Doing Time In Texas, Book 2

by James E Ferrell

Bonnie removed the dishes from the table trying to think of a way to discuss Willy’s night trips that wouldn’t start an argument. “Why don’t you stay home with me this evening?” she said.

  “We’ve been all over this and nothing is going to change my mind. You need to turn a blind eye to my coming and going. It doesn’t concern you,” Willy stated.

  “Willy, let’s give this new life a chance!” Bonnie pleaded. “You and I were meant for each other. Whatever you are doing, get out of it before it’s too late.”

  He had exited the kitchen through the screen door and stood on the back porch. Leaning back against the door jamb, he looked at Bonnie through the screen.

  “We are a couple of misfits. You can try to change, but it won’t work. Be realistic, I don’t want to see you hurt,” Willy said.

  “I want my hands to get dirty doing honest labor. This is a big spread and I fully intend to run this ranch and make it profitable. If you tried using that creative mind, no doubt it would come up with honest ways to make a living,” Bonnie pleaded.

  “Do you have anything in mind to start with?” Willy meant it as a challenge.

  “As a matter of fact, I do. I have had my ears open and it seems that the local ranchers get the short end of the stick every spring at the auction barn. The cattle buyers have their heads together and fix the cattle prices. What can you do to insure I get a good price for my year-old calves? The local ranchers are keeping them longer to get as much weight as possible, so they can at least break even. We have a lot of calves ready for market,” Bonnie stated.

  “Let me think about that. I will investigate the problem and get back to you. Any other problems I need to solve for you?” Willy asked with a smile.

  Bonnie quickly replied, “You can marry me and take away my shame.” Willy was taken by surprise and while he stood with his mouth open, she quickly walked away.

  At a pre-arranged spot west of Huntsville, Ed and Thomas watched the dust cloud following the car Willy drove. The meeting place was a deserted farmhouse, a victim of the depression years.

  “Thomas you best remember what I said. You are in this deal and after this one easy job you will have all the money you need to get your rig. Remember you cross me…I tell Bart,” Ed said.

  Driving up the lane, Willy passed the two of them sitting on the old porch. He drove around back and parked. The cars were out of sight from the county road that passed a hundred yards in front of the house.

  A few minutes later Bart drove his patrol car along the road and parked next to Willy. With Bart’s arrival Thomas and Ed entered the front of the house where Willy stood in the kitchen with a map rolled up under his arm. He had lit a lantern and sat it on the hearth of the old fireplace. The glow from the lantern gave off sinister shadows as the men milled around the room.

  Willy looked at Thomas and then his eyes went to Ed. “This is your third man?” asked Willy.

  “This is Thomas Taylor. He is the driver that knows how to drive anything on wheels and the law has never caught him,” Ed stated.

  Willy’s eyes narrowed, “Did you drive shine for Harlan Williams?”

  “I was one of his drivers, so was Bart. Ed and I built cars for Harlan and we drove them.” Thomas was quiet, now everything in his past was back fresh on his mind.

  “Well, we are all here. Let’s get this laid out, shall we?” Willy said as he spread the map over a rickety old kitchen table that had been left by the last sharecropper. “I will make this brief,” Willy said, pointing to a spot on the map. “This is the place where the trucks will be kept. It is an isolated road with no traffic.” The expression on Thomas’ face was a look of shock. Willy noticed the look but continued. “There’s an irrigation canal that runs along this road and an old farm that has been abandoned for years. The roof of the old farmhouse has recently fallen in. Sitting next to the house is a large storage shed which is still standing and in good repair. It serves as a place to sleep for the drivers. Two hundred feet from the storage shed there is a large hay barn. It’s a perfect place to hide the trucks until they decide to move them,” Willy said.

  The three looked over the map as Willy continued, “If the same precautions are taken that have been used in the past, this will be a piece of cake. They will be overconfident, and I doubt they will post a guard. Usually there are a couple of guards left to watch the barn while the rest go party along the coast.” Willy watched the faces of the men as he talked. “When the guards go to sleep. I will sneak up and simply lock them in the storage room. I made a trip down there a week ago and reinforced the building without making it obvious. The building is real sturdy now and can be locked from the outside,” Willy said.

