When he was done, Joshua moved over and picked up Moore’s pistol, setting his 1911 on the gurney and then moved over to Winters. He took the gun from her hand and she dropped her gaze as Joshua took the slide assembly off of her Glock and then took Moore’s off. Joshua put Winters’ slide assembly on Moore’s pistol and Moore’s on hers and handed it back.
“Still has your serial number but the ballistics won’t match,” he said, grabbing his side. “Tell them I took Moore’s weapon as we fought, then executed him. Say you couldn’t do anything because Vellum had a gun on you. You thought the old fart would pull the trigger.”
“I’m tired of you calling me an old fart,” Vellum screeched. “I have a good mind to take you outside Joshua.”
“Yes sir,” Joshua grinned at Winters. “You tell me when and I’ll bend over and take it like a man.”
Vellum cackled, taking off his glasses and wiping them off with his shirt. “That’s why I love ya, boy,” he said, putting his glasses back on.
“I’m not going back,” Winters said, looking down at Moore. “It’s started and my job is done working from the inside.”
“Well, keep to the story,” Joshua said.
“Why?” Vellum snapped. “When you leave, this body will disappear. Don’t be involving me in no lies. Saying some fed was shot in my shop.”
Winters turned away from Moore’s body and looked up at Joshua. “Can I get a ride?”
“Winters, I’m on horseback,” he chuckled.
“Joshua!” Vellum yelled, making both jump. “You get on that horse and I’ll shoot your ass! I didn’t work for ten hours just to have you shake it out!”
“Um,” Joshua mumbled.
“Boy, I have that new truck out there. Take it. I’ll get someone to drive me over later this week to get it and I’ll bring your horse and mule then,” Vellum said.
“I need to get my saddles and stuff, just in case,” Joshua said.
“Boy, you touch anything and this young lady will be pulling me off your hide,” Vellum snarled, walking toward the door. “Little lady, kick his ass if he lifts anything heavy,” he said, passing through the door.
Joshua looked down at her. “Will you grab my gear off that table?”
“Sure,” she said, grabbing his tactical vest and weapons. “Anything else?”
“No, the rest is outside,” Joshua said, moving around Moore. Winters slung the rifle and carried the bloody vest, giving Moore’s body one last glance.
“Sorry, but even if you had been family, I would’ve shot you,” she said to the body and followed Joshua out.
When Joshua walked outside, she walked beside him, heading toward a large 4x4 pickup. “Can you give me a job reference to work around here?” she asked, putting the vest in the bed.
“Well, my wife is a manager at an insurance place. I’d offer you a job, but I don’t think my crew is ready for sexual integration on a logging site,” Joshua grinned. “I think Ben’s new woman would get jealous.”
“No offense, but cutting down trees isn’t for me,” she grinned.
“Know a guy who has several car lots or I could put a word in with the sheriff, if you’re interested.”
Winters laughed. “Buck doesn’t think highly of me.”
“He saw what you wanted him to see,” Joshua smiled. “I’ll vouch for you and if Buck doesn’t listen, I’ll tell his wife that we went to a titty bar the last time we went fishing.”
“Won’t your wife get mad?”
“No,” Joshua snorted. “She was the one who wanted to go.”
Hearing a motor crank up, they saw Vellum drive a side by side from the barn over. He stopped and unloaded Joshua’s stuff in the back. “Joshua,” Winters said, and he turned to look at her. “The governor said it was time to get your family and go home.”
Joshua leaned against the truck, feeling the weight of the world lifting from his shoulders. “Home,” he breathed. “I never thought I would ever be able to go back.”
Winters smiled and Joshua looked up at her smiling. “That sounds like a great idea,” he said. “You know, I feel sorry for not voting for the spineless bastard now.”
When Vellum held up the keys, Winters took them. “I’m driving,” she said.
With Vellum’s help, Joshua climbed up into the truck and Vellum gave him a handful of medicine bottles. “Follow the instructions,” Vellum said and closed the door.
“Winters,” Joshua said as she started the truck. “What do you think will happen now?”
“I think the fighting is more or less done in the states that have followed Idaho. Nobody wants it. The other states I believe will have more turmoil but eventually, they too will see it doesn’t work. Then we will have to work together, throwing out what didn’t work,” she said.
“I hope so,” Joshua mumbled. “Pull out heading right, go six miles and you will see a dirt road on your left. Follow it back eleven miles,” he said, resting his head on the window.
“Um, what’s there?” Winters asked, pulling out onto the road.
“My family,” Joshua smiled, drifting off to sleep.
The End
I hope you enjoyed the Bonner Incident as much as I did working with Mr. Mike in bringing it to life.
Look Mr. Mike, the story we worked on is out and your name is on the cover. It was hard finishing it without you but I can do anything for a buddy. I just couldn’t change Moore’s name without you. Until I see you in your section nineteen, I will miss you my brother. (I’m still going to punch you in the face and I’ll let you punch me back.) Farewell, my brother.
Tom & Mike
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The Bonner Incident: Joshua's War Page 32