Next World Series (Vol. 2): Families First [The Road]

by Ewing, Lance K.

“Well, it’s done,” said the Sheriff as they shook hands. “I was hoping to bring them back to the cemetery,” he added, “but it was too much of a mess.

  “It looks like the killers hung around for a while, don’t you think, James?”

  “That’s what it looked like to me, sir.”

  “We found a lot of things strewn about the floor,” continued the Sheriff. Some cans, wrappers, pill bottles, and a few of these,” holding up a mason jar he pulled from a plastic Ziplock bag.

  James felt a knot in his stomach, recognizing the jar from his still.

  “It smells like some sort of moonshine,” said the Sheriff, as he put it up to his nose. “But we didn’t find any equipment in the house or the basement. Doesn’t that seem odd?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” replied James. “Everything seems odd the last couple of weeks.”

  Sheriff Johnson laughed out loud at that. “Well, I guess you’re right, old friend. Have a good night,” he said, tipping his hat to Janice as she sat on the porch.

  James walked slowly back to the house as they drove away.

  “Upstairs girls,” called Lauren, as James climbed the porch stairs.

  “What was that about?” asked Janice, with Jason and Lauren looking on.

  “I don’t exactly know, honey, but he had one of my jars in a plastic bag and was asking questions about it.”

  “Do you think he knows?” asked Jason.

  “I don’t know. But either way, it’s not good,” replied James.

  The night was restless for James, as he found his way to the kitchen after midnight. He wasn’t too surprised to see Jason at the dining room table.

  “Guess I’m not the only one who couldn’t sleep,” said Jason.

  “We need a plan. How about a glass of Scotch?” asked James.

  “Maybe just one,” replied Jason.

  James poured two generous glasses and took out a pen and paper. With his flashlight on dim, he made two columns: best-case scenario and worst-case, separated by a line straight down the middle of the page.

  “All right, Jason. I’ll start,” he said.

  “Best case, the Sheriff is just fishing, and that’s as far as it goes.

  “Worst case, he ties the bottle back to me.

  “Your turn.”

  “Okay,” replied Jason, “assuming the worst from yours.

  “Best case, he does tie it back to you but doesn’t think it’s a big deal in this next-world.

  “Worst case, he considers it a crime committed in his town.”

  “That’s what I was thinking,” said James. “Guess we didn’t need a tally sheet, after all.”

  “James,” said Jason. “Lauren, the girls and I owe everything to you and Janice. You have our unwavering support, whatever you decide.”

  “I know, and we appreciate that. I’m just not sure if we should tear the whole thing down tomorrow and bury it, or see what happens.

  “Maybe we could take a trip into town tomorrow and talk to Sheriff Johnson. He’s got an important election coming up, and maybe there’s something we could do to help him out,” he added.

  “Janice can stay here with Lauren and the girls. She’s a crack shot, and with her and Chance around, I’m not worried about being gone for a few hours.”

  “It sounds like a plan to me,” said Jason. “At least we will know where we stand.”

  The girls were up early to check on Chance. He was improving every day, and it was apparent that he loved the attention.

  James dressed, and as he descended the stairs caught a glimpse of the three petting Chance. He took a minute to give thanks in prayer.

  Lord, this is everything Janice and I ever wanted. Please watch over her, Lauren, Jason, their girls, and Chance.

  After breakfast, Jason and James headed out on the tractor for town.

  The Sheriff’s office was quiet this morning. James and Jason found the door open, with the Sheriff and Judge Lowry talking inside.

  “Hello, James,” said Sheriff Johnson, standing to shake his hand.

  “I’m sorry, I forgot your name,” he said to Jason.

  “It’s Jason, sir.”

  “That’s it! And you both remember Judge Lowry?”

  “Of course,” answered James for them both.

  “We were just talking about you, James. Isn’t that a coincidence?”

  “Well, Sheriff, I guess it is,” James replied, not wanting to appear uneasy.

  “Sheriff Johnson filled me in on the goings-on up at the Whitter place. It’s a damn shame what happened to those folks,” said the Judge. “It sounds like they left quite a mess behind,” he added, reaching for the bottle James recognized, still in the plastic bag.

  “No sign of any equipment, the Sheriff told me. How about you, James? Did you see anything when you were up there?”

  “No, sir,” he replied. “Just the same senseless killings…and quite a mess, I’m afraid.”

  “You two were neighbors, isn’t that right?” the Judge continued.

  “Well, sir, they were up the road a couple of miles from our ranch.”

