“Can you make out anything on the guy?” Bill had to know as much as he could.
“Look yourself. Face wasn’t too bad but it did melt a little. The rest of the guy is a mess. I figure we’ll have to wait for the coroner to open the wrapping.” The cop was being pretty straightforward. “But the yard worker was looking around for more bodies when he found some burnt rags and this book in a boxcar.”
“Can I see it?” Bill reached forward.
“Sure, you seem to know more about these guys than we do.”
Bill stepped forward into the floodlight. Leaning down, he looked at the face, turning his head sideways to get a straight-on look. Shit. He’d seen this guy before. Where? He flashed through the images from the week, and it hit him. This was the guy he’d seen on that other freight train as they passed each other in Spokane.
He’d had a bad feeling about the guy back then, and now here he was, killed in some bizarre fashion. He was sure this had to be another high-ranking Raildog.
He’d give anything to see the inside of the victim’s wrist but knew that wasn’t happening. This body was going to a lab. Period. For some reason he thought of the rider he’d just seen heading out of town on the passenger train. He shook his head to clear it. He didn’t need distractions.
He didn’t want to wait for autopsy results either. If he missed catching the leader here, he was down to whoever the number two Raildog was, and that meant Phoenix. He thought about the intense stare of the rider that was dressed all in black. “Can someone check out my hit criteria in the system and call me about this guy’s results?”
Bill left his cell number before heading back towards the southbound tracks. He quickly checked the small black book into his inside coat pocket, hopefully he’d be long gone before they discovered he hadn’t returned it.
“Where you going?” One of the officers yelled at his back.
“Phoenix.” There was only one left.
*****
Texas
Sam Dorson struggled to the top of the stacked containers at the rear of the train. He wanted to get up as high as possible where he would be able to see well and to hide even better. Once on top, he inched over to look down the side.
Two groups of men were walking down the train, searching inside the cars. There were too many of them to be cops. Someone yelled from the other side and Sam inched over that way.
Damn it. He watched three Raildogs jump out of the car where he’d left the woman and start towards the other men. As the group spread out it became apparent his guys were out-numbered. Sam didn’t move a muscle.
The three Raildogs realized their mistake too late and were quickly surrounded. He tried to look away when he saw the clubs and bats, but couldn’t stop himself watching as his crew was beaten to a pulp.
The newcomers surrounded the door to the boxcar where he had stashed the woman and one of them climbed in. The last of his men was thrown out into the crowd, he didn’t fair any better than the first three.
Sam kept watching, he wanted to see what happened to the woman. She’d been something else. He was surprised when she was helped off the train, the newcomers giving her room as she got down.
It hit him that they were a little late to the rescue. Then he couldn’t believe his luck. He’d known there was something about her, obviously something special if this many people came looking. How did they know where to look?
Then Sam realized the woman’s boyfriend must have had a hand in this; which made him wonder about his other men who had jumped off the train to deal with him earlier. Shit, how many men did he have left?
He smiled to himself, he’d had her while he could. Yes sir, he did.
When the men fanned out to check the last boxcars, walking around the end of the train, Sam rolled to the center of the container and lay on his back staring at the sky. He didn’t move at all. He hardly breathed. As the group headed back to the front of the train, he dropped his head back down against the cold steel in relief.
Once the train started to move again Sam realized they had been stopped at one of hundreds of road crossings that littered the rail line.
As the train picked up speed, rumbling through the intersection, he could see a pair of dump trucks alongside the road. A number of pickup trucks were already leaving.
Sam was shaken. These guys had the balls to stop a train. They must have put out lights that the engineer saw, with the trucks on the rail the train had no choice but to stop. Balls, that’s for sure.
Chapter 15
Phoenix, Arizona
David arrived in Phoenix and headed right for the east-west lines. He knew the number two Raildog didn’t venture far from his section, and spent more time on the rails than the other bosses.
Phoenix or Houston? One end, or the other? Where was he? David knew the run always came west to start the month and he wondered if he had missed his target.
Knowing where they hung out and where they jumped off the trains was helpful, and David set himself up where he could watch for a while. When midnight came and went he was confused. Pulling out his little book, he rechecked his data. The train was late. What the hell?
He didn’t want any surprises at this point. Everything was too close to a conclusion. Shifting around in his hiding spot, he was getting uncomfortable and pissed off. He didn’t need this aggravation. His tight schedule didn’t need any last second changes.
An hour later David was still vigilant. Trains came and went, but he still wasn’t seeing the one he was watching for, then he heard one slowing as it approached the station.
There it was, late, but finally here. This one came all the way from Houston. It had potential. Scrambling down from his vantage point, he worked his way closer to the track. He used the shadows to move towards the old building knowing where the gang usually hung out.
David had already identified where the outgoing eastbounders were parked and he’d set his trap well. Now he just needed a body. When the train was almost stopped he realized that anyone on board should have jumped by now. He was almost ready to give up, then he saw a flicker of movement.
