Smoke Stack

by Andrew Gruse

  “Hopefully, he’ll be rooming with the worst. The fat bastard deserves every bit of pain he receives.”

  Ty chuckled again. “Anyway, after he was under the false belief that there is some sort of statute of limitations protecting him, the idiot sang like a bird. Guess he missed civics class in high school.”

  Zack stared at his meal. “A moron is always full of surprises. What did he say?”

  “Well, it’s an interesting story. Miller and Keith Overton were friends.”

  “Birds of a feather, huh?” Zack said.

  “I guess. Well, one day, the sheriff burst into Miller’s house, saw who he thought was Miller in a chair, blew his head off, may or may not have realized it wasn’t Miller, and made it look like a suicide. Miller said he was in the kitchen, heard what happened, and hid. By the time the authorities were out at the house, Miller was hidden deep in the tunnels he had already begun to create. So, knowing everyone believed Miller was dead, he decided to stay dead.”

  “Ok, then how did Keith Overton stay alive?”

  “Well, that’s even better. See, you remember Marvin Solder?”

  “The weasel guy Jules put two slugs in.”

  “Yeah, him. Well, he was part of that gang, too. High school buds. Anyway, Marvin stopped out at the house to pay his respects after all was said and done, and Miller announced his being alive. The two hatched a plan to get back at Clyde. The town was already trying to get Miller’s land for less than half its market value. Somehow they ran into Deputy Sam. The guy you decided to decorate Molly Lockett’s wall with his brains, remember him?”

  “Minimal decoration. He deserved it.”

  “Sam knew of the plan for the city elders to get even richer, and Sam wasn’t going to be a part of it. Now, he and Marvin were drinking buddies I guess, and they got together, Marvin told Sam about Miller. Sam then brought in Pritchett, the fireman. Remember him? The guy who blew up the house and himself to pieces with it. Sam and Gary were the brains behind their scheme to keep Overton alive, use his name for the business that bought the Johnston farm, and was going to profit off the Miller property and thus screw the city elders of Clyde.”

  Zack nodded and bit a small onion ring. “When we practice to deceive, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did anyone catch Junior yet?”

  Campbell laughed. “Yeah, the state police caught him in Decatur, Illinois at a gas station. They said when they put the cuffs on him, he was crying like a baby and blamed it all on his daddy.”

  Zack shook his head. “Poor kid. So how did the whole sex trafficking thing come into it?”

  “They are sick people, Stack. Sick.”

  I guess that never changes regardless of the size of the town.

  “That’s an ongoing investigation. They were just pawns. A halfway house, so to speak. We think Miller was the freak that made the connections with that ring. He’s not talking too much about that. But we have enough. We know who the main players are above him. Clyde was just a drop in the bucket,” Ty said.

  “Good luck with that. I hope you catch every one of them.”

  “We could use some help.” The subtle hint made Zack roll his eyes.

  “If I tell you I’ll think about it, will you quit asking me?”

  Ty chuckled. “There’s more to you than meets the eye, Stack. I don’t think you want to spend the rest of your days finding lost dogs.”

  “Hey, we do insurance fraud, too,” Zack tried a joke. “So, what was Weber in all of this?”

  “Nothing,” Ty said. “He was just a teacher who had an affair with one of his students, couldn’t let it go, and had a relationship with Marvin. Derek just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He went to meet with Weber, but Weber told him that Derek’s options were limited. Derek already passed up smaller schools offers so he felt lost and threatened to expose Weber. That’s when he and Marvin grabbed kidnapped him and hid him in the tunnels. Because Weber is dead, we’ll never know how much he knew about the ordeal.”

  “So he killed himself because he knew he was ruined,” Zack said.

  “Yep.”

  “Dumbass,” Zack mumbled.

  “Yeah, well. We deal with that a lot,” Ty said.

  “What’s going to happen to Orb?”

  Ty sighed. “He, uhh, is under investigation. The state police have that one. Not my jurisdiction. Same with the mayor and his gang. My guess is that Orb will end up not being able to land a job as a cop again but won’t see jail time. As for the mayor and his cronies, they’re going to go down with Bloom. The insurance company isn’t letting that one go. You wrecked an entire town, Stack. How do you feel about that?” Ty chuckled with the question, but Zack didn’t see the humor.

