Final Target

by Jack Young

  Davy nodded. “I came to see if you could help us out. This is Paden.”

  “Paden?” Big John looked around Davy. “’Sup, Paden? Man, it’s been awhile.”

  Paden stepped around Davy and shook Big John’s meaty hand. Paden was six two and two thirty-five himself, but Big John made him look small.

  Davy pointed between the two. “You guys know each other?”

  Big John smiled and nodded. “Paden used to work at this club I went to back in the day. What was it called?”

  Paden smiled as if remembering those times. “Man, that was a long time ago. Probably what eighteen years ago, I think. I was working at The Diamond Lounge for a couple of years not long after I got out of the Army.”

  Big John nodded as if he, too, was remembering. “Yeah. Diamonds. Yeah that’s what we called it then. Diamonds. They had the best girls in town at the time. This town could use a place like that again. When’s the last time we ran into each other?”

  “It was your birthday party a couple of years ago.”

  “Oh yeah. You and me almost scrapped it out, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  Big John smiled and nodded. “Where you been since then?”

  Paden shrugged. “I’ve been around. Doing this and doing that.”

  “Still working clubs?”

  “A few.”

  “Titty bars?”

  “Sometimes when needed.”

  “Still tracking people down?”

  “Sometimes. Same though. When I’m needed to.”

  “Whose clubs do you work?”

  “Until recently, I worked at a few places for Lanny Clark.”

  “Lanny?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How’s he doing?”

  Paden shrugged. “I don’t work for him anymore.”

  “Really? Since when?”

  “Yesterday.”

  “That recent, huh?”

  “Let’s say we had a difference of opinion and that won’t ever happen again.”

  Davy watched as the two looked at each other seeing the understanding look on Big John’s face. He pointed to the door. “Think we can come in?”

  Big John moved away from the door. “Shit. Yeah, of course. C’mon in both of you.”

  All three walked into Big John’s house. Davy always admired the modesty of the house because Big John was Sean Brady’s Number Two guy and Davy knew Big John had tons of his own money. Most people who had the same wealth status would be flashing it about like Brady, but not Big John. He said it kept the cops and feds from instantly thinking he made his money the less than legal way.

  The house was cozy and neat. Almost so neat and tidy to the point it reminded Davy of a showhouse a realtor would use for potential homebuyers. The walls were covered with picture frames of Big John’s family. His wife, Stacey, died years before Davy hooked up with him, but he knew Big John’s children well. He was in between grades of the oldest two at the same high school. Jimmy was a grade ahead of Davy and Caroline a grade behind. After the Connor thing and staying at Big John’s place often, Davy began seeing those two more at school and soon the three of them became pretty good friends. Over the years, though, they drifted apart. The two younger kids, Ryan and Jordan, were in grade school then and Davy never spent much time around them. Davy enjoyed looking at all the pictures every time he walked by them. There were pictures of Big John and Stacey’s wedding, the weddings of his children, and pictures of his grandchildren. Davy counted ten grandkids total. The house and its décor were definitely not what someone would assume of a rich criminal.

  Big John waved them into the kitchen. “You two want a drink?”

  Both Davy and Paden declined the offer while Big John cracked open a can of beer. “So, what brings you two here for my help?”

  Davy explained how the events at the Target have followed them since, more so for Paden.

  Big John took a long pull of his beer and let out a small burp. “Yeah. That’s some fucked up shit that happened in that parking lot.” He was looking at Davy when he said this. He yawned and pointed at Paden. “So, Paden you want those who killed your woman?”

  Paden’s face was stoic. “Yeah.”

  “And you two think I would know who that was?”

  Davy shrugged. “You know people who know people is all. People I don’t know.”

  “That’s true.” Big John leaned himself against one of the counters in the kitchen, He had his eyes closed and looked almost asleep. “You want these guys dead, Paden?”

  Paden didn’t hesitate. “Yeah.”