  “What makes you think it will be that simple?” Ed asked.

  “Weeks, I have been there and know the routine. I set up the deals from the beginning. I know how they think,” Willy said as he walked out of the light of the kerosene lamp and leaned against the wall while Ed and Bart studied the map. Thomas sat backwards in a chair with his hands over the chair's back, his head resting on his arms.

  “Taylor, you and Bart know the place I’m talking about?” Willy asked.

  “I’ve been there…before the house caved in. Harlan and Judd bottled the whisky in the kitchen. I’ve slept in the shed,” Thomas said.

  Willy acknowledged Thomas’ observation then started again, “After everyone is asleep, I will sneak up to the shed and lock the door. There is a small window in each side, too small to crawl through. I will disable all the vehicles but the trucks. When I get the door locked, we will start the trucks. The door will hold long enough for us to make a getaway. Once on the road we will be in the clear. Then it’s a long night’s drive to my barn.”

  Raising his head from the chair, Thomas cleared his throat and asked, “All we have to do is drive?”

  “Yes, that is all I want you to do, nothing else. The trucks will be full of fuel. I will bet on that. So, drive straight through. The routes are marked on the map so pick your route and memorize the way you are to go. They are all approximately the same distance, so we should arrive about the same time. When you get to my place wait by the big trees down from my barn for the other trucks to arrive. I will follow one of the trucks in the vehicle and lead you all into the barn. Once the trucks are in my barn, I will take you back to your vehicles. You will be back at work by morning,” Willy said.

  “You got it all figured out, but just say something goes wrong and we get found out. I say we take some hardware so there won’t be no need to worry,” Bart said.

  “Get this straight; there will be no shooting! If they get wise to us, break and run. Meet back at the meeting place beside the canal. Remove all the identification out of your pockets and tags from your clothing. Make sure there is no way to identify you should something go wrong. Nothing, absolutely nothing, must be left behind that will identify us or where we came from. We will not stop on the way to get anything. So, have all the smokes and soft drinks you need,” Willy stated as he stood watching the men for a long time and then he continued. “They are pros and will try to back track us. To find where we came from and where we stashed the trucks. They will check every station. Checking anyplace we could buy diesel for the trucks. I will make sure there is extra fuel for each rig just in case. Do it my way and no one gets hurt. Any questions so far?” No one said anything, so Willy changed positions on the wall and continued. “Yesterday, I picked up an old panel truck outside of Austin. I have taken all the identification off but the tags. Ed you need to take a look at the engine and replace all the tires. Make sure it will not leave us beside the road. Earlier today, I parked it in that row of old cars you have behind your shop,”

  Ed nodded his understanding and lit a cigarette. “I’ll take care of it,” he said.

  “After you give it a tune up and a new set of tires, I will pick it up and hide it down behind my place. If we have to abandon it, all we have to do is remove the tags. We can drive it into a lake…just get the t
ags first.” Willy looked around the room at each man’s face. “I heard an insignificant candy wrapper on a murder victim placed him in the candy shop the morning the candy store was robbed. You men make sure a candy wrapper or anything else you may have will not lead the people we are going to steal from back to Huntsville. One last thing and this is important. Don’t go close to my house or let my wife see you. Stay in the barn and get directly in the car as soon as we park the trucks. She doesn’t know anything, and I intend to keep it that way. If I have to cut and run, she will know nothing to incriminate herself or identify you.” Willy looked around the room. He had seen the worst types of men associating with the mob and knew Ed and Bart ranked among them. On the other hand, Thomas was a confused and sad case. He was in over his head but was probably the most useful of the three with his driving skills. “I want everyone ready; it has to work like clockwork. I will let you know when we move. Meanwhile, I will make arrangements to deliver the merchandise. When I tell you to meet me; you must drop everything and be ready to leave. Any delay and we will miss the trucks. This is our last meeting. After tonight there will be no contact with each other until we hijack the trucks,” Willy spoke firmly.