  “As you know from the other day,” the Judge said, “we are very interested in things that are happening in our town here,” gesturing with his right hand in a semicircle. “And we get concerned if it appears there may be something out of the ordinary happening here,” turning the jar from side to side, studying it. “Especially now, as I have increased the city boundaries by 20 miles in each direction. I believe that would now include your ranch, James.”

  "Yes, that’s correct,” replied James, now more than a little uneasy.

  “I’ve never been up to your place, but the Sheriff here says it’s quite impressive. Must have cost a pretty penny to build and keep it running before the lights went out.”

  James made a point not to look in Jason’s direction.

  It’s not often that one gets interrogated by a sitting Judge and acting Sheriff at the same time, he thought. The slightest misstep could prove disastrous, and he was glad he was the only one doing the talking.

  “We came this morning to see if we may be able to help with the upcoming election,” said James in a Hail-Mary attempt to change the subject.

  “Funny you should bring that up,” said Judge Lowry. “I hear you are considering a city council position. Is that correct, James?”

  “Yes, sir,” he said quickly, now wishing he could take it back. “I mean, the Sheriff asked me to consider it.”

  “I see,” replied the Judge. “And what did you decide?” he asked bluntly.

  “That’s just it, Judge. I need to talk it over with my wife. We’ve just been so busy around the ranch lately.”

  “Would you boys give us a minute?” asked the Judge as more of a statement.

  “Sure, we’ll be right outside when you’re ready,” replied James.

  As they walked outside, both men had a pit in their stomachs. “What is going on?” asked Jason in a low voice.

  “I think I was playing some chess here,” replied James. “At least I hope so.”

  “Should we go back to the ranch?” asked Jason.

  “No. We need to find out what the angle is. If we leave now, we will be looking over our shoulders every day,” James replied.

  Nearly ten minutes later, the call came. “Come on back inside, gentlemen.

  “It seems the excellent Sheriff here finds you trustworthy and like-minded. We would like to have you run for Mayor of our fair town. The position would put you third in command, once the elections are official and the Sheriff here retains his second place in our hierarchy.

  “I think you should talk it over with your lovely wife and give us your answer tomorrow,” he exclaimed, setting the moonshine jar back on the table.

  James’ head was spinning, and he was feeling nauseous. Jason put his arm on James’ shoulder and spoke for the first time since they had arrived.

  “We will see you back here tomorrow,” he said, shaking hands with each of th
em.

  They were halfway home when James finally spoke. “Time for another list, I guess. Except this time the stakes are sky-high.”

  * * * * * * *

  Chapter Fourteen ~ Weston, Colorado

  James and Jason pulled into the Second Chances Ranch just before lunch.

  Janice and Lauren were waiting anxiously to hear about the meeting in town.

  “I need a minute, Janice,” said James, as he told Jason to fill the ladies in on what he knew.

  “What’s wrong with my husband?” asked Janice. “I’ve never seen him like this before.”

  Jason did his best to fill them in on the meeting with the Judge and Sheriff. When he finished, Janice knew why her husband was conflicted.

  James emerged from the back of the house with a confidence Janice hadn’t seen since the lights went out.

  “I’m going to do it,” he announced. “I’m going to be the Mayor of Weston, Colorado. It’s the only way forward for us now. I’ll be third in charge, and I don’t see as I have much choice.”

  Janice was both shocked and pleased, knowing things had changed and that laying low was no longer an option.

  “Won’t there be an election?” she asked, confused.

  “I suppose so, honey, but I’m sure it would only be a formality. Unless Jason here wants to run against me,” he said, joking.

  “No, sir,” Jason replied, laughing. “I’m quite sure you’re the best man for the job.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t consult you, honey,” said James, reaching out his hand to Janice. “But it’s the way it must be. The only alternative is to run for the hills, and I like our chances here far better,” he added.

  “That’s true,” she agreed. “We ran once and it’s not an option anymore,” pointing upstairs towards the girls.

  “I guess I’ve got my first Deputy Mayor,” pointing at Jason.

  “Yes, sir,” he replied, while Lauren pulled at his arm. “We’re in this together,” he said aloud but looking squarely at her.

  Chance barked, and the girls ran downstairs, wanting to know everything about the trip to town. After a brief explanation to the girls, all they wanted to know was if Daddy and Mr. James were going to get a gold badge, like the Sheriff.

  “I don’t think so, honey,” their father replied, “but I’m sure we will get some kind of pin or plaque, at the very least.”

  With a return trip planned for tomorrow, the adults let the girls play out front under watchful eyes.

  “I’ll have some conditions,” James announced…“about the position, I mean.”

  “I thought you might,” added Janice, smiling.

  “Number one,” he continued. “We will be staying here, since we are now technically inside the town limits. I won’t have us watched over every move we make.