  Big John opened his eyes. “I’ll ask around.”

  Paden nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t thank me yet.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I do this for you, I’ll need you to do something for me. That’s how these things go. Right, Davy?”

  Davy was quiet, but nodded in agreement.

  Paden was standing up straight and a couple of feet in front of Big John. “Name it, John, and I’ll do it.”

  Davy almost smacked Paden for volunteering before he knew what he was getting into, but Big John held up his hands, palms forward. “Easy now, Paden. Let me see if I can get you those names first.”

  Paden again nodded. “Okay.”

  “I got the kid’s number.” Big John pointed to Davy. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Davy and Paden both took this as their cue to leave. In the car, Davy became quiet as they drove away. Paden turned the radio down. “What’s wrong?”

  “You have any idea what you’ve agreed to?”

  “No. You?”

  Davy nodded. “I do and I’m sure it won’t be anything pretty.”

  Paden barely touched the food on his plate. He thought he’d be hungrier, but the more his mind wondered about tracking down the guys who killed Joanne, he became less hungry. Davy sat across from him at the booth they shared at Ma’s Griddle and was practically inhaling his food. He didn’t seem to be nervous like Paden.

  They had nothing to go on until they heard back from Big John and Paden began to get apprehensive about whatever it was he agreed to help him with. In his gut, he knew they’d be asked to kill someone. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t killed anyone before. He’d recently killed his sort-of boss and another man. Before then, it was nearly twenty years ago and in self-defense. He wondered if he could commit cold-blooded murder to avenge Joanne’s death.

  “You gonna eat your sandwich?” Davy was pointing his fork at the meatloaf sandwich Paden had ordered. Paden shook his head and pushed his plate towards Davy. It didn’t take long for Davy to devour that sandwich either. He pushed the plate back to Paden. “You really should eat the fries at least.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Davy shrugged. “Could be hours or even tomorrow before Big John gets back to us.”

  “What’s the longest you’ve ever had to wait?”

  “Couple days. Usually, though, he calls me out of the blue for a job.”

  “They all hits?”

  Davy shook his head. “No. Sometimes just a little roughing up of someone or tearing shit up at their home or work.”

  “How many hits have you done?”

  “Enough. Changes you though. You kill anyone?”

  Paden nodded just a little. “Long time ago.”

  “You said something about having been in the Army when we were at Big John’s. Was it then? Did you fight in the war?”

  “No. I got out a couple of years before 9/11.”

  “Didn’t feel like going back in?”

  Paden shook his head. “I was done with the Army and it was done with me.”

  “So, what did you do afterwards. What were you doing when you killed someone?”

  Paden shrugged. “Just the P.I. stuff and work for Lanny.”

  “And you killed someone doing this or was it something else?”

  Paden took a fry and dipped it into some ketchup and ate it. “I found someone who didn’t want findi
ng and he sent some guys after me.”

  “How many?”

  “Two. Came at me outside one of Lanny’s clubs I was working at. Security cameras caught the whole thing. They walked up to me and started shooting. They missed. I didn’t. Thing didn’t even go to court.”

  “You do time for anything else?”

  “Nothing big. I spent a night or two in the drunk tank back in the Army. I try to stay out of the cops’ crosshairs, you know; keep my head down when other shit around me is blowing up.”

  “Way to do it I suppose. I try and stay out of jail as well. Big John pays me enough to not get caught. Problem is, the jobs aren’t as regular as I’d like. I need to stay busy, but not too busy. That’s why I got the job I have at the store.”

  Paden nodded and pointed a fry at Davy. “I knew I’d seen you somewhere before. The store. That must be it.”

  “Probably. I’ve seen you around, too. You’re starting to look familiar to me. I don’t think I’ve been to any of the clubs you work at though. Do you just work at strip joints?”

  “No. Lanny has…I mean, had some regular ones as well I would work.”

