Eric followed him, keeping his distance. Moving through dark alleys and jumping over razor wired fencing. Ringo slipped between gates that had little space to pass. Not knowing Eric was close behind him, he wove in and out of the city’s streets. It was Eric doing the hunting now. Knowing redemption was near he watched and waited patient.
As the wind picked up and the shadows of the night danced around Eric, he became one with the darkness. Eric was far more methodical than Ringo, making him more dangerous. The only thing he had on Eric, was size. Eric’s main advantage was rage and he would use it and inflict whatever means of violence necessary, while never losing control.
Eric watched him. He had plans for the hunter, big plans. The tranquilizer gun lay over his shoulder. A dart loaded into the chamber and the safety off. He watched Ringo step back into an alley and pause. He reached into his shirt pocket and withdrew a cigarette. Ringo lit it, letting the smoke drift into the wind, which was blowing in Eric’s direction. Seconds later, Ringo tossed the cigarette. He then glanced around nervously as if smelling a threat. Then he slipped back into the folds of blackness.
Eric moved in the direction where Ringo had stood. He paused there for a moment staring at the cigarette as its smell lingered in the air. He closed his eyes and listened until he heard movement. A surge of anguish passed through him. Shay’s lifeless eyes flashed in his mind.
Ringo was on the move, stopping only occasionally. Eric watched from the alley as Ringo headed for a tan Denali SUV parked just behind the old River Tavern. Eric brought the rifle up to his cheek and placed the crosshairs on Ringo’s back. The rules of the game were about to change. Just as he pulled the trigger, the light inside of the SUV came on. The dart hit Ringo in the back with a thunk.
Ringo bolted forward. He spun around, catching a glimpse of Eric who watched with anticipation.
“What the fuck?” The man in the driver’s seat cursed.
Eric stepped from the shadows of the alley into the night. He was on his game and the adrenaline was pumping through his veins. “Pop, Pop.” The silencer on the tip of his pistol keeping the repercussion of the sound confined. The man’s words were lost as the first shot hit him in the chest and the second ended his life. Eric moved forward, his pistol aimed on the two crumpled bodies lying in the alley in front of him. He knelt down beside the man he’d shot and felt for a pulse. There was none. Blood was beginning to pool on the pavement.
The air was electric. Eric stood looking down at Ringo who wasn’t done, not yet anyway. Ringo reached out and grabbed Eric by the leg. Quick to recover, Eric slammed the gun down on Ringo’s skull. The blow knocked Ringo out only for a second. Eric jumped back.
“Come on pretty boy. A tranquilizer gun. Really?” Ringo growled, rolling to his side. He looked at Eric.
Eric already had the second dart between his fingertips. Ringo climbed unsteadily to his feet. Somewhere in the predawn darkness, a gust of wind found its way through the deserted alley. The wind caught the big man’s coat, making him appear bigger.
“Let’s play fair.” He laughed, lunging at Eric.
Pistol in one hand dart in the other, it was all Eric needed to sedate the animal attacking him. Ringo lunged at him. The knife reflected off the streetlight from above. The tranquilizer in his bloodstream was affecting Ringo’s speed and balance. Fighting the drug, Ringo swung the knife, but Eric kicked the blade out of Ringo’s hand. Eric hit him with the second dart, but not before Ringo landed a hard fist to the side of Eric’s head. The separation was explosive as Ringo went one way and Eric the other, but this time Ringo was out cold.
“Son of a bitch.” Eric said through clenched teeth. He was about to reach for Ringo’s shoulders when he heard the sound of footsteps. Eric spun around.
“Kid.” Jack stepped out of the shadows and into the alley. Eric lowered his gun. He turned back toward Ringo. “What’s the plan?”
“You might not want to be a part of this one Jack.” Eric said, moving to Ringo.
“Looks like you need some help and I’m pretty sure I’ve been a part of this from the start.” Jack reached down, grabbing Ringo by the feet. Eric took his arms. They carried him to the Denali, heaving him into the rear of the SUV.
“Ties?” Jack asked.
