Dead Shot

by Erik Schubach

  I tilted my head. I had never known the business end of the show. Dad kept that side of it in the office and never spoke much about it at home. The times he did mention legal things, he did say that he had a wizard for a lawyer that could get things done. So Stenson was that wizard? I squinted a little, still assessing the man behind the desk.

  My eyes darted around the office again. No pictures, no personal nick knacks. Nothing to tie a man to the space. The corner of my mouth threatened to twitch up in a smile. It was a set, just like in Dad's Wild West show. This was just set dressing so that people would come to a predetermined conclusion about the man. I caught him seeing this on my face and he winked. I fought off a snort.

  Then he turned to the group and slid a single sheet of paper from a manila envelope. He took a deep breath as he looked down at it then up at us. “I'll start with the reading of his last will and testament.”

  I think all of us stopped breathing, this was making his death real, and final. Nobody moved a muscle as Stenson started, “George was a man of little words, but when he did speak he spoke plainly and it was always important.”

  I nodded, not able to keep my eyes off the old lawyer. Then he looked down at the paper and started reading, and I could hear my Dad's voice in his words. “I've never been good with words, I always figured you only said something if it were worth saying. So here goes. First off, since you're reading this, I guess it means I'm dead now. Sorry, 'bout that.” I smiled through tears that were threatening.

  I could hear a slight waver in Stenson's strong voice. “I love you all. So here's the legal mumbo jumbo that Kincade says I gotta say. I George McKenzie Meyers, being of sound mind and body, hereby...”

  I zoned out a bit on the legal stuff. Dad wanted the ownership of the Wild West Extravaganza to be spit four ways, between myself, Iris, Renford, and Joseph. He set up a couple trust accounts, one for Nana and one for me. Some stuff was to go to a local charity, the Callahan Foundation, and the house and the rest of his worldly possessions he left to me.

  The last of the will got the tears to silently break loose and roll down my cheeks. “And Kenz, surround yourself with good people. You have a knack for reading people, it's a gift from your mother. It's all in the eyes baby, the eyes never lie.” I wiped my tears on my sleeve. Everyone was kind enough not to notice.

  Then Stenson slid the will back into the envelope and it looked like he took a second to compose himself and went about the business of transferring the ownership of the Wild West Extravaganza. I interrupted and told him just to sign it over to Iris, Ren, and Joe. They argued with me for a bit but then finally they agreed when they saw I wouldn't budge. That show was their lives, they had all dedicated everything to it. It was only right. I had just one stipulation, that they took care of Starfire for me when I returned to duty. Iris said sadly, “Of course Kenz.”

  With that, Stenson pulled back the paperwork and put it on the stack on the shredder. He produced another set of papers from the stack in front of him for the three to sign and another for me to sign away my interest in the show. I squinted my eyes at the man. He had anticipated that.

  The rest of the meeting went that way as we signed various papers and as we made changes, he would miraculously have the proper paperwork, like he had thought of every contingency and was ready. Now I saw clearly what Dad saw in the man. No matter what he projected to the world, he was fiercely intelligent and a consummate professional.

  When we finished, he looked over at the lone piece of paper from his stack and squished up face in consternation and picked it up then shrugged and put it back on the shredder. I noticed it was just a takeout menu and he was just silly.

  Then we all stood and said our goodbyes to Stenson, he told me, “Call me Kincade, please.” Then he handed me a thick envelope to go with my copies of the paperwork. “I'm supposed to give this to you.”

  I nodded and stuffed the envelope into a pocket, the top hanging out, then we exited to the parking lot of the strip mall. Ren, a man of few words like my father spoke up for almost the first time since I arrived. “More to that man than meets the eye.” We all chuckled in agreement. We said our goodbyes, saying that we would all see each other on Friday unless I needed any help.

  I brought Nana by the Pike to check on things, the chef Crystal had brought in had things running efficiently. He had pulled Nana aside to ask if he could use some of her recipes that he found them as inspired. She politely denied the poor man who just smiled in understanding. Some of her recipes were the signature of her bakery.

