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 Hinch. 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.

 

After taking all of his access items to the storage facility, and the dog to a Bed n Biscuit, Barry drove back to the house and loaded his bicycle and tactical gear, covered everything with a tarp then drove into town and took a round about meandering path to the abandoned garage of an old commercial building. He cruised thru ensuring no one was around then pulled his truck up to the door and got out. Then Barry cut the lock and removed the chain, opened the corrugated metal door, drove into the garage and re-secured the door. When he left, he would re-secure the chain with a new lock covered with dirt and grease. No one would be the wiser, and Barry was careful to leave no prints or other incriminating evidence. Then he settled down to wait for nightfall.

Once it was good and dark, and traffic had died down Barry emerged with the black painted bike, chained the door then pedaled his way to the warehouse a short distance away. Passing by in civilian attire Barry scouted the area and found all normal. He used a cable lock to immobilize the bike by threading it thru both wheels, frame, and seat making it useless to any chance passerby. No one was likely to spot the bike in any case hidden where it was. Barry then changed into his black clothing and tactical gear, and checked his weapons again. All was ready so he moved out keeping to the shadows and anything else that kept him hidden from view. Good thing I spent enough time scouting the area for this. He thought.

Arriving at the rear end of the building, he selected a window off to one side with no light shining thru, raised the frame using the small pry bar and climb inside. Using a small red lense flashlight Barry checked the room and found it was a junk store room. He then tested the door and found it unlocked. The door opened to a darkened hallway that led to the open Bay Area. Donning the NVGs he activated the weapon sight and low IR light under the barrel. Stepping back into the store room he stealthily chambered a round in his weapon then moved out into the open bay.

Hearing faint voices but seeing no movement, Barry slowly and carefully made his way toward the front of the building where the office area was located. The floor was littered with pizza boxes and other assorted fast food containers and wrappers to the point where the place would soon become a fire hazard. Pigs! He thought. Being careful not to disturb any of the debris Barry continued on his was to the building front, but at a very reduced pace. Lights were on in two rooms and from his angle Barry could see the windows had been blacked out with cardboard and tape. Nothing could be seen from the exterior.

The voices were loud enough to be understood, but garbled with the loud rap music being played on a cheap radio. Barry moved closer but stayed in the dark. He could hear one man cursing out and threatening the others in the room so he listened for a few moments to see what was going on. One was threatening to shoot another over some missing drugs and money, and the victim was wildly claiming his innocience. Barry waited a few moments to see if one of the drug peddlers would make things a little easier for him by shooting the other. He was rewarded with a loud bang of a pistol discharge then silence. Holding his position Barry waited to see what the criminals would do, and he heard a familiar voice but couldn’t quite make it out. After some arguing,, two men appeared dragging the dead dope peddler between them. One of them was none other than Laco Cantù! Barney!!! Man, I wasn’’t expecting that! He’s way worse than I thought.

 

Carefully stepping back further into the shadows and finding some boxes to stand behind Barry was safely able to watch and plan on how to handle the complication of “Barney’s” appearance. What a despicable jackal! I knew he was worthless with no character, but I never thought he’d betray his uniform with such a breach of public trust. How vile can you get?!?! Man, this complicates everything, and I will probably be forced to break off and just leave town. Crap!

Cantù and his accomplished returned a few moments later looking shaken. Though Barry couldn’t know, they were worried about what the crazy crack head in charge was going to do next. As the men eased up to the office door, the flipped out crack head began swearing, kicking things, waving his pistol around, which got the two henchmen even more upset.

“Get in here you worthless crackers! What did you see, and where did you hide Mar-Vel? What did you do with him?!?!” He screamed, forgetting that he had shot Mar-Vel right in front of both men only moments before.

“W, W, We didn’t see nothing Mr. G! Honest, we didn’t see nothing at all!” Cantù said for both men. “We just came in and saw Mar-Vel laying on the floor! Honest!!!”

“Den how do I know that you two didn’t shoot him?!?! I knows you dun heared them gunshots! I ought to shoot bof of you for killing Mar-Vel!” He said waiving his pistol wildly about then finally bringing it to rest pointing at Cantù. “He was da best pusher I got, and you done went and kilt him!!! You a cop anyways, and I don’t care what the Sheriff done said, you might turn me in or try n arress me for dis! I ought to shoot bof of you right now for dis!” He said darting wild eyes about while bouncing around like a drop of water on a hot skillet totally freaked out.

