by P. Thompson
I related all the messages to Max as he sat scratching Ming behind the ears. Afterward we did a little smooching on the couch before he said he needed to go. Just as well as I needed another pain pill and off to bed.
******
Loraine came to get me the next morning as I wanted to be there as they hit up the drugs in New Orleans. Sheriff said he was keeping an open line so as we wouldn’t miss a thing. We still didn’t know exactly where Raymond and Diego were, but we were closing in on them and it would be much longer. Loraine and I sat talking when a young Hispanic girl of about seventeen or eighteen came up the walk. (Glad for the new glass doors so we can see what’s happening.) She came in the door and Loraine asked if she could help her.
“I need to speak to someone named Bo. I have a message for him from Diego.”
Well I can honestly say that got our attention.
“Hang on let me try to find him. He’s at the lab or the morgue one or the other.” Loraine told her. So she sat on the couch and waited.
Loraine worked her magic and got hold of him. He was here like he had wings on his feet. As he came through the door she rose to meet him and as he got closer she pulled a knife and went to stab him in the chest. He caught her wrist and struggle ensued. She had her back to me and I wheeled my chair as hard as I could into the back of her legs catching her in the back of the knees. She buckled and Bo took her down. She began to cry and say, “He’ll kill him now, he’ll kill him now.” Part of what she was saying was in Spanish and I couldn’t understand her. Bo spoke back to her in Spanish till he got all the info she could give him, then he cuff her and haled her out the door. Never stopping to let me or Loraine know what she had said. So Loraine got on the horn and called the sheriff to let him know what had went down and he was going to get to the bottom of it.
******
By noon the cruise ship had docked and a search of the ship and its passengers was under way. As of three o’clock we still didn’t have any word, and then came the call from Roy. “We got the drugs and Raymond both. He was there to receive them right off the dock. He was desperate and needed the drug quick. FBI and TBI both have a hold on him so I didn’t get in that fight, but Lonnie said she would get with us as soon as she could.”
A cheer went up from the bunch of us that was there and high fives all around. One down and one to go. Bo came in at the end of all this and I called him into the conference room.
“What’s with the girl this morning and you leaving and not saying what’s going on? We’re a team the last time I looked.”
“It’s personal with this one. That was Tia Cortez and her brother is being held by Diego at a house out on Taylor Bridge Road. As soon as Bubba and the sheriff can get it together with Coffee County we’re going in and hopefully get him out alive. Take Diego out and whatever is left of his band of merry men. She told me she knew I wore a vest and she would have stabbed me there. She said if she wanted to kill me she would have went for my neck. All she wants to do is go back home to Mexico with her little brother. It’s a long story and when this is all over with I’ll tell you about it over a drink.”
The news people were milling around outside the office. They can smell a story a mile away. Cindy came up the walk and they attacked her with their microphones and questions. She hurried inside and shut the door.
“Wow they are hungry for news of what going on. What is going on?” Cindy asked.
We told her about the take down in New Orleans and the girl with the knife and her brother. She listened and asked, “Is Bo okay? And what makes it so personal with this girl?”
“That’s a good question, Cindy. When we find out we’ll let you know too.”
It was five o’clock and Loraine was packing it in for the night and Cindy was taking over.
“It’s been more or less quiet around here today hope you night goes the same way.” Loraine said and she left.
“So how’s Sam doing? I haven’t seen him lately or even talked with him in weeks.”
“Sam is good and taking some classes at night in the Boro. We get to see each other about three times a week; between his schedule and mine it’s hard.”
“Did you have many Trick or Treaters Monday night? Max had a ball in his pirate costume with its talking bird, the kids loved it.”
“Oh we had a bunch here. Sam and Hank came by and passed out candy. Has anyone checked in on Miss Massey lately? I heard she wasn’t feeling well.”
“I didn’t know anything about that. I’ll get Max to carry me out there, maybe tonight and check on her.”
At that moment Max came through the door and said, “And what will Max do for you tonight?” We laughed as though we had got caught in something.
“I need to check on Miss Massey. Cindy tells me she’s not well and that’s just not Miss Massey.” I told him.
“Sure, we can do that before it gets dark and then how about going out for some fish at the Lighthouse café in Tullahoma? I hear they make really good hush puppies.” I laughed at him and shook my head and said, “Sure anything you like so let’s get going before it is dark.”
We got out to Miss Massey’s place and she was fine. Just had a head cold, but she was grateful we had thought of her and had come by. From there we headed to Tullahoma to eat. I love fried fish and hush puppies that’s one thing Max and I have in common.