  “There’s only one little problem, Baker,” Bart said.

  “What might that be?” Willy inquired.

  “The twelve thousand is not enough,” Bart stated boldly.

  For a long time, Bart and Ed stared at Willy. Thomas sat as before, showing no emotion.

  “Spit it out…I don’t have all night!” Willy stated gruffly.

  “The money is not enough to warrant risking our lives,” Bart replied.

  “I figured you would wait until now to spring that on me. How much more do you want?” Willy inquired.

  Ed spoke up and said, “We want a share of the sale price of the goods, plus the twelve thousand.”

  “Pack it up boys; the deal is off! You made the deal and I’m not giving you anything but what you agreed to,” Willy said.

  Ed began to squirm and said, “Look, Baker! Putting our heads on the line for four grand is not worth the money!”

  Baker had rolled up the maps and was walking out the door. Thomas looked relieved and stood up ready to leave.

  “Now holdup, Baker! Give it some consideration. We are taking a big chance!” Ed stated.

  Willy turned at the door and looked at the three and stated contemplatively, “Alright, I will give you five grand apiece. That is fifteen thousand dollars for driving three trucks with no risk involved. Take it or leave it but don’t try and jack me around again.”

  “Okay, five a piece is good…we accept,” Bart said.

  Thomas Taylor looked downcast and it was obvious he wanted out of the deal.

  “Wells, you will have to get away from your duties without being missed for a few hours when we grab the trucks. Then again when we get ready to deliver the merchandise. It will take all of three days to deliver and get back here. I assume you all can drive a big rig by now?” Willy asked.

  C27 - A Change of Heart

  It was Sunday morning, and all was quiet along the streets of Huntsville. Across the city white steeples with crosses glistened and church bells rang. In every home in the city, the faithful as well as those who cared not for religion heard the beckoning call. Men adjusted their ties or put on their suit jackets. Women finished putting on makeup or finished dressing a child. In every Christian home, the faithful prepared their families for worship. Others made different choices; they snuggled deeper under the covers trying to sleep as long as possible on this day of rest. Some walked outside to retrieve the heavy Sunday paper from their lawns. Sunday’s editions were always large and held together by heavy rubber bands or slipped in a plastic sleeve if the weather was threatening.

  On Sunday morning, everyone made a choice; whether it was relaxing with a cup of coffee and reading the paper or answering the Clarion call. Either way it was a personal choice made freely. What would they do with Jesus? Most realized the decision held eternal consequences and that there was no third option. Nothing else in life carried such a far-reaching consequence as that one decision highlighted on Sunday morning. ‘…narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ Sunday mornings in America at this time in world history were profoundly significant because the choices were so easily discerned. Sunday was the Lord’s Day in America.

  Shane Thomas Taylor sat in his grandmother’s kitchen. His only desire in life was to be free of all the bad things he had seen and done in his young life. Betty Mueller walked into the kitchen to find Thomas sitting at the table.

  “Granny, I want to go to church with you this morning,” Thomas stated.

  Betty smiled, and her heart jumped within her. She had longed to see Thomas back in church. She looked at Thomas and said, “I will be proud to have my favorite man in church with me!”

  Later that cool spring morning, they reached the small Baptist church before the service had started. They sat in a small park across the street and watched people file into the church. “Its cold out here, Son. You ready to go in?” Betty Mueller asked.

  “Granny, I will be there in just a minute,” Thomas said. He watched her cross the street. More and more his past weighed heavy on his mind. There was just no way to deal with them. His admission to Ed by the river had been foolish. Now Ed would use it to blackmail him. Sooner or later he had to disclose the entire mess to the authorities but not with Bart as sheriff. He had made up his mind. Getting right with the Lord was the first step. He had not drunk anything since that night with Ed and never intended to do so again.

  Sitting in the park, his mind went back over the years of his life. Living with his grandmother had been charged with love. No one could have asked for a better mother than Granny. It all came to a head in the eighth grade. Bobby Dan Lopez had shocked him in front of the whole class when he said, “My mother said, your mother was never married and ran off with a man twice her age when you was a baby. You don’t know who your daddy is do you?”

