Chaotic Be Jack

by Robert Tarrant

  Justin and I held our distance as Mooch seemed to consider Ty’s words. He slowly turned and walked back to their table and slumped into the chair. Ty walked about half the distance to Julia and said, “I’m sorry about that, little . . . ah, Julia. Mooch hasn’t been around people, well not regular people, for some time. He’s lost some of his social graces. I’m sorry if he frightened you. He didn’t really mean you any harm.” He turned, momentarily looking at me, before returning to his seat at the table with Mooch. His expression seemed to say, there’s only so much I can do.

  Justin and I joined Julia at the booth. Moe had returned to his prone position on the bench, and from the rambling comments he was making, I wasn’t certain he even knew what had just transpired. I guided Julia back into her chair in front of Moe and attempted to calm her down. She made us promise not to leave her alone with “those animals.” With Moe out of the equation, with what I presumed was a significant concussion, Justin and I would need to be smart in how we take these guys on, if it came to that.

  While still facing Julia, Justin and I edged away a few steps to continue the conversation we were having when Julia’s scream interrupted us. I started to again ask Justin what he thought about Moe’s condition when I suddenly became aware that the wind noise and frequent banging of debris hitting the shutters had significantly diminished. Justin started to say something, but I held my hand up in a stop sign and said, “Listen, it sounds like the storm has let up significantly. Maybe we did just get a glancing blow and the worst is over.”

  Justin cocked his head to listen and replied, “Definitely has let up. I didn’t see a weather forecast for hours before I hooked up with you guys, too busy tying down boats, what was the last forecast track that you saw?”

  I had seen so many forecasts for the potential path of the storm over the past three days that they all ran together in my mind. I concentrated in an effort to recall the picture on the television just before we closed, but it seemed like days ago and I just couldn’t bring it into focus. Frustrated, I looked at Justin and asked, “What time is it anyway?”

  “Damned if I know.” Neither of us was wearing a watch and with our cell phones disassembled for so long and now off line they were no help. Of course, the clocks in Cap’s Place are all electric. Then I remembered seeing a watch on Julia’s wrist earlier. I went over to her and asked her if she knew the time. She looked confused but held her wrist up so that I could read her watch. 3:20 a.m. No wonder I was starting to feel so weary.

  I rejoined Justin and told him the time. We discussed the fact that the storm may be moving away from us now. The roar of the wind had nearly totally subsided and we were no longer hearing the creaking and moaning of the building. I carefully made my way over to the door and leaned my head against it in an effort to hear what was going on outside. Nothing, I heard nothing. It was as if a switch had been thrown and the storm was over. No doubt a more accurate description would be that Hurricane Ella had just moved on to terrorize some new people.

  Justin came to the door and we looked at each other as if asking, Shall we peek outside? Justin nodded and I tripped the panic bar to open the door and put my shoulder against it. I nearly fell outside as the door swung open without resistance. It was oddly still outside. Without any street lighting it was dark enough that I could see stars shining through a clear sky. The water had receded to the point that it was just reaching the bottom step of the back stairs. I ventured a couple of steps out onto the landing and Justin followed while holding the door open to keep those inside in view.

  Looking around I saw several boats from the marina strewn across the parking lot. Justin must have been correct, they came free from their moorings and were swept up here. Looking toward the back corner of the building, I could see a portion of the stern of what seemed to be a very large boat. This must be the boat that Justin said had ridden up on the deck and smashed into the shutters across the back windows. I was curious, but not curious enough to wade into the ink-black water to take a closer look. After a storm like this, it’s hard to tell what creatures may be inhabiting the flooded parking lot. Justin and I returned inside to plan our next course of action.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Ty and Mooch were in an animated conversation, not at the table they had been camped out at, but in a far corner of the bar near the entrance to the kitchen. As we made our way across the floor, I surmised that they were arguing about something, but I couldn’t determine what. One of them had drug the duffle bag with them. Their need for a private conversation didn’t bode well with me and I could tell from the look on his face that Justin felt the same. We had just reached Julia and Moe when Ty walked cautiously across the wet floor to the back door and stepped out. He appeared to be surveying the situation, just as Justin and I had done moments earlier.

