sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you so much dear lady.
........With my Heart
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Rabbit said this story is "delicious". What a great word for this wonderful story!! It IS absolutely delicious! Thank you, thank you!!!!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#22
Benny exploded with rage. Kevin was one heck of a deputy, a good friend and now dead. That scum of pond slime Inghram, was gone.
The cell door keys had been tossed on the desktop, mocking Ben as he noted the bullet that killed Kevin was a long range shot. No powder burns were evident, no casings, and no sound that anyone could remember hearing.
Ben rang up Wright's office; all traces of the friendly, bucolic, laid back Sheriff were gone. The agent that answered the phone was hysterical when Ben stopped long enough to draw a breath.
"Oh my God, something is wrong. Agent Wright ought to be in Evergreen shortly, please have him take extra precautions. I will be in touch with the bird right away."
Ben had hardly signed off the radio, when he could hear the wap wap of the approaching helicopter. The crime scene was pristine, Ben had only used the radio, so he walked out the office door and stood his most imposing stance waiting for Wright to come to him.
Wright exited the copter, shaking his head and barking orders as he touched the ear piece that was constantly attached to his head.
"What's going on here," he demanded without even a hello, staring at Ben like he was a a distasteful bug.
Ben stood aside and motioned Wright to walk on in. Kevin was a gruesome sight, the office a mess with exploded human tissue sprayed all over. Henry Wright blanched two shaded whiter as he cataloged the scene. Henry felt his retirement coming on early, he was way to old to confront this type of happening so early in the morning.
Henry was shooting orders right and left, agents started pouring out of the second and third heli, snapping to their business. A obviously new, and frightened agent was escorting Wayne across the ball field leading the big man by the hand like a child.
Benny didn't need the responsibility of Wayne right now, but it was coming anyway. Ben directed the young woman to lead Wayne to the clinic and leave the empty man with Lainey and Inga. She nodded, and coaxed and tugged on Wayne's hand to achieve forward motion. Once motivated, he followed her meekly.
Once again the crime scene team scoured the area for any sign of a clue. Other agents fanned out and walked the town, paying special attention to the angle of the shot. They found the sniper's hiding spot in Mildred Brockman's bedroom. They went over the room with a fine tooth comb, and found no useful evidence. Three sets of foot prints were identified, two of women's size and a larger set of undetermined type.
The agents were grouped in front of the Sheriff's office, sharing a brief respite with coffee from the cafe; when Henry Wright buckled at the knee and hit the ground in a crumpled heap. The sniper had another victim.
Agents scattered like dry leaves in the wind. Wright was beyond help, the shooter was uncanny accurate with a neat hole in the front of Henry's forehead. Benny didn't look at the back, it wasn't there.
The organized units went to work, some on the radios, others fading back into the shadows, all with one goal in mind, find the shooter.
Benny crouched low, running over in his mind the facts as he knew them. No sound, so the sniper was using a silencer. The second shot angle was from the direction of the hardware store. OK, Ben supposed a shooter could have climbed to the roof of the old building. But why? Why Wright? Why was the agent he contacted at the headquarters so sure Henry would be in danger?
Questions, so many questions with no answers, or questions with more stinkin questions hanging on the their tail. Benny eased back, using the cover of the masonry wall to move back into the jail. In a flash he was out of the broken window, rolling in a defensive movement to hopefully prevent being shot.
Lainey and Inga watched the unbelievable happen from the kitchen window. Lainey walked rapidly into the living room, Locking the door and lowering the one shade that was open. She checked on Wayne, he had been extremely distressed to find Stan occupying his familiar room. Stan had grasped the crux of the problem instantly, and asked Wayne if he minded staying in his old room, while he, Stan, found a room that suited him better.
Wayne nodded solemnly. He sat on the bed, smoothing the spread with his left hand. The repetitive movement easing the tightness in his chest. He sighed, and looked up to smile at Lainey and Stan. "Thank you," was all he said.
Benny exploded with rage. Kevin was one heck of a deputy, a good friend and now dead. That scum of pond slime Inghram, was gone.
The cell door keys had been tossed on the desktop, mocking Ben as he noted the bullet that killed Kevin was a long range shot. No powder burns were evident, no casings, and no sound that anyone could remember hearing.
Ben rang up Wright's office; all traces of the friendly, bucolic, laid back Sheriff were gone. The agent that answered the phone was hysterical when Ben stopped long enough to draw a breath.
"Oh my God, something is wrong. Agent Wright ought to be in Evergreen shortly, please have him take extra precautions. I will be in touch with the bird right away."