“Nah! He has enough tranquilizers in him to knock out a horse.” Eric said, shoving his bag into the driver’s seat.
Jack glanced over at the dead man. “I hate it when people leave trash in the streets.”
They picked the dead weight up and swung him into a dumpster in the alley. A mouse darted out from underneath, dove and then disappeared.
“I have thirty minutes, maybe. “ Eric climbed into the Denali.
Jack was silent. There were no words.
Eric put the keys in the ignition and then paused. “Where’s Riley?”
“Nick gave her a sedative. I waited until she was out.”
“She won’t like what I’m about to do.” Eric said, starting the engine.
“So don’t tell her.”
“Agreed?” Eric looked out the window.
“Agreed.” Jack replied.
They entered a painful quietness moving further away from town and into the desert. They veered onto Hwy 66 heading toward the conservatory. Eric fought to think of another resolution, but Shay kept entering into his mind. The years they lost, the blood, their son and the fact he’d never get to tell her how much he loved her again, gave him no other option.
Jack rummaged through the glove box and produced a sig 40, a wad of cash, and a bag full of jewelry. He set them aside. He grabbed Ringo’s bag from the back seat and emptied it onto his lap. There were several sealed bags of a white powder, drug paraphernalia, and a few tools covered in blood.
“Jesus.” Jack said.
With that said, Jack rolled down his window. He took out a pocketknife and made a deep cut into the plastic baggies. Then he emptied them into the open air. A white stream of drugs trailed the Denali as Jack emptied all the bags. Eric then sped back up.
“That’ll piss him off.” Eric said.
“Yeah! It was my pleasure.” Jack said, letting the cool air into the SUV. It was around three in the morning and before long, the sun would begin its ascent up into the western sky. It was numbing to think only last night Shay and Eric were saying, “I do.”
SEVENTY
Predawn was nearing as the white Siberian Tiger paced nervously back and forth in her cage. Giant paws thudded on the melting snow. It was well past feeding time and she was hungry. The animal licked her lips, her tongue rolling over her pink nose as she pulled strands of whiskers back with her tongue. Her blue eyes never left Jack. When the cat finally spoke, she slunk backward and pulled her lips up into a snarl. She exposed her blood stained teeth, which were part of well-oiled 485-pound grinding machine. Jack backed up just a little, giving the tiger room. On the other side and in the center of the cat’s territory was Ringo with feet and hands bound. Eric stood a few feet from him.
Jack was seeing the irony in this scenario and sadly, he couldn’t find any reason to argue. Jack called to the tiger and then tossed a chunk of meat through the feeding gate. It rolled down onto the ground and stopped in front of the tiger. He wished Eric would hurry, because Ringo was beginning to wake. Jack wiped his hands free of the meat and then picked up his rifle.
The cat turned and looked at Ringo who wasn’t fully aware of what was about to happen, not yet anyway. Riley’s voice trailed through Jack’s thoughts, “He tried to feed me to the tiger.” Her words. What Ringo had done to her and Shay, Amy, Sherry they were what kept Jack from stopping Eric now?
Eric moved around the tiger’s enclosure from side to side. The five-gallon bucket in his hand was heavy with meat. He let small amounts of the blood and chopped up pieces fall to the ground. The smell was teasing the cat’s senses.
The tiger’s area was an enclosed yard with trees and boulders. A heavy gauged chain-link fence enclosed the cat’s playground. Gnarly ra
zor wire lined the top. Neither man nor cat would be able to get out. When Eric finished laying down the appetizers, he began checking the security of the cat’s grounds.
Jack glanced down at his watch. Riley would still be sleeping. The last thing he wanted was for her to see this. The minute those blue eyes opened, she’d be looking for them.
He tossed the stick he was whittling on and turned to Eric. The kid was dangerous. He was just as deadly as the cat and twice as smart as Ringo. Jack had a feeling that once Ringo woke, he’d realize he’d messed with the wrong man.
An evil laughter pierced the early morning air. The sound broke the quietness with a sinister darkness. It sent a prickling chill across Jack’s skin. The insanity in Ringo’s voice echoed off the boulders and rebounded back toward the cat. She lifted her head in the direction of the sound, smelling blood.
