Original Work Barry The Fairy.

“Is Mr. Turner in?” Asked Barry to the prim and proper mature secretary.

She punched his line and Barry heard Turner answer down the hall from his office. “Barry Taylor wants to know if you have time to see him….. very well.” Smiling sweetly, she said “Mr. Turner will be right out. Care for some coffee, or water?”

“Thank you ma’am, but no I’m good.” And took a chair.

Moments later Turner entered the reception area with an extended hand. “And how are you doing today Barry?”

“Could be better. Looks like I’ll be needing your services again.”

With raised eyebrows, Turner said “Interesting, let’s discuss it in my office.”

Once seated Turner asked what Barry needed.

“I thought that my Samson Option would work, but it looks like Karen is even crazier and more stupid than I first thought. I don’t think she can help herself really, but that sure makes it tough on me, and I don’t need the aggravation. On top of that, Barney Fife is looking to make trouble for me, and you know how the cops stick together, so I’ve come up with another plan that won’t ruin this beautiful town. I just can’t bring myself to destroy this place with public housing, too many innocent people that are at no fault in this deal and I don’t want them hurt. Tell me what you think of this.” Then Barry swiftly outlined his plan to Turner who added a thought here and there where needed. Once the course of action was decided, Barry nodded and said. “Good, draw up the paperwork, then we can present it to the parties concerned and see what they’ll do. I’m thinking they’ll do a one and a half gainer into it” he completed with a smile.

“I think they’ll will, but one never knows” completed Turner.

“Good, what is your fee for this?” Turner told him and Barry counted off the C-Notes to a surprised Turner. “Barry, do you think it wise to carry all that cash around?”

“Yes I do. See you in a week or so.” He said walking out the door.

 

Great, now I'm hooked!

 

Barry spent the next few days getting ready for his final exit plan which consisted of dumping his land, and hitting the doper warehouse afterward. That den of iniquity had been in operation far too long, and he Barry figured that at least some of the town officials were involved in its operation somehow. That would not be allowed to stand, but Barry could not afford to be caught either, so he must be careful and ruthless. He planned to leave no survivors inside and get rid of a lot of drugs. He would like to torch the place, but was afraid of the burning drugs harming or killing the innocent. A way would be found.

Finally, everything was ready to go. He called Turner and told him to set up the meet.

 

Thank you for the update. I am looking forward to more. Like the way you spin the plot.

 

Turner and Barry watched the town officials arriving from a block away under the shade of a large tree. They had arrived a few minutes early as was Barry’s habit. No point of missing out on something important if it happened.

“I’m going to miss you and your innovative problem solving.” Remarked Turner..

“Well, I’m not going to miss having to solve those problems. This place just don’t seem to like me even though I do like it a lot.” Returned Barry.

“I still think a property exchange could be worked out that would solve your Karen problems.”

“Sadly, I don’t think that problem will ever be solved. Once that crazy sow fastened her attention on me I knew I was going to lose one way or another. People like that have no problem losing their lives if they can damage someone they hate, and I sure didn’t want to take it that far. No wonder her relative left here. It probably saved his life. At least my Samson option gave me some breathing room so I could figure out how to get out of this mess with minimal loss…. I hope.” Completed Barry

“Well, if they aren’t brain dead they should snap up your offer, I know I would. Still, I can see one or two being difficult just out of orneriness.”

“Like I said, they get two choices, Samson or the new offer. Either will work for me except it would really hurt my conscience to ruin the town.”

“When did you develop a conscience?” Asked Turner sharply.

“I’ve always had a little bit of one, but have managed to keep my foot firmly on its neck most of the time. Injuring the helpless or doing something low down has always been something I couldn’t do. Screwing over some jerk that desperately needs it is a whole different thing for me.” Barry smiled.

“I guess we better get on with it.” Remarked Turner as he opened his car door. The two men walked silently down the street to the Municipal Bldg. and made their way to the front doors. As they reached the steps Barry reached into his jacket pocket and activated the small electronic device hidden there. Hearing the click Turner raised his eyebrows and Barry replied. “This is so there is no recording of my offer and their reaction to it.”