  Justin said to Julia, “How’s Moe doing? He started to make any sense yet?”

  She frowned and gave Justin a hard look in return. I didn’t know if it was in reaction to Moe’s condition, or her response to Justin’s lack of sensitivity in the framing of his question. She replied abruptly, “No. I can’t say that there has been any significant change. I’ve kept him awake, but he hasn’t really said anything beyond the occasional mumble. Seems to think he’s talking to his mother.”

  Justin nodded and turned to me. “I think we should explain to our friends over there,” nodding in the direction of Mooch, “that we think the rescue forces will be here soon. As fast as the storm moves out, the first responders will move in.”

  I said, “I would expect that it will be at least mid-day before we see anyone. Don’t you think?”

  Justin reached out and put his hand on my shoulder as if counseling a student. “I have no idea, Jack. I just want those two to think that the cops could be here at any time looking for storm victims. I don’t think that they’ll want to be here when that happens. So, we condense the timeline by a few hours. The sooner they leave, the better.”

  I nodded and said, “I got it. Sounds good.” Just then Ty returned through the back door and headed toward the corner where Mooch was lurking. Even in the dim light I could see that his pant legs were wet almost up to the knees. Evidently, he had ventured off the back stoop out into the parking lot.

  I heard him say to Mooch, “Water’s going down, but the damn truck won’t start.”

  Justin and I stepped toward Mooch and Ty as I said, “No worries, guys; the calvary will be here soon. I’ve seen this before, not as bad as this, but bad. As soon as the storm moves and the wind calms down, the cops and the fire rescue teams will be out in force. They’ll go door to door checking on people. Wouldn’t surprise me if they’re here in an hour or two. We can just sit tight and wait for help.”

  Ty and Mooch looked at each other and then simultaneously looked down at the duffle bag at their feet. These two must be real donors in a poker game. Ty looked up at us and stammered, “Ah, yeah. That’s all fine and good for you people, but we really need to get out of here and find a phone, so we can call the company and let them know where we are. This is when the local guys are really going to be needing our help.”

  I nodded approvingly and said, “I never thought of that. In some ways you guys are part of the calvary, part of the response. Of course, they need you.”

  Justin entered the conversation with, “If I recall, there are emergency phones on every level of that parking structure we were going to go to earlier. They ring directly into the emergency services’ dispatch center. Those might very well still be functioning.” He paused and then added, “You know how it is with the rich people in the condos around here, they have to be able to call for help in any circumstance.” He gave a light chuckle and continued, “Of course the usual problem in that ramp is a dead car battery. People in those condos all have two, three cars and leave the extras parked in long-term parking on the upper levels of the ramp. Come back after months and the battery’s dead.”

  Seeing where his yarn was going, I jumped i
n and added, “Yeah, cop was in here having lunch one day after taking a stolen car report down there. People hadn’t checked on their car in five months. Had no idea when it was stolen. Duh.”

  If we were fishing, it wouldn’t have been that we had hooked the fish, it would have been that he swallowed the bait, the hook, the line, and the sinker. Ty and Mooch glanced at each other and then Ty said, “That ramp sounds like a good place to find a phone. That’s great information, guys. We really appreciate it.” He turned like he was going to head for the door, but turned back and asked, “Hey, do you think you could spare one of those lanterns. Awful dark out there. Don’t want to step in a ten-foot hole or something like that.”

  I said, “Really hate to give up a lantern, Ty. Damn hard to see in this dungeon. We can give you a couple of flashlights, though. Got a couple over here that haven’t even been used. Batteries are still fresh. Let me get them.” Ty tensed and I knew he didn’t like being told no on the lantern, so I added, “Flashlights will be a lot easier to carry than a lantern. Not certain how much longer the lantern batteries are going to last anyway. You’ll be better off with flashlights.”