“What happened to the honeymoon?” Ringo laughed.
Eric slowly sat the bucket down and cold cocked Ringo hard with a right hook. The impact forced Ringo to his side. The big man spit a mouthful of blood onto the ground only adding to the blood being laid. Cool and collected, Eric picked up the bucket and let the remaining blood spill onto Ringo. The devil only laughed.
Jack moved to the gate anxious to get this over. Hoisting a set of cutters from the back of his pants pocket, Eric began sawing through Ringo’s restraints. On the verge of exploding with anger, Ringo cursed at both of them and then at the tiger. He jerked back shoving the cutters out of Eric’s hands.
Jack was about to rush forward when Eric swooped down recovered the tool. Then Ringo laughed again, but this time hysterically. When Ringo’s hands were free, Eric stepped back. Ringo rolled to his back.
“She thought I was you when I walked through the door.” Ringo called out. There wasn’t a trace of remorse in his voice only pure wickedness. “She looked so lovely. I took another go of her to remember her by.”
Jack heard Ringo’s words. His stomach churned. He needed to get Eric out of there in one piece unharmed. Eric went silent just as Ringo lunged at him, but Ringo’s legs were still bound just for that reason. Eric withdrew his pistol and for a minute, Jack thought he’d end it then. Seconds ticked by.
“Get out of there Eric.” Jack said in a calm tone.
Jack opened the gate. Things were moving quick now and there was no room for mistakes. Ringo’s blood still surged with the drugs Eric had injected him with, but they too were wearing off. Ringo climbed to his knees and lunged at Eric one more time. He wasn’t slowing down and his restraints were beginning to loosen.
Eric stepped away, but not before placing a small knife half way between Ringo and the gate. Ringo saw the fate in his situation and began to crawl toward the knife. Perspiration broke out on his brow as he reached it. Then he started frantically sawing on his leg restraints. Just as the gate shut behind Eric, Ringo was on his feet facing the fence line. He wrapped his face and his fingers around the metal links. He smiled at Jack and watched as the gate locked.
“Cut your way out of that one you son of a bitch.” Jack said quietly.
“Here’s Ringo.” Ringo yelled his eyes wide and bloodshot. His nostrils flared open and saliva flew from his mouth. There was no control left as he shook the fence violently.
The tiger let out a long low growl now irritated. Ringo’s rage filled eyes shifted to the left. A sheer blackness consumed him. He smiled, wrapping his fingers through the chain-link fence even tighter. Jack saw the red embers in his eyes and the darkness just beyond.
“I can still smell her.” He said, lifting his nose into the air. He rolled his tongue across his bloodied lips. “Here kitty, kitty.” He said. “Some of the best kitty I’ve ever had.”
“You son of a bitch.” Jack said, but this time Eric was the one to hold Jack back.
“That’s exactly what he wants.” He said.
“It’s just a shame I didn’t get to taste Riley.” He sang out. “Should’ve killed her when I was getting paid.”
Jack and Eric looked over at the tiger still contained in the cage and apart from the enclosure where Ringo stood. The cat talked in her own language, pausing only long enough to let out a long low hiss. She exposed her feline weapons. The sound as well as the sight was frightening, but it suited Ringo, the hunter, the killer, and the rapist.
“Bring her on boys.” Ringo drawled as saliva rolled down his lips. “I’ll see you on the other side.”
“Open the gate.” Eric said to Jack. He stared into Ringo’s eyes. “Open the gate.” His voice was both eerie and calm.
Jack hesitated. Once he opened, the gate there’d be no turning back.
“No Jack.” Eric said suddenly.
Jack thought for an instant Eric had changed his mind. So did Ringo. His laugh cut into the air like razors, slicing, cutting, and destroying.
“I knew you didn’t have it in you pussy boy.” Ringo taunted. The expression on his face so twisted and distorted it was blatant insanity.
“You’re wrong you piece of shit.” Eric said. Jack stepped aside, letting Eric take control. “I’ll open the gate.”