A figure dropped down out of a car and landed crouched beside the track, pausing to look both ways before straightening and starting to walk. It was obvious the guy was alert, he was swiveling his head to look around, checking over his shoulder. Did he have some warning? David didn’t think so, but he had to expect anything.
When the guy turned away from the train, angling across the tracks towards the old building, he knew it was time. He wouldn’t be able to make a positive I.D. until the man was closer and he was able to get a better look.
A quick breath for calming; a flex of the shoulder muscles to get the juices going; and David stepped out of the shadows.
“Hey man.”
The figure stopped short and stared. He was clearly caught off guard. David watched the assessment going on and knew the guy was calculating distances. Jesus, he was a big bastard.
“Who are you? You looking for trouble?” The big guy seemed drained, tired.
“No way man. Cliff sent me. We got problems.” David pulled up his sleeve slightly and rolled his wrist over to reveal the tattoo. He was sure he had the number two man standing in front of him.
“You’re a Raildog?” The man seemed to relax, “Shit. I though I was going to have to kick your ass.”
“No, I don’t want that. I’m here to get you.”
“What you mean, get me?”
“There’s a big meeting. Bobby went up to pick up Cliff and then over to get Doug. They’re heading to Houston and we’re supposed to meet them there.” David tried to make it simple.
“Why the meeting? Why didn’t someone just call me about it?” The guy didn’t sound convinced.
“I can’t help much there. I’m new, but he said no phones and all the bosses.” David kept a straight face. He didn’t want to give anything away.
The guy looked down, tilted his head so he could get another l
ook at David’s wrist and then shrugged. “So we’re supposed to get right back on a train east?”
“Yes sir, there are a few of us already on the train waiting for you. It should head out in an hour or so.” David started to walk towards the eastbound lines. He looked back at the number two, “This way sir.”
*****
Phoenix, Arizona
Sam rode further into the station than usual. He was on high alert. He still had a vision of the Mexican gang walking along the tracks as he hid on top of the container car.
From his vantage point he’d seen the crumpled and twisted bodies of his crew that had been dragged into the ditch. As the train started moving he’d just stared at the four forms on the way past.
So he was worried about more attackers and wasn’t taking chances. As the train rolled to a stop he stuck his head out and looked both ways. He jumped down and looked both ways again, before starting towards the hangout. He needed to see if anyone was there.
The guy speaking to him from the dark had jump-started his adrenaline, his eyes darted back and forth but didn’t see anyone else. When he got talking and realized it was a Raildog, he was surprised how much his nerves relaxed.
The guy’s story about a meeting was a little strange, but the fact there were other Raildogs around was reassuring. Extra men around would be good.
“You coming?”
The guy was leading him towards the eastbound lines. Sam didn’t know the tattoos went over one hundred, but the guy said he was with Cliffy and he was the one running the numbers. He had no idea how many members there were these days. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.”
A little relieved, Sam walked along behind the guy, stepping over the rail lines. The guy kept looking back as he went and eventually he slowed down until he was beside him as they walked, “Glad to meet another boss. Never been down this way before. Names Dan.”
Sam looked up. Something about what the guy had just said didn’t make sense, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. He was trying to place it, “Welcome to the Raildogs Dan.”
Sam didn’t notice he was now ahead of the guy as he looked up at the doors of the boxcars expecting to see the other Raildogs. Suddenly it hit him like a brick. The guy had said that the train east would be leaving in a few hours. How did he know that if he’d never been in the area before?
Examining the boxcars, he didn’t hear a single voice and he sure didn’t see anybody. He was getting a bad feeling and turned to question the fucker behind him. That’s as far as he got. The metal bar hit him hard in the front of the head. Falling backwards he saw the bar in the guy’s hands and thought to himself, I’ve seen that thing, it was leaning against the train a few cars back.
Shit, I’m in trouble. And then the world went black.
*****
El Paso, Texas
“Thank you,” Maria whispered. The miles flew by as the pick-up truck raced down the highway. Being squashed between two strange men was both disconcerting and in some strange way, comforting. Occasionally her rescuers talked over top of her head, exchanging words in Spanish, raising their voices above the music pouring from the cross-border station on the radio. Slowly, she relaxed back into the solid warmth of the shoulders pinning her to the seat.
“It’s okay Maria. We’ll get you to Raul.” The driver was apologetic. It was taking longer than he would have liked, but they stayed off the interstate highways whenever they could. The hundreds of back roads along the border, through the lower states were endless. The gang knew them all like the backs of their hands.
She hadn’t had time yet to replay the events in her head, but the images were starting to slip into her consciousness. She shivered and pulled her hoodie tight.
Why couldn’t they have stopped the train earlier? Sharply she pulled herself up, she realized that wasn’t the way to look at it. Thank God they stopped things when they did. She had to be grateful. The next thing on her mind was Raul. What would he think of her now? She felt like garbage, as dirty as she could get. Silently she fought back the tears.
