Alice looked at Billy sitting against the wall and said, “Billy, I’m sorry, but if Willy and Bonnie turn up dead, I will never forgive myself after all he has done for us. I believe these rangers might want to help Willy if they can.” Turning to the rangers Alice said, “We know that Willy took something that belonged to McDonald. McDonald is here in Texas to kill him. Willy also knew a man by the name of LaSalle who is also associated with the mob in Chicago.”
The Chief stood looking at the two. He then said, “We will do what we can to keep your guardian angel from getting himself killed. If he calls you, tell him to come in. We will help him put McDonald away. He needs to come clean and we will do what we can for him. If you need to talk to us call the number on this card and ask for Captain Eastman. He will know what to do.”
“Mr. Parks, you have a customer at the pump. Go ahead and take care of business,” Lightfoot said. As they left Lightfoot turned back to Alice. With a smile he tipped his hat and said, “I want to welcome you both to Texas.” Alice smiled back at the dark skinned Indian with the long braid down his back.
Across the busy highway behind a large pile of gravel and sand used to refinish the road, Willy sat and watched the rangers get in their car and head north. Getting back in the old truck, he drove up to the station. Billy stood shocked to see him drive up.
Willy said, “Hey! What kind of service is this, you should have been filling her up by now!” Billy was confused and stuttered as he pointed to the highway the rangers had just left on.
“I know Billy,” Willy said. “It’s a good thing I pulled over in that construction site and watched your place before I came in.” Another customer drove up to the pumps and Willy went to the office where Alice stood waiting for him to come in the station. While Billy serviced the truck, Alice explained the visit with the rangers.
“Alice, you did just fine. The truth was all that was necessary. I’m headed home but McDonald is probably on this same highway headed for Huntsville. You watch for a car with Illinois license plates. Should they pull in here, Smitty would recognize you and Billy right away,” Willy stated. “I’ll talk with Mr. Jackson. I think it would be wise to let him take care of the pumps for a week or two. You and Billy need to keep a low profile. If this thing goes sour on me, I want you two to help Bonnie all you can. I tried to convince her to leave but she refused. I’m going home and insist she come stay with you for a few days.”
“Tell Bonnie I would love for her to stay with me. I will have her room all ready. Willy, how can I thank you for all you have done for Billy and me? I have a real home. I’m so happy,” Alice said smiling.
Willy took two letters from his pocket and handed them to Alice and said, “This letter is for you and Billy. If you have not heard from me in seven days, open this letter and do as it instructs you to do. Mail this one at the same time. Alice, this is very important. Do just as it has instructed. Remember one week from today, you open your letter and mail this one.”
“Willy, please let it go; stop what you are doing before it is too late,” Alice pleaded.
“My dear sweet Alice…it is too late.” Removing his hat and bowing low, he said, “I am past the point of no return. You must not hinder what I am doing. If you do, Bonnie and I will be in grave danger. Now there is one other thing I want you to do for me.”
Driving back to Huntsville, Willy drove through the parking lot of the County Line Inn. He found what he was looking for…several cars with Illinois plates. Leaving the motel, he headed for the first phone booth he could find.
C60 - The Hunt
Captain Eastman sat in his office looking at the Houston paper. His intercom was on and Chief Lightfoot stood in a telephone booth in Huntsville. Eastman said, “Interesting fact in this article is the amount of blood found in the truck. Given the amount of blood found, I would bet someone died. The bullet holes in the truck were all small arms fire except the one shot that penetrated the truck. It hit behind the driver seat and that was a high-powered rifle. One of the drivers arrested with LaSalle said they had picked up the trucks in Memphis, Tennessee, so they were coming from the south.”
“Captain, you think they came from down here?” Lightfoot asked.
“It would make sense. Didn’t Baker say he was thinking of going in the trucking business? Chief, you need to take a look around the Baker’s place and see what you can turn up. Now I need to talk to our friends in Chicago. This conversation should be interesting,” Eastman said.