The fish was excellent and the hush puppies were okay. Mr. Melton makes far better ones as he puts beer in his batter. Only problem was, he only makes them one time a year and that was in Quail Season. We have a big fried quail and hush puppy cookout, and all of the community pitches in hunting quail and then cooking them and whatever sides the ladies come up with. There was nothing like country family.
As we were headed home, my cell rang and it was Tony.
“Hey Tony what’s up?”
“Are you out and about right now?” he asked
“Yes, Max and I are just coming back from Tullahoma. Do you need something?”
“Yeah, how about you guys stopping by my place for a while if you’re feeling up to it?”
“Let me ask Max, hang on.” Max had heard the phone conversation and nodded his head okay.
“Sure, we’ll be about twenty minutes or so. We’ll see you then.” And I hung up.
“Wonder what that’s all about?” Max asked.
“With Tony and Mick you never know.”
“Shouldn’t they be on their Honeymoon before now?”
“They’re going in two weeks. To some nice warm island and lay in the sand.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
We got to Tony’s and every light in the house was on and there was music playing you could hear with all the window shut. Martin, Tony’s young cousin, had the radio in his truck turned up so loud it’s a good thing they have no neighbors.
As Max pushed me up the drive passed Martin’s truck the window were all fogged up and you could just barely see two people inside.
“Me thinks Martin has a girlfriend.” I told Max.
We wander on up to the house and knocked on the door. Melonie opened it up with a big smile on her face motioned for us to come on in. “Tony’s in the kitchen making some new drink for everyone to try. Come on back and sit while I let him know you’re here.”
Well, I’m already sitting as much as I hate it, but Max took a seat and then when Tony came in he took a drink from him.
“My new concoction, how do you like it?”
“Wow, that’s good!’ Max said.
“Hey, how about me?” I said.
“Coming right up, just give me a minute there gal.” As he turned and headed for the kitchen again. Soon he was back with the tray of drinks and munchies.
“Wow, you were right this drink is one for the records. What all is in it?”
“If I tell you I’d have to kill you then.” He said with a laugh.
Guess I’m not going to get the recipe.
“You need to come and keep bar at my place. The
money I’d make off of these I could retire.”
“Glad you like it cause I’ve name it ‘Jenny’ after you.”
“Gee thank you, I don’t know what to say.”
“You just did, that’s all that’s needed.”
“So what’s up beside a new drink?” Max asked.
“Well, Melonie and I have had a little talk about her place and she has set a price I think you can afford.”
He handed me a piece of paper and the key to the house. On the paper was just what I had won on the lottery.
“Oh my gosh! Your place is worth so much more than this. How can I ever thank you?”
“Just enjoy it.” Melonie said. “I’m moving my horse out tomorrow and then it’s all yours.”
I could hardly breathe, “I’ll get by the bank tomorrow and bring you the money.”
“No rush I know you’re good for it. But I do expect a house warming party once you’re in.” Melonie laughed.
******
Once home Max wheeled me in and sat down with Ming. “I didn’t know you were interested in Melonie’s place.”
“I’d thought about it when I heard they were getting married. I knew they would live in Tony’s place. It’s bigger and newer and next to Mick’s place. So at the wedding I asked Tony about it. I thought I would have to sell my place first and then take on a loan to be able to afford it. Now I need to sell my place.”
“I think Sam is looking for a place in town. I get the feeling he’s about to ask Cindy to marry him. You might talk to him real soon. He’s been looking around.”
“I can do that.” I told him.
******
Morning brought cloudy skies and chilly temps. Loraine was late and I was worried she had forgotten me. After we got to the office I worked on the murder board and book till Bo brought me coffee.
“We’re going after Diego this morning. I’d ask you to go along, but it just too dangerous in your condition. So we’re going to stream live from a GoPro so you can see what’s going on. Did Janet send you the video of yesterday?”
“I haven’t looked at my phone for any videos, but I don’t think so.”
“I’ll ask her again. The monitor is all set up in the conference room. See you after.” He gave me kiss and left.
I wheeled myself into the conference room and found a good spot to watch. It took about a half an hour for them to get set up in the woods surrounding the house. The GoPro scanned the area so I could see the lay of the land. Taylor Bridge Road was like most roads in the country, mostly horse barns and farms. There were a lot of wooded areas that haven’t been developed yet and this was true of Taylor Bridge Road.