  He seemed to relax some and said, “Yeah, that makes sense. Where are the flashlights?”

  I walked over to the end of the bar and found the last two flashlights we had. I wanted to check on the 9 mm I had stashed earlier, but it was too dark to see it. Hopefully, the way things were working out, we wouldn’t need it anyway. Ty took the flashlights, tested both, and walked back to Mooch’s corner. Justin had gone back to the booth area Moe and Julia were using, so I headed in that direction. Again, it was obvious that Ty and Mooch were having a heated, although hushed, discussion. Suddenly, I got a sick feeling in my stomach that it was about us. What about us, I couldn’t predict, but I didn’t think it would be good.

  I was relieved when their conversation abruptly ended, Mooch shouldered the duffle bag, and they headed toward the door. They had gone a few steps when Mooch suddenly dropped the duffle bag on the floor and stood stock still. He reminded me of an oversized kid who was refusing to go to school. Ty turned and they exchanged angry words, but all I could hear was, “Not a good idea.” Finally, after another heated exchange, I clearly heard Ty say, “Fine, I’ll ask her.”

  Ty stepped slowly toward us and stopped about five feet away. Justin was sitting on the bench at one side of the booth opening and I was sitting on the other. Moe was stretched out on the long side with Julia seated in the chair in front of him. Ty said, “Julia, Mooch thought it would be best if you go with us.”

  We were all caught speechless. I found my voice first, but all that came out was, “What? What are you talking about?”

  In a high-pitched tone, Julia scoffed, “I’m not going anywhere with you two.”

  Ty moved with the speed of a cat pouncing on a mouse. Taking two long strides forward, he grabbed Julia by the forearm and pulled her to her feet while he withdrew a semi-automatic pistol from the back of his belt. He swung the barrel back and forth between Justin and me. His voice was a menacing growl. “I didn’t say you had a choice. You’re coming with us.”

  Ty was backing toward Mooch, who was still standing near the duffle bag. Justin stood and took a short step toward them, prompting Ty to point the gun directly at him. Then he pressed the barrel against the side of Julia’s head. “Stop right there, hero. Unless you want us to leave her behind with a slug in her pretty little head.”

  Justin stood still and spoke calmly, “Ty, there’s no need for anyone to get hurt. Obviously, Julia doesn’t want to go with you guys and frankly I’m surprised that you want her along. She’ll really slow you down. Seems like the better strategy for you is to move quickly, grab a vehicle, and be ready to go as soon as they open the bridges, before the cops are swarming the area.”

  It was obvious that Ty was considering Justin’s words. He lowered the gun from Julia’s head and used it to motion at Justin. “Get over there with Jack. I need to think a minute.” Holding his hands out from his sides, Justin walked slowly over to where I stood. I wondered if he had my 9 mm somewhere under his shirt. I wished I’d been able to see under the bar earlier and knew if Justin had gotten it. If it came to a gunfight between Ty and Justin, my money would be on Justin, but only if Justin actually had a weapon.

  In reaction to Ty’s comment about needing a minute to think, Mooch bolted forward and said, “No, Ty. There’s nothing to think about. I want her. You said I could have her and I want her.”

  Ty replied angrily, “Damn it, Mooch, I know you want her, but there will be plenty of other broads. We need to move fast. We don’t have time to drag her along.”

  Mooch glared at Ty and said, “I’m not leaving without her.”

  Julia wore a look of shock and anguish. She was muttering, “No, no, no,” over and over.

  Ty started to say something back to Mooch, but we were all suddenly distracted by a loud baritone voice singing the opening refrain of Amazing Grace. It was Moe, still prone on the bench staring at the ceiling, projecting his voice as if he were at Carnegie Hall. Ty growled, “What the hell is it with him? That bump on the head really fucked him up.”