Jack let go of the lever. The cat growled again, rolling her lips back into an angry snarl. The two of them stared at each other as if coming to some sort of understanding. Then the cat turned her head in the direction of the exit and waited for her release. Eric smiled at Ringo and pulled the lever.
Before the gate was a quarter of the way up, the cat began clawing to get out. She rushed the gate in a frenzied state and Ringo froze. The tiger darted out, circling the enclosure several times. Jack and Eric stood back in a hushed awe as the cat moved around the parameter of her yard. Then she dropped her nose to the ground. She stopped several times to lick at the blood. Her chocolate stripes, moving with her sleek body.
“This hunt is over.” Eric’s voice trailed off to a whisper.
Ringo laughed, turning to face the cat waiting for movement from her prey. She crouched down low on the ground to begin her hunt. For the first time in a long time, the big cat had live prey.
Jack turned away first, climbing into the Denali parked adjacent to the tigers holding area. Eric was close behind. He started the engine. Jack cranked up the CD player and air conditioning and looked away.
The first signs of dawn were beginning to appear on the horizon as the sun began to rise. Rock formed mountains quickly became silhouettes in the Arizona sky. The airtight closure of the doors drowned out any outside sounds as Eric drove the SUV down the long drive of the conservatory. Neither one of them looked off to the side.
They caught the 66 in silence, heading toward Prescott. They were ten miles from the ranch when Eric finally spoke.
“You don’t think he could have…..” Eric started to say, but Jack interrupted.
“No.”
“Maybe we should’ve stayed. To be sure.”
“Impossible”. Jack said. Then a slight hint of doubt crept through him, making his blood feel icy. “I’ll have John handle it. That way we’ll be sure.”
Eric nodded. “I’m probably going to go away for a while, but I’ll be back.”
“I’ll take good care of her.” Jack said.
SEVENTY-ONE
The lake in front of her was beautifully peaceful. The lake cabin was the very thing Jack wanted to show her. This was where Riley wanted to be. She took comfort in the sound of hooves in the sand as she watched from atop the railing of the round pen. As the sun began to set in the west, she separated the purples from the blues and the oranges from the yellows in the sky. The past few weeks had been quiet and unlike before, She welcomed the peacefulness. For now there is nothing to fear, but fear its self and if she had to put names on them, she could. However, Jack and Eric assured all of them Ringo would never return, ever. She never asked for details.
Riley didn’t know the particular of what happened the night Shay was murdered or where Eric and Jack disappeared too. They came back to the ranch later that morning and five days later, they attende
d Shay’s celebration of life as well as the others. Jack told her, she was safe, but then he doesn’t know her ex-husband. Mark pops into her mind every now and again and though her worries over Ringo are gone, she fears the unknowing.
Eric left a day after Shay’s Celebration of Life. He left Riley a note, leaving without saying goodbye. She wouldn’t have let him go otherwise and he knew it. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going just that he had something he needed to do. He’d asked if they’d look after Jonah until he returned. That was almost six months ago. Since then Riley was having reoccurring dreams of Mark, a man with a dragon tattoo, and dying in a horrible crash. It was more than that though. Lately she’d been able to see things, little things, before they actually happened. She hadn’t told Jack, but he’d woken her from every single bad dream, telling her it was okay. I’m not so sure he was right. I feel something coming. She sensed they were all in danger, but there was nothing definitive about her reasoning. I just know. All she could do was take one day at a time and wait for it to happen.
The sound of the pony brought her back to the present. She let the voices embrace her glancing over at Jonah curled up in a ball, napping on his blanket in the shade. Safe. All is well today.
“Look Riley, I can make her gallop.” Megan nudged the pony and she responded to Megan’s request, breaking into a lope.
She and Jack clapped. Megan smiled patting the chestnut coat with her fingers.
“She rides like you.” Jack said, jumping down off the fence and into the round pen.
Megan pulled the pony in and Jack took the reins.
“So what do you think? You like her?” Jack asked Megan.
Megan let out that little squeal. A squeal that she’s beginning to outgrow, but it slips out on occasion.
Not Alone: The Beginning (The Fighter Series Book 1) Page 31
