





	Human Harvest

	by Quiescent Benevolence


























	Copyright 2022 by Quiescent Benevolence








	This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places
	and incidents either are products of the author's
	imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance
	to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead,
	is entirely coincidental.








	Any reproduction, modification, publication,
	transmission, transfer, sale distribution,
	display or exploitation of this information,
	in any form or by any means, or its storage
	in a retrieval system, whether in whole or in
	part, without the express written permission
	of the copyright holder is prohibited.




















	Copyright 2022 by Quiescent Benevolence













	There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need
	but not for man's greed.

	Gandhi







	The world will not be destroyed by those
	who do evil, but by those who watch them
	them without doing anything

	Albert Einstein















	For Derek and Ashli

Chapter 1 -- HXGGOULLFQKM

As soon as the door closed Jennifer reached for the knife. They hadn't bothered frisking her, just took the gun.

What else would a skinny girl hide in jeans and a T-shirt?

The cheap dollar store knife was in the right back pocket of her Wranglers. Alex had ground off the belt clip and it was less than half an inch thick. It probably wouldn't last long in regular use, but the serrated blade, almost four inches long, would do the job.

If I can get close.

It was difficult to get it open with her hands tied behind her, but she managed it. They had put a zip tie around each wrist and connected them with a third. She was glad they hadn't had any of the disposable handcuffs cops used - using the knife would likely be impossible.

Carefully she got the blade inside the tie on her left hand and sawed through it. Her hands free she cut off the one on her right wrist.

OK, what now? Deciding what to do with me? A skinny girl with a dollar store knife and two big guys that both look like they've been in a few fights? No way I can take them both. One maybe, with the element of surprise. Maybe.

She closed the knife and put it back in her pocket.

The one who had brought her to the room and locked her in was the smaller, but still could easily overpower her even if unarmed, which he wasn't. He had Glock that looked like the one Alex had taught her to shoot with.

Call him Joey. And the other one Vinny. Since I have no idea who they are.

Joey seemed to be in charge. He seemed less dangerous than Vinny, as if he wasn't comfortable with the task.

Because he figures they're gonna kill me?

Vinny had remained in the front as Joey herded her down the hall to this room. It was one of several on either side, all with doors closed. The room was empty, except for her.

If Joey came to get her, alone, she might take him. Get the gun. Then what? If it was just the two of them she might have a chance.

Gonna die if I do nothing, that's for sure.

Voices outside, one coming closer, but not the other. Was Joey coming for her? She didn't know how much time had passed, it might have been minutes or an hour.

"Alright, alright. Just a minute."

The door opened. Joey. Was Vinny still down the hall? She pulled the knife out and opened it, careful not go move her arms enough to let him know they were free.

"Come on," he said, advancing to within a couple of steps.

It was difficult to stand anyway, keeping her hands behind her. She got to her knees, made as if to stand and sank back to a kneeling position, her right leg out slightly to her right.

Now give me a hand, big guy.

Joey reached for her left arm, grabbed it and pulled. As he did she straightened her legs and used her right to push towards him. She brought the knife up and around, plunging it into his neck, aiming for the carotid artery.

They went down, Joey on his back and Jennifer on top, twisting the knife and sawing for maximum effect. She got her left hand under his head and held tightly as blood spurted over her.

"Once at the enemy, you should not aspire just to strike him, but to cling after the attack."

Alex had read Musashi's Book of Five Rings with her. He didn't just give her the book and tell her to read it, he sat with her and discussed each passage and how it related to everyday life.

I'm getting soaked with blood clinging to this one.

Joey was not moving. Again she had lost track of time. How long since Joey had entered the room? Vinny could be getting impatient. She freed the Glock and racked the slide, and ejected a cartridge. Most people who carried double-action autos had them ready, but best to be sure.

"What're you doin' in there?"

Vinny. And closer now.

She wiped the her hands and the butt of the Glock on the cleanest part of her jeans and moved back towards the wall, sat back on her heels and waited.

He'll be looking at eye level, give me a second. And when he sees Joey first, maybe another.

Vinny didn't speak again, just opened the door. The door she was aiming at. Jennifer fired and he staggered, reaching for his gun.

Lucky these guys aren't very smart.

She fired again, tracking him as he fell to his knees and fired again. He fell face down in the doorway.

Weren't very smart. Now they're dead.

Was anyone else in the building? The place looked deserted, as it had recently built and never occupied. There had been no other vehicles in the parking lot when they arrived.

Check that first.

She was beginning to shake, and felt cold.

Stay calm. I've got a chance now.

She moved out into the hallway, went to the front. The entry door was glass, and she scanned the parking lot. The only vehicle was the one Joey and Vinny had brought her in. She opened the door and walked out. The warm sunlight didn't do much for the chill she was feeling.

I just killed two men. I need my phone.

Joey or Vinny probably had it, and the idea of searching their bodies didn't appeal to her, but it had to be done. One of them probably had the keys to the car as well.

She went back to the room, stepped over Vinny and knelt beside the body. He was wearing a windbreaker, probably to cover his weapon. She found a phone in an inside pocket. It was hers.

Yes! Now who has the keys?

