could help her speak to them.
She took a sip of her soda and washed down the remaining part of her sandwich.
“Thomas, do you think you could, like, help me out with something?”
“I will if I can.”
“Those twin girls downstairs.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow. “What about them?”
“I was like wondering if I could, like, talk to them.”
“Why on earth would you want to do that?”
“Well, because you know.”
“No, I don’t know.”
“Because they were, like, my dad’s prisoners and I want to apologize to them.”
Thomas jerked his head back. “No, they weren’t.”
“Wait, what? I was told they were.”
“Who told you this?”
“CC.”
“I’m not sure if I should be telling you this,” said Thomas, knowing he needed to tread lightly here.
“Tell me what?”
Thomas looked around and then leaned across the island to get closer and spoke in a hushed tone. “I’m not sure why she told you this, but those girls are the property of Mordulfah.”
“You mean they’re his…sex slaves?” she asked in a whisper.
Thomas nodded. “Your dad had nothing to do with them.”
She gave him a confused look, but then thought about it more, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense, especially taking into account the reaction from the crappy lady. Why would CC tell her this? Did Mordulfah lie to him, too?
Thomas studied her reaction. He wanted to tell her about what was going to happen tonight but wasn’t sure if he could trust her. If she ratted him out the rescue would be a failure and he would lose his head. He hoped the info he had just given her might be enough to plant seeds of doubt in her mind, which could help when they came for her.
Chapter 79
Washington D.C.
Stormy continued listening to the angry conversation between Perozzi and Reed. She couldn’t make out everything and scooted closer. She about jumped out of her skin when her boss, Robert, approached from behind.
“What are you doing?” he whispered. He was a good-looking man in his mid-forties, with short salt and peppered hair. He was divorced and often hit on the waitresses. As the manager, he usually did well in that arena using his position of power to threaten the girls, as any job was tough to come by these days.
Stormy looked up at him and smiled, which always worked on men. “Wasn’t sure when to approach their table, thought I might be able to hear a break in their conversation.”
“It’s not polite to listen in on conversations,” Robert replied in a hushed tone.
She stood up and touched his arm. “I know, but I wasn’t sure.” She moved closer to him. “They seem mad at each other. Are they always like this?”
Robert paused for a moment and then shook his head. “I’ve never seen them like this.”
Stormy nodded. She then figured out why he was there. He came to eavesdrop himself.
“Why, the hell would I do that?” asked Reed.
“You tell me,” said Perozzi.
“How the hell can I when I don’t know who it is?”
“Fine. Where in the hell is, Stormy?”
Robert turned to nudge her away.
She scrambled around the empty tables and hurried out of the adjoining room. She took a couple of deep breaths and told herself to settle down before approaching their table.
“You gentlemen ready to order?”
“Stormy, I’m going to need another drink,” said Perozzi.
“And you, sir?”
Reed stared at her again. She could feel his eyes piercing into her and knew he didn’t like or trust her.
“Why do you work here?” asked Reed.
“Excuse me, sir?” asked Stormy trying to force him to explain himself.
“It’s a simple question.”
“Not the way you asked it.”
Perozzi leaned back and let out a gruff while shaking his head.
“How did I ask it?” asked Reed.
“In a judgmental tone.”
“I didn’t mean it to be.”
She noticed a slight movement with his head and knew he was lying.
“I work here for the same reason as everyone else.”
“Which is what?”
“You get to meet all kinds of delightful people.”
Perozzi started laughing. “My friend here is not much of a lady’s man. He doesn’t seem to appreciate a fine beautiful woman.”
“Are you throwing me a compliment, Gerald?” she asked batting her eyes at him.
“Deservedly so, sweetie.”
“Let me get your drink, sir.”
“Get my friend another as well, he needs it.”
“He’s right, I do need one. Actually, I need two, so make it a double,” said Reed not liking her attitude. No one in this restaurant dared talk to him like this because everyone knew who he was. Everyone was afraid of him, with good reason, everyone except this girl.
Stormy put in the drink order to the bartender when her boss, Robert, approached her again.