Upon entering the door, Barry spotted the sheriff glaring at him. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble around here? Believe it or not we have better things to do than hop to your beck and call! What are you up to this time anyway?” Demanded the sheriff.

“Sheriff, you needn’t bother yourself worrying about me any longer, as I have found a way to clean up your little neglectful mess and leave the area without much in the way of fiscal loss.” Replied Barry with a smile. “Your girlfriend Karen will be very pleased with the news of my permanent departure too by the way.”

“You little smart-ass who do you think you’re talking to?!?! Maybe a couple of weeks in my lockup will give you a better attitude!”
Thundered the sheriff.

“Well, it probably would but you’d really be giving the county the chingelay, and I don’t think the Commishioners would appreciate any of that new public housing the Feds have to offer. Maybe you’d like to hear what I have to say before locking me up in your fine establishment.” Barry replied with an impish smile as he and Turner headed to Meeting Rm. 1.

Turned noticed that the gathered officials seemed to be having trouble with their cell phones, redialing numbers and saying hello repeatedly, while others tapped their phones against hand palms. “Your toy seems to be working.” Said Turner.

 

“Gentlemen, this is the new proposal offered by Mr Taylor for your consideration” said Turner as he passed out a stapled set of papers to each councilman with an extra for the sheriff.

“What are you demanding now?! Questioned a council member. “I thought we’d bent over backwards enough already keeping you happy!”

“Gentlemen, please read the offer before you before you start getting upset. I think you will find Mr Taylor quite reasonable and generous in his offer” said Turner. “What it amounts to is some very generous terms to turn his property into a city park.”

“What, now he wants us to build him a park?!?! Is there no end to his demands? Queried another.

“Gentlemen, please just read the offer, and we will be quite happy to answer your questions.”

The council began reading and soon several members nudged others and began murmuring. Some had surprised expressions, some looked skeptical.

“Basically, what Mr Taylor is offering is to sell his property to the city for the express purpose of constructing a new city park in an interest free loan. The property is worth over half a million dollars, and he is asking only the return of the three hundred thousand he paid for it. Annual payment will be Fifty Thousand to be paid at the beginning of the fiscal year, each year until the total of Three Hundred Thousand has been paid without interruption. We know this is not in this years budget, so Mr Taylor has generously offered to defer the first payment to the beginning of the next fiscal year.” Said Turner.

A red faced sheriff turned to Barry and sneered “I suppose you’ll want the park named after you too huh?”

“No way. Quipped Barry. I figured it ought to be named after one of you gents. And, I think it only proper for you to name the park after the man who originally thought of it. I think it should be named after Mayor Smith.” Barry said with a grin. “I’m sorry Mr Mayor, I know I promised not to mention your civic efforts in this, but I think it only justice that you should be recognized for you hard work in behalf of the citizens of Trinidad. You being much too modest to even consider this during our discussions, I held off mentioning your nomination until tonight when it would be hard to refuse the will of the public.”

Turner gazed at Barry in great surprise, and the mayor sat stunned for a moment with his mouth opening and closing like a guppy as he was caught flat footed by this proposal. He looked at Barry in total shock realizing it was now impossible for him to do anything but support Barry’s proposal. The little rat before him had pulled a brilliant move and he was stuck here pinned in the spotlight of their attention.

Quickly recovering like any politician would; “I,I,I in no way ever requested such an honor as this and had no idea that Mr Taylor would propose such a thing! I don’t know what to say!” Said the mayor.

Barry stood and intensely said “Say yes Mr. Mayor! You earned this and deserve it! Common boys, let the mayor know how you feel about this!” Then he started clapping, quickly followed by Turner then the rest of the council. The only one not clapping was the sheriff, and once the mayor looked at him, he too began clapping but glowered at Barry.

“I just thought of something gents. I know how some people will talk foolishness, so maybe we should cut off some of the whispering before it starts. Let’s put in the contract that I, as a requirement of the sale insisted the park MUST be named after the mayor. Keeps everyone’s hands clean so to speak. How’s that sound?”