  None of that mattered now. Life was what it was, and he intended to make drastic changes in it for the better. Thomas stood up and adjusted his tie and made his way across the windy street. A few minutes later, he looked up at the choir to see his grandmother smiling back at him. She gave him a wink and Thomas winked back. He had reached a turning point in his life. The next time he saw Bobby Lopez he fully intended to have improved his standing in life. This morning he would seek to rectify his life with the Lord.

  C28 - Birds of A Feather

  "Iexpec’ it to be warm over here in Texas. Where is all dem’ cactus’s and long ear jacorabbits?” the man in the passenger seat asked.

  The man driving the car chuckled as he pulled the car around the town square. “Boy, what you thinkin’…dis your first time in Texas?” he asked.

  “We folk in Luzana don’t sees much need in leavin’ home too much. Takes yourself a look at dat. Reckon we have any friends up in there?” The driver stated as the two men drove slowly by the walled prison sitting on the edge of Huntsville.

  “I’ma thinkin’ not. If we be careless tak’n care of this Shine Ghost, we might be a finin’ out. Reckon why they built dem walls so tall?” Jock Birdie Stein inquired.

  “What you think, Boob? So, nobody what try be goin’ breakin’ out of dat place. We dun come a long way from Norleans. What de fellas name we contac’?” Grey Jack asked.

  “Jude or Dude or something like dat,” Birdie replied.

  “Why don’ you be lookin’ on dat piece of peper in your pocket. Din you can tole me for sure. After we take care of dis Shine Ghost character, we might want to leave town in som’ kina hurry. These folks take them prisons som’ kina serious,” Grey Jack Mahoney said.

  “Dat prison tell me dis’ town don’t be no place to be messin’ roun.’ We find dis ghost, we thump him and get back to Norleans’ in som’ kina hurry. For myself, Grey Jack, I would have thumped that albino for free. I never did like needer
two of dem don’ ye kno,” Birdie said. “What day this hap’nin?” Stein asked.

  “It’s Sunday you boob! Don’t you see all dem’ churches and cars?” Grey Jack replied.

  “I’m not usual up dis’ time of day. Let’s find dat motel and get some bre’fast! I’m hongry,” Birdie said.

  “You reckon dis ghost fella goes to church som-atall?” Grey Jack said.

  “I hope he atten’ reglar’ an make amends. Cause he’s goanna meet him maker som’ kina quick!” Birdie said.

  ααααααα

  Through the forest the sound of the country church bell rang calling those who eagerly awaited the Sunday morning worship services. Annie drove her dad’s old pickup down the dirt road. It had become a daily trip to pick up Bonnie for one reason or the other. The two had become inseparable friends. Bonnie’s secret life was not shared with her new friend. The two enjoyed their trips to town and now to the little church in the back woods. Sitting among a sea of wiggling puppies, Bonnie heard the old truck coming down the dirt road long before Annie pulled up in front of the house. Annie had made her choice of the pup she wanted.

  “I want that one, Bonnie. Save him for me. I am going to name him Ranger,” Annie had said.

  “I promised Silas first choice. I will let him know he can’t have Ranger,” Bonnie said laughing.

  Annie laughed, “Now you are learning how to give a man first choice.” A mile in the backwoods the small white church stood by the now famous cemetery surrounded by cars and trucks parked among the shade trees. Annie ground the gears reaching for a lower gear as she pulled into the church yard. Annie waved to the ranger standing there. “Bonnie, I invited Cage to church yesterday and he came!” Annie said smiling.

  “It looks like you have yourself a ‘Bo’ Annie! He’s sure handsome,” Bonnie said. “He is almost as handsome as my Willy.” Arm and arm they walked into the church. For Bonnie it had been years since she had last attended church. She knew the old gospel hymns by heart and joined in from the first. It was invigorating to sing with the people there. The small congregation quickly realized they had a talented singer in their midst that knew all the songs and never looked at a hymnal. Without her knowledge on that beautiful spring day, God began replacing the years the locust had eaten of her life.