She hadn't gone out to check the car, expecting Joey to have taken them since he was driving. She went to check his body. Luckily the blood was mostly around his neck, and going through the pockets was at least not as messy as it might have been. She found a keyring with a Cadillac logo on the fob.

That's gotta be it. Now what else? Call Alex before anything else.

He answered on the first ring, evidently waiting for it.

"Hey punkin, where are you?"

"I don't know. Can you locate me?"

"Use your maps app to give me your GPS coordinates," Alex replied. "Let me pull up a map.. OK.. go ahead."

She read them and he repeated them as he typed.

"OK," he said after a minute, "I've got you on Bridger Road west of 95. I know where that is. Are you in some kind of industrial building?"

"I don't know. Maybe. It seems that way, all metal and empty. We're the only ones here."

"Who's we?"

"Me and two dead guys."

"Fuck! Sorry, damn girl, I'll ask what happened later. For now we've got to get you out. That building must be new, I don't see any business ID."

"I think it is. It's all empty."

"Can you go outside, where you can see the highway? It should be just a couple hundred feet away."

"Hang on."

She went back to the front and outside.

"OK, I can see it."

"All right, almost straight across there should be big building, old and faded. Like a factory building."

"Yeah, I see it."

"OK, it may be faded, but does it have 'Meyers Brothers' on it, in big letters?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Good," Alex said. "You seem pretty calm, try to stay that way. I can have someone there inside of twenty minutes. It's gonna seem like forever, but help is on the way. Hang on.."

She heard him briefly speak to someone else.

"OK, I'm back. While you're waiting, can you find another exit? There should be at least one. At the back, maybe some on the sides. Better yet, how is the outside. Is the ground clear all around?"

"I remember it seemed to be from the front and sides. "I'm not sure about the back."

"OK, good. If anyone comes before we get there, you may be better off outside. Can you take a walk out and around back?"

"Sure, hang on."

The building was about two hundred feet long, and she talked to Alex as she walked.

"OK," she said as she turned the corner. "More of same, like the parking lot. About a fifty feet or so away it's trees."

"Good, see any doors?"

"I passed one on the side and there's a big rollup door, and a small one beside it."

"Excellent. If someone comes and you're out front and the see you, it will be too late to run around back. How do the woods look for a hiding place?"

"Not bad from here. Let me take a look."

She walked the short distance, and in a few steps was in a position in which she would be invisible to anyone out in the open. The ground was firm and dry.

"I should be good here," she said. "I won't attract any wild animals, will I? I'm kinda covered in blood now."

Alex was silent for a moment.

"Got it," he said. "I'm tracking our guys. We're looking at fifteen minutes. I'll keep you posted. If you can move in a little deeper. How are you armed?"

"A Glock G22. A forty, from the kick. I didn't take the other guy's gun. Or check for spare magazines."

"That's cool. You shouldn't need it. I'm going to conference us with Jessica. She's out at Southfork. Hang on."

"Hi Jen, how you doin' girl?"

Jessica. So good to year your voice.

"Better than I was a few minutes ago. Alive."

"Hang in there," Jessica said. "Help is on the way."

"Ten minutes," Alex said. "Or less. Hang on kid."

Jennifer moved further into the trees, until she was no longer able to see the building.

"Let me know when they arrive," she said. "What kind of vehicle are they in?"

"Hang on," replied Alex.

She waited. Her perception of time during her escape seemed skewed. Ten minutes. Alex should notify her again at five.

"They're in a white GMC," Alex said. "Crew cab four-by-four. There's a team a couple of minutes behind them in a late model Pacifica. Dark green."

"Gotcha," said Jennifer. "There's a black Cadillac there, the one they brought me in. If there's any others they arrived later."

"I'll advised them. Five minutes."

Time to move. She moved back towards the edge of the woods.

White GMC. Green Chrysler. Anything else is not good.

She there would not be anything else. Three hundred seconds, less now. She had the shakes again.

"If you the the shakes afterward, that's normal and good." Alex had told her. "You didn't lose it and you survived."

Her escape was already beginning to seem unreal, and she was wondering if it had happened. A dream.

I've got blood all over me. Not a dream.

Time to go. She moved to a tree at the edge, where she would be visible to her rescuers. A bloody white T-shirt should get their attention.

The white truck rounded the corner and she ran to meet it. The doors on the side nearest her opened and two men leaped out. One helped her into the cab and got in beside her, the other resumed his seat in the front.

"All clear," said the driver. "We're gonna wait for our escort, be a couple of minutes. You all right?"

"I am now. Thanks guys."

"We'll have you home before long," he said.

Her connection with Alex and Jesica had broken as she ran to meet the truck. She took out her phone and called him.

"Good work kid," he said. "We've got you. Just relax, you're almost home."

The green minivan arrived and the convoy moved out. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

Chapter 2 -- XABGWSLBOITSAB

"Looks like you got company," Scott said.

Two police vehicles had just turned off the highway and had stopped just inside the gate.

Sheriff looks like.

Checking the plan one last time. Jessica and Michelle shouldn't be here.

"Jess, you and Michelle disappear quick, where you can keep an eye on us."

Jessica and Michelle walked to the front deck just a few yards away and went inside. They would be difficult to see from outside the screen panels enclosing it.