Detective Hadley walked into the precinct house uneasy. He had been informed to get back to the squad room on the double. Sitting in the office of his chief was a detective from internal affairs. This did not look good at all.
“You want to see me, Captain?” Hadley asked.
When he walked in, they had been talking in low tones. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Drumming his fingers on his desk, deep in thought, the Captain never looked up. “Detective Hadley, these men are from internal affairs. They want to discuss your affiliation with a gangster by the name of McDonald.” Hadley opened his mouth to say something when the captain pointed his finger at him and said, “They want to discuss your recent bank deposit.” Hadley sat down hard and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
C61 - A Friend to Remember
“Hello, Artie,” the voice in the receiver said. “It is nice to hear your voice. I have surely missed you, Boy. We had some good times, didn’t we, Artie?” Willy’s fast talk confused Artie and for a moment the telephone was quiet.
“Yeah, we sure did,” Artie said.
“How is McDonald treating you these days?” Willy asked.
“Okay, but sometimes he sure can be grouchy,” Artie said.
Smitty and McDonald both turned, wondering who Artie could be talking too. Smitty shrugged at McDonald and looked amused.
“You were always my friend. I sure miss you,” Artie said.
“It’s good to talk to you, Artie, but you better let me talk to the old grumpy crook,” Willy said with a chuckle.
“It sure is good to talk to you, too, Willy!” Artie said.
Hearing the name of his arch enemy, McDonald jumped to his feet as Artie announced, “Hey, Boss! Wil…ly, …”
“Give me that phone, you idiot!” As quickly as he got the receiver in his hand McDonald screamed into the phone, “Willy, is that you?” His throat was tight, and his voice had a high pitch. The effect was comical but no one in the room was about to laugh.
“Hello, Mac,” Willy said nonchalantly.
McDonald responded quickly, “Don’t call me Mac, you chiseler...When I get my hands on you, I will…”
“Calm down, Mac! You could have a heart attack getting your blood pressure up like that. Listen McDonald, I want to make this all right and I have a present for you,” Willy said.
“What I want from you is your head on a platter. That’s the only present I want from you,” McDonald said seething.
“Okay, but I have a big truck loaded to the gills with merchandise. You could recoup your losses and still make a lot of money from this one truck…it’s a nice load,” Willy stated.
“Willy, I’m going to thump you and that broad you run with! You hear me, Baker?” McDonald shouted into the receiver.
“Mac, you’re talking about my wife and you know she had nothing to do with this. Besides she is going to have a baby,” Willy said.
“I don’t care what she is having…you brought this down on your own head!” McDonald yelled.
“McDonald, be reasonable, I will give you the truck, if you will leave Bonnie out of this,” Willy said.
“Begging won’t do you no good. You cost me a fortune. I want the money you got for the other two trucks. What about that banker you sent Binky to? I want that money back as well. You do that…we talk. Other than that, you and the broad are dead. You hear me...dead,” McDonald shouted.
“The buyer double crossed me, and I got nothing…You want that last truck or
not?” Willy asked.
“Yes, I want the truck, you…you!” McDonald was beside himself with anger.
“Okay, let me hear you say you will leave Bonnie alone. I will give it to you before I leave town. If you don’t give me your word, I will burn it,” Willy said flatly.
“Okay chiseler, you have a deal, but you are a dead man no matter how long it takes,” McDonald stated.
“You stay by the phone until I call you with the location of the truck,” Willy said.
“Okay, Baker, but you might as well shoot yourself. I will surely find you if it takes me the rest of my life,” shouted McDonald.
“I hear you, Mac. So, keep your shirt on. I will be calling you shortly,” Willy said. Hanging up the phone, Willy headed home. It was time to get Bonnie out of harm’s way.