Ben had hardly signed off the radio, when he could hear the wap wap of the approaching helicopter. The crime scene was pristine, Ben had only used the radio, so he walked out the office door and stood his most imposing stance waiting for Wright to come to him.
Wright exited the copter, shaking his head and barking orders as he touched the ear piece that was constantly attached to his head.
"What's going on here," he demanded without even a hello, staring at Ben like he was a a distasteful bug.
Ben stood aside and motioned Wright to walk on in. Kevin was a gruesome sight, the office a mess with exploded human tissue sprayed all over. Henry Wright blanched two shaded whiter as he cataloged the scene. Henry felt his retirement coming on early, he was way to old to confront this type of happening so early in the morning.
Henry was shooting orders right and left, agents started pouring out of the second and third heli, snapping to their business. A obviously new, and frightened agent was escorting Wayne across the ball field leading the big man by the hand like a child.
Benny didn't need the responsibility of Wayne right now, but it was coming anyway. Ben directed the young woman to lead Wayne to the clinic and leave the empty man with Lainey and Inga. She nodded, and coaxed and tugged on Wayne's hand to achieve forward motion. Once motivated, he followed her meekly.
Once again the crime scene team scoured the area for any sign of a clue. Other agents fanned out and walked the town, paying special attention to the angle of the shot. They found the sniper's hiding spot in Mildred Brockman's bedroom. They went over the room with a fine tooth comb, and found no useful evidence. Three sets of foot prints were identified, two of women's size and a larger set of undetermined type.
The agents were grouped in front of the Sheriff's office, sharing a brief respite with coffee from the cafe; when Henry Wright buckled at the knee and hit the ground in a crumpled heap. The sniper had another victim.
Agents scattered like dry leaves in the wind. Wright was beyond help, the shooter was uncanny accurate with a neat hole in the front of Henry's forehead. Benny didn't look at the back, it wasn't there.
The organized units went to work, some on the radios, others fading back into the shadows, all with one goal in mind, find the shooter.
Benny crouched low, running over in his mind the facts as he knew them. No sound, so the sniper was using a silencer. The second shot angle was from the direction of the hardware store. OK, Ben supposed a shooter could have climbed to the roof of the old building. But why? Why Wright? Why was the agent he contacted at the headquarters so sure Henry would be in danger?
Questions, so many questions with no answers, or questions with more stinkin questions hanging on the their tail. Benny eased back, using the cover of the masonry wall to move back into the jail. In a flash he was out of the broken window, rolling in a defensive movement to hopefully prevent being shot.
Lainey and Inga watched the unbelievable happen from the kitchen window. Lainey walked rapidly into the living room, Locking the door and lowering the one shade that was open. She checked on Wayne, he had been extremely distressed to find Stan occupying his familiar room. Stan had grasped the crux of the problem instantly, and asked Wayne if he minded staying in his old room, while he, Stan, found a room that suited him better.
Wayne nodded solemnly. He sat on the bed, smoothing the spread with his left hand. The repetitive movement easing the tightness in his chest. He sighed, and looked up to smile at Lainey and Stan. "Thank you," was all he said.
Wow. You have me totally puzzled, as has been the case in this story. In stories I buy I can almost always know the end way before I get there. Not yours. Thank you so much!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh my goodness, another shooter, hope its no one they know well 
.
.Me too Deena. This story is incredible and Pac can't write it fast enough.
Pac do you want any of us to start looking for an agent for you?
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#23
"Hey! There's a body over here!" The shout echoed through the silent town. Running feet zig-zaged down the quiet street, as agents re-grouped to regain control of a terrible situation. "Identity?" a strong voice requested. "Unknown, unknown," a woman answered.
"No ID on the body," another voice replied. "Same method as the boss."
An audible sniffing and crying could be heard once the silence settled again. The young agent that had helped Wayne was crying out, wailing was more like it.
"Agent Sharp," the reprimand was swift and loud, "Silence!" the second in command was Alice Adams and she was scared and shouting orders almost as fast as her boss had.
Agent Sharp abruptly stopped sniveling, scrubbing at her wet eyes and blowing her nose in a noisy fashion. She backed into the small space between two old buildings and stood trying to control herself. It was a crushing blow for her to discover this was not the job for her. That dead body lying in the street was her boss. Good heavens, she had never seen a dead body before, it was her intention to never see another again.
All her growing up years she had wanted to belong to the FBI units, she had followed the regime that was the way to belong, now, it was terrible. Sally Sharp didn't want to be a agent anymore, starting right now. Looking down she spotted a spider tracking across her pant leg. Bending over to brush the harmless, but huge looking eight-legged arachnid off her person, she saved her life when the silent shot splattered bricks above her head.
