by C. L. Jones
Time stretched out and then like an old western movie there was the sound of firing weapons. Indy flinched and before he realized what had happened he heard the second crack of a weapon. He was looking at the end of Pops’ smoking barrel and thought for one moment that he could somehow stop what was happening to him. Indy dropped to his knees. He looked up at Pops and said in a weak and feeble voice of a dead man, “We had a deal.”
Pops had never taken his eyes off Indy’s eyes, “This is for the kid and it’s the only deal you’ll get from me, Pit Man.”
The dying man looking down at his wound then looked up at Pops and said, “You knew?” He fell on his back to the ground.
Pops walked over and stood over him and said, “Bingo.” He paused and then continued, “Remember our phone conversation? As far as you were concerned, I was a dead man. You said I never happened. Well this ain’t the day, Bubba.” Pops bent down on one knee over Indy, “Just keep looking at me. Keep watching me because I’m not going to take my eyes off of your eyes until you never happened. I will be the last thing on this earth you’ll ever see.”
Cowboy, Rocky and Roadside gathered and bent over Pops as he was kneeling. They waited until it was over and Rocky said, “Let’s clean this place up so no one can ever tell what happened here.”
Cowboy looked around and said, “It’s going to take a couple of days. Then we’ll get the money and get the hell out of here clean and quiet.”
Just then Surfer and Tracker walked up and Surfer announced, “There was more money than what you might have first thought. We counted three million dollars. When split six ways that means we each pocket five hundred thousand.”
Tracker was thinking about cleaning the compound and heading home. He said, “This isn’t going to be easy you know?” Then looking around asked, “How do we get out of here?”
Cowboy gave out an old country holler. Then he grinned and replied, “Shit boys if you ain’t afraid, I’ll take that,” pointing to the helicopter, “and I’ll fly you out of here. They don’t call me Cowboy for nothing. I’ll give you a ride you will never forget.”
EPILOGUE
It actually took the team a week to make the compound and surrounding area look like a tourist camp. They gave Puncher a beautiful place to rest on top of a hill overlooking the valley. The Crew peeled away the bark of a nearby tree and carved two words, Puncher’s Home. They dug a nice hole using the C-4 that they’d recovered from around the compound. The hole was deep enough for the bits of the blown up buildings, the bodies, the jeep, troop truck and all the other evidence including the remaining unused C-4. They covered the hole and returned the area to normal.
After a day of rest the team loaded into the chopper. Not knowing precisely where they were, Cowboy took the chopper high enough to see over a couple of the peaks that surrounded the compound. They’d only been in the air for thirty minutes when they spotted a beautiful little town nestled at the base of one of the mountains. After landing in a secluded field in the middle of a nearby wooded area they walked in to town. After a short recon the Crew found the best little Mom and Pop restaurant with good home cooked food. They felt like kings and the meal was good old fashion home style Grandma food. The men were quiet for the most part. There wasn’t any talk of the compound or the recent events that had taken place.
Cowboy was insistent that the Crew find a permanent way to memorialize their arrangement. Someone suggested that they find a local jewelry store and see if there were any rings that could be purchased that would serve the purpose. Although it was kind of high schoolish, everyone agreed that the occasion should be marked in some way that meant something only to them. Whether by chance or design, it was strange how all that had happened at the compound under the backing of the organization had provided the opportunity for the Crew to build this new friendship. It was clear to Pops that the Crew members were well matched and each man had his own strength to bring to the group. And more importantly, they all seemed to get along pretty well.
The Crew headed down the main street of the small town checking out stores. Eventually they spotted a fancy small town jewelry store. Surprisingly when they looked through the front window it resembled a big city jewelry store. They entered and approached a young woman behind the jewelry counter who appeared very happy to see so many people coming in at the same time. Cowboy told her that they wanted something that each man could have as their own but yet would be a little different. She told the men to hold on while she went to the back room and returned with a tray of sterling silver rings. The Crew noticed that the rings had a distinct symbol on the front that would be easily recognized so each agreed to purchase one of the rings.