C62 - A Long Shot
Judd finished cleaning the rifle and rolled it over in his hands. He knew this rifle. Bart didn’t remember he had known Bart’s father. This was without a doubt a work of art. It was the perfect sniper rifle. Bart was dumb, but he had to know he had just given him a J.B. Waller rifle. Removing the stock plate, Judd found what he was looking for. The order number that all Waller rifles start with. He thought back over the years and frowned. I bet if I had the time to back track this requisition number it would lead to Bart’s father Marshal Wells. Judd’s only question at this point was could Ed Weeks be a part of this setup. A dark cloud seemed to mask his face and he smiled. Bart was stupid to try and pull this. The identification number behind the stock plate would lead the rangers back to his father who died years ago. Picking up the sack with the ammunition, he thought. ‘Now just whose fingerprints are all over these shells?’
Dressed in fatigues, Judd made his way to the crest of the hill opposite the Baker farm. This was the best place to observe the activities below. On the way from Huntsville he had stopped by his place to sight in the rifle. The ammunition he had carefully loaded himself. Judd was a remarkable shot and with his special loads he was always sure of a kill. Laying in the brush Judd watched the farmhouse. Adrenalin began to flow. He was in his element and the hunt was all consuming. From his position he mentally calculated the distance. In the military he had been called upon to make shots this far with a high rate of success. Laying in the bush his mind wandered while the scope scanned the scenery. Too bad this wasn’t hunting season. This could be mistaken as a hunting accident, especially a shot at this distance. Judd grinned to himself. The price tag to get Bart out of this jam had been a fair sum. Bart was up to his eyeballs in something and it wouldn’t be hard to figure out.
One shot and he would head home and lay low for a while. The ranch needed his attention since the war. Now it was time to refocus on getting money coming in again. McDonald was the starting point he had needed.
There was nothing visible at his location. Judd had been a master at hiding in the forests of Europe and the excitement of the hunt came back to him. For hours he scanned the farm through a set of binoculars laying in a cool shady spot. The hot summer day drew on and insects buzzed around him. His binoculars revealed a farmyard alive with color; flower beds that wrapped the yard and a white picket fence had been built across the front of the house. A woman’s creative touch always adds to a place. It never looked this good when old man Waters owned the place. A drop of sweat coursed down his nose and dripped into the sandy soil below his chin. In this summer heat, even the birds had ceased their singing. A noisy truck made its way along the gravel lane and pulled up in front of the house. For a minute, two women sat in the truck letting the dust cloud settle before getting out. From the hilltop he watched the two women taking packages and groceries from the truck bed before parting company. The blond-headed woman continued along the road alone.
Judd wiped his dry lips and reached for the canteen he carried on hunting trips. He decided; these were two of the finest women he had ever seen. The Parker girl was sure a looker. Hours slowly passed with no activity at the house.
Scanning the windows of the house, he occasionally caught a glimpse of the black-haired beauty as she busied herself from room to room. The intrusion on her privacy excited him and he enjoyed the game he was playing. Laying the rifle down, he settled back in the brush and wished for a little breeze. An hour later the sound of a truck making its way along the road came to him. Again, he watched a tall black-haired man step out of the truck and was greeted by old man Waters big dog and a red pup. This was his man for sure. He fit the description and was a new man in town. Opening the front gate, the target made his way to the porch swing where the black-haired girl sat waiting for him.
Willy said, “Flowers, flowers everywhere. You sure have transformed this place into a garden.”
“I just wish I could keep that red pup out of my flower beds,” she said.
Placing his arm around her he said, “Coming home to you is the nicest part of the trip.”
“Are you here to stay?” Bonnie asked.
“I came to get you out of here for a few days,” Willy replied.
“I told you I was not going to leave my home,” Bonnie said emphatically.
“Bonnie, I’m not asking you to leave. Just go visit a couple of old friends for a week,” Willy stated.
“Who?” she asked.
“Alice and Billy,” Willy said with enthusiasm.
“You are kidding, aren’t you?” Bonnie questioned.
