“Thomas, have you heard a word we’ve said?” Ed asked.
“What about it, Tomcat? You aren’t saying much! Cat-got-your-tongue?” Bart said sarcastically.
“I’m not interested. I don’t care what you do. I’ve never done anything more illegal than drive a shine car, and that is over with now,” Thomas said with determination.
“Thomas, without you we are out of luck, the gent needs three drivers and neither of us knows anything about driving a big diesel rig,” Ed pleaded.
“I don’t want to discuss this anymore,” Thomas said.
“Cool down, Thomas! We have time to think this over. What say we sleep on this and meet at Bart’s house tomorrow night? Whatever you tell us, we will abide by. Besides, Tomcat, I’m not sure I trust this gent either. You may be right! We all need to think on this,” Ed stated.
Bart rose to his feet and said, “I better head back to Huntsville, I will see you tomorrow night.” Giving Thomas one last look Bart frowned at Ed and walked back to his car.
Ed knew Thomas was beyond reasoning, so he said, “Enough talk for tonight; let’s do some fishing.” Before him Thomas sat looking into the campfire, the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes.
C21 - Chicago
"We found Baker’s girlfriend’s family living in a small town in Georgia. From what our people was able to gather Bonnie was wild and full of trouble. Her old man is an out of work factory worker and mom works in a school lunchroom. I had them watched for a few days, but Willy and Bonnie never showed,” Smitty reported.
“What about Baker?” McDonald asked.
“Not much to tell about Baker. He was a military brat. His old man was a Marine and never was home. He was killed in the war. His mother was an alcoholic. She died a few years ago. Willy spent three years in the joint in Texas, don’t know why,” Smitty said.
“You don’t know why he was in prison?” McDonald questioned.
“McDonald, nobody with a Chicago accent wants to get nosey around a Texas courthouse. We almost had them though. I don’t know how he found out we were on to him. The day he left Chicago was definitely his lucky day. Willy picked up a bag from a friend and he and the broad disappeared. He evidently had it all planned out. We found his car a couple of days later. He was just one step ahead of us. We are checking out all his acquaintances now,” stated Smitty.
“Keep the pressure on whoever you have looking into this,” McDonald said.
“Mac, I think you are right. Let’s keep this Willy thing quiet for a while. At least until we get the job down south taken care of. Baker made a lot of friends in your organization. I think they would keep him informed if word gets out you are after him. He sure had the gift to make money! Everything he touched turned to cash. He was free with it with his friends. I suppose he figured you owed him for all his schemes. He had to know one day you would get wise to him. A couple more years and he would have been on easy street. Your accountant, Binky, can’t figure out how much money his schemes have made you and Willy,” Smitty continued. “Binky said Willy even found a banker down in Texas to launder your money. I’m telling you every cent you have will be invested legitimately before long.”
“So, what are you telling me, Smitty? You sound like you think we should kiss and makeup. The crook stole from me and that will not go unpunished!” McDonald exclaimed.
Cutting McDonald’s hair, Artie chuckled and said, “Hey, Boss, old Willy was running his own game under your protection.” Slowly his smile faded as he saw McDonald’s face turn blood red in the barber mirror.
“The chiseler stole from me and I’m not forgetting. He is a no-good-crook and I want him dead!” McDonald yelled.
“What about the shipment down south? You still want to pick it up at the same place?” Val asked.
“Why not?” McDonald asked.
“Willy was the one who set up the deals and made all the arrangements!” Smitty replied.
“I wish he would show up! What I wouldn’t do to him! I think I will go with you this trip, this snow is getting to me,” McDonald stated.
Gusts of wind shook the plate glass window and showered the building and streets with white powder. Several feet of snow covered the street as they watched from the barber shop. McDonald rolled his cigar between his fingers and sighed.
“Boss, I think we should change places for the delivery. We have been using the same place too long,” Smitty said.