  “Sad that the decent people there will be hurt.”

  “Yeah, that’s how it goes, Stack,” Campbell said. There was a pause. “Hey, man, again, I’m sorry about what happened, but I owe you plenty of thanks.”

  “Not necessary,” Zack said. He touched his burger. Now cold. He frowned.

  “Yes, it is. Look, you have my number. If you ever need anything, let me know. And don’t forget about my offer. I can get you into the training real quick. You’d be a great field agent.”

  “Again, I’ll keep it in mind, and thank you. But right now, alone is in my best interest.”

  “I hear ya. Take care.” Ty Campbell hung up, and though Zack felt a sense of satisfaction knowing he helped bring down Pigface and his crew of miscreants, the hollowness didn’t go away. He picked up the burger and took a bite of it. He suspected it would have tasted better had it been hot.

  Zack knew he should have been happy for the results. A boy’s life saved and soon other families may finally get closure for their loss year’s earlier. Payment reached the agency already and Dre seemed ecstatic.

  Zack knew he should have been happy.

  But he just couldn’t find it.

  CHAPTER 60

  His cell phone rang again. Andre. Zack hadn’t talked to Andre. He answered, frustrated, knowing his lunch was ruined. Don’t go too far, House Sparrows. I might not be eating this, after all.

  “Hey, Zack, where are you at?”

  “About to have lunch,” Zack answered.

  “Look, man, I spoke to Jules,” Andre said. “I’m sorry, man. I wish it didn’t happen.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “You got yourself wheels?”

  “Yeah. About a week ago.”

  “You alone?”

  “Yeah, for about a week now,” Zack said.

  “You got yourself another bike, didn’t you? I knew you would. How about you peddle that thing back here quickly and you and I take your bikes for a long cruise. I need a weekend away from here,” Andre said.

  “Two guys going away for a nice weekend?” He chuckled. “Isn’t that romantic. Nah, I’m not getting your girl anymore pissed at me than she already is most of the time.”

  “She loves you, man. Shit, we’ll bring her and Stef along. Just chill.”

  “Are you bringing your mother’s fried chicken? If so, I’ll consider it.”

  “Deal. But seriously, bro, where are you?”

  “I’m sitting at a fast food joint staring at the lunch I just bought watching it get cold.”

  “You aren’t answering me or Michelle’s calls, which tells me you are where you shouldn’t be. Please tell me you don’t need me to drive there to bail your ass out again. Please tell me you learned your lesson, Zack.”

  “I’ve been thinking, and I keep going back to that day,” Zack said. “My sister lied to us, Dre. Straight up to our faces. She never was at my aunt’s house the day my father was murdered,” Zack said.

  “How do you know that?”

  “When I left school that day, I had to walk past the grade school. I got there late that day and had to park way down the street. Anyway, when I left, I walked past that particular aunt and waved to her. She was parked outside the grade school, pi
cking up her kids and my little sisters and brother. Why the hell would Becki have been the only one to get a call to go to my aunt’s?”

  Andre hesitated. “Fair enough. Get your ass back here, and let’s figure it out together, man.”

  Zack took a deep breath. “I miss Jules.”

  “I know you do. But trust me on this: missing Jules isn’t enough reason to go ahead and ruin your life and mine, too. Don’t be feeling all sorry for yourself and make some stupid decisions right now.”

  “I’m not feeling sorry for myself.”

  Andre laughed. “Yeah? What are you listening to right now? Tell me your music playlist.”

  Zack took a deep breath. “Ok, I have A.T.E., Greg Laswell, Night Terrors of 1927, Bleachers. You know, the usual lineup.”

  Andre laughed louder. “Dude, straight-up depressing ass broken-hearted lovesick music! Turn that crap off.”

  “Give me a break, you know damn well most music is about either trying to get laid or just getting dumped.”