“Nope! They live in Texas now and are expecting you!” Willy said.
More questions from Bonnie, “They live in Texas? I guess you will explain how they got here?”
“It was part of my overall plan in Chicago. I couldn’t leave them there, knowing they would be back on the bottom without us to help them! So, I bought a service station on route 45 and set them up there. I intend to make the place into a truck stop later. The owner is training Billy and Alice to run the place before he leaves,” Willy explained.
Bonnie sat astonished at what she was hearing. She said, “How wonderful! Willy you are the most thoughtful man I have ever met!”
Willy beamed when he got her approval. As the porch swing squeaked back and forth, he explained how the two got to Texas. Willy said, “I couldn’t leave them behind; they would never make it without us.”
“Willy, you are a good-hearted man. Which is one of the things I adore about you!” Bonnie said with a big smile. “What do you think will happen to our place if I leave?”
“Everything will be fine! Ellis and Silas will take care of the animals. You are only leaving the place for a few days. I will complete my business in a couple of days and come get you. McDonald knows we live in Huntsville and is now here looking for us. Without you to worry about, I will be able to function better. Just stay out of harm’s way for a few days and it will all be over,” Willy stated.
As he explained to her how to get to Billy’s station, Willy never suspected the cross hairs of a scope were watching them. ‘Elevation & wind-age! Elevation & wind-age!’ Judd thought. Ten inches high and one squeeze of the trigger and he could drop this gent shooting over the head of the beauty that sat by him. Judd was a patient hunter and the woman was too pretty to shoot. He had time and would wait for the perfect shot.
Epilogue
The curse of the Baker family seemed endless. It appeared to center around Willy’s past, present and future. It was evident his time on this earth was going to be shortened, and at this point precious little could be done to change that. His sins would also bring down the wrath on Bonnie and her family.
Cousin Jesse Rash, on the other hand, had to find a way to live with all the problems he caused others. Hardly anything could be done to straighten out the problems he caused those who had dealings with him.
There is a point after which there is no turning back or repentance. Judd Smith never knew he had reached that point. He did what he wanted or felt he needed to do without any consideration to the possible consequences of his actions.
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Previews
A real page-turner that holds you spell bound as you slip into the world of love, money and evil. As the plot thickens, you can only imagine what is yet to come.
Lynda B.
After having the privilege of reading Book 1: Always Have a Plan, I could not wait to find out the outcome of several characters whose fate was in the balance from the first novel...and it was worth the wait! Nonstop drama, human characters with real world problems and satisfying endings that left me still wanting more!
Robert N.
Book 2 of Doing Time in Texas is a roller coaster ride of an adventure. Filled with action, the story brings you close to vivid characters you can actually visualize. It's endearing and so exciting you won't want to put it down!
Nancy J.
The journey's end is next! Don't miss it!
C1 - Starting Over
Ronald Joseph “Beaver” Watson stepped into the sunlight and heard the metallic sound of the gates close behind him. Turning, he remembered the day he had checked into the Huntsville prison shackled to one Willy Baker. For him, the past years of confinement had been a lifetime. This was a passage of time in both sorrow, regret and shame. Sullen and bitter, he had entered his first day of prison. Today he stood in the warm sunshine allowing it to bathe his face. ‘I’m going to get this right! Today will be the first day in a new life and I will start from scratch and make it a good one!’ Once he had been a happy man with a pretty wife and child. Alcohol and bad company had turned that marriage into a disaster. Every morning of his incarceration he had swung his feet from his bunk. His first thoughts being of the family he no longer had. The grief had slowly subsided, but the emptiness would never go away. He had seen the relief on his wife’s face when the judge had given him five years instead of probation. The sentence had shattered his pride and touched a cold heart. He could never forgive himself for treating such a precious woman so badly. The only good thing in his life had lost all respect and questioned her love for him. The drunken nights had cost him her trust and a daughter he ached to see.
Doing Time In Texas, Book 2 Page 24
