Sintown Chronicles I: Behind Closed Doors

by David O. Dyer, Sr.

  “Will it now? Well, I wouldn't want to rape you.” He backed away, releasing her. “Let's have that cup of coffee. It smells delicious."

  She grabbed her bra. “If you cover up those huge tits I'll beat the shit out of you,” he snarled. “You'll probably abort the bastard and Sean wouldn't like that. Now pour the damn coffee."

  She felt humiliated. Her mind raced, but she found no way out of the dilemma. They carried mugs of coffee back to the living room and Tim sat next to her on the sofa. He put his left arm around her, pulling her close as he fondled her left breast.

  “As I said, we have some loose ends to tie up. First of all, I like screwing you. You're a choice piece of ass and Sandra hasn't spread her legs for me but four times since the baby was born. Even then, spread her legs was all she did. I was happy to pay you five thousand a month in return for screwing you once a week. That should prove how choice I think you are. You may be ready to give it up, but I'm not."

  “Is your wife ... Sandra ... is she not good in bed?” Penny asked, wondering why his stroking fingers were not arousing her.

  “Hell, Penny. In her day, she was a damn fucking machine. Your best against her best would be no contest. Something snapped when Tim Junior came along."

  “Work on it, Tim. Send her roses. Take her dining and dancing. Compliment her. Give her gifts. Tell her how much you love her."

  “Don't you think I've tried all of that?” he said. His hand became a steel trap on her breast. “I even paid your friend, Alfred Young, to work on her."

  “What?"

  “Yeah. He was plying her with drugs that would relax her and remove inhibitions. He hooked her quickly, and it looked like his therapy was beginning to work just when he got himself murdered.” He smiled and looked off in the distance. “When she is asleep, after taking one of his pills, I can do any damn thing with her I want to—and she responds just like she used to. Of course,” he chuckled, “she's mad as hell when she wakes up the next morning and finds my cum leaking out of her."

  “Have you tried simply sitting down and talking with her?"

  “Of course. She'll talk about anything but that. She doesn't understand there's a problem."

  He kept his left hand on her breast, turned slightly towards her and rubbed her swollen belly. He placed his lips on her right nipple and sucked hard on it. “You know what I'm especially looking forward to?” he asked and then continued without waiting for an answer. “I'm looking forward to sucking your tits dry after your milk comes in. Sandy wouldn't let me even have a taste."

  Abruptly he stood and began to pace. “I liked it better when you were the blackmailer and I was the innocent victim, but since the shoe's on my foot now, here's the deal."

  He paused, looked at her, said, “Get naked,” and resumed pacing. “I know everything there is to know about you, going back to the day you were born. I have enough evidence to put you behind bars until you are so old your nipples scrape the floor when you walk. I'll be damned if I understand what you see in Sean Taylor, but I remind you, I can destroy his business with a single snap of my fingers. And baby, I can prove that the father of your bastard is the dummy, Billy Morgan. How do you think Sean will feel about that?” He stopped pacing and glared at her. “Are you getting the picture?"

  Penny nodded as she tossed her panties on top of the pile of clothes on her coffee table.

  “Stretch your legs and give me a nice view,” he demanded as he resumed pacing. “I've bought the motel at the end of Old Charlotte Road, just this side of the Charlotte City limits. You know the one I mean. I've remodeled the place and room 1213 is set up just for me.” He dug in his pocket and placed a key on the table. “You will meet me there every Wednesday at noon.” He whirled around and pointed at her. “And you'll come any other time that I tell you also."

  He paused and concentrated on her crotch. “Looking good, honey,” he leered. “I like the stubble. Let's keep it that way—not shaved but not full-length either. Play with that thing for old Tim."

  Why am I not enjoying this? she wondered. One of my best fantasies is to belong to a domineering lover.

  He watched her moving fingers with satisfaction.

  She felt humiliated.

  “I'm going to continue paying you the five grand a month. It's a fair deal. We're going to become legitimate business partners too."

  “Business partners?” she asked.