  “Well then, listen to the stuff about getting laid instead of the stuff about getting dumped. Michelle has been busting my balls to get you to answer your phone when she calls you. What should I tell her?”

  “Tell her I was pacing myself.”

  “She’s going to rip you a new one.”

  Zack sighed. “Yeah, well.”

  “Look, man, you need to get back here now. We have a case that needs your attention.”

  “You and Darnell can’t handle it?”

  “I’d love to, but Alysha would beat my ass, and Darnell can’t. He’s busy,” Andre said. “Besides, man, this client is specifically requesting you.”

  “I’m tired of finding lost dogs and cheating spouses, Dre.”

  Andre laughed. “Yeah, well, me too. But we don’t have any of those right now. Like you said, we are finally a firm. We’re big-time, I guess. When can I expect you?”

  “Let me eat this cold burger first. Anything else?”

  “Yeah, some insurance company just sent us an obscene check. You know anything about that?”

  Zack cracked half of a smile. “If it is from Brian Sedowski, it’s good.”

  “It is. I’ll tell ‘Chelle to deposit it. Trust me, it’s huge! Like, WOW! Like, I’m serious about us taking a really nice vacation for a month or so huge!”

  “He said I’d be rewarded if we saved him seventy million. Do me a favor. Jules and Michelle did all the work. Make sure Jules gets half of it.”

  Andre exhaled. “I knew you’d do that. No worry. It’s huge. Now when are you coming back?”

  “Not sure yet.”

  “Two days tops. Or I’ll find you and beat you with a rubber hose. Got it?” Andre’s tone made Zack feel at ease. A little humor went a long way.

  “You know better than to try, big man. Anything else?”

  “Yeah, hold on a second. Someone wants to talk to you.”

  Michelle’s voice was next. “Zack, it’s me. I know you hate being pestered by me, and I’m sorry when I do give you a hard time. I’ll tell you what, when you get back here, and it sounds like in two days, I won’t have any coffee in the office, and I won’t make your life hell for at least a week. Deal?”

  Zack smiled. “A whole week? That’s generous of you.”

  “People here still love you, Zack, even if you don’t want to think so. Don’t forget it. Now, back to business. You will want to come home for this case. I promise you. A woman is getting threatening notes. It will be the perfect thing to clear your mind. And I won’t tell Stefani you’re riding a motorcycle so she won’t come after you either.”

  Zack was silent.

  “Zack? See you soon?”

  He pursed his lips and nodded. “Yeah. Two days tops. See you soon.” He hung up.

  Ten minutes later, Zack finished eating the burger. To his surprise, it was good. He added it to the top of the list of best burgers. Especially for a pseudo-fast food joint. He refilled the cup of Pepsi, drank it slowly as the front from the north crept south further and further, blocking out the sun with dark, tall, puffy clouds. A storm was coming.

  Zack smiled. Cliché? Yes. A storm was always coming, it seemed. Time to ride.

  He reached the top of the I94/421 interchange and pulled to the shoulder atop the Interstate. Cars and trucks zoomed by in all directions, unaware of his presence, and Zack realized thankfully unaware of his existence. Now was not the time.

  Not without a clear mind.

  And his partner.

  He turned his head and looked at Michigan City to the north one last time. He saw the power plant that looked like a nuclear reactor, frowned, and revved the engine of the motorcycle.

  A break in traffic allowed Zack to pop the clutch, speed onto Highway 421, and head south. He’d take a left and head east on some state highway before Indianapolis. Avoid the interstates. Easier riding. Stay ahead of the rain, and if it caught him, he was sure there’d be a fleabag motel somewhere to stay the night.

  Until then and until getting home to Fells Point open road, and his mind was all he had.

  A mind that wouldn’t stop. Just forget it, Zack. Get home, it will be better there.

  That’s what he had to believe.

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  Shortly before I finished this novel, my dad died. About 19 months earlier, my mother died. (I mention that because it sucks. Life can never be described as fair, that’s for sure.) l learned at my dad’s service, I was his favorite author. I suspect being one of his sons had something to do with that, but still. I wish I had this book finished before he passed away. Sorry, dad. Hopefully, there’s a book kiosk or something in the afterlife.