"Think they were close enough to see the girls?" Alex asked.

"Probably not. They might make out there were more than two people, maybe not. We'll see if they give us any clues."

The Chevy Yukons were fairly new and clean. Dark green with light-to-medium mudcolored letters and stripes, a common color scheme for rural sheriff's departments. They came slowly up the drive, stopping side by side a few yards away from where Alex and Scott were standing. Two deputies emerged from each and approached.

"We're looking for Alex Stern," the one apparently in charge said.

"You're looking at him," Alex replied.

"Mr. Stern, I have a warrant for your arrest."

"Can I see it?"

The deputy handed him the papers.

Guess that little fracas gave someone the excuse they wanted. Or thought they wanted.

First-degree assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threatening. Guess they need at least two.

Alex handed the warrant back.

"Now what's your procedure?"

"You're being arrested on basis of this warrant. You'll be transported to the county jail and processed in. After that it's up to the judge. You can call your lawyer at that time."

"Transported. In handcuffs?"

"That's the procedure."

"Suppose I don't want to wear cuffs?"

"That is not an option."

"What if I don't want to go?"

The nearest deputy unsnapped the strap on his Taser holster. One of the ones from the second vehicle did the same, his partner had his hand on his gun.

Alex looked over at Scott.

"Think I should go with them?"

Wonder if any of'em are smart enough to be gettin' a little apprehensive about now. Not likely. Cops part of the system, it's always in control. Me foolin' around ain't worried'em yet. At least one of'em, maybe the youngest one, ready to pull his gun, probably hopin' I'll giv'em an excuse. His partner older, got a few years in this game. He still figurin' ain't nothin' gonna happen 'cept a little fun for them and some stories to tell back at the station.

"Your call," Scott replied, "but as you always say...."

The deputy with the warrant nodded to his partner, who produced a set of handcuffs. The one that had released his Taser was gripping it now, ready to draw.

"What do I always say?"

"About the door."

"Oh that, yeah."

The red half of the lightbar on the lead vehicle exploded, red plastic shards and parts of the lights scattering. All four deputies went for their weapons and retreated to the shelter of their vehicles, crouching and looking around as the sound of the rifle shot arrived.

Alex and Scott did not move. Only the two deputies between the vehicles could see one another. The one in charge could not see any of them, and neither could the older deputy.

Alex called to the one with the warrant.

"Get up and come over here. Just you. You're safe as long as you don't do anything seriously stupid."

Slowly, deliberately the deputy rose and holstered his weapon. Slowly he returned to face them.

"Whatever you think you're doing, you won't get away with it." he said. "You're better off coming with us with no more trouble. This..." he gestured to the shattered lightbar, "can be explained as an accident."

"I seem to recall advising you not to do anything seriously stupid." Alex said. "You're getting close to seriously."

"You're going to take on the whole sheriff's department? Over forty deputies and as many auxiliaries? The state police? You're the one being seriously stupid."

"What say you?" Alex asked Scott.

"I say you got them rattled. The unexpected does that. That young'un over there, one was itchin' to shoot you, especially."

Alex raised his right hand, but not the left one, then lowered it. The blue part of the lightbar exploded. The deputy flinched, but quickly regained his composure.

"Don't make us do it the hard way," the deputy said. "Be smart and stay alive."

"Deputy.." Alex leaned slightly forward to read the deputy's name tag, "Deputy Allen, if you don't know by now you're out of your depth you're behind already. I don't know how far down the food chain the rot goes, I only checked on your boss to confirm he was dirty. Whether you boys, any of you or all of you, are getting a cut I don't know and don't care. It's not worth what it's going to cost you. And I know the judge that signed the warrant is dirty. I don't know how many others are paying him - probably quite a few - but what Carlisle is paying isn't enough.

"Those boys out there - you can probably tell that rifle's about four hundred yards out - are the ones you see making videos of them shooting wild hogs on the run, at night. And from helicopters. You're not putting cuffs on me. I know what the plan is. Tell him to find another way. I can be reasonable, but dead people all over the place is going to draw a lot of unwelcome attention to Craighead County and Jonesboro in particular. And some of those eyes work for people in DC. Do you take my meaning?

He's kinda dirty. I can see that, wheels turnin' in there. He may be the one was gonna do the deed.

"I'm going back to Jonesboro," the deputy said. "I'll talk to the prosecutor. Meanwhile, don't plan on going anywhere."

He gonna talk to Carlisle and Carlisle talk to the prosecutor. We'll see if he's capable of bein' smart.

"I'll go where I please, when I please." Alex replied. "But I plan on being here for a long time. Tell your boss we have business to conclude, and how it gets concluded is up to him. Within certain parameters."

The deputies returned to there vehicles and departed.

"That trigger-happy one gave you a right nasty look." Scott said. "He may be reconsidering his career choice about now."

"Lot of cops don't have much choice," said Alex. "Which is why there's so many bad ones. One reason anyway."

Jessica and Michelle returned.

"Quite a performance," Jessica said. "It would be fun to know what some of them are thinking about now."