  Her voice was anything but breathless. It disturbed him that she did not seem aroused. “Yes, in two ventures. You know I want your property for my housing development. I'll give you a fair price and I have decided to let you keep twenty acres which includes the house and greenhouses."

  “You know that on his deathbed Uncle Amos asked me not to sell the land to you."

  “Yeah,” he sneered, “and I know how much you respect Amos Stones’ memory—going around telling people he's the father of your bastard."

  “You said there were two business deals."

  “The other is very legitimate. Old Amos was onto something when he came up with the greenhouse idea, and it looks to me like he was successful at getting the bugs worked out before he died. Tobacco farmers all over the south need a new revenue crop. I am going to set up the Dollar Produce Company—in fact, I already have. You're going to hold seminars all over the south, telling farmers how they can make a mint growing off-season vegetables. We'll sell them a franchise deal that includes prefabricated greenhouses and a nice little instruction book that you put together. We'll buy produce directly from these farmers at wholesale and sell to the grocery chains and restaurants."

  “I don't know anything about writing."

  “Hell, Penny. Dot is overflowing with writers. You will provide the information and we'll find a writer. Dollar Publishing Company will take care of the printing."

  “If I agree to all this, will you give me a chance to have a decent life with Sean?"

  “That's the deal.” Suddenly, with a single sweep of his arm, Tim cleared the coffee table and pointed at it. “On your back, partner. We're going to do it missionary style today. I want to feel your belly pushing against me."

  “No,” she replied.

  He whirled around. “On your back, slut!"

  “Never again,” she said, stepping into her panties.

  “I'll destroy you, bitch.” He followed her to the kitchen.

  “Maybe,” she said as she fastened her bra and slipped it around her chest to put the fastener on her back and the cups to her breasts. “But maybe not. It's a risk I must take. I have a chance to turn my life around, Tim Dollar, and you and all your money are not going to stop me."

  He tried to reply but the sight of slender fingers stuffing her breasts into the brassiere cups held him spellbound.

  “I will not sell you my land, but I will think seriously about your business proposition. I don't think you will carry out your threat. If you do, your wife will know and so will the entire town."

  * * * *

  “Detective Borders? This is Leora Nickels. I want whoever that woman is who answered the telephone at the Sheriff's Department fired."

  “Calm down, Mrs. Nickels. What happened?"

  “I told her repeatedly that this is an emergency, but she kept putting me off. Even when she admitted you have a cellular phone with you she wouldn't give me the number."

  “If your call is an emergency, let's discuss the incident with the dispatcher later. What's up?"

  “We're moving to a new house today. We ran out of packing boxes so I made a quick trip to the Dot Grocery to see if they had any empties. When I passed Penny Swanson's house there were two cars parked about one hundred feet on either side of her house with men sitting behind each steering wheel pretending to read newspapers. They were still there thirty minutes later on my return trip. I'm afraid..."

  “Me, too,” he interrupted. “What kind of cars were they? Did you get license tag numbers? Can you describe the men?"

  “Because they were inside their cars
and hiding behind newspapers, I couldn't get a good look at the men. All I can tell you is that they are both Caucasian. I don't know cars. They looked like late models to me and both were dark blue. Both cars had North Carolina license tags.” She paused to consult her notes. “One tag was JVA-1408. The other was what they call a vanity plate I guess. It said GOLF2DAY."

  “Do you know if Penny is at home? Are Sean and Billy with her?"

  “I think she probably is at home. I didn't see Sean's car and Billy is helping us move today, but Tim Dollar may be with her. His red Mustang is parked in her driveway."

  “I suspect they have cased the place carefully and were surprised by Tim's arrival. They're probably waiting for him to leave."

  “But why would they come in two cars?” Leora asked. “That's what has me stumped."

  “If something goes wrong, they can make their get-a-way in different directions. It sort of evens the odds. Let's just hope that Mr. Dollar stays with Penny until we can get there. We're at least thirty minutes away."

  “Do hurry, Detective. Penny is really trying to turn her life around."

  “I hope you're right about that, Mrs. Nickels, but I have my doubts. We're on our way. Now listen carefully to me, Leora."

