I asked, “Do you think we’ll make it to the Mississippi today?”
“I don’t think so, but we’ll try. If there’s nothing else, take a ten minute break and then get ready to move out.”
Maggie gave the dogs some water while I handed out oranges from our farm, to those who wanted one. Maggie commented, “I’m glad you were driving back there. That was pretty scary when we almost rolled over.”
“Thanks, Maggie. You drive for a while. I need a break.”
She laughed and punched my arm. “Ok, I’ll drive.”
I saw Pete and Adam talking to each other and sharing a bottle of water. That was a good sign because Adam doesn’t usually spend a lot of time talking to the Warriors. I think he feels intimidated because of his young age. Of course, the Warriors intimidate almost any person.
We made it past Hattiesburg using the bypass and picked up Route 49 taking us into Jackson, Mississippi. We didn’t encounter any problems. Some people we passed, shouted greetings or waved as we drove by. Continuing down Route 49, we reached the small hick town of Indianola, Mississippi. It’s about 30 miles from Greenville and Mississippi River. This is the junction where we pick up Route 82.
A street sign greeted us:
‘WELCOME TO INDIANOLA - HOME OF BB KING, KING OF THE BLUES’
It was getting dark when we arrived in Indianola, which was a typical small town that reminded me of the old days. On the main drag was one general store, one restaurant, a couple of closed gas stations, two churches, and a bunch of little stores that for the most part were closed. It was pretty much a ghost town. There were a few people walking around who greeted us with a wave. They seemed down-right friendly because they waved and said hello while we slowly drove past them. I had a good feeling about this place. It was peaceful and quaint.
Indianola is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 82 and 49W. The town was originally named "Indian Bayou" in 1882 because the site along the river bank was formerly inhabited by a Choctaw Indians. Between 1882 and 1886, the town's name was changed three times before finally becoming "Indianola," in honor of an Indian princess named "Ola." The town developed and grew at this site due to the location of a lumber mill located on the Indian Bayou.
The city is 8.7 square miles (22 km2) which includes the bayou. Indian Bayou Waterway runs the length of the city and beyond. The topography of Indianola is mostly flat.
Captain Baldwin stopped our convoy in front of the little town square. To my surprise, the American Flag was flying, high on a pole, in the public park. That was a good sign for sure. After we dismounted, George told everyone that it was best to stop here for the night. George posted sentries and had trucks lined up in two rows.
Before we could unpack our gear, an elderly man and woman approached us. I eyed them up right away. They didn’t have any weapons that I could see. Just the same, I kept my M4 at low ready position.
“Howdy friends,” the man said, as he stuck out his hand.
The man was dressed in a plaid shirt with blue jeans, which were held up with suspenders, and a plantation type straw hat. The lady had on a flowery dress with a sun bonnet, which made her look like an old fashioned country housewife.
Maggie was holding onto our dogs who keenly looked at the strangers, but didn’t growl at them. The dogs normally have a sense of who’s friendly and who’s not.
Maggie and I stepped over to them and we shook hands. “Hello, I’m Jack, and this is Maggie.”
The man tipped his hat and he pulled a toothpick out of his mouth. “Hello Maggie, Jack. My name is David Ragsdale, and this here’s my wife Alice. I’m the Mayor of Indianola.” He spoke in a typical southern accent.
By this time more city people were coming out of the stores. They strolled over to look at our convoy and combat Humvees. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale.”
“Oh, just call me Mayor, like everybody does.”
About thirty people had gathered behind the Mayor, but some just wandered around looking at our trucks. I noticed a few carried shotguns or lever action rifles.
Looking me in the eyes, the Mayor commented, “I don’t mean to be nosey, but what brings y’all to our small town?”
“We’re just staying for the night, if you don’t mind Mayor.”
“Heck no, we don’t mind. It’s great having you Army guys here. We just don’t want any trouble.”
“We aren’t gonna make any trouble. I can promise you that.”
Captain Baldwin came moseying over. “Who’s this guy?”
“This is David Ragsdale, the Mayor of Indianola, and this is his wife, Alice. Mayor, meet Captain Baldwin the commander of our troops.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain.”