Scared spitless, Sally Sharp peed her pants.
"Hey! There's a body over here!" The shout echoed through the silent town. Running feet zig-zaged down the quiet street, as agents re-grouped to regain control of a terrible situation. "Identity?" a strong voice requested. "Unknown, unknown," a woman answered.
"No ID on the body," another voice replied. "Same method as the boss."
An audible sniffing and crying could be heard once the silence settled again. The young agent that had helped Wayne was crying out, wailing was more like it.
"Agent Sharp," the reprimand was swift and loud, "Silence!" the second in command was Alice Adams and she was scared and shouting orders almost as fast as her boss had.
Agent Sharp abruptly stopped sniveling, scrubbing at her wet eyes and blowing her nose in a noisy fashion. She backed into the small space between two old buildings and stood trying to control herself. It was a crushing blow for her to discover this was not the job for her. That dead body lying in the street was her boss. Good heavens, she had never seen a dead body before, it was her intention to never see another again.
All her growing up years she had wanted to belong to the FBI units, she had followed the regime that was the way to belong, now, it was terrible. Sally Sharp didn't want to be a agent anymore, starting right now. Looking down she spotted a spider tracking across her pant leg. Bending over to brush the harmless, but huge looking eight-legged arachnid off her person, she saved her life when the silent shot splattered bricks above her head.
Scared spitless, Sally Sharp peed her pants.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Now they are out for anyone . Thank you.
. Thank you.
I'm thinking that Wayne just might surprise all of us yet.... I'm hoping for it in a GOOD way, like "going out with glory" (or maybe NOT actually dying but just being a hero???). I think I may cry (even harder) if he ends up being a "bad" guy.
But I do have a feeling that "Hap" was some kind of guinea pig for all these gov types! It seems that various "gov types" have been using this family for many different reasons! for MANY years!
But then again, I'm thinking that like a soap opera, the story will never ever really be ALL the way revealed and we will just have to pester Pac for a lifetime for MOAR!!!! (I can live with that! LOL!)
But I do have a feeling that "Hap" was some kind of guinea pig for all these gov types! It seems that various "gov types" have been using this family for many different reasons! for MANY years!
But then again, I'm thinking that like a soap opera, the story will never ever really be ALL the way revealed and we will just have to pester Pac for a lifetime for MOAR!!!! (I can live with that! LOL!)
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#24
Sally laid still, crossing her arms over the back of her head. Young, inexperienced and frightened to the core, she was ready to try a different line of work. like yesterday! or sooner!
"Be still," Benny grated in her ear as he rolled into the close space. The stiff leather flap on his canister holster of pepper spray digging painfully into Sally's ribs.
"Uh, Uh," Sally sputtered, wiggling against the hurtful pressure.
"For God's sake, be still, do you want to attract the shooter's attention?" Benny snapped angrily, as he tried to find the man's position.
"Your hurting me," Sally started crying again. "Something is breaking my ribs, I can't breathe."
Benny scooted back against the opposite wall, giving the whiney female as much room as possible. Geesh, surely she could see that they were pinned down in a terrible position. Benny didn't fancy having his hair parted permanently, he growled at her a little in frustration. Sniffing at the odd smell, he suddenly had the dawning realization that the woman had wet herself and didn't want anyone near.
Ever the proper gentleman, Benny turned his head away from her and scouted the far side of the street.
Ev and Christy walked over to Evie's that particular fine morning, whistling and singing nursery rhymes in a nonsense fashion. Sandy and Cheryl were 'having a bath' and Ev deemed it was better to be gone, rather than cause scene like the other day.
Christy knocked on the door, hollering "Miz Evie, Miz Evie, come see who is at your door. Come see who I am."
Evie answered the door, pretending she couldn't see the tall gangly man and the diminutive child beside him. "Why my goodness, I thought someone was knocking on my door. Some one is playing tricks on me," she looked both way's and by this time Christy was jumping up and down in anticipation of being found.
"I was going to give my visitor a cookie," Evie lamented, "but I don't see anybody. That's to bad."
"Ohh, I'm here, I'm here, and so is Daddy!" Christy all but shouted. "I could eat a cookie cause I'm real. So can Daddy."
"Why there you are," Evie teased; "Come in and have coffee and cookies."
Christy marched right in and sat in a chair, asking Ev to push her up to the table. "Come on Daddy, don't be so slow, Auntie Clora has my drink ready." The princess was impatient.