  Then I dropped Nana at home, she was getting a little tired. I said, “I have to go pick up some civvies and I thought I'd drop by Dad's to check on Starfire. I might stop for a drink.”

  She nodded and replied, “Ok Kenzie girl. Let me know so I know if I need to have dinner ready for you.” I just grinned at her, she was always feeding me back in high school too.

  I gave her a hug. “I love you Nana.” This put a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her face as I left.

  Chapter 7 – Jack's Tavern

  I hit a big box store and got a few t-shirts, a blouse, a couple pairs of jeans, and some sneakers. I figured that would be enough so that I didn't stick out like a sore thumb in public before I shipped back out. I thought that I'd slip into the civilian garb the next morning after my run.

  I dropped past Dad's... well I guess it is my place now. I walked up to the front door and took a deep breath, steeling my nerves. It didn't look so intimidating and daunting in the daylight. I pulled out the key and let myself in again.

  I stepped in and stood in the little entry hall and inhaled, it still smelled like Dad. I glanced to the side and hanging on a peg were his denim lined jacket with its leather shoulders and elbow pads. His old red baseball cap that he always wore when working outside at our old house in Vancouver hung there as well. I took the coat off the hook and buried my face in it. There was that combination of old leather, oil, and sweat.

  I put it on and wandered through the house. It was small, but had two bedrooms, one was empty except for a bed, chest of drawers and a few boxes marked Kenzie. It was my room if I had ever moved back to the States. Dad always said he had a room for me.

  I looked around. There was a living room that sort of flowed into the dining slash kitchen area, a bathroom, and the two bedrooms, simple, but all you would ever need. There were pictures all over the walls everywhere, of me, Mom, Nana, and the Wild West Extravaganza, most featuring a young, but tall for her age, Annie Oakley. I grinned at my old costume.

  I stopped in the kitchen and popped a few sugar cubes into my pocket, then I finally worked up the nerve and opened Dad's door. It was neat and tidy like everything else, but had a nice comfortable lived in feel to it. His closet door was open and I saw some of his shirts hanging there. There was a second bathroom attached.

  I looked around a bit in reverence then stepped up to the closet and grabbed a couple of his flannel shirts and then stepped back out of the room, closing the door behind me. I grabbed a picture off the wall of him standing beside me at the show. I must have been fifteen, tall and gangly, as tall as he was. He was in his Wild Bill costume and I was Annie Oakley, it was one of my favorite pictures.

  I sat on the familiar couch and smiled at the picture, running a hand across it lost in the memory. I just sat there listening to the silence for a few minutes until I heard a vehicle in the drive. I stood and made my way to the door, sliding on the base-ball cap.

  I stepped out with the shirts and the picture and stood on a little wood porch as a huge black Ram pickup with duallys pulled up towing a horse trailer. Valentine's Cascade Experience was emblazoned on both the truck and trailer. That would be the people Crystal had taking care of the horses for us. I waved and the lady in the truck waved a work gloved hand at me and smiled as she pulled back to the stable.

  I hopped off the porch to join her. She was already out and grabbing some supplies from the trailer. As I approached I said, “Howdy
.”

  The woman grinned at me as she hauled her stuff into the stables with the practiced ease of a pro. “Howdy. You must be McKenzie. I'm Fran, I work with Silent Bob. Just here to take care of your horses. Bobbie owed Crystal a favor or something.” The mirth in her eyes told me that apparently a lot of people owed Crystal a favor. It wasn't the first time I had heard it.

  I smiled at her and helped her muck the stalls and feed the horses as we chatted. When the chores were done and we were brushing out the horses manes, she said, “I'll be back tomorrow with Steve to exercise our four legged friends here.”

  I smiled and thanked her as I stroked Starfire's muzzle and fed her the sugar cubes in my pocket. I looked at my horse. “I'll get back here to ride you myself before I ship out, I promise girl.” Then I helped Fran load up her gear and waved as she drove off.