Baldwin responded in the same manner. He was going to ask something when Ragsdale interrupted. “If he’s the Commander, what are y’all, Jack?”
“I’m the head of this expedition.”
“Say, where y’all from, anyway?”
“We’re from Tampa, Florida.”
Ragsdale stuck the toothpick back in his mouth and nodded his head. “Then y’all are Florida Crackers,” he said, with a grin.
Baldwin asked, “Mr. Mayor, do you have any hostiles around here? You know, people who don’t like the military?”
“Of course not. We’re all Americans here and loyal to the military.”
“That’s great. Do you mind if we make a few campfires in your park?”
“Nope, go right ahead.”
“Ok, thank you, sir. If you’ll excuse me, I gotta tend to my troops.” They shook hands and Baldwin left to direct setting up camp.
“Miss Maggie, how about if Alice takes you on a tour of our nice little city,” Ragsdale said.
Maggie looked at me. I gave a subtle nod that it was ok. “Alright let’s go, Alice,” Maggie said. They walked away, arm in arm, like two women going shopping, with the dogs by Maggie’s side.
Mayor Ragsdale pulled out a bag of chewing tobacco. Putting a handful into his mouth he said, “Glad she’s gone. I needed a chew. My wife don’t like chewin’ or smokin’.” He held the bag out towards me. “Y’all like some?”
“No thanks, Mayor. I got a smoke here.” I lit up and we both laughed.
“Hey, where y’all headed to?” Ragsdale let out a big spit and wiped his chin off on his brown stained sleeve.
Taking a drag, I held it in a little while and let the smoke out slowly while replying. “We’re … going to … Arizona.”
“Arizona. Why y’all going there?”
“We’re on a secret mission.”
Ragsdale let out another big spit on the ground. “What kinda secret mission?”
I pulled out the letter from Captain Sessions and handed to him. “Here, read this. If I tell you what the mission is, then it wouldn’t be a secret.”
The Mayor read the letter and gave it back to me. “I see, but can’t you give me some kinda hint.”
Thinking about this for a minute, I stomped my butt into the ground, putting it out. “Do you believe in God?”
“I’m a born-again Baptist and proud of it.”
“That’s great, but all I can tell you is we’re on a mission for God.”
“For God? Now y’all really got me curious.”
“Mayor, that’s all I can tell you.”
“What’s all you can tell him?” Baldwin asked, walking up behind me.
I turned to face him. “I just told him we’re on a mission for God.”
“Yeah, that’s right Mayor,” Captain Baldwin said.
Ragsdale peered at Baldwin, looking him up and down. “Y’all don’t look like normal Army to me. Whatcha carry that big pig-sticker for?”
“You mean this sword.” Baldwin touched the handle. “It’s to scare our enemies.”
“Pray tell me, who are your enemies?”
“Primarily Islamic terrorists like ISIS and al-Qaida. Basically anyone who breaks the law and doesn’t honor the Constitution a
re also our enemies.”
Ragsdale nodded his head. “Yep, there’s a lot of evil people out there. We’re kinda off the beaten path here, so no one bothers us much.”
Changing the subject, I asked Ragsdale, “What’s up ahead at the Greenville Bridge.”
“Y’all planning on going over that bridge are ya?”
“Yeah, we gotta cross the river somehow.”
The Mayor spit out some more slimy tobacco laced saliva. He sat down on the bench next to us, as if thinking for a minute. “If you boys are going to the bridge, y’all better be careful.”
“Oh, why’s that?” Baldwin asked.
“The bridge is guarded by crooks. Bandits that will rob and kill ya. I know many a person that went there and never came back. That’s all I can tell y’all.”
“So, you’ve never been there.”
“Never been there, and don’t wanna go there. Billy Bob went there a few times.”
“Who’s Billy Bob?” I asked.
“That’s my boy. That’s him over there by the truck, with the blue shirt on.”
“Could we ask him a few questions about the bridge.”
“Sure enough.” Ragsdale shouted out. “Billy Bob, get over here!”
