The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 71 Rifle Liam We were at New Salem Park with a team of deputies and K-9 dogs searching for whoever took our cargo. I was with Dan who couldn’t hide the rage he felt. “This is your fault, Liam,” Dan snarled at me. “If you hadn’t-” “You were at the lab, several feet underground, playing mobster in that cute office of yours when this happened, Dan,” I argued. “I was doing one of my duties as mayor of this town when this happened. If there is anyone who should take the blame, it’s you. I’m not a Soldier for the Angels of Darkness, you are.” “No one’s to blame, boys,” the Sheriff said. “Just figure out a way to earn back your losses.” Dan laughed, a high shrill laugh… like it was a bad joke. “Two crates on four boats… That’s two million dollars unaccounted for. Do you think we run this little operation on fairy dust? I have people to pay and that includes you, Sheriff!” Dan exclaimed angrily. Sheriff Combs’ eyes narrowed darkly and I noticed his hand reaching for his gun. As much as I wanted him to shoot Dan, this would create a bigger problem. I got in between the both of them and raised my hands to calm them down. “Stop it… the both of you. Right now, we need to find whoever has that money. Eight crates just don’t disappear. This was a well-planned heist which means a team of people did this,” I said. Dan backed off while the Sheriff lowered his hand. The lights around us, including the lights near the lake, suddenly turned off. I groaned, taking my phone out of my pocket to use as a flashlight. As we fumbled through the darkness, the Sheriff’s phone rang. I saw it was Jack. “Jack, release Bo Xavier from custody. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Even the coroner’s initial findings support this,” Sheriff Combs said. He paused to listen to Jack. “Sure, take his statement and release him. He’s a witness, not our primary suspect. When you’re done, get your a ss to New Salem Park. We have an ongoing manhunt.“

“Sheriff, we found Tanner and his boys,” a deputy yelled near the deep side of the lake. “They’re out cold.” 1/7 CHAPTER 71 Rifle “Get the EMT’s on it,” the Sheriff yelled back while walking towards them. “When they come. to, get their statement. And will someone please get these lights on! They were on just a moment ago!” Another one of the Sheriff’s men waved his flashlight, gesturing for us to come over. He was crouched near the ground, shining his flashlight on the ground. “Sheriff, I found motorcycle tracks headed towards Arnold County,” he said, pointing north. The Sheriff pursed his lips angrily. He and the neighboring sheriff had issues. “Get everyone at the boundary between New Salem and Arnold County. See if we can get CCTV footage in that area,” the Sheriff ordered. Once the suspects enter Arnold County, we have a problem!” I scratched my head, wondering who would be mad enough to steal cargo from the Angels of Darkness. They knew the schedule, the knew how we were delivering the crates, and judging by the motorcycle tracks, there were many of them. This had to be done by one of the organizations under the Angels of Darkness because the East and West Coast mafia never interfered with our affairs. This was an inside job. *Sheriff! I found something!” An officer yelled, holding his K-9 back by its leash near the shore of the deep end of the lake. The Sheriff rushed over, almost slipping on the wet ground. I followed him, hoping it was something which could lead us to the thieves. “What is it, son?” The Sheriff said, panting as he cautiously walked near the murky water. The officer pointed at something on the ground. The lights finally turned on giving us a clear view of the object. Sheriff Combs crouched down, taking his phone out to take pictures.

“It’s the sn iper rifle,” the Sheriff mumbled. He pocketed his phone and put on a pair of latex gloves. He picked up the weapon which appeared to have been disposed by the sn iper, however the s niper missed the lake by a few feet. “I need the rest of you to head to Arnold County, the Sheriff said, walking back to the entrance of the park. “I’m sending this to the lab for fingerprints and DNA.”. Before Dan could turn around and follow the Sheriff, I grabbed his arm to stop him. 217 CHAPTER 71 Rifle “Don’t say a word of this to Capo B astone. I’ll fix this,” I said. Dan scoffed. o lion dollars?” Dan asked, yanking his arm away. sn’t know how many crates were being delivered tonight. Usually we bring all we need to do is lie. Second, I can funnel some of the campaign money over up the heist. Everyone will be receiving their usual pay. Next delivery, I will be cking up the money at Bismarck myself,” I said. “Dan, come on, can I count on you to do this for me?” He looked at me, then nodded his head. “Fine, my lips are sealed. Just give me enough to continue operations and pay who we need to pay off,” he said. “I don’t like this, but we have bigger problems. Cynthia McDowell is dead and someone will have to pay in blood.” I sighed. I had more than enough money to cover this, but I had plans… sadly, those plans had to wait. Now, my main problem was finding whoever killed Cynthia McDowell. Sebastian I parked my car in front of Marla Lawrence’s house in Jack Emery’s rundown neighborhood. On the driveway was a old red pick-up truck that I believed had seen better days. Marla’s hand was on my thigh, rubbing and squeezing it, while she nibbled on my ear and kissed my neck. Honestly, I felt like I was cheating on Joy, but when Marla left me to gather her things in the dressing room, Joy gave me her consent.

