Bad Penny
Page 36
The media was going to get him killed.
“Who is that?” Ms. Rogers asked. “You and Pillsbury have another brother?”
“It’s a big family,” Frank said. “Long story.”
“I know. It’s ten pages. I read all of it. Seems to me you’re a bit of a high risk.”
That was the truth. He nodded and thought he’d save her the breath. “Well, I appreciate your time, Ms. Rodgers.”
“Where you going?” she asked.
“I—”
“I’m a business owner, Mr. Shaw,” she said. “I take risks. This whole shop was one big gamble. An informed gamble, but a gamble nevertheless. You called me when you said you would. That showed some responsibility. You showed up here looking like a herd of cattle stampeded your face. That shows a willingness to work. Shows some grit. I like grit. Given the activities of the last few days, a lot of folks would take time off, think the world owed them something, but not you. So I’m going to take a risk on you, Mr. Shaw. Are you ready to work?”
Frank had a five year plan. That plan required cash. “Work’s my middle name.”
“Excellent,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Five a.m. sharp.”
Frank nodded. Working the night shift at Walmart and the morning here was going to turn him into a complete vampire. But he could do the vampire. For a little while at least. It was a lot better than being dragged behind a bus.
He said good-bye and walked back past the gal at the counter and out of the shop into the sunshine.
Tony was still sitting in the car, getting ready to make his sales presentation for Yeti Inc.
“So?” Tony asked.
“So I am now officially a doughnut guy.”
Tony faked a sentimental sniff. “My baby’s all growed up and got himself a job.”
“Watch it,” Frank said.
Tony flipped down his laptop. “Now I’m going to show you how real money is made in the new economy. I need you to give me an introduction.” Tony got out and started to walk to the shop.
“Right,” Frank said, then took a big breath and gazed about at the town and the hills in the distance.
“Hey, you coming?”
“Just a sec,” Frank said and lingered by the car. The DA in Weld County might end up sending him to jail. Flor, the evil baker, might put out a hit on him. Anything could happen: Frank might walk off the curb and die of a heart attack. But that was all in the future.
Right now he was filled with the electrical thrill of being a free man. One with a Wally job and a doughnut job. A man with the means to get some assets. A man living and breathing someplace other than inside a cement box. He had the telephone number of Ms. Cross, and, if you counted being roughed up by drug lords, he’d already had a first date with Carmen.
He gazed out across the landscape. It was a glorious day in dirt land. There was the dirt and rock at his feet. And the traffic motoring by that smelled like diesel. And the dirt hills dotted with sagebrush in the distance. And the sun shining down out of a wide blue sky. And over it all, the Wyoming wind was blowing, rolling across the unfettered land for miles and miles, as far as the eye could see.
The End
Dear Reader
WORD OF MOUTH is crucial for any author to succeed. If you enjoyed Bad Penny, please consider leaving a review at Amazon or another favorite bookseller’s website, even if it’s only a line or two. Taking just a moment would be much appreciated and will probably usher in world peace.
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Author’s Note
THE TYPES OF slavery depicted in this story are real and occur in every nation on this earth. A good portion of my research was based on actual busts of criminal organizations with operations in Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, and California.
If you want to learn more, please go to the website for the Department of Homeland Security at www.dhs.gov and look up the topic of human trafficking to see how you can identify and report suspected incidents of this crime. For those looking for a broader treatment on the subject, while there are many good texts, I found The Slave Next Door by Kevin Bales particularly helpful.
Finally, if you want to get more involved, become an abolitionist by supporting Operation Underground Railroad, a private group of former CIA agents and Navy SEALS who are running operations across the globe to free child slaves, or www.freetheslaves.net, an organization dedicated to doing just what its name says.
Acknowledgements
THIS STORY WAS inspired by a fine old brother in my church in Ohio who was one of those salt of the earth folks who also happened to have at one time been a bank robber. When he got out of prison, he determined his life would change. He married a good Methodist girl he met at a church dance, went into the laundry business, and never looked back. It was my privilege to record his life history. Not a single event or detail in this book is about him. But I can tell you that his story deserves a book. Hopefully, my character Frank ends up doing as well in life as he did.
A number of folks provided excellent feedback on early versions of this story. Alexandria Brown, Anne Squire, Amy Lamborn, and Caitlin Blasdell (my agent) provided helpful reader responses. Edie Ogilvie provided a sharp-eyed edit. Kip Motta provided expertise on the details of flying Cessnas that included an aerial tour over the Caribbean blue waters of Bear Lake. Gary Ogilvie and Mark Lee shared insights only those who have been cops in small western towns can. Larry Correia kept me honest with my guns. And Marcus Custer not only helped me develop Frank’s backstory in the military, but also brought the special perspective of someone who has seen and done much both in Special Forces and Homeland Security.
A few other folks helped in my initial general research for the story by taking time to sharing their experience and insights. These include Brad Torgersen on general military culture, Gary Bergesen on Special Forces, Judson Roberts on organized crime, Sean Linnae on Special Forces, and Stephen Gehrke on how things are run in the Utah state prison. Of course, any errors in the text are mine.
For the cover I’m indebted to Shai McDonald, a very flexible and accommodating artist, Devon Dorrity, who helped me put it all together, and Isaac Stewart for good beta viewer response.
Finally, a huge amount of thanks goes to Nellie, my excellent wife, who provided insight and support every step along the way.
By John D. Brown
Thrillers
Bad Penny
Awful Intent (coming soon)
Epic Fantasies
Servant: The Dark God Book One
Curse: The Dark God Book Two (coming soon)
Shorter Works
Bright Waters
Loose in the Wires
The Scent of Desire
From the Clay of His Heart
Find more information at johndbrown.com. You may also want to join the many readers who have asked to be notified when my next book is released. If so, sign up here.
About the Author
JOHN D. BROWN IS an award-winning short story writer and novelist. He lives with his wife and four daughters in the hinterlands of Utah where one encounters much fresh air, many good-hearted ranchers, and the occasional wolf.
John is active on his website johndbrown.com where he reviews and writes about whatever takes his fancy. Feel free to drop by to post comments, contact him directly, or just say hello. He always enjoys hearing from his readers.