Billy Bob came jogging over. “What you need, Daddy?” he said, with a smile.
Billy Bob was a big boy, taller than me, but he wasn’t a boy. He appeared to be in his early thirties. He dressed just like his Daddy, including the plantation straw hat. He had dark skin, high cheek bones, and black colored eyes, but his hair was light brown.
“Billy Bob, meet Jack, and Captain Baldwin. Billy Bob will answer any questions you got about the Greenville Bridge. I’ll see y’all later, I gotta tend to something.” Ragsdale slowly strolled away in the direction his wife went.
Baldwin and I shook Billy Bob’s big hand. I noticed he had a strong vise-like grip as he unintentionally crushed my hand. I said, “We’re gonna cross the bridge tomorrow and wanna know if we can expect any trouble.”
Billy said, “Yeah, if you go there it’ll be trouble alright.”
“Why’s that, Billy Bob?” Baldwin asked.
Billy knelt down on one knee and said, “Where’s why.” He proceeded to draw a crude map on the dirt sidewalk. “Y’all gotta take 82 through Greenville to get to the bridge. It’s a bigger city than Indianola is, so you might run into some unfriendly people along the way.”
Billy drew the bridge and made a few X’s in the dirt. Pointing at the X’s he said, “There are usually four guards at a road block. The guards charge a fee to get across the bridge.”
“What kinda fee?” I asked.
“I heard about a thousand dollars per car. But I don’t know for sure.”
“What’s on the other side of the bridge?” Baldwin asked.
“I got no idea,” Billy Bob replied, while looking at us. “Where are y’all headed to?”
Baldwin and I glanced at each other. We both knew this crossing could be trouble. We had done some research on the Greenville Bridge. It’s is a big four-lane bridge. When built in 2010 it was the fourth longest cable-stayed constructed bridge in the United States, running 4.1 miles long.
Baldwin said, “Our next stop is the Comanche Nation, in Lawton, Oklahoma.”
Billy Bob touched Baldwin’s arm. “Would y’all let me tag along?”
I said, “Sorry Billy, but I don’t think so. It could be a dangerous trip.”
“Come on, I’ll do whatever you want. I gotta get out of this stinking town.”
“What about your Mom and Dad?”
“They’re driving me crazy. My Daddy is the big boss around here. He’s a slave driver making me work my ass off. Always pushing me to get married, and have kids. I don’t wanna get married. I wanna see the world.”
I stood there not knowing what to say to Billy because he seemed kind of childish. Baldwin asked, “Billy, you know how to use a gun like this?” He held up his M4 in front of Billy’s face.
“I never used one like that, but I’m a good shot and a fast learner. I can shoot the eye out of a possum at fifty yards.”
“What do you think, Jack?”
Peering into Baldwin’s face and then at Billy, I said, “To tell you the truth, you’re too green. I don’t wanna be responsible for you.”
“What if I can help you cross the bridge? Would you let me come along then?”
“How you gonna do that?” Baldwin asked.
“A few of the guards are friends of mine. I could help pave the way. You know, make it easier to get by them.”
While I was thinking about his proposal Maggie came jogging up with the dogs. Adolf and Freda went right up to Billy and smelled him. He got down on one knee and both dogs licked his face. Dogs are good judges of a person’s character and they sure liked Billy.
I said, “Maggie, this is Billy Bob, the Mayor’s son.”
Maggie stared at him and said, “Hi, Billy Bob.”
Billy stood up, took off his hat, and bowed. “Pleasure to meet you, Ma’am.”
“Billy Bob, excuse us for a minute. I need to talk to Jack and George in private.” Maggie grabbed us both by the arm, dragging us about twenty feet away.
“Ok, what’s up, Maggie?” I asked.
Maggie whispered, “It’s here.”
“What’s here?”
“That black truck, you dummy. I saw it parked on a side street a few blocks away.”
“What black truck you talking about?” Baldwin asked.
“I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure, but now I’m sure. Someone has been following us ever since Florida,” I replied.
George scratched his chin and was thinking. I could almost see smoke coming out of his ears. “What do you wanna do about it?”