“I saw the exchange between you and Marla earlier,” Joy mumbled while we stood next to each other drinking. “She carries around a black sling bag,” I whispered in her ear. Joy nodded her head in understanding. “If we need her, then do it,” she quickly uttered, then grinned at someone behind me. It was Marla carrying a backpack. “Congratulations, sweetheart. Do come by the boutique so I can dress you, okay? Dom, make sure our Miss Honey Bee gets home safely.” She winked at me, then sashayed towards Noah who was openly staring at her breasts. I glanced at Cristos who placed a bottle of vodka on top of the bar. I told Marla to wait for me at the entrance while I gave last minute instructions. 377 CHAPTER 71 Rifle be going to the rendezvous point. If anyone asks, I’m with Marla,” I said, grabbing the on my cr otch, brushing against my co ck. I grabbed her by the shoulders. back, making her sit properly in the passenger’s seat. e giggled, thinking I was playing hard to get. I pointed at the front windows of her house where a thin middle-aged woman with a cigarette in her mouth was standing, openly staring at the car. Marla let out a groan. “Usually my mother is passed out drunk by this time, but I guess she didn’t have enough money for gas so she could buy herself some booze, Marla said embarrassed. She was about to say more, but I covered her lips with my finger. “Will she be okay with you having a boyfriend?” asked her. Marla looked at me surprised. “But we just met each other-” I feel something for you, Marla,” I said, cutting her off. “I promise to take care of you and your mother. Pay for tuition… help you financially. All you have to do is be a good little student and take care of your mother.” “That’s all, Dom?” “That’s all,” I answered, brushing her hair away from her face. At first, her eyes sparkled happily, but

suddenly her expression changed to panic. “I don’t know if you can be my boyfriend, Dom. 1, uhm, 1-‘ I kissed her forehead. “I’ll protect you. I promise Here, give this to your mother,” I said, giving her the bottle of vodka, “and I’ll see you tomorrow. That reminds me… give me your number.” “I, uhm, I, ah, don’t have a smartphone. If anyone has to get in touch with me, they usually just call our landline.” How can she deal drugs without a cellphone? “Okay. Put your home number then. I’ll pick you up later around lunch and we’ll get you a phone and maybe a car.” “What?!” She squealed. I took her hand and kissed it. CHAPTER 71 Rifle dure my girl and my girl deserves the best,” I assured her. “Now go inside and get some etheart. If you need anything between now and later, call this number.” I handed her J. She gave me a kiss on my cheek before exiting the car. She looked happy, uneasiness in her eyes eyes. must be one of Pete’s girls. This will be interesting. After Marla entered her house, I drove off heading towards Mandan. From Arnold County, both trucks were instructed to drive to a warehouse in Mandan. One loaded with the crates while the other had our men. I stopped at a gas station along the highway and parked beside a tinted van. I quickly put on a hat and dark glasses, got out and headed towards the restroom while the driver of the tinted van followed me. Inside the restroom, I handed my suit jacket, hat, dark glasses and my keys to the driver of the van while he gave me his keys and a leather jacket. “Drive my car to my store, De Luca,” I said. “No one should think I left New Salem. Do you have the information I want?” He nodded his head.

“Veronica Ortiz is in Houston, Domenico, and I heard she has been complaining about a certain underboss and his New Salem capo for not giving her her desired cut,” De Luca said. “There are whispers that before the McDowells set foot in New Salem, there was a capot under Cadena who took refuge here before the FBI could arrest him. Goes by the surname of Duncan.” “I can’t recall a family with the surname Duncan living in New Salem. They might have changed names just like the McDowells. When did this capo move to New Salem?” “I don’t have that information, Domenico. I’m still digging.” “Dig faster, De Luca,” I said. “The Spring Formal is near and with Cynthia McDowell’s death, Capo B astone Pete McDowell will want blood. We can’t risk dealing with an unknown.” “I’ll see what I can do,” De Luca said, putting on the jacket, dark glasses and hat. “Keep your head low and talk to no one. Make yourself comfortable in my office.” A capo with his family moved to New Salem before the McDowells came. I’ll have Cristos look into that. 5/7 CHAPTER 71 Rifle Jack At the door of the Sheriff’s station, I watched Bo s ob while Virtue consoled him. Oh, how I wished I had Virtue’s arms around me, instead of all this crazy s hit I had to deal with. Money was gone and Cynthia McDowell was dead. Who would have thought that tonight would end up like this? After Bo, Chip and Virtue left, I prepared my thermos and filled it with coffee. I had a manhunt to join which meant no sleep. After grabbing some sandwiches at the diner, I reluctantly climbed into my truck to head. towards New Salem Park. My CB radio suddenly went off alerting everyone to proceed towards the boundary of New Salem and Arnold County instead. Great. As I backed out of the parking lot, I noticed Dom’s SUV pass by and turn towards his store. After

seeing him with Marla earlier, I bet he dropped her home. Marla with Dom? Knowing her, I believed Dom deserved better, but that’s just me. I stopped at the intersection and watched Dom come out of his car and enter the side entrance to his store. He was wearing a hat with dark glasses and he fumbled with his keys. He must have taken a fee swigs with Marla’s mom. A car h onking beside mine grabbed my attention. F uck! It was the Sheriff. I rolled down my window. “What the f uck are you doing sitting in the middle of the intersection?!” The Sheriff yelled. “Get to Arnold County and find whatever you can to piece this puzzle together!” I groaned. It was going to be a long night. 6/7 CHAPTER 71 Rie pts POST hse chapter ok but I think I’m going to stop reading until the book is finished. Only ing one chapter a week is ruining the story for me. I find it quite frustrating, sure!… EW ALL 3 S 24