by Victor Allen
**********
Joey sat behind the wheel of his Saturn with Jim riding shotgun. They watched the figure leave the cemetery.
“That’s Charlie, ain’t it,” Joey said.
“He actually did it,” Jim said, as much to himself as Joey. He privately wondered if Charlie hadn’t taken it on himself to launch into his own twelve step program, making amends before doing something stupid. He’d always had the vague stirrings of scruples and a bit too much integrity to be a right redneck.
“We got to find out what he said,” Joey whined. “He’s always walked around like the sun was rising and setting in his ass. We got to keep him quiet.”
“Come on, Joey. You know he didn’t say nothin’ to Heebie. He’s a dummy. Who would believe him? Besides, Charlie was in on it with us. He won’t say nothing. Not to nobody.”
“He might make a deal,” Joey blubbered. “Heebie knows all the cops.” He watched Charlie intently, his eyes bulging and his knuckles white where he gripped the steering wheel. “I had a cousin who swiped some stuff off the train one time. Army stuff, you know. Blankets, and ponchos and tools, but no guns or anything like that. He had a friend with him. When the railroad dicks came sniffing around, his friend made a deal with him. He ratted out my cousin and told him where all the stuff was. They came and picked up my cousin and sent him to reform school, but they didn’t do nothin’ to the other guy.”
Jim pulled a pocket knife from his jeans and unfolded a wicked-looking, six inch blade. He began cleaning the dirt from beneath his fingernails. He worked at this intently and when he spoke his voice was like a drawn bow.
“Joey, you’ve been watching too many cop shows on TV. Charlie hasn’t said anything about that girl. It’s his ass, too. We’re all in a bind, so don’t make it worse by getting scared and stupid. We’ll just go see Heebie and find out what Charlie said. If the jig is up, better to find out sooner than later. You just keep quiet and let me do the talking.” He folded the pocket knife and slipped it back into his pocket. They both watched Charlie until he was out of sight.
“Ready,” Jim asked.
Joey nodded and they got out.