"We are walking into town this morning, would you ladies care to accompany us?" Ev asked the Hanson women as he ate a cookie rapidly, so he had time to eat another.
"I think so," Evie concluded thoughtfully. "Thank you for the invite, it's been a while since we've been in. I wouldn't mind seeing Inga. How about you, Clora?"
"I'm almost ready," Clora teased back. "Let's go."
They sauntered into town, enjoying the morning stroll. Evie was walking about as fast as she could, the effort costing her energy and strength to keep up with the others. Finally she had to slow down, urging the other's to go on without her. Clora looked stricken as she realized Grandmother was unable to keep up.
"Grandma," she scolded tenderly, "why didn't you say something?"
"Couldn't get enough breath to holler," Evie said between gulps of air. "I have to take four steps to every one of Ev's." she complained with a smile. "He's a galloping Gertie."
Town was calm appearing, the group reached the clinic and entered the back door. As Evie walked in, both Lainey and Inga spun around from where they had been standing at the sink and leveled the guns they had drawn at the visitors.
"Holy cow," Clora blurted out, "what's the matter with you two?"
"Get away from the window's and door's," Inga ordered. "Some joker is holding the town hostage by sniping at anything that moves."
Stan walked in from the hallway, "Hey, did you guy's know Wayne is gone? He's not anywhere I can find him."
Sally laid still, crossing her arms over the back of her head. Young, inexperienced and frightened to the core, she was ready to try a different line of work. like yesterday! or sooner!
"Be still," Benny grated in her ear as he rolled into the close space. The stiff leather flap on his canister holster of pepper spray digging painfully into Sally's ribs.
"Uh, Uh," Sally sputtered, wiggling against the hurtful pressure.
"For God's sake, be still, do you want to attract the shooter's attention?" Benny snapped angrily, as he tried to find the man's position.
"Your hurting me," Sally started crying again. "Something is breaking my ribs, I can't breathe."
Benny scooted back against the opposite wall, giving the whiney female as much room as possible. Geesh, surely she could see that they were pinned down in a terrible position. Benny didn't fancy having his hair parted permanently, he growled at her a little in frustration. Sniffing at the odd smell, he suddenly had the dawning realization that the woman had wet herself and didn't want anyone near.
Ever the proper gentleman, Benny turned his head away from her and scouted the far side of the street.
Ev and Christy walked over to Evie's that particular fine morning, whistling and singing nursery rhymes in a nonsense fashion. Sandy and Cheryl were 'having a bath' and Ev deemed it was better to be gone, rather than cause scene like the other day.
Christy knocked on the door, hollering "Miz Evie, Miz Evie, come see who is at your door. Come see who I am."
Evie answered the door, pretending she couldn't see the tall gangly man and the diminutive child beside him. "Why my goodness, I thought someone was knocking on my door. Some one is playing tricks on me," she looked both way's and by this time Christy was jumping up and down in anticipation of being found.
"I was going to give my visitor a cookie," Evie lamented, "but I don't see anybody. That's to bad."
"Ohh, I'm here, I'm here, and so is Daddy!" Christy all but shouted. "I could eat a cookie cause I'm real. So can Daddy."
"Why there you are," Evie teased; "Come in and have coffee and cookies."
Christy marched right in and sat in a chair, asking Ev to push her up to the table. "Come on Daddy, don't be so slow, Auntie Clora has my drink ready." The princess was impatient.
"We are walking into town this morning, would you ladies care to accompany us?" Ev asked the Hanson women as he ate a cookie rapidly, so he had time to eat another.
"I think so," Evie concluded thoughtfully. "Thank you for the invite, it's been a while since we've been in. I wouldn't mind seeing Inga. How about you, Clora?"
"I'm almost ready," Clora teased back. "Let's go."
They sauntered into town, enjoying the morning stroll. Evie was walking about as fast as she could, the effort costing her energy and strength to keep up with the others. Finally she had to slow down, urging the other's to go on without her. Clora looked stricken as she realized Grandmother was unable to keep up.
"Grandma," she scolded tenderly, "why didn't you say something?"
"Couldn't get enough breath to holler," Evie said between gulps of air. "I have to take four steps to every one of Ev's." she complained with a smile. "He's a galloping Gertie."
Town was calm appearing, the group reached the clinic and entered the back door. As Evie walked in, both Lainey and Inga spun around from where they had been standing at the sink and leveled the guns they had drawn at the visitors.
"Holy cow," Clora blurted out, "what's the matter with you two?"
"Get away from the window's and door's," Inga ordered. "Some joker is holding the town hostage by sniping at anything that moves."