Nods all the way around and smiling faces, hand shakes and a lot of self congratulations.

When the council members insisted on a picture of Barry shaking hands with the mayor, the mayor leaned in with hard eyes and a smile on his face. “You little s—t, I’ve never been boxed in like this in my entire life, and I believe we underestimated you.”

 

“Simply a matter of self preservation Mr. Mayor. If you would step aside with me for a few moments?”

“As you well know, my neighbor Karen is crazy as a loon, and likely to do anything, and I mean anything.” Said Barry

“Yes, we were wondering how long it would be before someone were forced to do something about her.”

“Well, I didn’t want that someone to be me, especially if she forced something drastic, me being an outsider and all. I think we’ve made a good deal all the way around, and I’d like you to consider something for me.”

The mayors eyes narrowed and hardened, “Yes?”

Imminent domain being what it is, and Karen’s place being right next to mine and twice as much land, has anyone considered that the large flat area just over the fence would make an excellent place for one of those wooden play castles? You know, The city might get some of the community organizations like the Women’s League and the like to get a funding drive going to cover the cost at little or no trouble to the city. Not looking for anyone to be cheated, but sooner or later the park will have to expand right? Just something to think about” said Barry with an innocient look on his face.

“Will you be staying on in our fair city?” Asked the mayor.

“No. This is a beautiful place, but I have a feeling it would be best for me if I left for some place outside of Colorado. Health reasons you know. Besides, I think the sheriff has taken a dislike for me. If anything does happen to me or the payment plan then the Samson option will automatically go into effect. Nothing personal intended, I just know that some people…..”

“I think I see your point, not to worry, I’ll take care of that. Karen also has another home nicer than the one here in town, so once we acquire her land at the going rate, there will be no need for her to be in anyone’s hair except for her unfortunate family.”

“Mr Mayor it has been a pleasure.”

“Quite” replied the mayor as they returned to the small celebration.

 

Barry had spent the last few weeks getting ready for his move. In truth, there was not much he valued or needed to move. His armory had grown as had his ammo supplies. Those were the big ticket items leaving only a few clothes, the dog, camping equipment, and of course the money. He was down to about 40 lbs or so, and had not even bothered to count it knowing he was about to get more. I wonder how many one hundred dollar bills there are in forty pounds he thought. More than he’d ever had prior to the shootout with the narcos in North Texas.

Reaching into the duffel bag Barry pulled out a packet and fanned through it before placing it in a shirt pocket and buttoning the flap. He had everything loaded in his truck, and it would all go to a storage unit he’d rented on the west side of Colorado Springs, except for the dog of course. He had kennel space reserved for him paid up for a month just in case.

Turning to his tactical gear, Barry removed the loaded AR magazine pouches, and replaced them with one six pouch SMG magazine carrier on the left side of the belt. Putting on his thin leather gloves, Barry removed the 30 rd Glock mags and loaded them one by one then put the full mags into the carrier. Then came his G19 holster and magazine carriers. Barry unloaded all the Gold Dot ammo from the G19 mags then loaded them into the spare G17 magazines he had on hand and topped off with some extra Gold Dots. The G19 mags were reloaded with 115 gr FMJ ammo and placed into a side pocket on his small tactical backpack.

Moving to his AR carbine, Barry removed the upper and put a mag well adapter in the lower that allowed the use of Glock magazines. He then attached the 9MM upper, checked the RDS to see if still operational, then inserted a magazine loaded with dummy rounds and hand cycled them thru the action. All was well, so he reloaded the 30 rd magazine with FMJ ammo and inserted it into the mag well and leaned the compact weapon against his backpack. No finger prints or DNA would be on expended brass if he had to start shooting, so that was one worry out of the way.

Turning the belt around closer, Barry released the thumb break on his K-Bar and pulled it from the sheath. Testing the edge to confirm it sharpness Barry found it acceptable. Stupid sharp, just the way I like it! He thought. After carefully oiling the blade it was returned to its sheath. He then paid special attention to his NVG and a few other items. Finding everything ready, he sat the equipment just inside the door, then loaded all the left over items into another duffel bag and parked it next to the tactical gear.