  We were all still staring at Moe when Julia suddenly twisted herself out of Ty’s grasp. Before he could react, she darted for the opposite corner of the room. The area near the hallway leading to the office and upstairs. In the dim light she disappeared at the end of the bar. Ty took off after her yelling, “Damn it, you get back here.” Mooch looked confused, but then started after Ty. Justin took two quick steps and turned off the lantern sitting on the table near us. The only light remaining was coming from the second lantern sitting on the opposite end of the bar.

  Ty crashed into a chair, stumbled, and nearly fell. As he regained his balance, Mooch nearly ran him over. Ty whirled and yelled at Mooch, “Get the hell back there. Watch them. I’ll get her.” Mooch fumbled in his pocket and withdrew the flashlight Ty had given him earlier. He used the beam to guide himself back to Moe and me. Moe had fallen quiet again. Mooch was shining the flashlight beam around with a confused look on his face. Suddenly, I realized that Justin was gone. He had to be here, but in the dark and confusion he had slipped away and concealed himself somewhere.

  I could see a flashlight beam bouncing on the walls of the hallway. Ty was searching for Julia. If he went upstairs looking for her, maybe we could overpower Mooch before he got back down. Who was I kidding. There wasn’t any us, there was only me. Moe was in no condition to help and who knows where Justin had gone. Besides, Mooch had the duffle bag and it likely had at least one assault rifle in it. That magazine Justin found in the pickup had to go to something.

  My thoughts drew my attention to the duffle bag, except that I couldn’t see it. I had a good idea where Mooch had last dropped it and even in the dim light I should have been able to at least see its general hulk. Mooch’s flashlight beam was playing across the floor. He must also be looking for the bag. No Justin, no duffle bag with its weapon. Maybe things had just tilted in our direction.

  Just then I heard a loud crashing sound that I surmised was Ty kicking in the office door. Julia must have run into the office and locked the door behind her. My guess was confirmed when I heard him roar, “Damn you. You come here, you little bitch.” The sounds of a struggle were followed by a loud slap and Ty yelling, “Quit your damn fighting.” Another slap and then quiet.

  Ty’s flashlight beam proceeded him as he exited the hallway, dragging Julia behind him. He had his arm wrapped around her like she was a bag of potatoes. Her blouse was torn and hanging from one shoulder. The way her head was lolling from side to side, I couldn’t tell if she was unconscious or had just lost the will to resist. He appeared to be on the verge of uncontrollable rage. When he reached us, he slammed Julia into a position folded over a table and pinned her there with the pistol. Turning to Mooch, he screamed, “If you want to take this bitch, get some flex cuffs out of the bag and truss her up. I’m not chasing her again.”

/>   Reacting to Mooch’s blank look, Ty flashed his light around the floor of the room. “Where the hell is the duffle bag, you moron?”

  “I don’t know, Ty. It’s gone. So’s that other guy.”

  Ty looked first to me, then to Moe, then back to me. He roared, “Where the hell is he? Where the hell’s the other guy?” When I didn’t immediately answer, he moved the gun from Julia to point it directly at me, “Where is he?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know where he went.”

  He grabbed Julia by the neck and stood her up, jamming the gun barrel against her temple. “You got five seconds to tell me where he is or she dies. Five, four, . . .”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  PJ made herself another cup of tea and turned on the small television in the kitchen. Maybe some mindless late night TV would help her quiet her mind. Flipping through the channels, she came across a news station with a crawler across the bottom of the screen that read Hurricane Ella Pounds Hollywood Florida. The picture was of a young blond woman wearing an unfastened rain slicker standing in a large doorway with debris floating down a flooded street in the background. Her recently coiffured hair glistened in the bright lights of the camera. The blonde was slowly stepping backward out into the open. While water flowed in the street behind her, there was no rain falling, nor any signs of wind.

  PJ turned up the volume to hear. “As you can see, while water is still flowing down the street in front of this reinforced warehouse where our crew took refuge during the landfall of Hurricane Ella, the rain and wind have let up.” Holding her manicured hand out as if sampling the rainfall rate, she purred, “In fact the rain has completely ceased falling at this time.”