Stan walked in from the hallway, "Hey, did you guy's know Wayne is gone? He's not anywhere I can find him."
DustMusher
Deceased
Oh, no, Wayne is gone --- is he going to get the sniper? MOAR, please.
Thanks Pac - I check on this story several times a day --- I start out each day saying I am going to wait until bedtime and read all you have offered up for the day and by noon ---- Epic fail on my part! This story is more addictive than crack.
DM
Thanks Pac - I check on this story several times a day --- I start out each day saying I am going to wait until bedtime and read all you have offered up for the day and by noon ---- Epic fail on my part! This story is more addictive than crack.
DM
Addictive is such a mild word for this story, lol. I'm with the others in hoping Wayne will be a/the hero, not the villain.
Kaijafon - are you talking about me??? Well, OK, leave out the cigarettes and biting your nails and I'm your girl!! I'm thinking that neither Doc or Wayne is the sniper.... Doc is too obvious, and didn't the sniping start before Wayne arrived?.... maybe not. I'm too confused... going to go weed the garden till Pac straightens it all out for us.
well I suffer from three of those habits. Was just listing well known habits that are hard to break -more to stress how hard it is to BREAK the habit..... like how hard it is to wait patiently for MOAR stories. But we could just be spoiled rotten. lol!
I'm not a smoker (my mom was when I was a kid and I'm still suffering with lung problems from her smoking so I never "took it up")
anyone can add to the list.
I'm not a smoker (my mom was when I was a kid and I'm still suffering with lung problems from her smoking so I never "took it up")
anyone can add to the list.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#25
Whomever shot Agent Wright was not found that day, nor the next. Townspeople went about their business, never exposing themselves to a window or open space from one place to another. Evie, Clora, Ev and Christy spent an enforced night in town, fussing greatly.
Benny dropped by the diner whenever he could, assuring himself that his people were OK. Where the blasted blazes Wayne had disappeared too, he didn't know, but he didn't have time to track the idiot down.
He talked to Clora about that fact, and they came to a half way agreement that Wayne had probably gone to the site where the cabin had burned. The area brought solace to the troubled man, why? Who knew, but as long as it worked it was a good thing.
Benny was far more circumspect with Grandma around, there was no smoochy kisses stolen on the sly, and Lainey missed them terribly. More than once Evie or Clora caught the brown haired woman gazing with adoration at their Benny. Worse yet, Benny had no shame in returning the moon-eyed stares.
Finally Evie said to Clora and Inga, "don't sit between them, it only makes it worse." Clora laughed out loud, the sound never phased or penetrated the love-sick aura surrounding the Sheriff and his lady.
"Good Grief," Clora exasperated with a snipe, "Those two are the most nauseating example of romance I have ever seen."
At that, Ev laughed heartily. "Just wait," he council ed with a huge grin. "Your time's coming."
"Oh, not like that!" Clora was positive she would have better control of her emotions. "That's disgusting," she waved her hand to encompass the goofy grinning Benny and the calf eyed Lainey. "She can't even make an intelligent sentence anymore." It was always Benny this, and Benny that. It was as if Lainey had no opinions of her own anymore.
Evie snorted a little. She knew if it was real, it started with the precise foolish behavior Ben and Lainey were exhibiting. She had prayed hard that if it was meant to be between Ben and Lainey, that it was blessed from the beginning. Evie had the feeling that it was right, just as she felt that it would be right for Clora and the handsome young Sargent.
The body the FBI agents had found was Inghram. He had been executed with a single bullet to the head. Inga had simply looked straight ahead when Benny brought her the news, shrugged and went to her room. Her eyes were red, but nobody caught her crying.
The helicopters took off under cover of night, returning the body of the top agent to the force headquarters. Ev took off the following night, sprinting out of town to Evie's to feed the dogs and do his own chores.
Cheryl wasn't happy that he had left Christy in town, but understood that he didn't want to place her in more danger. Christy was happy to play in the cafe with Will Jr., the two of them wily little critters with large imaginations. Willie was enough younger that he was the perfect age to be bossed around by the precocious Christy. He played dolls, because that's what she wanted to play.
The afternoon Willie found enough backbone to refuse to be dressed up, harmony was shattered. Christy cried for an hour, cause that clunky boy wouldn't play right. She was off boys for the whole rest of the day.
Will stopped by to have a cup of coffee and collect the sulking Willie. It took three cookies apiece, before the children would reconcile their differences and be friends. Will's eyes twinkled with humor as he gazed at his son. It was easy to see the youngster was the light of his life. Will and Cassy were expecting their second child in four months, and Cassy was busy streamlining the workload at the hardware store. She was indoctrinating a couple of part time helpers in the Cassy method of hardware sales that afternoon, so Will volunteered to go get Willie.