  “Yes sir?"

  “You've done a great job helping us with this case. It looks like we're nearing the end. You leave it up to me from here on out. Don't go getting any ideas. One female hostage is bad enough. Do you understand me?"

  “Yes sir, Detective. Please hurry."

  “I mean it, Leora. I don't want you getting hurt."

  Leora dialed the number for Penny Swanson. There was no answer. She called Sean's office, but the secretary said Sean was in Charlotte.

  Leora hung up the telephone. Her hands were trembling. She removed her glasses, rubbed her eyes, replaced the glasses and lit a cigarette. As she exhaled a stream of smoke, she smiled.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “Randy,” Leora said. “I need to talk with you, Jo and Billy in private."

  Randy, carrying a heavy box of dishes towards the front door, paused and with a little irritation said, “Mom, can't it wait? The movers are here, damn it, and they charge by the hour."

  “No,” she whispered as a workman passed within earshot. “It won't wait. It's an emergency."

  He sat the box down with a sigh and motioned to Jo who was packing the last box of glassware. He glanced around and found Billy descending the folding staircase carrying Jo's computer. “Be careful with that thing, Billy,” Randy called out.

  “Yes, sir. Computers are expensive,” Billy grinned.

  “Put the computer down and come with me. Mother wants to talk with us about something."

  The only empty room where they could find privacy was the bathroom. Leora sat on the commode while Jo and Billy sat on the edge of the bathtub. Randy, propping against the sink, said with disgust showing in his voice, “Okay, Mom. What's so important?"

  “We don't have much time,” Leora began. “Penny's life is in danger."

  “No!” Billy cried out.

  “Keep your voice down, Billy,” Leora cautioned. “All of you listen to me carefully. I've been involved with the investigation of Al Young's murder more than you know. It's a long story and I don't have time to tell it. You have to trust me. After Amos Stone died, Penny found an extremely large sum of money on the farm, apparently the result of a longtime illegal operation. Shortly afterwards Al Young came back into her life."

  “Back?” Jo asked.

  “Yes. They knew each other in Florida. Al was a drug dealer."

  “Mom, your imagination is running away with you,” Randy said impatiently.

  “Penny did find a lot of money,” Billy volunteered.

  Leora nodded. “Al sort of took over Penny's life. He had underworld connections in Charlotte and took a large portion of the money for them to launder. Penny kept some of the money, however. We think Al was murdered for the money."

  “We?” Jo asked.

  “I have been working with Detective Borders on the case. When they found Al's body, he had obviously been tortured. We were afraid that he told the thugs of the money Penny kept before they killed him, but so much time has passed that we became overconfident. This morning, when I went for more boxes, there were two cars parked on Lumbermill Road on either side of Penny's house. There was one man in each car, pretending to read a newspaper. They were still there when I came back."

  “Penny's alone,” Billy fretted. “Sean went to work this morning, but she has Sean's gun."

  “She's not alone, Billy. Mr. Dollar's car is in the driveway. I've called Detective Borders and informed him of all this, but he says he is thirty minutes away. Somehow we have to keep those men out of Penny's house until the deputies can get there."

  “Mother,” Randy said. “It's too dangerous."

  “What's your plan, Leora?” Jo asked.

  “If the men are still in their cars, we will simply go visit Penny and stay there until the deputies arrive."

  “And if they're not?” Randy asked.

  “There is an old logging road beside Penny's house out of sight of the gangsters. You can get to Penny's property through the woods."

  “Is that correct, Billy?” Jo asked.

  Billy nodded.

  “The three of you will sneak to the back door and somehow pry it open. I will go to the front door as if I were visiting to create a diversion."

  “Don't have to pry open the door,” Billy said, producing and displaying a key.

  “Okay,” Randy said. “We slip into the house through the back door. Then what? If your imagination is anywhere close to accurate, these guys will be armed to the teeth."

  “Billy,” Jo said. “You said Sean has a gun?"

  “Yes. He keeps it in the bedside table in the guest bedroom and he keeps the bullets in the bathroom."