I watched as they moved in on the backside of the house. I heard shouting coming from the house and from the men on the ground. I saw a young boy with a gun to his head come out the front door and a few Mexicans moving with the boy. My heart sank, they would think nothing of killing him, but if they did that left them wide open to be shot. Two of the Mexican men ran to a nearby car and got it started while the one guy still held the boy who was scared to death. None of these men were Diego, so he was not there. The boy passed out and dropped like a lead balloon, and then, from out of the woods, Bo moved in behind. He got the man in a chokehold and the gun dropped. Everybody rushed in with guns drawn. Bubba took the man away and Bo carried the boy in his arms to a waiting ambulance. I let my breath go; I didn’t even realize I was holding it. Then I looked up and in the doorway was Diego pointing a gun at me. My first thought was if Loraine were okay. My Glock was holstered by my side and I eased it out.
“What do you want?” I asked him.
“I kept telling you to stay out of my business and now you have to pay. I’ve lost everything because of you.”
“So none of this is your fault? You killed your wife, and a young girl we found in the woods. You molested a young girl in an old dirty house that was abended. You sold drugs to young kids and had them selling for you. Some of them turned on you. You bought guns from Tanner and killed people and I guess you thought no one would notice. What are you nuts or something? My job was to bring you to justice and I was doing my job. You’re scum and need to be wiped out.” With that he charged the table where I was sitting and I lifted my Glock and fired three rounds into his chest. His eyes drew big and he looked at me as though to say ’why’ before falling on the table where his gun slid across and stopped right in front of me. I reached out and felt for a pulse, there was none. I wheeled myself out to the front office and there Loraine was tied up with duct tape over her mouth. Once I got her undone she called for help. I don’t know why, at this point no help was needed.
The Calvary came marching in the front doors of the office, but not before Max and his CSI team had arrived. They took over the conference room and Doc wasn’t far behind them. The sheriff came in and I handed him my weapon and told him and the others what had happened. Loraine told what had happened to her and Internal Affairs was called to handle the case. All I wanted to do was go home and nap, but that was going to be a while.
By noon Bo brought me a Subway sandwich and a Star Bucks coffee. The body was gone and mess cleaned up, but I ate my sandwich out front with Loraine. Afterward I called Carl Harris and told him that Diego was dead and Raymond was locked up with either the FBI or the TBI. He was relieved that it was over. I called the Alvarez’ and told them to go home and back to the bodega and open it up, it was over. I called Sylvia Nelson at her sister’s house and told her it was safe to return home, her and her little dog. I called Father Salazar to let him know all was well now with his community. And then I called my dad and cried like a baby to the point he couldn’t understand a word I said. It’s over and now life goes on, Thank you Jesus!
Chapter Thirteen
Afterwards
It’s been three weeks since I took the life of Diego and I’m out of the wheelchair and limping around. I’ve paid Melonie for her place and moved a few things in that I didn’t need at home. Max has been a big help there.
Sam is buying my house after Christmas. He’s getting a promotion in December and a pay raise, part of him going back to school. It’s no secret that Cindy and he are engaged now and she loves my place. It’s a simple home with a lovely yard and lots of flower. I didn’t tell them about the rooster next door, I’ll let it be a surprise. I’m leaving my furniture it doesn’t go with a place in the country so when I get my money from the sale of the house I’ll buy new and take my time so it fits where I live.
Tony and Melonie are on their honeymoon on some sandy beach in the tropics where I wish I was right now.
We are getting ready for Thanksgiving and Table Number Nine is hopping. I’ve been making pumpkin pies for The Table and they go as fast I make them. Some are sold as whole pies, but most are by the slice. Sophie’s winter cocktail still need work, I wish I had the recipe of Tony’s drink.
We had planned to go to Bubba’s houseboat one last time before winter, but the weather has been so bad that he winterized it, so it will be ready for next spring and summer.
Bo is learning to ice skate and wants me to come with him, but my leg is just not up to it yet. I’m getting there and maybe by the first of the year I’ll give it a go.
Loraine and Roy are taking their vacations at the same time in December and going to the Bahamas for a week. They are now all moved into the house
Roy bought. We’ve made a country girl out of Loraine.
The sheriff has a girlfriend! Hope she know what she’s getting in to. Nah, he’s a good guy and I’m glad he’s found someone to pal around with.
Well, that’s it for me for now. Hope you’ll look for my next Small Town Murder: Murder at the Flower Shop
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