“Nothing, right now. We’ll think about it, after we get across the river.”
Maggie grabbed me by the arm again. “That’s not all I got to tell you. This Mayor and his wife, Alice, are not the nice people they make out to be.”
“Oh, how’s that?” I asked.
“Well, Alice invited me in their house. While she went upstairs to change her clothes some woman came out of the kitchen. She seemed scared to death and whispered in my ear, leave this town while you’re still alive.”
Maggie glanced a concerned look at Billy Bob. “I didn’t get a chance to ask her why she told me that, because Alice came back downstairs. She saw her talking to me and yelled at her, ‘What did you tell my guest?’ Then she dragged the woman by the hair into the kitchen. When I heard screaming, I opened the kitchen door and saw the Mayor beating the woman with a cane. Alice and another woman were holding her.
“He saw me and stopped. Then he came after me. Freda and Adolf stopped him from grabbing me. I pointed my gun at him when he drew a pistol out of his pocket. I came real close to killing him. Then I ran back here to tell you guys.”
“Did he say anything?” Baldwin asked.
“All he said was, ‘Please don’t tell anyone. It’s all just a mistake.’ I didn’t stop to listen to any of his bullshit and got the hell out of there.”
I said, “Let’s ask Billy what’s going on?” Maggie and George both nodded in agreement. We moved back over next to Billy, who was petting the dogs. He stood up as we approached. “Billy Bob, what’s going on here?”
“Whatcha mean?”
“Tell him, Maggie.” I said.
As Maggie repeated her story to Billy, he hung his head down. “I’m ashamed of that. He’s a very cruel man. He beats everyone.” Billy lifted his shirt and showed us the cane marks on his torso.
Maggie was shocked by the scars on his skin. “Why do you let him hit you like that?”
“If I tell y’all the truth of what’s going on you gotta promise take me with you. If you don’t, he’ll kill me for sure. Y’all promise?”
With hesitation I said, “Ok, you can come with us.”
Billy smiled and shook my hand, crushing it out of joy. “I don’t think Ragsdale is m
y real Daddy. I don’t know who my Daddy is, but I don’t look like Ragsdale. My mother was a whore who worked for Ragsdale. She was his favorite money maker until she died, a long time ago.”
“So what are you telling us?” Baldwin asked.
“Ragsdale owns a bunch of whores and has gambling games. Alice is his Madam who looks after the girls. Ragsdale isn’t the real Mayor either. Like I said, he’s the Boss Man. This town is under his control.” Billy turned his head and scanned his eyes around the park. “You see, only certain people get to carry guns. They work for Ragsdale. You gotta keep an eye on them boys.”
“So what does Ragsdale make you do?” I asked.
“I do all his dirty work.”
“I take the girls, once a week, to Greenville to make money. That’s how I know the guards at the bridge. They always wanna poke my girls. I also collect money from those that owe it from gambling.”
“Have you ever killed anyone?” I glared at his face to see if he was telling the truth.
He didn’t answer right away. “Yeah, to be honest, I’ve killed a few bad guys who didn’t pay Ragsdale. I had to kill ‘em.”
I didn’t wanna know any details. Most of us have had to kill more than a few bad guys.
Baldwin changed the subject. “Billy, how many gunmen does Ragsdale have?”
Billy Bob counted them out on his fingers. “I guess about twenty guards.”
“Here’s the big question: Do you think they’ll try to attack us tonight?” I asked.
“Well … since Maggie seen Ragsdale doing something bad, he might not cotton to that. Yeah, he might try to take y’all out tonight. He sure would like those trucks and guns, not to mention Maggie.”
After telling us about Ragsdale, Billy Bob had gained my full trust.
Maggie said, “I should have shot that asshole.”
Baldwin checked the time. “I think they’ll attack us when we’re asleep, around 2 am. It’s 9 pm now. Let’s quietly pass the word to get ready to move out. Tell everyone not to make it noticeable. Leave the fires burning, leave some sleeping bags out, and a couple of tents up.”
TEMPLARS QUEST: GHOST KILLER (TEMPLARS QUEST CHRONICLES Book 1) Page 5