“Alright, after this shipment we will make the change. This is the biggest load we have ever handled. With Stewart out of the picture there is no split and no competition! We can control the whole East side of Chicago,” McDonald said with a smirk.
“What does LaSalle say about the price increase?” Smitty asked.
Walter chuckled and said, “Not a happy man; we cut into his profit big time. Stewart was keeping him happy; now LaSalle has to come to me for the merchandise. Well I guess that’s the breaks, never liked that dago anyway. Now he has to do the worst thing he can think of and that’s deal with me,” Walter laughed out loud. What a joke; he had cornered the market on Chicago’s illegal booze traffic. He was the big man in town. “Gentlemen…all is as it should be…all is as it should be!” he laughed.
C22 - Spring
It was a good morning to take a look at the ranch Willy was about to purchase. Spring was in the air and the weather had warmed south of Memphis. Bonnie had shown little interest in the farm and didn’t like the idea of getting up early to head for the country, but early Saturday morning the two drove up in the yard of a very pleasant country home. Bonnie watched as a very large dog trotted up to the car and looked in the window at her.
“That is the biggest dog I have ever seen. It looks ferocious to me. Willy get out and see if it bites you before I get out,” she said teasingly.
“If it does, I will shoot it between the eyes,” Willy said.
“Willy, you need to learn you can’t go around shooting poor animals between the eyes. You are just so mean!” Bonnie said. Pushing the car door open she stepped from the car and extended her hand to the dog. After sniffing Bonnie’s hand, the dog wagged her tail and began to circle the car and sniff the tires.
Willy opened the drivers’ side door and stepped out. Leaning his arms on top of the car, he looked around the ranch yard. Bonnie didn’t know what to think; here she was back in the country again after all these years. She remembered the worst thing about living in the country was all her friends lived in town. On weekends she was stranded while her friends in town had fun. The house was pretty with a fresh coat of paint and flowerbeds all around. The yard was just waiting for warm weather to turn green.
Bonnie was motionless for a long time as she stood looking around the Waters’ farm. Willy watched her reaction as she took everything in. Her black hair blew in the wind thick and shiny; her lips rich and full. Leaning on the car he watched her as her facial expressions changed. The hard mask seemed to melt away and her smile was genuine. He was developing deep feelings for Bonnie; feelings he had never felt before.
“Well, what do you think? It is secluded and we can relax here. I think this place is the real deal for us,” he said. Smiling at her he leaned his chin on his folded arms.
“Willy, I love it!” Bonnie exclaimed.
Not seeing the same possibilities for the ranch that Bonnie saw…his gaze was centered on the barn. “This guy was in the hay business that’s why the barn is so big,” he said.
Willy helped the farmer load the last of the furniture on his old flatbed hay truck.
“Mr. Baker, it looks like we are going to be out of the house earlier than I thought. You folks are welcome to move in today if you like! By the way, the dog has to stay here. It wouldn’t be right to take her to the city. She loves to run, and I don’t have the heart to shoot her. How about it, Lady? Want a dog? I never saw her take to a person like she took to you,” Mr. Waters said.
“We don’t want the dog. Get rid of him on the way to Austin,” Willy
said.
“What? You…will…not! I want the dog. He stays,” said Bonnie. Willy was surprised and turned to look at Bonnie who was stroking the dog’s ears. “Look at these big brown eyes,” Bonnie said. “He is so sweet.”
“Bonnie, we don’t need a dog,” Willy said sternly.
“Who will protect me at night if you are gone? I want him Willy! He will be my responsibility,” Bonnie stated firmly.
“Lady, sorry to disappoint you but the dog is a she and before long she will be a mother. That is probably the largest dog in the world. She eats scraps and chases rabbits. Smart, too! She doesn’t bother the chickens or the cows. She has been a right good dog, just kind of big…scares people.”