Chapter 3 -- JUPBQLBAFLVEUBKE

"You're finished, doc. There's not gonna be be a chain of clinics with you name on them like you planned. You didn't think we knew about that, did you? Only place your name's goin' is on a prison roster."

Carson had the look of a trapped animal. He was certainly trapped. His eyes were wild with fear.

He's seein' his future. I bet prison scares people like him the most. Rough types are more prepared. And they're always thinkin' there's gonna be a way out.

"Let me go." Carson croaked hoarsely. "Give me a chance to run. You know they'll catch me anyway. It was all James' operation. Most of the money went to him. And the guys in Texas."

Bein' fat not so smart for a criminal. Sweating, and it's not sixty out here."

Alex leveled the Colt, knew what Carson was seeing. He'd seen it, had Jessica point it at him, safety on of course. Magazine out and a snap cap in the chamber.

It was the only time he'd ever looked into the barrel of a gun pointed at him. Even then it was scary.

"By all rights I should give you the whole magazine," he said. "In the gut. Watch you..."

"PLEASE! I'll do anything. Look, I've got some money stashed. I never trusted James, any of them."

No honor among thieves? Say it ain't so.

"This pig giving your trouble?"

Jennifer.

Alex glanced back. Her gun wasn't quite as big as his 1911. The Bulldog. The hole in the end of the barrel was almost as big though. Five rounds of .44 Special.

What's she doin' here?

Jennifer moved to stand beside him. She raised the gun, steadied with the left hand, arm bent slightly. Leaned forward.

Modified Weaver, way I taught her."

"Jen, don't!"

She turned her head slightly, not quite taking her eyes off Carson.

"Don't what? After what he did? What he'll do if he gets another chance?"

"He won't get another chance," Alex said. "He's going away for a long time. If he ever gets out.."

"If he breathes another five minutes it's a..."

"Jen, I know. Let the law do its job."

He looked over at Carson, if possible more terrified now.

He killed her brother. Damn, she's gonna....

The blast of the Bulldog was deafening. A man of average size would have dropped when that first .44 slug hit him. He swayed, raising a hand to his chest where a red spot had aleady appeared.

The next shot hit the hand. He fell now, to his knees. Still looking up with those fear-glazed eyes.

Jennifer lowered the gun to aim lower. Three more shots. Carson may have twitched a little. Or not.

The silence was absolute. It seemed time had stopped.

Because I can't hear anything.

All five shots had hit in the ten ring. Five big red spots on the light blue shirt.

She learned fast.

Jennifer let her arm drop to her side, holding the gun loosely.

Gotta move fast.

"Put it away," Alex said. "Hang loose while I take care of this."

Her cheeks were wet with tears. She didn't respond. Didn't look at him, just at the body on the ground. Alex took out his phone, tapped a number.

"Jess, I'm with Jennifer. You got my twenty."

He waited while she checked.

"OK, you know where Scott is?"

He looked at Jennifer again.

"Good. Have him bring a throwdown. Put a couple of rounds through it and get it here fast."

He turned to Jennifer. She hadn't moved. Gently he took the gun and put it in the pocket of his jacket.

"You OK?"

"No. Maybe I will be, someday."

Chapter 4 -- WGKNYZYMSVZNRDOV

Alex released the cylinder of the Undercover and tilted the gun to let the cylinder fall free, spun it with his finger. All five chambers were empty. He dug the Snap-Caps out of the pockef of his jacket and dropped them into the cylinder, then closed it.

"OK, there ya go." he said. "Those are practice cartridges, for dry-firing, we call it."

He handed it to her, and she took it, tentatively but mostly correctly.

"OK, just hold it out if front of you, don't bother aiming. Just squeeze the trigger, this ones fairly light."

She's just a little smaller than Jessica, but looks almost fragile. Or delicate anyway.

Jennifer squeezed, hesitating at the first resistance buy pulling through it. The hammer dropped on the spring-loaded cap with a loud click.

"Good, go ahead and do a few more."

She squeezed four more times, each with a little more confidence than before.

"Good girl. That's easy enough, isn't it?"

"Not bad." She smiled. "I've never held a gun before. It's a little strange."

"I suppose it is, the first time. I grew up with them, so I don't remember the first time. I was just a kid. Guns have been developed and refined for centuries now, so there's nothing to it, once you learn. And practice. Go ahead and do a few more."

She raised the gun to eye level, squeezed another five times.

"OK, good. Let me show you how to shoot it. Hold it like that, straight out, and use your left hand to steady it. Bend your left arm just a little, and line up the sights on that target."

She followed his instructions, aligned the sights.

"OK, now squeeze of a few. As quickly as you feel comfortable"

Methodically Jennifer squeezed the trigger, once every two seconds.

"Now when you fire a live round, it'll kick a little. Push back on your hands and the muzzle will go up. For now, we'll just do it slow, take your time. Ready for the real thing?"

She nodded.

Alex opened a box of .38 wadcutters and laid it on the bench.

"OK, press the cylinder release, just put your thumb on it and push forward. Tilt it to the left and the cylinder will fall out. Push the rod back and the caps will fall out."

He watched as she did so.

"How just dump them out in your hand."

He held out a hand for the dummy cartridges, and took five live ones from the box.