  “You’re a pretty big dude. Not as big as John, but I’m sure no one really fucks with you.”

  “Some try. They get a few drinks in them and try to impress some girls or their buddies. Think they’re either Dalton or Wade.”

  Davy smiled at the Road House reference. “I bet. Anyone ever get the best of you?”

  He shook his head. “Not really. Sometimes someone will get a good hit in, but they usually only get the one.”

  Davy laughed at that one and took a long drink of his soda. “So, you know Big John?”

  “We used to cross paths, but it’s been a long time.”

  “You ever do any work for him? You know, like, when he doesn’t use me.”

  “Not really. I just knew him from the clubs. He knew Lanny though, so I may have gotten work indirectly like that. Like I said, my work consisted of snooping on someone or finding someone. When John came to the clubs, he was usually there as one of a few bodyguards for someone else.”

  “Do you remember for who?”

  “Same guy each time I saw him. Guy about my height. White guy. A few years older than me probably. Brownish-reddish hair; looked like he never got any sun.”

  “Sean.”

  “Who?”

  “That sounds like Sean. Sean Brady. His son, Alex, was my best friend in school. Sean hooked me up with Big John.”

  “I know that name. Brady. Owns a bunch of shit around town, right?”

  “Yeah.” Davy looked around to see if anyone was listening. “It’s good to stay on Sean Brady’s good side though.”

  Paden sat quiet because he knew what Davy was saying. Sean Brady never came across to Paden as someone in the legitimate business world. He knew-as well as many others-that Brady was the man pulling most of the strings in town.

  Davy’s cell phone vibrated and he checked it. “Big John’s outside.”

  “That was quick.”

  “Yeah.”

  They both left a twenty on the table and went outside. Paden didn’t know what Big John’s vehicle looked like, so he followed Davy to a dark blue Suburban. They went around to the passenger side and the middle window rolled down revealing Big John. “Ya’ll two just waiting around in there for me?”

  Davy laughed. “Naw, man. We got hungry and figured eating some greasy-ass food was the best way to kill time. You find out anything?”

  Paden’s heart began thumping hard as he waited to hear what Big John would say. Big John looked at his phone. “Yeah. I know who cut you off at Target. Probably the same guys who killed your girl, Paden.”

  Paden gave him an impatient look. “Who?”

  Big John set the phone down and held up a hand so Paden knew to relax. “Hang on. ‘Member me saying I’d need you to do something for me as well.?”

  Paden nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Turns out it’s all related.”

  “How so?” Davy asked.

  “The guys involved were hired by the person I’m having business troubles with and need him gone.”

  Davy let out a long breath. “For real? We really doing this now?”

  Big John gave Davy a sly smile. “Yeah. It’s time.”

  Paden wasn’t following. “Who do you need gone, John?”

  Davy turned to Paden. “You’ll get your guys and we’ll get ours.”

  “Who is your guy though?”

  “We were just talking about him at the table.”

  “Sean Brady?”

  Davy smiled. “Yeah. The one and the same.”

  “Wait.” Paden looked back and forth between the two. “Thought he was your boss?”

  Big John nodded. “Yeah, but it’s time for new management.”

  Paden wasn’t really too shocked to hear this because that kind of thing happened plenty in the criminal world. “You want that done first then?”

  “It would be nice.” Big John wrote something down on a piece of paper. “Look, I know you’re jonesin’ to get the fuckers who killed your girl, Paden, so here’s where they’re staying. Brady can wait a little longer. Something that big needs to be set up. These guys at this place, most won’t bat an eye at when they hear about it. They’re just a couple of shit bird nobodies.”

  “That it?”

  “Yeah. Davy will make sure you hold up your end of the bargain though.”

  “You have no worries there. I keep my word, John. Pretty much all I have anymore.”

  Big John smiled and nodded. “I hear ya, but still. Me, myself, I can’t be too sure about things, so you two are on these things until both are done.”