Grinning at Willy Mr. Waters said, “Well, Mister, looks like you got yourself a dog. I guess the cows will be a good start for you. You need a good bull to build up your blood line. The spring calves are falling. Better put up lots of hay for next winter.”
Listening intently to the farmer, Bonnie questioned him concerning the operation of the ranch. “Well, Ma’am, it looks like you have yourself a ranch. You city folks need to be on the lookout for a foreman that can handle this big spread,” Mr. Waters stated.
She instantly thought of her father and her early years on the farm. Dismissing the thought with a toss of her hair, she went back to stroking the big dog’s head.
“We better be getting back to town and get some furniture for this place,” Willy said.
Turning to Willy, Bonnie said, “I want out of the boarding house and out of town today.”
“If that is what you want, then let’s get going. You will be sleeping in the country tonight!” Willy said with a smile.
C23 - In the Pines
The hum of a motor brought Willy out of the bed. He instantly took a pistol from the nightstand. For a long time after the automobile’s dust cloud had settled Willy stood by the window and listened. The moonlight cast an eerie pattern on his handsome face through the sheer curtain.
Bonnie lay in the bed watching him. Slowly he relaxed, and the tension left him, and he dozed. Later another automobile passed. Their first night in the country Bonnie was not getting much sleep. The country night and the quietness had Willy up tight. Finally, she sat up in the darkness and fluffed her pillow up against the headboard. “Willy, the country is a quiet place, unlike the city where you hear car horns all night long. Susie will bark and let us know if anyone comes near. You need to relax and get used to the quiet. I was hoping it would calm your restless spirit, so you could rest better,” Bonnie said.
Standing by the curtains, Willy looked at the moon. The moonlight flooded the bedroom through the big windows. He turned and looked at the beautiful woman laying on the white sheet. “Bonnie lets go out and sit on the porch swing, we need to talk,” Willy said.
The swing seemed to quiet the restless spirit of the man Bonnie had fallen in love with. Laying her head on his shoulder she sighed and whispered, “Willy, I have come home. It’s peaceful here. I don’t want to ever leave this farm.”
“I was afraid you would feel that way,” he said. “Girl! I don’t want to see you hurt. You must get the idea out of your head that we can live like other people. If everything works out as I plan, it may be different. Until then there is no peace on earth for us. The reality is you will have to stay with me just to stay alive. McDonald will never give up looking for us. I’m sorry I got you into this…I truly am.” With that said, Willy and Bonnie returned to their bed.
The sun cast morning shadows on the wall. Suddenly Willy sat straight up in bed, reached for the gun on the nightstand and said, “What is that? Wake up Bonnie and listen to this.” Bonnie was not a morning person. Rolling over she covered her head with a pillow. Shaking her again, she raised up on one elbow and opened one eye. For a moment she let the words soak into her foggy brain before she sat up in bed. Adjusting her pillows against the headboard she sat listening to the singing.
“Well, Willy, you wanted me to go to church. That is the sound of people singing in a church choir,” Bonnie said smiling.
“I didn’t see a church when we were driving out here,” Willy said.
“Well, there is,” she said. Leaning back against her pillow, Bonnie listened to the music coming through the woods.