"OK, just slow and easy for now. Drop one in each chamber, and close it. Push it in until it locks."

She closed the loaded cylinder and held the gun muzzle down.

"All right, that's good. Never point it at anything you don't want shot. And always assume it's loaded. Ready?"

Jennifer nodded.

"OK, go ahead and give it a shot."

She raised the gun, holding it as he had instructed.

"Good. Now in a real-life situation, you'll want to lean forward just a little. Let's do it."

She squeezed and flinched slightly at the noise and the little revolver twisting like something alive, but quickly recovered.

"Good, go ahead, take your time."

She fired the remaining four rounds.

"OK, release the cylinder and dump the cases."

He took the cases and dropped them on the bench.

"Let's see how you did."

She had fired from only ten feet, and three of the shots hit the life-sized silhouette. None in the kill zone, but one was close.

"You scared him good," Alex said, "but not bad for the first time. How's your hand feel?"

"Not bad. It may be sore later."

"May be. Those were light loads. A combat load will kick a little more, but you get used to it."

Jennifer reloaded and fired another twenty rounds, most of them hitting the center of the target, all but one on the paper.

"Not bad at all," Alex said. "You probably called the flyer."

"Flyer?"

"You knew you missed as soon as you fired, without looking."

"Yeah, I knew one missed."

"We call that a 'called flyer'. They happen to everyone once in a while. How's you hand?"

"Not bad, a little stiff."

"It probably will be a little sore, but you get used to it pretty quick. We'll try some next time."

"Is this what I should carry?"

"It's about the smallest thing I'd recommend, if you can handle it, and I believe you can. Your hands are just a little smaller than Jessica's, and she can handle this - you probably can eventually, but not to start with."

Alex picked up another revolver, similar to the one she had used. It was noticeably larger, and the grips were much larger, molded black plastic or rubber with finger grooves.

"This is the big brother, the Bulldog. It's a .44 Special. It has a longer barrel, and a regular hammer so you can shoot single action. There's a shorter version, like the Undercover."

He pulled his ear protectors back in place and Jennifer did the same. Alex turned to face the targets and fired all five shots into the one next to the one Jennifer had used, in about as many seconds. All five hits were in the ten ring. He reloaded and repeated the process, this time as rapidly as he could with the same degree of accuracy.

"It's definitely louder," Jennifer said. After Alex emptied the cases and laid the Bulldog on the table they walked over to look at the target.

"First five are all the center," he said, "the others are a little off. Still in the kill zone."

Kill zone, Jennifer thought. I'm learning how to kill someone. Could I do it if I had to?

Chapter 5 -- BSBVSEDSOEBQSPIFTVL

Chapter 6 -- SVWFFDKIKPDAWIR

The mountain advanced on her, casually, scanning the room.

What the hell is that and where'd it come from? Damn, I'm starting to cuss like Alex.

Think I know why. How'd he get in?

Jessica backed away. She knew she the wall was just a few feet behind her. She put her right hand back so she would know when she was out of room to retreat.

Six six if he's an inch. And wide enough to block the door, not that I could get by him. And who's outside?

The mountain grinned, not as if at something amusing.

Unless the prospect of throttling a helpless woman a less than half his size was amusing.

Jessica wanted to reach for the Undercover, but best not to show it yet. Only a close shot would give her even a chance. She felt the wall, but her other hand back to brace herself.

Another step, and another. The huge arms reached for her.

She closed her eyes and went limp, falling on her right side. And then the enormous hands were around her throat.

Got just a few seconds before I black out. He's looking at my face.

She opened her eyes, saw the flat stare, felt the fingers tightening.

Now!

She got her hand inside the pocket of her jacket, grasped the butt of the revolver.

Don't know if a .38 is enough but here goes.

She struggled, moving her left arm to draw his attention. He ignored her. The gun was free now.

"You need to get the muzzle oriented," Alex had told her. "Push until you make contact. Squeeze. If there's not an immediate effect, squeeze again. You've got five shots, don't blow them all at once."

The muzzle was pressed against something reasonably firm. She squeezed the trigger.

Even muffled by their bodies it was loud. She gripped tightly. The mountain jerked, rolled slightly but not off of her.

But to her left as she'd hoped. The hands relaxed briefly, they resumed squeezing. But she'd gotten a breath. She pushed again, squeezed the trigger.

Her assailant let go, lost his grip and rolled completely over

She scrambled to her feet. He was on his knees. And now rising.

"Cling after the attack," Gordon had said.

I'm not close enough to cling, but I'm going to be in a couple of seconds.

She didn't look at the door. She might make it but if she didn't she was finished.

He gets on me again it'll be over quick.

He wasn't grinning now. A red spot on his right side, in the ribcage, showed one hit. The other one was growing on his left side, higher.

Not high enough. Maybe a lung if I'm lucky

He was up and charging, arms extended.

Cling? He'll be clinging enough for both of us.

She bent her knees, got under his arms. Felt the gun being pushed back as he closed, squeezed again. He staggered slightly, reached for her again. She evaded him, got to one side, then behind him. He was moving slowly now. As he turned she could the third shot was near dead center.

Maybe. Maybe. Fall you bastard.