“How long before we’re there?”
“Soon, Maria. Soon.” The driver grabbed his phone off the dash and thumbed a number. “¡Hola, Raul?”
Maria couldn’t hear the voice on the other end but listened to the driver, “Yes, we have her. No problem man, anything for you.”
The conversation went back and forth, “Okay, we’ll watch for you on the west side of the yard. Another hour at most.”
“See Maria, we are close now.” The driver was still trying to reassure her.
She struggled with mixed emotions. She was away from those bastards, but she still had to face Raul. And he still needed to find out what happened.
Her small fists clenched tightly on her lap as she stared straight ahead out the window.
*****
El Paso, Texas
Raul sat with his back against the old warehouse, waiting for his friends to bring him his Maria. He’d almost lost her, and that would have haunted him for years. He couldn’t believe this shit had happened so close to home.
He was glad he was able to call on them to help. Raul’d set up some of the gangs on this side of the border, and had worked with others before accepting the job in New York. Connections had paid off big this time. He wished he could have been there when they found her just to get his own piece of the big guy in the jean jacket. He stood up on the dock so the three pick-up trucks rumbling across the open field could see him.
Sure enough, the trucks caught him in their lights and headed off to find an entrance. Soon they were driving along the tracks and stopping as near as they could. Ten or more guys jumped out of the trucks and started walking his way. Raul watched intently for Maria.
He recognized a few of the men, and became distracted with greetings, “Hey Raul, long time no see.”
“You too Hector.” It was good to see a bunch of his own. Raul hugged the old friend. “Where is she?”
“Right here.” Hector turned and realized they were boxed in with gangsters. ”Let her through you fools.”
He watched the men spread apart and there she was, standing at the back of the group. He could see from her eyes something had happened. She looked like she was trembling, almost afraid.
Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around her. Holding her was all he needed right now. He felt her relax in his arms, the stiffness of her spine letting go as she leaned into him. He didn’t understand her hesitance, the fear in her eyes.
He needed some space. “We’ll be right back.”
The parked train offered a wall. He squeezed through to the other side, pulling her along behind. Away from spectators, it was just the two of them now, he turned to face her and tried to look into her eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
He saw something there in the moment before she looked away. She was holding something back. Reaching out, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. Hugging her tightly, he tried to settle her down.
Raul pushed her hood back and put his head down into the soft corner where her neck and shoulder joined, kissing her there. As he pulled away he noticed the dress under the hoodie and froze. What was this? When did she put it on? He had a number of bad thoughts all at once as he leaned back to look her in the face.
There it was again. The fear in her eyes. She was watching him closely and he realized she knew that he knew. She was waiting to see how he reacted. This was important to her. And it was important for them.
This time he pulled her gently close, cradling her against his chest. She tried to speak, but he just said, “Shh,” resting his chin on her head.
She started to shake again and began to cry. He heard the words, “Thank you, Raul.”
His own eyes blurred, “I love you, Maria.”
The sound of an approaching train jarred him back to the present. He watched the train slow down as it pulled alongside them. Before it was co
mpletely stopped, three strangers jumped off and headed straight towards them.
He was already angry enough to deal with these guys himself. He wanted to hurt someone. But with Maria there, the decision was easy. He stepped back through the gap between railcars and called out in Spanish. “Take care of these bastards on the other side of the train.”
Raul walked Maria towards the pick-up trucks as his friends climbed under and around the boxcar, sprinting towards the newcomers.
*****
El Paso, Texas
Danny and his new companions stood at the boxcar door as the train rolled into El Paso. His confidence and the belief he belonged in the gang had grown steadily along the way.
In his mind he practiced what he would say to the Raildog’s leader when they got a chance to talk. He couldn’t wait to become an official member. Then he knew he was going to have some fun. This was his time to kick ass and take whatever he wanted.
“People on the tracks.” A yell from his fellow Raildog broke through Danny’s thoughts.
“Right on. It’s a couple man. We can get some ass.” The gangster was excited.
Danny took a second to figure out what the guy meant. Then he understood. Shit, these guys took women whenever they felt like it too.
“Let’s go.” The two Raildogs jumped off the train. Danny landed behind and took off running right past them, towards the couple.
He saw the guy step through between the cars, they were starting to get away and Danny ran harder. This dude wasn’t going to escape. His shoes pounded on the gravel, his lungs bellowing as he gave it everything he had. Danny was almost on him when someone else stepped out to confront him from the same spot.
He hit the new guy hard, slamming him against the side of the train car. Danny bounced off the guy and shuffled a couple steps to catch his balance. The second one through the gap caught him off guard. As he took a half step back the guy landed against the side of his legs and knocked him down to the ground, partially pinning him.
Conscious of the voices yelling, Danny realized more men were coming through between the train cars. He scrambled backwards to get out from underneath his attacker and back to his feet as he searched to see where the Raildogs were.
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