“Great! Just what we need. A church on our doorsteps,” Willy said. “I suppose we will hear that every Sunday morning.” Willy covered his head up with a pillow and went back to sleep. Bonnie sat leaning against the headboard. Her lips moved to the songs she knew by heart. Songs she had sung week after week when she was young. Getting out of bed she fixed coffee and went out on the front porch. A cool breeze lifted her spirits as the tops of the tall pine trees swayed in the wind. Music from the church came clear through the morning air. Leaning against the porch rail she listened. A sudden gust of wind blew a mist of rain drops against her face. Taking a deep breath, she knew God was waking her from a misspent life. Until now her life had been a colossal waste. Now she felt she had purpose. All she had to do was figure it out. The porch swing moved slowly back and forth, and a soft rain fell. Bonnie remembered the small church she had attended with her family. How she longed for those days. The words of the old Sunday school teacher with the large Adams apple rang in her ears. ‘Children,’ he would say each and every Sunday, ‘The most worthwhile thing in this life is to prepare for eternity. That is the only thing that is important and the only way to do that is to know Jesus. He and He alone can add the worthwhile to your life.’ Looking around she realized she was sitting on the porch of her first home. She was right where she wanted to be. Tears came in her eyes as she listened to the old gospel hymns. She wanted to see her mother and father more than anything at that moment. ‘Forgive me, Mom!’ she whispered into the wind. Memories of her youth flooded her mind and lessons taught in the small Sunday school class came back fresh in her heart. She could understand how Willy could be the way he was, but she had no excuse. Wrapping her shawl tightly around her shoulders against the cold wind she smiled. ‘I’ve come home.’
Later that morning the two walked out into the yard where they were greeted by a steady drumming of the dog tail on the porch.
“What’s the name of this big ugly beast? I bet it’s going to cost a lot to feed him,” Willy said. The big dog kept looking at Willy with a suspicious look. “I don’t think he likes me; maybe I should shoot him between the eyes.”
“It’s a she, not a he and she is my dog. You shoot my dog, you better not go to sleep with me awake,” Bonnie replied. Willy laughed out loud and put his arms around her.
“Her name is Susie. You better be nice to her. We are going for a walk in the fields, want to come along?” Bonnie asked.
Looking around at the sky, Willy said, “No, thank you! I think you are going to get a good soaking. I’m going to sit on this porch swing and relax.”
Bonnie and Susie walked down to the creek and followed it through the pasture. Susie was big and intimidating and Bonnie felt safe with her around. Walking for a while she became aware this was not a small ranch operation and she would need a ranch hand. Someone who had worked a ranch before.
Walking close to the fence line, Susie suddenly began to growl. A voice from across the fence called a greeting. “Hello there! You must be the new owner of the Waters’ place. I see Jeff Waters left his big dog with you. He told everyone in church he was selling the place,” the stranger said.
“News travels fast,” Bonnie said.
“It sure does, and all your new neighbors heard it in church this morning. You can expect some of the members will surely be around to make you feel welcome. Let me be the first! My name is Silas Delaune.”
“I’m Bonnie Baker! We moved in yesterday. The dog and I are going for a walk to look the place over” Bonnie replied happily.
“I walk this fence every few weeks for the boss of this outfit. This time of year, I enjoy walking. There is something glorious about the start of spring.” Pointing down the
direction she was going Silas said, “There is a great swimming hole down there. My kids use it all summer long. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Sounds like fun. I might have to join them,” Bonnie said smiling.
“Mrs. Baker, you need to meet the owner of this spread. I think you two would like each other. She will be delighted to know there is another woman her age in this country,” Silas stated.
“I will have to come meet her soon,” Bonnie said.
“I’m sure once I tell her about you, she will be looking you up. It looks like your dog is about to have pups. I would like to have one for my children,” Silas said.
“I will give you the pick of the litter,” Bonnie said joyfully. Thunder rumbled and she turned for the house excited she had met a friend. Not like the men she had known in the past. This was different, a quality friend. The kind you could count on. She was puzzled over the thoughts she was having. She was excited and she couldn’t wait to tell Willy about the meeting with Silas in the pasture.
“Bonnie, what are you thinking? You don’t need to be friendly to the neighbors. I don’t want that bunch of busy bodies from the church coming here to visit,” Willy said flatly.
“The best way to keep that from happening is for us to go to church next Sunday,” Bonnie replied.
Willy shook his head. “Suit yourself! Just keep them away from here. Don’t get too chummy. We may need to leave here at a moment’s notice. If you get careless and start living like you are free and clear, that will be the end of us both. You best remember the mob is looking for us,” Willy said.
Doing Time In Texas, Book 2 Page 9