He was still standing, but not moving. She held the gun with both hands now, in the modified Weaver hold Gordon had taught her.

I can hit him where I want now. But only twice. Fall dammit!

He fell, bounced, rolled over onto his back.

She moved to stand over him, staring into the glazed eyes.

"I hope you can still see."

Deliberately she fired the last two rounds into his chest, just left of center.

No idea where the heart actually is in something that size.

She realized she was laughing.

Hysterical. Calm down girl.

The eyes blinked, closed. The massive body relaxed.

What does Alex say? Fuck! Got it.

She heard voices, looked at the door. Put the gun back in her pocket and waited.

Lawyer. One word and one word only. Lawyer. We'll take care of the rest.

Alex appeared in the door, ran to her. Scott was behind him.

Chapter 7 -- FEQWQTRGQZEFPTGREWFCDMR

Jessica waited a few minutes before moving, then tested the bonds. She had seen the nylon zip-ties before they put them on her. One on each wrist, connected by a third. She rolled over face down and tried to slide her hands inside the the back pockets of her jeans.

Not bad. Maybe I can do this.

The pockets had been modified, each with a narrow pouch along one side. The right pocket held the straight razor she always carried. Alex had ground the handle down slightly to make it even thinner, easier to conceal. Still usable though, carefull, and Harry had taught her how. It would be a one-shot deal though, taking the adversary by surprise and striking a fatal blow immediately.

But first needed her hands free. The center zip-tie was fairly loose. Probably not from concern for her comfort, as they almost certainly intended to kill her. The ones on her wrists were tight enough. But it allowed her to get to the pocket.

She got the handle of the razor between thumb and forefinger and pulled it free. Turning onto her side she opened it, tried to orient it, listening for sounds. She had heard Brewster's footsteps for a while as he left, even with the door closed.

Sharp as this thing is, got to be careful. Even if I get free, if they see blood...

Finally she felt resistance to the blade that suggested it was in contact with the nylon tie. She was glad they hadn't had any disposable handcuffs and had to improvise.

Careful, don't rush, slip, drop the razor.

She felt the blade bite, pulled it across while pressing hard.

That's got to be it. Just a bit more.

The tie parted. She carefully closed the razor and sat up. Listening for any sounds that might indicate Brewster's return, she put the razor back into the wider side of her pocket.

Alright. I got one shot. Sit up with my hands behind me. He won't be expecting it, but...

"The carotid artery bifurcates well below the jawline," Harry had said, touching the neck the mannequin. "Slash across, hard. You don't get second chances at this, and you don't want to need one."

He'll probably tell me to get up. If I don't he'll come closer, but may be suspicious. Or too close.

Brewster was a good three or four inches taller than Jessica, wide-shouldered. Should she go for the left or right? The left side was closer to her right hand, she'd have to turn to attack from the left. Giving him more time to counter.

Of course, if he's not alone all bets are off.

Footsteps outside.

That's him.

And voices.

Damn!

"Get her out here," someone said. It wasn't Brewster. She took the razor out and opened it.

Brewster entered, the other party remained outside and out of sight.

"Get up," Brewster said. He moved towards her. He had what looked like the Glock G22 he usually carried in a holster on his right side. She'd need it if she managed to take care of him.

She stood, stumbling slightly, not entirely acting as keeping her hands behind her wasn't as easy now that they were free. No matter, as he took another step, reaching as if to steady her.

Nice. Being a gentleman.

It also put him in the optimum position. She slashed the razor across his neck hard, slipped past him before he could grab her. His hands went to his neck, blood already pouring over them. He'd be dead in minutes. And so would she if his partner came in before she got to the gun.

Brewster was already on his knees, and she pushed him over and unsnapped the holster and drew the gun.

Hope he carried it ready, but...

She racked the slide anyway, and it ejected a cartridge.
Good, now c'mon.
"What're you doin' in there?"

She didn't recognize the voice. Probably the one they sent to do the deed. Brewster didn't seem the type that would have the nerve.

She went down on one knee, the Glock pointed at the door in a modified Weaver hold.

And hope there's just one.

Brewster had barely moved after she had pushed him over. She knew her blade had gone deep, almost snagging on something. The artery was probably severed.

She had never seen the man who came through the door, and fired before he realized what he was seeing. He stopped, tried to raise a hand to his chest, and fell to his knees. She fired two more rounds to be safe, and he fell over and lay still.

The silence that followed was complete. She listened, heard nothing. She went to the door and cautiously looked out.

The corridor was empty. She stepped out and looked. Two other doors past where she was standing were closed. She held the Glock ready at her side and turned to look the other way. Silently, her moccasins making no sound, she moved into the room where Brewster had brought her in.

The door was closed, and had no glass. There was a large window on either side, and she crossed the room and looked out.

Brewster's Jeep was there, along with a large four-by-four GMC truck that had not been there when they arrived.

Looks like I've got the place to myself for the moment. But how long? I need my phone.

Chapter 8 -- XEQKKZWZHGOBYMTTPF

What the fuck!

Gotta stop sayin' that. Jessica don't cuss. Did I cuss before?

Hafta ask her. Not now though.