  To my wife, Heidi. Thank you for your support and pushing me to “write faster.” I keep telling her it isn’t the writing, it’s the revising. She’s been terrific through all of this though she does get frustrated when I say I’m done and then the next day tell her I have to revise “this one part.” Heidi, you’re an amazing woman and I hope I do a better job letting you know that.

  A special thanks to Mirna Gilman for the cover design and for putting up with my emails, questions, changes, and trying to poorly describe my vision. Thank you!

  Usually, I wait until the end to thank the readers. Not this time. I thank and appreciate all who read my books, particularly those who buy it (come on, this is my living so give me a break for making a joke). ?? It is all about reviews so I really appreciate those who leave a review on a review site or even on a social media site.

  Word-of-mouth can make or break an author like me. You might not realize how gratifying it is to see my book on your social media page recommending your friends to read it. Plus, without a promotional agent behind me, that’s pretty much how I have to hope to sell copies. That, and reviews on review sites and of course where the book is sold. Sorry for the blatant but polite asking for promotion help, but selling fiction is a tough world, since I’m not a politician. (If you didn’t think that was funny, you really need to lighten up!)

  Seriously, again, without you, there would be no authors like me working hard to produce an entertaining book for you. How sad would a world be with no one reading? Ugh.

  If you’re still reading, I need to send a shout out to all the schoolteachers at all levels out there. The work you do is largely unnoticed and often degraded and part of this book was for you. The teachers and aides I know do amazing work and I hope the powers-that-be give you the credit you deserve and reward you appropriately. I once heard the saying “it’s like herding squirrels” and when I imagine trying to keep 22 5-year-olds focused on sight words, I can’t help but to think it’s a lot like herding squirrels. So, Major Kudos to you!

  Let’s work so that moving forward getting an education isn’t viewed as a privilege but as a right for everyone. Without an education, what are we? Where would we be?

  Also to my sons, Benjamin and Matthew. For everyone who bitches about millennials, I am so glad you ignore t
hem and have made your lives your own. We are so proud of both of you and your accomplishments keep me striving to do better. And at least one of you sometimes chuckles at my dad jokes, so I got that going for me. Which is nice. ??

  Last, this time I’m thanking my brother Rich. The oldest of us Gruse boys (not saying any of us are old, just that he was born first.) I hope this story is to your liking. Knowing how much you read, after not knowing you read novels, I’m glad I made it to your authors-to-read list. So, thank you for your support. It means a great deal to me.

  Again, thank you all. The fourth installment, I hope to get out soon. In the meantime, if you like this story, tell everyone you know about it. Reading, after all, is a very good thing??

  Best wishes,

  Andrew Gruse

  Zack Stack wakes up in a jail cell. Accused of murder of his girlfriend, he remembers nothing of that night. He was with her, but did he lose it and kill her? In Andrew Gruse’s action-packed new thriller, Zack has to rely on his friends and work outside the law and risk’s everything to keep his freedom and his past hidden…

  The Sharpest Cut

  Coming Soon.

  A preview follows.

  CHAPTER 1

  THE SHARPEST CUT

  The phone rang. Four long rings before the answering machine answered. “Hi, you’re reached Lexi. Leave a message and I’ll call you right back. Thanks, bye.” The caller hung up. The clock on the bedside table read 3:50 AM. Neither of the two people on the bed moved. The phone rang again. Four long rings until the machine answered and the caller disconnected.

  The man on the bed stirred by the noise as the phone rang again. The light from the nightstand irritated his eyes and he moved his head to shake away the discomfort. He held something in his left hand but his eyes only saw fog and his head would not focus. He rolled to his back and felt like he was lying in syrup. The phone again. Who is calling? What time is it?

  He blinked repeatedly. The phone stopped as soon as the answering machine clicked. The man tried to clear his mind. His head hurt but not from a headache. This was different. He was in a daze, listless and his movements lethargic. He tried to sit up and his eyes cleared enough for him to see a large knife in his hand. His Ka-Bar. What the…