Hearing this Barry realized that it wasn’t just Cantù involved in this, but the sheriff also. Who else from the power structure might be involved in this Barry didn’t know but it greatly increased the danger and he may have to drop this whole thing. It also explained why the young girls murder had gone unsolved, the sheriff was involved, and was the road block to solving that crime. At this point, the front door banged open and three rough looking young men came bursting in with guns drawn.

Barry lowered his height behind the boxes and brought the butt stock of the 9MM carbine to his shoulder in the assault ready position and focused on the three newcomers who were shouting sweeping their guns about. They looked more proficient and sober than Mr. G, but not by a lot. They had disregarded the shot, but all the yelling was more than they could over look.

Mr. G screamed I’m alright, I’m alright, just keep an eye on these two crackers! Ain’t no telling what these two Ofay’s might try! They sho ain’t on the side of no Brother!”

At that the lead pusher slammed Cantù and the other man down onto the floor and kicked both several times while screaming “You don killed Mar-Vel!”, at them several times. All four men began feeding off the wild energy of each other and it seemed there was a real melt down in progress. They kept getting wilder and wilder, leaving Barry very uneasy, and thinking of making a strategic withdrawal when Mr. G began firing about the room at the demons that had come for him. Two rounds went thru the blacked out front window hitting a car and making the alarm begin sounding. Then the lead pusher turned and did a mag dump on Cantù and the other man leaving them a dead bloody mess. In a rare loss of self control Barry said Damn! In a low voice but two of the pushers heard him and exploded thru the doorway waving their guns there was only one thing that could be done then so Barry flicked off the safety as he stepped out from behind the boxes. One man saw the movement and turned then Barry pulled the FRT and gave him a three round burst into the chest. Shifting aim, he sent two rounds into the second man’s chest just as the lead man popped out of the office and fired at Barry. Barry ripped him from navel to neck with six rounds killing him instantly and leaving a bloody mess crashing onto the floor. Barry took three steps forward and Mr. G emerged from the office firing, and Barry gave him two rounds to the head that entered the mouth and forehead. Over he went a sodden mess. Barry calmly stood for just a moment awaiting the arrival of further criminals. None came so he gave each body a look. All dead. “Welcome to hell fools.”, he muttered.

Surveying the area he saw a set of double door supply cabinets. Opening the first one he saw it was loaded with kilos of white powder and bags of fentanyl. Pure poison! Opening the next cabinet he was rewarded with stacks of cash. Taking the GI duffle bag from his back pack he stuffed it with as much cash as it would hold and snapped the hook closed and set the bag on the table. Money is a lot heavier than most folks expected. Barry had intended on burning the place to the ground, but with Cantù dead and the sheriff involved something else had to be done. Evidence could not be destroyed, and it sure couldn’t be left for the sheriff to deal with.

Searching for a pen he found one on the floor by the desk and a yellow pad on its top. Barry peeled off two sheets of paper and wrote Cantù’s name on one and the sheriff’s on another. He then went to Mr. G’s body and checked the hands for blood, and finding none, he put several of Mr. G’s finger prints on both pieces of paper. He then went to the cabinet containing the money and slipped a paper into one bundle each then added to the stack underneath leaving the sheriff with a much greater share than Cantù so it would look right. Then, moving to Mr. G’s body he searched for and found a cell phone. Dialing information he asked to be connected to the nearest DEA office and was connected. He then asked to speak to an agent. When he answered Barry said in a hoarse whisper, “If you want to solved the murder of that young girl from Hinch last year and collect a boat load of cash and drugs come to this address.” Barry read out the address twice and the agent kept demanding his name and connection. Barry hung up and dropped the phone into Mr. G’s pocket, shouldered the duffle bag and walked to the back of the warehouse. Pausing at the back door for a moment he saw that there was no one about so he unchained the bike and peddled back to his truck.

Once there, he stored his equipment, the money, and bike inside the truck bed then backed out and re-secured the door. He then removed his latex gloves and the Tyvek suit he wore offer his clothes, bagged them, and drove away. Halfway to Colorado Springs he saw a nice little line of Federal SUV’s running Code Three toward Hinch. I guess they believed me, thought Barry as he watched them disappear in his rear view mirror.

Two days later and five hundred miles south of Hinch, Barry and his dog were munching on some fried chicken and watching the news on a local channel in his motel room. The main story receiving all the attention was about a Colorado sheriff that had been caught up in a local drug sting. Money and drugs had been traced to him going back over three years, and he was being investigated for interference of an investigation of drug related deaths in that area. The violently protesting sheriff and two other deputies were shown being perp-walked to black SUV’s by FBI agents.