But that wasn’t enough for Cowboy who convinced the guys that each ring should have something etched inside the band that would make it special just for that man. So each Crew member selected a ring and stood aside as the remaining members of the Crew talked among themselves to reach agreement on what would be inscribed in that member’s ring. One by one the members received their rings. Just as they were finishing the Crew decided that they should pick up an additional ring for the kid.
They left the store and walked across the street to the city square where there was a grassy lawn overlooked by the county’s courthouse. Park benches faced the street. Some of the Crew sat on the benches and some on the grass. Cowboy said, “I’m going back to put Puncher’s ring in the ground where he is buried.”
It was a little uncomfortable for everyone as each Crew member was about to separate and head his own way. For the first time in their professional careers they weren’t alone. With the parting, they wondered if the Crew would just fall by the wayside. Trying to break the moment Pops asked, “Hey Cowboy what are you going to do with the bird?”
Rolling his head back and looking up at the sky as if he were thinking he muttered, “Huh, I think I’ll keep it. Maybe we’ll need it someday.”
The talking had stopped and it remained quiet for a few minutes. It was one of those moments when no one knows just what to say. Rocky was on the ground in front of Pops when he held out a scrap of paper. Pops took the paper and looked at him and then at the others. He looked back down at the paper and started to unfold it. There on the paper was a note telling Pops how to get in touch with him. Pops looked at Rocky with a puzzled look as Rocky simply said, “Just in case you ever need me.”
Before leaving, all the Crew members did the same even though giving someone in their business their personal information was something that they’d never thought they’d ever do. Other than their handlers at the organization, this was the only time in their lives they’d given anyone a way to contact or get in touch with them. One by one the men smiled at Pops as they turned and walked away. Not one of them looked back.
As Cowboy was leaving, Tracker said, “I want to go along. How about a lift?” The two walked off with Cowboy leading the way back to the chopper. Pops thought that even though they’d never really known much about the kid, they knew he had been a warrior in his own way. He had fought battles that most people never dream about in their worst nightmares. He’d been part of the Crew and he’d be remembered by the Crew as a warrior. Pops thought it was appropriate that they all had rings and Puncher’s ring would rest with him.
Pops watched the men walk away thinking he’d never felt a bond with anyone like he’d had with this Crew. Hell, he’d never felt a bond with any other man before like he’d had with Cowboy. He was reminded of something that was continually front and center in his mind during the competition. He felt like these men were his brothers. They truly were Brothers of Different Mothers. For men like these, neither time, distance nor events would ever break that bond.
Pops headed for the edge of the small town and managed to hitch a ride down the mountain with a local farmer. After about a half hour the road intersected a main highway and the farmer dropped him off. It seemed like no time at all when he was able to hitch his next ride which took him to the nearest airport
. He relaxed in the airport before his flight thinking about how nice it was to just watch people. He was ready to go home and show Mary the five hundred thousand dollars that each of them had taken away from the compound. Not enough for what he’d gone through but it would help. A few hours and he would be home.
The only problem was Pops didn’t know the trouble awaiting him at home.
(PAUSE)
Note from the Author:
Thank you for reading my fictional tale. The characters and events described herein are imaginary and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Names, places, and actions do not represent the truth in any way.
I grew up in a large Midwestern family, where I learned the art of storytelling. Many times my friends and I would sit around the fire pit and share stories. This book is an example of the kinds of stories I remember from those days.
Brothers of Different Mothers, is the first part of a three part series about how Pops and the Crew grew to become brothers. You are invited to continue the adventure in book #2, Home Front, where the Crew is called to action to help Surfer through trying times. Home Front, is coming by mid 2018 and is available now for preorder at select retailers. Book #3, Second Chance, takes the close knit team on a mission to Central America with less than desirable results. Second Chance is coming by the end of the year and is also available for preorder. Reserve your copies today.
Acknowledgments:
The book is dedicated to my wife who gave me a second chance at life. She is my friend, my love and my constant inspiration and encouragement… my reason every day.
If you look up the definition of a true friend you would see a picture of Kevin. His positive attitude and endless efforts to help see that my stories are ready for the reader to enjoy is a true sign of friendship. My wife and Kevin help bring my stories and characters to life. I sincerely thank them for that.
C. L. Jones