  Paden nodded in understanding and turned to Davy. “We doin’ this?”

  “Yep. I’ll drive this time. I know where this place is.”

  “The sooner we do this, the sooner I can put all this behind me.”

  “Same here.” He turned to Big John. “This’ll get done in the next couple of hours. I’ll give you a holler. We’ll plan out the next thing afterwards.”

  Big John held up his hand again. “Tell you what. Since you both are headin’ out to get away from the heat, I’ll throw ten grand each to you to help you out once both are done.”

  Paden just nodded as he and Davy left Big John and walked to Davy’s car. “This how it usually is for you?”

  “Pretty much. He gives me an address, a description, or if I’m lucky a picture. Sometimes, I know the person. I take care of things and get paid later.”

  “I don’t care if I get paid.”

  “On this one, yeah, same for me.”

  “Then why are you doing it?”

  “Amends, man. I’m trying to make amends for my role in all of this. I told you I feel bad about your girl and I want to help.”

  “What about Brady?”

  Davy’s face tightened. “That fucker’s had it coming for some time now.”

  20.

  Joe sat at his desk reading the file on Paden Evans. There wasn’t much to it. Evans was an infantryman in the Army in the mid- to late-nineties. He was honorably discharged a couple of years before 9/11. Evans had a private investigator’s license and Joe started to believe he recognized him from that as well. He seemed to remember him coming in asking about the whereabouts of people over the years and usually a uniformed officer would help him. Joe continued reading the file and read how Evans was an initial person of interest in the death of two individuals outside the club he was working. Officers brought him in until a lawyer arrived and insisted the police look at the security footage which showed the two men attacked Evans and he acted in self-defense. This was the only incident the police had on him, but Joe had a feeling Evans wasn’t as clean as he appeared.

  Joe closed the folder. “Damn.”

  “You say something over there, partner?” Jacobs looked up from the computer screen he’d been staring at for the last half an hour.

  Joe shook hi
s head and pointed at the file in front of him. “No. Well, yeah, I did. Just that this Paden Evans guy seems to be a tough son of a bitch or a lucky one. He shot it out with two guys who tried to kill him and not one bullet hit him. All of his found their targets.”

  “He kill those other guys?”

  “Yeah. Quickly, too.”

  “He ex-military?”

  “Yeah. Army. Infantry.”

  “Well, there you go. Some of that shit sticks with you after you get out.”

  “Must.”

  “You got anything on that second guy in the video?”

  “The video didn’t get that good of a look at him. I might have something on his vehicle soon.”

  Joe waved Jacobs over to his computer. He began pointing at the unknown man on the screen. The guy spoke to Evans for a short moment and then ran away from him. He wore a ballcap which made it difficult to see his face. The guy was off screen for a brief moment and then a car came into view on the right side of the screen. It looked like a fixer upper a teenager would proudly drive because he saved three months of pay from the Kwik Stop to buy it. Joe knew kids like that growing up.

  “I’m gonna send this video to Newt and them and see if their computers can do more with the video; try and get a clear view of things. If they can, they may be able to run a little facial recognition because there’s a small second you can almost see the guy’s face. I can’t do much on this computer. They might even clean things up enough to see the plates of the car.”

  Jacobs nodded. “What if whoever was in the car had nothing to do with the shooting?”

  “We won’t know that until we talk to them. I just emailed the video to Newt. He’s good at what he does, so it shouldn’t be too long before we hear back from him.”

  Joe looked at his watch. It was closing on seven thirty in the evening. He slid his chair back in front of his desk and computer. His cell phone was next to his department landline phone. He picked it up and sent Darcy a text message: Love ya!

  Darcy responded a few seconds later: Love ya! Suppose you haven’t caught the bad guys yet?

  Joe: Fraid not, babe. Getting closer though

  Darcy: Should I save a plate for you?

  Joe: Yeah…I’ll nuke it when I get home