Alex didn't even reach for his gun. He knew it wasn't there. It was probably the first time since Harry had warned them about the threat, that he'd even opened the door without being armed. Now there was a couple hundred feet between him and the house, and he was inside a building with only two exits. One was the large roll-up door, which was closed. The other was blocked by...

Vinny and Frankie? Looks about right. It's a hit, like Harry said.

They were inside now. Big guys with baseball bats. Aluminum baseball bats.

Not taking any chances.

Alex retreated, backing away through the narrow space between two large tables.

Let them think I'm cornered, easy kill.

Seein' as how I AM cornered.

He took a quick look over his right shoulder. The left one was still stiff.

A fire axe was lying on the workbench, its handle in just right position.

Too heavy. Not room to swing anyway. The hatchet though.

A companion tool was there. A hatchet, with a spike on the back side of the blade, like the axe.

He'd been using them to dig out protruding roots around the poplar trees. He had brought them into the shop to clean and sharpen the blades.

One of the goons was between the tables now, about to enter the open space.

C'mon Vinny.

Alex grasped the handle of the hatchet as Vinny came within range, prepared to swing the bat.

Alex blocked the first blow, almost losing his grip on the hatchet.

Wish this thing had one of those loops on the handle.

He used the opportunity to move past Vinny before he could recover, to face Frankie. Not soon enough, Frankie's bat hit his left arm, numbing it.

Dammit, hadn't healed from the fall yet.

Fuckers tryin' to kill me.

Frankie was preparing for another blow. There was no time to look to see what Vinny was doing. Alex bent his knees, into a near crouch to Frankie's left side. Swung the hatchet up, the spike toward Frankie's chin. It penetrated to its full depth, and as Alex pulled it back it brought Frankie's head down with it. Frankie fell face down, the bat rolling away just in time for Vinny to step on it.

Some things just meant to be.

Vinny managed to stay on one knee and hold on to his own bat, but as he tried to rise Alex brought the hatchet down on top of his head. The crunching sound as it split the skull was sickening. Or maybe it was just seeing and knowing what made the sound that made it so. Vinny joined his associate in a similar posture.

Fuckin... dammit, gotta stop this or find some new words.

Chapter 9 -- YEZFDZTGTIUIPDDT

"Damn! What'd you use on them?"

Alex nodded towards the workbench, the bloody hatchet.

"Left my gun in the house." Alex said. "I know, don't say it."

Harry didn't waste time remonstrating.

"Carlisle," he said. "He's the only one could call in muscle from the cartel."

"I figured as much," Alex said. "Frankie and Vinny ain't locals."

"Nah. Little Rock at least, or Memphis. I'm figuring New Orleans or even St. Louis. You've rattled some cages high up."

"Any suggestions on how to deal with these?"

"Let's see if we can ID them," Harry said.

He knelt by the one with the split skull, checking the pockets. He extracted a wallet from the inside pocket of the jacket.

"Aldo Carollo. May or may not be a real name. What's the other one got?"

Alex had found the other thug's wallet and was examining the contents.

"Darrell Carter. Missouri driver's license. Matches the credit cards, so probably real."

"Well, this Aldo might be connected." Harry said. "Name doesn't ring a bell, Missouri could be St. Louis or Kansas City. Cosa Nostra has a presence in both places. Carter could be hired help."

"Likely anyone was keeping tabs on them?"

"Probably not," Harry replied. "But you never know. Most likely, if they came out of KC or St. Louis, they were told to contact someone in Carlisle's operation. He's certainly on top of it, considering how serious it must be. But he may have Brewer handling it. He's his main bagman. But you can be sure he's waiting for a report.

"How long before someone starts wondering what happened to them?

"Depends. At least a few hours, but something like this could take a day or more, depending on how long it took them to find you, get you in a place to make the hit. Either way, we need to move fast. Let's get this cleaned up."

"What do you have in mind?"

"We're not going to the cops for sure," Harry replied. "Sure, you can make a case for self-defense, but the attention wouldn't be good. It's unlikely they knew the details, beyond where to find you. So they're not going to be looking here for a while at least. Let's get the blood cleaned up and the bodies gone. They're sure not gonna call the cops."

"Got a plan for the bodies?"

"Yeah, help me truss them up for transport. Got a couple of tarps, small ones?"

* * *
Within an hour the bodies were wrapped in two small tarps, tied tightly with rope. Harry backed his truck up to the rollup door and they placed the bodies in the back.

"We can clean up later," Harry told him. "Let's get these gone, and we'll come back and finish."

Harry drove toward the draw behind the shops, following a dirt trail into the river bottom.

"Good thing it's dry," he said. "Jesse Owens owns this place, he's been cleaning up this area. Burning brush piles every day or two."

Several large piles of trees, pushed over and piled, a Cat D8 that had apparently been used for the task was parked nearby.

Harry stopped and backed the truck up to the edge of a small pile.

"OK, let's get'em out." he said.

Alex helped him drag the bodies out and laid them on the ground.

"OK, move the truck over there a ways," Harry said. "Let me get this situated."

Alex drove the truck over to the road and watched as Harry fired up the Cat and spent the next hour or so pushing fallen trees onto a pile over the bodies.