  I was feeling really good after some good honest work. My muscles were humming and I caught myself almost smiling in satisfaction.

  I went back into Dad's and washed up then headed back out. Then I used the landline to call Nana to let her know I'd be home in a couple hours since I had decided to stop at a roadside bar somewhere on my way back to her place for a quick drink.

  About half way back home, on Mercer Island, I found a tavern named Jack's and pulled in. It was a little, red weathered building that had the homey feel of a hometown bar, lots of neon. Exactly what I needed to unwind and relax from a hectic day.

  There were a lot of good ol' boys doing the same, and a few women. None really caught my eye though. That though caused me to think about Valkyrie One and I found myself grinning in spite of myself. I was still shaking my head at just how small this world really was that I ran into her. Her fiery looks and attitude fit what I had imagined from her voice.

  I won a few bucks from a couple locals who challenged me to play some darts. It was almost unfair to the men. Almost... but it paid for my beer. They were good natured and one, Brent, had chuckled out after I had decimated them for the third time, “Our tax money hard at work ladies and gentlemen.” I winked at the man wryly and accepted a beer from him.

  I looked at the time and hissed. I needed to get back to Nana's, but I hadn't allowed any cool-down time. I'd needed a cab, I wasn't about to drive buzzed like that, it was going to cost a mint. I saw a payphone in the corner. Holy shit! A dollar for a phone call now? And for only ten minutes at that? The damn phone even took debit cards. I sighed. What is this world coming to? I looked around for a phonebook, there wasn’t one by the phone and the bartender was busy so I sighed again, but then remembered something.

  I smiled warmly as I pulled Katie's phone number out of my pocket. I hadn't intended on calling her while I was here. The way she heated me up when she was around could make things complicated when I went back on duty. But I needed a ride, I reasoned to myself. Lame me, really lame, just admit you like the woman.

  I dialed the number and her gravelly sweet voice answered in a teasing manner, “Vodka shot straight up, please.”

  I grunted out a “Huh?”

  Then her voice was filled with restrained excitement. “Oh Kenzie! It's you sugar! I just saw Jack's Tavern on the caller ID.”

  I snorted still feeling the buzz from alcohol now mixed with warmth in my belly from hearing her voice. I said, “Hi Katie, I don't mean to be a bother. But I seem to be a little bit tipsy and didn't think it would be safe for me to drive to my grandmother's. I don't suppose I could bother you for...”

  She interrupted quickly. “By all means. I'll be right there. I didn't think you were ever going to call to tell you the truth.”

  I smiled crookedly. “Well... I... ummm, you need directions?” What the hell is wrong with my mouth?

  She chuckled, and it made my smile widen at the sound. She chirped out, “I'm a tactical and logistics battlefield analyst, I think I can find Jack's Tavern.”

  I chuckled back and she paused then said, “It's good to hear you laugh Kenz. I'll be there in ten.” Then just like that, she was gone. I looked at the receiver in my hand then hung up with a smile and a little anticipation fluttering in my belly.

  I sidled up to the bar and sat back at my stool. Looking at the red baseball cap in front of my beer mug. I nursed my beer for ten or fifteen minutes, taking smaller sips when a man behind me started spouting off at the mouth. “Well, lookie here, we got one of them war mongerin' baby killers.”

  I turned a bored gaze back at the young man, mostly to determine if he were a threat or not. He was of average height, a little overweight, mostly from the beer gut. He was fairly well dressed. I pegged him as an office worker, possibly in insurance or something. He and his preppy looking buddies had arrived while I was on the phone.

  He looked surprised when he saw my face, then turned to his friends. “It's not even a real soldier, she's a GI Jane.” I tagged him as just a harmless blowhard trying to impress his friends. I was ready to leave anyway, just as soon as Katie arrived.

  I turned away, bored, and kept sipping my beer. The man continued his verbal abuse. It was nothing new. For every asshat out there who hated the people who kept them safe that spoke out against us soldiers, there were hundreds of others that appreciated our service.