“What the hell was that all about?”
She gave him a puzzled look.
“That attitude with Mister Reed.”
“Oh, he’s just playing around.”
“No, he isn’t. Don’t you know who he is?”
“Some rich guy.”
“No, he’s not just some rich guy. He’s a very powerful man.” He looked around to see if anyone was watching them. “He’s had people killed.”
Stormy acted surprised.
“If you know what is good for you, don’t be giving him any sass.”
“Alright, I won’t. I didn’t know.”
She reached the table again and could see the sour faces on both of them.
“Here you go, gentlemen.”
Neither spoke to her.
She looked at them and asked for their order.
“I’m afraid my friend needs to go,” said Perozzi.
Reed eyed him, grabbed his drink, and threw it back in a couple of gulps. He then slammed the glass down, got up, and glared at Stormy before waddling away.
She watched him until he got out of sight and looked over to Perozzi who was staring at her. “Is it that time of the month for him?”
Perozzi let out a belly laugh, which broke the tension.
“Sometimes you have to put people in their place, otherwise they get too big for their britches.”
“I’d say it’s a little late for him,” said Stormy referring to Reed’s excessive weight.
Perozzi coughed up his Scotch and started laughing again.
She gave him a half smile.
“You’ve got a sharp tongue there, young lady.”
“I know, and it gets me in trouble all the time.”
“I’ll bet it does.”
“Did you want to order anything?” she asked wanting to change the subject. She knew where that conversation was headed. He’d tell her that she needs to be punished and that he should be the one to administer it, which would then lead to the tired old cliché of spanking her. Men like Perozzi were a foregone conclusion and she had dealt with their stupid pickup ploys all her life.
Perozzi seemed disappointed. “I’m afraid, my dear, I, too, need to leave.”
“
Well, I hope it wasn’t something I said,” she replied glancing up at the ceiling in a coy way.
“No, no if anything, you’ve made this evening’s problem much more delightful.”
“Glad I could help.”
Perozzi pulled out a hundred and left it on the table as he got up. “I’ll be seeing you again.”
“I look forward to it, just as long as sourpuss isn’t coming.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” said Perozzi, as he walked away from the table.
She raised an eyebrow and wanted to ask a follow-up question, but it was too late as he had turned the corner. What did he mean by that statement? She couldn’t wait for her shift to end so she could tell Kyle what happened.
Chapter 80
Grosse Pointe Michigan
The black Ford Explorer glided down Ten Mile Road like a thief in the night. With the headlights off and the taillights smashed in, it disappeared in the darkness. Inside, Bassett drove the vehicle using night optics. Burns sat in the passenger seat helping to guide them along the road. Winters sat in the back with Amber; while behind them, Scar drove Meeks, Hollis, and Hadley in another Explorer. They headed to Lake St. Clair where they would steal a couple of boats and then sneak into the Ford Mansion.
After they arrived at the hospital with the wounded Posey, Winters explained to Doctor Lunsford who Posey was and why he was wounded. Lunsford took it in stride and stated he would treat him, but that they were running low on nitrous oxide and wouldn’t be using any.
Nordell didn’t care just as long as the man recovered from his wounds so they could execute him in front of anyone who wanted to see it.
On the way to Grosse Pointe, Winters thought about what he did to Posey and was surprised that he still had no regrets. It was odd because back in Minnesota when they found the drivers they took as prisoners, beaten to death, he had made a commitment then to never kill prisoners. It didn’t matter that he didn’t kill Posey because deep down he knew he would have had he not promised him to Nordell. All week, it had been a battle fighting Mister Hyde, and he had finally given in but much to his surprise, it didn’t bother him one bit.
His thoughts turned to Cara and what he would say to her. He just hoped she wasn’t too far-gone not to believe the danger she was in and that she wouldn’t put up a fight. He didn’t want to drag her out of there but would if there was no other choice. Regardless of her reaction, once they were back in Jackson, he would have to suck it up, and not argue with her. He shook his head thinking how idiotic that sounded, but with the week he’d had, he wasn’t sure if he could control his temper with anyone.