“Sad that it had to be done, looks like Smitty is going to get at least some kind of punishment,” said Barry as he tossed another chicken tender to the dog.

Changed the towns name and Cantù’s name.

 

Changed the shoulder wounds from two to one. I was tired when I wrote that one.

A month later, Barry sauntered into the local BBQ joint in the tourist attraction town of Statler, Texas. Lots of college kids, out of towners, and locals were enjoying tubing down the river and photographing the local scenery which consisted of old ranch houses, and some rugged hills lining each side of the river valley. Wasn’t much else to do except hit the local fern bars for some drinking and socializing or head to San Marcos to the east for more of the same. Barry moved to his usual corner near the back door and took a seat. Soon a cold glass of sweet tea and a menu was brought by the waitress. Berry tipped well, so he got good service, but was careful not to over do it.

“The usual?”, she asked

“Yes Ma’am, and a cup of coffee too when you don’t have to make an extra trip.”, he replied.

She flashed a smile and turned to her task and soon returned with a combination beef and sausage platter. Placing the platter and side dishes on the table before Barry her attention was drawn to the front entrance and the cow bell over the doorway clanged and two older men made their dejected way to a table near but not next to Barry. Soon they were joined by a slightly younger man that was red faced and obviously upset by something. Pulling up a chair he sat down hard and looked at the other two.

“Well, did you hear about it?!?!”, he asked.

“Yeah, we heard about it. It should be all over the state soon, and I hope something is done about it this time. They’ve been warned about this several times and haven’t done jack about it. Maybe now that somebody got hurt they’ll finally pull their heads out and start doing what they’re paid to do. We ought to get the Governor involved so we can hold a special election and clean house.”, said the oldest looking one.

“This is the first shooting scrape we’ve had here in a very long time, and it’s a shame that that Johnson boy had to carry the load for the cops.!”

“I heard that! Those Johnsons are a rough bunch. His dad and brothers are smoking hot over this, and you can bet they’re not going to let it lay. They’ll probably clean house on anyone that looks like the shooter. Won’t be the first time they stacked em like cord wood.”, he said with a smile.

“How’s he doing anyway? And the girl, I heard she was really shook up. I heard he was shot and still managed to take out all three with that .30-30 of his.”

“Yup, he’s got nerve for sure putting that rifle stock against his wounded shoulder and shooting so fast that Jeff Kennon thought he had an automatic rifle. I bet they’re still cleaning blood n brains off the side of the building.”

“From the traffic level, I’m guessing half the tourists left town, but they’ll soon be replaced by the morbid and the news agencies.”

Barry sat still as though he was not eavesdropping but was very curious about what had happened. Relishing his single meal of the day, Barry appeared not to be noticing what the three gentlemen were discussing.

“What do you think about all this young feller?”, asked the one sitting closest to him.

“Think about what?”, Barry asked.

“About the shooting last night!!! Emergency vehicles were all over the place and made a lot of racket. Were you even in town last night.?”

“I was out in a rented cabin five miles from here, and I did hear one siren, but that was all. What happened?”

“Boy did you miss it. Three trouble makers from Mexico were here and they seemed to think they were something special. Made a nusance of themselves all day. Grabbing girls, making lewd comments, running into people on the sidewalk, starting fights. They were abnormal in every way. Someone said they might be connected to the cartel, and a deputy confirmed that’s what they were claiming. Had a lot of the tourists buffaloed, and were pretty much trouble all day long and into the early evening. That is until they ran into the Johnson boy. They were crossing the bridge and come up behind Bobby Joe leading his girl along and one of them grabbed her behind and she squealed real loud. Bobby Joe turned and slapped the grinning jerk so hard that he tumbled off the bridge and into the river. Witnesses said that he turned over twice before he hit the water! Then he threw the other two in for good measure.”, the old man cackled with glee. “They must have watched because when Bobby Joe and Kris come out of the Burger Barn and got to his truck here came the thugs waving pistols around and grabbed Kris. Bobby Joe broke loose and reached into his truck and came out with his deer rifle. One of them shot him in the left shoulder but he kept bringing up that rifle and shot that guy then the other two. All three head shots. They found out later that one of them was an A-rab but looked Mexican enough to pass. I gotta wonder if they was on drugs or something. Police is investigating so I reckon they’ll find out sooner or later.”

“It’s a shame that Bobby Joe got hurt that badly. Does anyone know if there will be any permanent damage to his shoulder?”, asked Barry with a concerned look.