Evie was happy to get her hands on Will, she had many questions and she valued his opinions. "So Will, what's your take on all of this?" she broke the ice with the question they were all dying to know.
Will rubbed his chin and began. "Ben has set out several theories that I agree with. Our sniper has gone to great lengths to get the FBI up here, and Wright was obviously one of his marks. Now Inghram, and there's a piece of work from what Ben tells me about him and his misuse of his oath, and Wright have to be tied together in some way." he drained his coffee mug and set it on the table.
Willie wanted up, and Will placed him on his knee. " We have an unknown shooter; Pete is dead, Tammy McCann is dead, Kevin is dead, Wright is dead. The shooter has had ample opportunity to take any one of us out, but had specific targets. Darned if I know the connection, but it's there and we're working on it. I mean Ben is taking charge," he amended hastily.
Clora poked Ben to pay attention and take his focus off Lainey and give it to the topic of conversation. Benny jumped like he had been rapped in the nose. "Whadda you do that for?" he rubbed his arm, thinking that his sister was a mean witch.
"Sheriff," Clora said sarcastically, "how good of you to join us. We were listening to Will explain his ideas about the problems we have been having. We want to know if you agree or not."
Benny looked at Clora, 'that was a mean trick," he countered evenly. Clora had the grace to drop her eyes and mumble "sorry."
The back door opened and Wayne walked in, flopping down in the chair next to Benny. He was dirty, covered in scratches and looked exhausted. He was idling scratching at the back of his left hand, as he looked around at the assembled group. "Hi, is it OK if I have a cookie?"
Evie said "sure, coffee or a glass of water?" She looked around and everyone seemed to be holding their breath, on pins and needles as to Wayne's reply.
"Water, I can get it." he scooted the chair back as he prepared to get up.
"Sit down," Evie ordered. "Where the heck have you been, you scared us by taking off like that." only Grandma could get away with bossing Wayne.
Wayne was busy scratching his hand, and he looked up and smiled as he took a huge bite of cookie. "I had to take a walkabout. I needed to go to the cabin and I stopped in to talk to Sandy. I sure have been feeling weird lately." he finished with his mouthful.
"Wayne, I'd like to know if you knew Pete was your father?" Evie said seriously, it wasn't a request and Wayne knew an order when he heard one.
The room was hushed as all ears strained to hear what the new brother knew of his background.
"Actually, no. Not in the beginning. There used to be a man come visit us when I was a kid, and I never knew his name. Mother never said anything about him. He never came around after I got 7 or so. Then Ma got real sick and died. The black hearted bastard that was my mother's brother took me in and you all know the rest. It took me a long time to realize that the high school graduation picture that Grandma has on her wall was the man that had come to the house. He had a thick beard and unruly hair then, kinda like a religious zealot or something. A real scary looking dude," Wayne stuffed in another cookie and did another scratch on his hand.
"So, did Wright tell you guy's anything different than that?" Wayne was curious.
As Wayne scratched, Benny attention was riveted on the small raised bump that Wayne was worrying on the back of his hand. A idea clicked in his mind and he used his thumb to press slightly on the lump.
"Hey don't, that damm thing itches like crazy," Wayne protested, trying to move his hand away from Ben's touch.
Benny held tightly to the fold of skin pinched above his fingers, he flicked open his knife and did a swift cut, Blood spurted and a pale off white kernel that looked like a grain of rice or a mint fell in the cookie plate.
Whomever shot Agent Wright was not found that day, nor the next. Townspeople went about their business, never exposing themselves to a window or open space from one place to another. Evie, Clora, Ev and Christy spent an enforced night in town, fussing greatly.
Benny dropped by the diner whenever he could, assuring himself that his people were OK. Where the blasted blazes Wayne had disappeared too, he didn't know, but he didn't have time to track the idiot down.
He talked to Clora about that fact, and they came to a half way agreement that Wayne had probably gone to the site where the cabin had burned. The area brought solace to the troubled man, why? Who knew, but as long as it worked it was a good thing.
Benny was far more circumspect with Grandma around, there was no smoochy kisses stolen on the sly, and Lainey missed them terribly. More than once Evie or Clora caught the brown haired woman gazing with adoration at their Benny. Worse yet, Benny had no shame in returning the moon-eyed stares.
Finally Evie said to Clora and Inga, "don't sit between them, it only makes it worse." Clora laughed out loud, the sound never phased or penetrated the love-sick aura surrounding the Sheriff and his lady.