Returning to the truck he took a roll of orange flagging tape and went back to the pile of trees, tying several pieces of the tape onto some of the projecting tree limbs.

"We could probably leave them as is," he told Alex, "but I'll call Jesse tomorrow and tell him that pile needs burned ASAP. He'll know that to do. Once it's done, even if anyone knows where to look there's nothing to find. And no way to tie it to us. Once the fire's out, he'll have his guys take the dozer and scatter what's left all over the place.

"In any case no one's gonna come looking. Carlisle will wonder what happened to them, may have some explaining to do with his bosses. But not our problem. But you can bet he'll try again. We need to get some action going that will give him bigger things to worry about."

Chapter 10 -- VRGXRMZAZXNRSCXF

Chapter 11 -- WGEIRBYOULPUJBMECIHOD

Chapter 12 -- TNBYIJXUEXROTSIMBVG

Chapter 13 -- UGVSYMCBANVOASZFE

Chapter 14 -- ICFRLJNFYIWFDW

Chapter 15 -- FTTVRQHUDHODT

Chapter 16 -- HTMRZDYFSOCXEHFWWI

Chapter 17 -- GNHKDXHJODVNBZPUVRGPV

Chapter 18 -- DHWFPJWHNFXYSJMKM

Chapter 19 -- VGPSVSIBTMMZP

Chapter 20 -- HDISMSUNROABHBIQ

Chapter 21 -- SUTLBIKWAUQBHHYW

Chapter 22 -- SUTLBIKWAUQBHHYW

Chapter 23 -- ZPNMOYHWYLMUVXMMYQJ

Chapter 24 -- ZVCPTXJUSIVQRHCAKKK

Chapter 26 -- HUGWOZNSHUEZSS

Chapter 27 -- BVROGHVHSTRZEGBQVFZS

Chapter 28 -- DUXUGJTAUWJM

Chapter 29 -- WPOFNRAXSVGVIMRTOS

Chapter 30 -- ZWRVCRMPMFEEVOQUL

Chapter 31 -- VMFYANDGXMOKKKNT

Chapter 32 -- GBODVGTXFXKQCJL

Chapter 33 -- VJICGUEOUPHKJC

==========================================================================================

Chapter 34 -- MGIREQMBGJDRSQTIDQBAFD
Chapter 35 -- HZBRGJVEGRARMN
Chapter 36 -- VBYURGSMVLCNVEKOBIYOFW
Chapter 37 -- GJNXPULCRYXYONIHFKF
Chapter 38 -- KYSURVOEHOGYEP
Chapter 39 -- KGAAANTZTUFCOTZMRNV
Chapter 40 -- ELKQTTRTTZGJRVPDSSHDI
Chapter 41 -- ARUUTJCTVFIYEX
Chapter 42 -- LIFLUOHRJHJC
Chapter 43 -- OSPGZSNCSAFBVGWAVQXD
Chapter 44 -- WHKVSCCZYZYPMPIFG
Chapter 45 -- LTRXCQZMOTZSA
Chapter 46 -- HWNVZDGRIADWQJCM
Chapter 47 -- GOCWGECAMCE
Chapter 48 -- FDLCCTBHFKJUIAQOEFEZEAIFD
Chapter 49 -- FBEKXREGWHJEBUBNZ
Chapter 50 -- QINLGFSVOFAVHINUVQ
Chapter 51 -- TTMIPHWAKIICXO
Chapter 52 -- VVZGVEMWRGREPOEYRTORFJCAV
Chapter 53 -- SDYHKIUGDVTOP
Chapter 54 -- OXKKVKLMEFCL
Chapter 55 -- NGEQSMXDPUZYRF
Chapter 56 -- HUWSSFIIHGQMIRSEPNBY
Chapter 57 -- JSMAFZRQSISDTW
Chapter 58 -- SXWSGQVVLGBSSQ
Chapter 59 -- IOQUNVXEDJZKDZSKIZ
Chapter 60 -- QFZXMBRZAHUANY
Chapter 61 -- CATGQIXQFZOFIC
Chapter 62 -- OKPFCRLFNYCXYBCXZAVGJZSR
Chapter 63 -- OGCVSRURZJXURSA
Chapter 64 -- XFQYOFXMYFOGNOJ
Chapter 65 -- MYWPDMDRITFOAG
Chapter 66 -- GKDUPWNYYXSANX
Chapter 67 -- NQOCOJLMTCPARRQKRV
Chapter 68 -- RWONKZPNMGVXBRQ
Chapter 69 -- EQSDWYANVQZGFINQVDNSM
Chapter 70 -- BUVKWNMPNUE
Chapter 71 -- NCQTKXSEGX
Chapter 72 -- IZDMNUQANRMTJ
Chapter 73 -- FTRKKKDCQCMQQYQMM
Chapter 74 -- RVEIEFTOJTFGZAAU
Chapter 75 -- VNGVNNCYPVRAZGZBKEVX
Chapter 76 -- BIGGFOFQQBOUHKMXAPYER
Chapter 77 -- EWYBDETMVKZMUXTKAZ
Chapter 78 -- NCRUGPRRTLSPXKPUCSDIZRF
Chapter 79 -- ASYTLHJDUANTLUGSQ







	THE END





























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