  I just ignored him. The bartender looked hesitant, I could tell he was weighing the fact that they were paying customers against kicking them out. Can't blame the man for the need to make a living, times are tough from what I hear.

  Brent stood from his table and stepped close. He looked to be the type to back me in a fight if he was pushed, though he wouldn't fare too well, judging by the way he held himself. I respected the man, he'd try to have my back. He said nervously, “You gonna take that from him? You going to do something?”

  I glanced up at him with that and then back over my shoulder with a half grin before looking back at my now empty beer mug that I had clasped in both hands. Then shook my head. “Nah, it's a free country. Me and the rest of the military fight and die so he can have the freedom to voice his opinions like this, no matter how much of a dumbass it makes him look. No water off my back.”

  I heard the guy take a step closer as he snapped out, “You calling me a dumbass?”

  I ignored him and checked my watch. He postured for his buddies. “Yeah, that's what I thought. Nothing but a coward, just like the rest of the military.”

  Ok, I tried to do this the nice way, I don't give a shit what he says about me, words are just words, but nobody disparages the US Military. One of my hands bunched into a solid fist, I could hear my knuckles cracking and feel my tendons straining as I started to turn to lay this guy flat. But a soft hand rested on my fist and I jerked my head up just to be captured by Katie's sparkling eyes and smiling face. “It isn't worth it Dead Shot. Let's get you home.”

  I relaxed and smiled back at the woman, I mean how could you not smile back at a warrior angel? I nodded once and grabbed my Dad's hat and turned to go with her. As we brushed past the blowhard, he had to add, “That's right run away.”

  Katie was suddenly in the guy's personal space and her voice was cold enough to freeze molten lava as she hissed at the man. “You fucking dumbass, I just saved your life and you don't even know it. Every soldier in the military is trained to do one thing and do it well... kill. And you want to push her? Do you make a habit of poking hungry bears in the woods too?”

  Then she turned and looped her arm in mine and grasped my biceps as she dragged me toward the door. She was just muttering, “Dumbass douchebag, waste of space,” I snorted and chuckled in pure amusement at her. She disliked cussing, but damn was she good at it! One glance back showed me the idiot's pale face as he thought about what she had just said, not that he seemed to be that much of a thinker to me.

  When the door closed behind us, we looked at each other and cracked up. Damn but she was fun. She grinned and said, “Well that was bracing.”

  I said, “I wasn't going to kill him... much. Just put the fear of God into him for disparaging the military of the
U S of A.” Then I giggled. “I think I may be drunk Valkyrie One.” Yes, soldiers giggle... in an intimidating manner.

  She was having fun squeezing my arm, she really liked my muscles. This heated me up again and I leaned down as she led me to her car, then I captured her lips with mine for a moment. Then grinned happily that she didn't pull back. I walked tall to her vehicle and got in. Our other kisses, she had instigated, I was beyond thrilled that she let me return the favor.

  She started the car and we sat there for a few seconds before she turned to me with a grin. “Ummm... where's grandma's Kenzie?”

  Oh! I felt like a fool. “Umm... sorry, I guess directions might help huh?” She nodded with a silly look on her face. I rolled my eyes and said, “Just get us to Seattle over the Hadley and I'll guide us in.”

  She gave a mock salute that I had the urge to return, after so many years in the service it was ingrained into me. I just smiled at the imp and said, “Smartass.” She rewarded me with one of her warm chuckles and a self-satisfied smirk as she pulled the car out and headed us toward I-90.

  We got into a discussion about what got her into her position. It was pretty straight forward. She was good at analyzing situations and her entire family was military in one way or another. She found that a support role for the troops suited her better. I listened intently, or was I just focusing on her lips?

  Then she started asking about role models. I shrugged and said, “My Dad.” Then I took a deep breath to clear my thoughts and shared with her the story about Vee Taylor. Then I grinned. “Then there's my personal hero. The biggest badass on the planet, Anaballa West.”