"Good Grief," Clora exasperated with a snipe, "Those two are the most nauseating example of romance I have ever seen."
At that, Ev laughed heartily. "Just wait," he council ed with a huge grin. "Your time's coming."
"Oh, not like that!" Clora was positive she would have better control of her emotions. "That's disgusting," she waved her hand to encompass the goofy grinning Benny and the calf eyed Lainey. "She can't even make an intelligent sentence anymore." It was always Benny this, and Benny that. It was as if Lainey had no opinions of her own anymore.
Evie snorted a little. She knew if it was real, it started with the precise foolish behavior Ben and Lainey were exhibiting. She had prayed hard that if it was meant to be between Ben and Lainey, that it was blessed from the beginning. Evie had the feeling that it was right, just as she felt that it would be right for Clora and the handsome young Sargent.
The body the FBI agents had found was Inghram. He had been executed with a single bullet to the head. Inga had simply looked straight ahead when Benny brought her the news, shrugged and went to her room. Her eyes were red, but nobody caught her crying.
The helicopters took off under cover of night, returning the body of the top agent to the force headquarters. Ev took off the following night, sprinting out of town to Evie's to feed the dogs and do his own chores.
Cheryl wasn't happy that he had left Christy in town, but understood that he didn't want to place her in more danger. Christy was happy to play in the cafe with Will Jr., the two of them wily little critters with large imaginations. Willie was enough younger that he was the perfect age to be bossed around by the precocious Christy. He played dolls, because that's what she wanted to play.
The afternoon Willie found enough backbone to refuse to be dressed up, harmony was shattered. Christy cried for an hour, cause that clunky boy wouldn't play right. She was off boys for the whole rest of the day.
Will stopped by to have a cup of coffee and collect the sulking Willie. It took three cookies apiece, before the children would reconcile their differences and be friends. Will's eyes twinkled with humor as he gazed at his son. It was easy to see the youngster was the light of his life. Will and Cassy were expecting their second child in four months, and Cassy was busy streamlining the workload at the hardware store. She was indoctrinating a couple of part time helpers in the Cassy method of hardware sales that afternoon, so Will volunteered to go get Willie.
Evie was happy to get her hands on Will, she had many questions and she valued his opinions. "So Will, what's your take on all of this?" she broke the ice with the question they were all dying to know.
Will rubbed his chin and began. "Ben has set out several theories that I agree with. Our sniper has gone to great lengths to get the FBI up here, and Wright was obviously one of his marks. Now Inghram, and there's a piece of work from what Ben tells me about him and his misuse of his oath, and Wright have to be tied together in some way." he drained his coffee mug and set it on the table.
Willie wanted up, and Will placed him on his knee. " We have an unknown shooter; Pete is dead, Tammy McCann is dead, Kevin is dead, Wright is dead. The shooter has had ample opportunity to take any one of us out, but had specific targets. Darned if I know the connection, but it's there and we're working on it. I mean Ben is taking charge," he amended hastily.
Clora poked Ben to pay attention and take his focus off Lainey and give it to the topic of conversation. Benny jumped like he had been rapped in the nose. "Whadda you do that for?" he rubbed his arm, thinking that his sister was a mean witch.
"Sheriff," Clora said sarcastically, "how good of you to join us. We were listening to Will explain his ideas about the problems we have been having. We want to know if you agree or not."
Benny looked at Clora, 'that was a mean trick," he countered evenly. Clora had the grace to drop her eyes and mumble "sorry."
The back door opened and Wayne walked in, flopping down in the chair next to Benny. He was dirty, covered in scratches and looked exhausted. He was idling scratching at the back of his left hand, as he looked around at the assembled group. "Hi, is it OK if I have a cookie?"
Evie said "sure, coffee or a glass of water?" She looked around and everyone seemed to be holding their breath, on pins and needles as to Wayne's reply.
"Water, I can get it." he scooted the chair back as he prepared to get up.
"Sit down," Evie ordered. "Where the heck have you been, you scared us by taking off like that." only Grandma could get away with bossing Wayne.
Wayne was busy scratching his hand, and he looked up and smiled as he took a huge bite of cookie. "I had to take a walkabout. I needed to go to the cabin and I stopped in to talk to Sandy. I sure have been feeling weird lately." he finished with his mouthful.
"Wayne, I'd like to know if you knew Pete was your father?" Evie said seriously, it wasn't a request and Wayne knew an order when he heard one.
The room was hushed as all ears strained to hear what the new brother knew of his background.