“They don’t know yet, but the doc said it looked good considering… whatever that means. I know one thing for sure, both of them families are fighting mad. Both sides come from fighting stock and are nobody to mess with. Kris Brooks’ folks are bad news, but the Johnsons are far worse. I pity anyone they manage to track down.”, he finished.

“Hmmm, looks like they tried to take in too much territory”, said Barry.

The three agreed in unison, then Barry paid his bill leaving a tip and walked out the door.

I’m beginning to wonder if I’m destined to keep shooting up these jokers., Barry thought as he walked out the door.

 

Barry drove the half mile north on the main road to the Burger Barn and saw that it still had the police barrier tape around the front, and the place wasn’t open. He’d intended on getting more info from the owner or manager, but it looked like tomorrow would be a better bet than today. Crossing the street to reach the convenience store/gas station with a liquor store one door down, Barry searched for anyone that might be interested in yesterday’s excitement while he filled a coffee cup so he’d have something to help him blend in. Once again, he saw two older gentlemen sitting at a picnic table having an animated conversation.

Easing up to the table, he asked if the seat on the end was taken. Both men courused no and told him to have a seat.

“Did you get to see the shooting we had yesterday?”, asked one.

“No, but I hear it was something! I was outside of town in a rented cabin, and only heard only one siren. Did you see what happened”

“We sure did!”, said one, and then proceeded to give Barry a complete run down of what he knew. Which, was pretty close to what Barry had heard earlier.

“See those two fellers over there?”, he asked while pointing out the men. “And that big ugly one over there?”, he said pointing to a large man in working cowboy clothes wearing a gun belt and armed with a large framed pistol.

“Yes Sir, I see ‘em.”, said Barry politely.

“The two over there are Johnsons, and double ugly over there is Ira Brooks, father of the girl that was assaulted. All three are looking for trouble and hoping that the friends of the trash killed yesterday by Bobby Joe show up so they can have a try with ‘em.”

“Word has it that Johnsons and Brooks’ from all over the state are coming here intent on straightening out some problems. If them old boys get wound up things are gonna git mighty serious very quick.”, said the second man.

“You think they’ll do anything with all the police in town today?”, Barry asked.

“They don’t worry none about the law. They mind their own business and are decent folks, but if anyone hurts any of theirs outa turn, then it will be hell to pay! They’ll run right over anyone that gets in their way, and not even look back to see what it was they hit.” , stated the first man. “Them dopers are lucky that Bobby Joe shot ‘em all in the head. If Kris’ old man or her uncles, cousins, brothers, whatever, got their hands on them, those fools would still be screaming. The old man himself Ira Sr., would likely have a go at them. Rumor has it that he was some kind of long range scout for the army over in Vietnam Nam. Make you sick to hear what he done when called for.”

“I’d heard they were involved in the drug trade, does anyone know for sure, or if they are connected to one of the cartels?”, asked Barry.

“One of the cops said that they were strap hangers connected to one of the cartels, but they weren’t part of the cartel proper. Wouldn’t say which cartel it was either. I guess they’re keeping it a secret.”

“I’d guess it would be best for the cartel types to stay outa town as long as this is going on.”, said Barry as he tossed his empty plastic cup into a near by trash can. “Well, I’ve gotta get going, you gentlemen have a great day.”

“You too young feller!”, they replied.

 

Barry sat in the rented cabin with all his cash stacked in front of him on a coffee table. Just over 2.3 million in cash. Man that is a lot of money! Loads of potential, and difficult to actually use efficiently. I’m forced to get creative on this as carelessness could bring a ton of hate down on my shoulders.. ,he thought. Some I can turn into gold and silver along with some jewels. Have to be wise about that too as there was always someone out to take advantage of the unwary.

Dividing up the money into three roughly even stacks, Barry stuffed his ill gotten gains into three canvas totes and placed them behind the couch near the door where they’d be out of the way, but he could quickly grab them in a hurry if needed. Then, he poured himself another coffee and took a pad and pen from the counter and walked over to the couch sat and collected his thoughts. He had to secure the money first whether he kept it or gave it away, it had to be handled properly. He needed to figure out overseas banks, transfers, trusts and the like. After a few minutes, he had a nice list to work on, so he loaded up his truck and drove to the storage facility where most of his gear and weapons were stored. He would only keep a few thousand cash on hand, his AR15 Carbine, the G19, and the needed requirements like loaded magazines and his BOB. The money, the M70 Winchester and ammo went into storage and was covered by some misc. junk he’d fished out from a dumpster.