  “Number two: I’ll only be in town no more than three days in a week, which will include our trade day on Saturdays.

  “Number three: Chance gets to tag along whenever he wants. Right, boy?”

  A woof and tail wag came from a still-worn-out dog.

  “Sound good, Jason?”

  “I think it’s a small price to pay to keep everything you have here. And, like I said before, we’re here to support you and Janice 100%. Right, honey?” It was clear to Jason that Lauren was starting to come around.

  He took her aside and whispered, “We’re a lifetime ahead of where we were when they found us. I always expected we would need to do more to earn our keep. This is our chance to give back to James and Janice, and I will be someone with influence in the town. Besides, I look pretty good in uniform,” he said, smiling and tapping her on the butt.

  Lauren blushed just before the girls asked their daddy why he was spanking Mommy.

  “I think she had a mosquito on her behind,” he replied, now with everyone laughing.

  “Yep, I got him, all right,” he said, running his fingers together. “Wait! I think I see another one” he joked, now laughing even harder.

  He and the girls chased a now playful Lauren around the house, waving their arms.

  “Don’t you dare!” said Janice, as James held his hand out to the side, doubled over, laughing. Chance was barking and wagging his tail. All seems right in this next world, at least for today, she thought. The rest of the afternoon was fun and lighthearted, with everyone relaxing on the front porch.

  “I almost forgot about my buddy David and his friend, who was going to deliver the guns,” James blurted out, just now remembering that’s how they met Jason. No one replied.

  Feeling a bit awkward, he continued. “I mean, we may have to take a trip up there before long is all. Guess I can always get them on the radio first.”

  “If the Judge expanded the city limits just 30 more miles, your buddy David would live in town,” Janice pointed out.

  “I will keep that in mind,” replied James, fanning his face with his baseball cap.

  “Still a Bull’s fan?” asked Jason, pointing to his hat.

  “You can take this boy out of Chicago, but you can’t take the Bulls out of me,” replied James.

  “Never missed a game in all these years on TV. What do you think their chances are this year?” asked Janice, with a well-placed jab.

  “Not great,” replied James. “Maybe next season.

  “It takes a lot to feed a big guy,” he added, patting his stomach.

  “I’m sure the players haven’t touched a ball since the last game. Interesting how all their money won’t do them any good now. Can’t buy food with worthless credit cards and government cash.”

  Mountain House beef stroganoff was on the menu for dinner, and of course a huge garden salad.

  * * * *

  Jason and James headed back into town the next morning to give James’ response to Judge Lowry and Sheriff Johnson.

  “It’s odd,” said Jason, as their tractor slowly made the eight-mile trek.

  “What’s odd?” asked James.

  “Well, the Sheriff hasn’t even been voted in yet, and he’s already making big plans with the Judge for the future of the town.”

  “Well,” James responded, “when the two most powerful people in town hang four men in front of just about every citizen, it doesn’t take much to go along with whatever they come up with.

  “As long as the people are fed and safe, they’ll look the other way. Let ’em be afraid and hungry; then you’ll get to know what you’re up against really quick.

  “I’m guessing our new jobs will be the buffer between the people and the law,” added James.

  “What if they don’t accept the terms?” asked Jason, seeming nervous to James.

  “I thought about that last night,” said James, “and if we can’t reach a resolution, then we’ll have no choice but to consider Plan B.”

  “Didn’t know there was a Plan B!” said a surprised Jason.

  “Ha! Then I won’t worry you with Plan C…or D!” laughed James.

  “Plan B,” he continued, “would be a move up the mountain to join David’s group. They have some firepower, and one Sheriff isn’t going to come looking for us up there.”

  “I guess you’ve thought about this already,” replied Jason.

  “Janice and I always have a Plan B. Now it includes you, Lauren and your girls, and Chance, of course.”

  The town clock read 8:45 as they pulled up in front of the Sheriff’s office.

  “I hope they’re here,” said Jason in a low voice.

  “I’m kind of nervous,” he added, “and I want to get this over with.”

  “I get it,” acknowledged James, “but keep in mind we need to take this slow, so we walk out of here with what we want. We won’t get another chance at this.”

  “I understand, and I’ll let you do most of the talking, if that’s okay,” said Jason.

  They opened the front door and found both the Judge and Sheriff sitting right where they were the day before.

  James had a thought that they never went home yester
day.

  He subtly scanned the table for the moonshine jar from yesterday but didn’t see it. The point was already made yesterday, he thought.

  “Hello, gentlemen,” said the Judge without standing.

  “Good to see you both,” said James, shaking the Sheriff’s outstretched hand.