"Actually, no. Not in the beginning. There used to be a man come visit us when I was a kid, and I never knew his name. Mother never said anything about him. He never came around after I got 7 or so. Then Ma got real sick and died. The black hearted bastard that was my mother's brother took me in and you all know the rest. It took me a long time to realize that the high school graduation picture that Grandma has on her wall was the man that had come to the house. He had a thick beard and unruly hair then, kinda like a religious zealot or something. A real scary looking dude," Wayne stuffed in another cookie and did another scratch on his hand.
"So, did Wright tell you guy's anything different than that?" Wayne was curious.
As Wayne scratched, Benny attention was riveted on the small raised bump that Wayne was worrying on the back of his hand. A idea clicked in his mind and he used his thumb to press slightly on the lump.
"Hey don't, that damm thing itches like crazy," Wayne protested, trying to move his hand away from Ben's touch.
Benny held tightly to the fold of skin pinched above his fingers, he flicked open his knife and did a swift cut, Blood spurted and a pale off white kernel that looked like a grain of rice or a mint fell in the cookie plate.
Hooo, boy! Something's gonna happen now! Waiting with bated breath...
juco
Veteran Member
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#26
All eyes stared at Benny and his bloody knife. In unison the eyes looked at Wayne for his reaction, and then in sync at the kernel laying in it's gooey glory on the last cookie on the plate.
"Bloody Hell!" Wayne roared, turning furious eyes on Benny. "What's the frickin idea of cutting me?"
Ben ignored the lion's snarl, "Everybody," he snapped out. "Check the back of your hands. Do you have a bump under the skin? If so, DON'T touch it."
All the shocked people held their hands out in front of them to pass inspection. The assembled group was clean. "Check Inga," Benny ordered, sending Clora to deal with her aunt.
"Sorry about that," Benny apologized to Wayne as he wrapped his brother's hand with a clean white dish towel. The yellow flowers twining around the embroidered Wednesday, at stark contrast with the spreading red stain of blood. With his knife tip, Benny lifted the kernel and asked Lainey for a plastic lunch sack. Will leaned forward to stare at the rice shaped object.
"What the Hell, what do you suppose that could be?" Will questioned roughly, lifting Willie from one knee to the other, to lean over for a closer look.
Clora came from the hallway in a rush. "Inga has one," she said with a tremble in her voice.
All eyes stared at Benny and his bloody knife. In unison the eyes looked at Wayne for his reaction, and then in sync at the kernel laying in it's gooey glory on the last cookie on the plate.
"Bloody Hell!" Wayne roared, turning furious eyes on Benny. "What's the frickin idea of cutting me?"
Ben ignored the lion's snarl, "Everybody," he snapped out. "Check the back of your hands. Do you have a bump under the skin? If so, DON'T touch it."
All the shocked people held their hands out in front of them to pass inspection. The assembled group was clean. "Check Inga," Benny ordered, sending Clora to deal with her aunt.
"Sorry about that," Benny apologized to Wayne as he wrapped his brother's hand with a clean white dish towel. The yellow flowers twining around the embroidered Wednesday, at stark contrast with the spreading red stain of blood. With his knife tip, Benny lifted the kernel and asked Lainey for a plastic lunch sack. Will leaned forward to stare at the rice shaped object.
"What the Hell, what do you suppose that could be?" Will questioned roughly, lifting Willie from one knee to the other, to lean over for a closer look.
Clora came from the hallway in a rush. "Inga has one," she said with a tremble in her voice.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Folks,
I will be gone for a couple of days. Mr. Pac needs a evaluation on his back and we are traveling to the hospital. Should be up and running again by Wednesday. Thanks for reading.
I will be gone for a couple of days. Mr. Pac needs a evaluation on his back and we are traveling to the hospital. Should be up and running again by Wednesday. Thanks for reading.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you thank you, how many more haveit and dont know it ?
Tckaija
One generation behind...
They're gonna get the prayers for health and healing whether or not they want 'em!
Thanks for the wonderful story Pac and remember the family must always come first (no matter how much we beg)
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PacNorWest
Veteran Member
As usual, nothing went according to plan. Mr. Pac had another surgery....a realllllly long story.....but we are home tonight. We are all tired, but oh so happy to be home. It will be tomorrow before I can get some story put together. Thanks for the well wishes, we really put them to good use.
Yes.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
yes i agree glad you are both back home safe and pray he heals quickly.
Sorry he had to have another surgery, but I pray this will be the last. Take your time and relax...we'll still be here whenever you can post, whether it's the story or more news from the Pac homestead.