  “Where is the bedroom?” Leora asked.

  “Upstairs."

  “Damn,” Randy exclaimed. “Mother, it's just too risky. We'll all get killed."

  “I will go by myself,” Billy said as he jumped up and rushed towards the bathroom door.

  Jo caught him by the belt. “No, Billy. We'll all go. We won't let anything happen to Penny."

  “We must hurry,” Leora said.

  “What about the movers?” Randy protested.

  “For God's sake, Randy,” Jo fumed. “A woman's life is at stake here. Tell the movers an emergency has come up and they'll just have to do the best they can."

  “God help us,” Randy sighed as he led the procession out of the bathroom door.

  * * * *

  The bald, pickle-faced brute flipped open his cellular telephone and jabbed at seven numbers. “Spider, this is Bud."

  “Of course its Bud, you idiot. What do you want?"

  “Did you see that old lady that just drove by?"

  “Yeah."

  “I think that's the second time she's passed us. What if she calls the law?"

  “You worry too damn much. Get off the phone."

  “No, damn it. Let's get it over with. That's probably her boyfriend in there with her. He may not leave for hours."

  “We don't know where the dummy is."

  “Don't matter. We're gonna kill the bitch anyway. May as well kill ’em all."

  “The boyfriend may be armed."

  “Yeah, but it's probably just a popgun. He'll be no match for two AK-47's."

  “Yeah. Okay. Front door or back?"

  “I'd rather sneak up on ’em."

  “Okay. Circle around the house from your side. I'll meet you and we'll slip in the back door."

  “You got your tools?"

  “You think I'm stupid? I don't go nowhere without ’em."

  “Spider?"

  “Yeah?"

  “We could get twenty grand for that Mustang."

  “How the hell are we gonna drive it out of here, you idiot?"

  “We could tow it."

  “Yea
h. We'll see how things go. First things first."

  * * * *

  Both cars pulled into the logging road. Randy and Jo stood silently beside Leora's driver side window and Billy made his way into the woods to find a vantagepoint from which he could see Lumbermill Road as it passed in front of Penny's house.

  “This is crazy,” Randy finally said as his mother lit a cigarette.

  “Let me have one of those,” Jo said.

  “Do you want to get back on cigarettes?” Randy admonished.

  “I guess not,” she sighed.

  “Damn,” Randy said as he kicked at the matted brown pine needles covering the old road. “What difference does it make? In an hour, we'll all be dead anyway. Give us both one, Mom."

  The first puff made both of the younger Nickels slightly dizzy, but by the time they crushed out the cigarettes on the dirt road they were both recaptured by the nicotine habit and felt a little calmer.

  “Here he comes,” Leora said softly.

  “Couldn't see but one car,” Billy informed them. “It was empty."

  “Damn,” Randy exclaimed.

  “Okay, everybody,” Jo said soberly. “This is it. How long does it take to get through the woods to the house, Billy?"

  “Don't know,” he replied. “Just a little while."

  “It took me about ten minutes, but I'm an old woman,” Leora offered.

  “You've done this before?” Randy asked incredulously.

  “Don't ask."

  “Give us ten minutes, Leora,” Jo said. “That should give us enough time to get into the house and find the gun."

  “Mom,” Randy said with eyes watering, “try to avoid going into the house. Stay on the porch if you can. When you hear us in the room, find something to hide behind. There will probably be gunshots, damn it, and I don't want you to be a target or to get hit by a stray bullet. It's been a long time since I fired a handgun."

  The trio disappeared from Leora's sight as she lit another cigarette off the burning end of the one she just finished. “God,” she said aloud. “If you let us get through this thing successfully I promise I'll quit cold turkey."

  Chapter Thirty

  As silently as a limp noodle falling to the kitchen floor Spider inserted two slender instruments into the lock, skillfully maneuvered the tools and smiled smugly as the tumblers fell into place. Using skills acquired as teenaged housebreakers, the two men silently got their bearings. There were voices coming from the front of the house while the remainder of the building remained silent.