Book Four: Part 8 - Rhyming Evil - Chapter 21

The Weekend In Montie

It seemed Wal-Mart flourished more than normal. The free publicity from the bomb scare made its impact. It would prove to be the best-selling weekend in over nine years.

At jazz club, Johnny “Scales” Hightower was playing the piano, Curtis Ray on bass fiddle, and Evan Niles on rhythm guitar, all playing soft progressive Blues.

At a table nearby in the middle of the room, JW and Patrick having finished lunch, and we're mulling over the tragic end of both Michael and Cliff.

“In the beginning it seemed that Michael and I had a connection based on our upbringing on how we both fought and clawed our way to where we are now, but it seemed right after he saw you and Cliff together he became tense, to the point of irritated. It became worse when he thought I was paying more attention to you than I was him. Michael wouldn't let it go.”

“How utterly sad, yet how similar it was between Cliff and I. He would get all prissy even if I looked at another man. And I guess it was Michael that convinced Cliff I was seeing you. Cliff told me what Michael said to him: stay away from my man basically. Cliff went on a serious rant and I couldn't sit by and let him go on and on, so I told him it was better we stopped seeing each other before we made a real commitment and have things get out of hand later in a relationship.

“And after all that, that brings you and I, us—here, and you are right; the music is excellent.”

“I can't truthfully say it will be an item Patrick, but I see a lot of wonderful things about you and I would like to explore. I can sense and can often see a gentle sight to you, one with warmth and compassion, and God knows in my line of work I need that when I come home at night.”

“There is a lot I sense about you as well, James. I know you prefer J.W., but I also like the sound of your name, too.”

J.W. shook his head slightly, a small smile curving and said, “It's been a long time since another man's said my name the way you just did.”

Patrick placed his right hand over J.W.'s left.

“We can explore, James. We can take a small step forward and see where the next one will take us.”

“You know Patrick I'm still not convinced this is the thing I want to do but I'm not convinced that it isn't either. So, where do we take that first small step?”

“I think we just have.”

Across town, the steaks and chicken, hot dogs and burgers filled the air with that come hither aroma, as over 100 people were lounging about the backyard or sitting on the patio deck as Stevie was playing chef.

Barry and Jolene Whitmore we're talking with Baker and end discussing politics, general affairs, and of course their daughter's 17th birthday.

Stevie looked at his watch. He yelled out, “Mom!”

Baker looked over, saw him nod his head. She excused herself as she went to the garage, and wheeled out a cart holding a five-layer chocolate and white cake decorated in buttery pink and blue frosting. Just before she reached the backyard she lit all the candles.

Ellie was standing next to Stevie along with a few of their friends when it happened.

The Happy Birthday song started with one voice, but ended with a hundred out of tune voices.

Ellie’s face was beet red because of the size of the cake, but she made her wish then blew out all the candles.

“Alright everyone,” Stevie spoke up. “Step right up grab what you want, there's enough here for everyone. After we eat, our birthday girl will cut us all a small slice of cake, then we get to watch her open her presents.”

An hour went by where you could hear people laugh at a few of the joke gifts Ellie received but there would be some “aahs, wow’s oooh’s” at other gifts and of them all, it was the diamond pendant necklace and matching earrings that had Ellie crying

“Ellie,” said Stevie, “they say diamonds are forever that's how long I want us to be together.” That was when he handed her a ring.

At County Memorial, Jonathan was slowly regaining his strength faster than even the doctors anticipated but not to the point he was ready to go back to work, but he would be ready to go home by the end of next week if his progress were to continue as it had been. Diane told him home would be at her house. He didn't argue.

Throughout the day, a lot of talk was still about Walmart and the deaths of Michael and Cliff. Someone started a rumor that Michael was being blackmailed. Someone else said it was a drug deal, and who better to sell drugs than the ADA himself.

Rumors came and went. Another rumor surfaced that they were probably homosexuals as one pool shooter said at Benny's Pub, “Probably queer for each other’s gear. You know how those gay people are. I can't stand to be around ’em”

By Monday, no one would remember a single rumor said.

But before the weekend was ended there was one person who was determined to end a tragedy that began so many years ago.

Just two more riddles and it would be over.

Monday – July 23rd

Good Morning America – 7:50 a.m.

“I’m here with Edward Carter, who now has his latest novel out, titled: Road To the Other Side. Can you tell us a little about it?”

“A sixteen-year old boy is caught in a cyclonic wind storm that actually teleports him to a twin-earth, but an earth in a complete upheaval. He is sought out to lead a rebellion against certain factions that could destroy mankind, as well as alter the scope and framework of the earth he was taken from.”

“Sounds frightening, Edward. Also, I understand that Hollywood has agreed to film the first book of your four part series beginning with Stolen Shadows.”

“That's correct Ann. Production is scheduled to begin this fall.”

“Any hint as to who will play the Shadow Master?”

“I haven't a clue; that's up to the casting crew and the director.”

After several more questions, Edward was asked the question that was preplanned just as the others were.

“I've heard from different sources you are planning to write a new book about one of our cities in New York.”

“You've heard correctly. Once my book tour is over, and once the holidays are out of the way, I plan to write about a beautiful and quaint city in southwestern New York called Montie.”

“As I recall, that was where Montie recently had a visit from Vice-president Biden who personally handed out dozens of citations to officers after Montie underwent an almost devastating tornado which damaged several businesses and homes, but no lives were lost.”

“Montie,” Edward said, has a long extensive history since the Revolutionary War, as well as both World Wars One and Two, Korea, Vietnam, and currently with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. Factor that in with the amount of activity this town has seen in the last few years and it would almost read like a fantasy.”

“But of course, Edward, this will be factual instead have you chosen the title as yet.?”

“Yes. Montie: Biography of Montie’s History - Then and Now. But that may change as I get further into the writing.”

“Sounds interesting. Thank you for being here. Edward Carter whose book project will be hitting the big screen this fall, and his latest novel, The Devil in Shadows, is currently number three on the New York Times bestseller list, is currently available at your nearest bookstore or online.

“We'll be right back, and in our second hour; outside, John and Linda are standing by waiting for The Who to set up for our Summer Music Festival.”

As Edward walked away, he felt so sure about himself and his future. He believed more than ever that he finally reached the apex of his career. After this book along with the fact his other three in the shadow series were also picked up as sequels for films, he would be able to retire at an early age and finally live the life he had always dreamed.

Cairo, Egypt – Late Night

To think, a week ago, Freddy was in Yemen, the same city President Motoko was in for a summit conference.

And just how good was his special Secret Police?

Not so special.

From his vantage point, he mapped out his escape route and the precise amount of time it would take for him to make his escape if he had shot and killed the arrogant ass of a president. Three minutes. In three minutes, no one would know or even recognize him.

He would have altered his appearance with a new identity and a valid passport in hand and walk through the tightest security. After all, he has done this many times before.

Tonight, he just finished another contract killing, but this one wasn’t political but personal. What a client wants, a client gets. Freddy never asked questions.

Tomorrow he would travel to Bulgaria, almost into the capital of Sofia. There were two brothers there who profited off the lives of young boys and girls. It was their turn to meet their maker.

But before he would sleep, he looked online for anything important going on in Montie. He had to keep tabs on sweet Janis.

A string of highlights underlined in blue appeared. One said Good Morning America.

“This should be interesting. Is sweet Janis a TV celebrity now?”

When he clicked over, he was at the website and saw a printed article and also where it said to see entire interview click here. He did. Ten minutes later he shut off his laptop pulled his cell phone off the desk in his hotel room and dialed a number in San Diego.

The phone on the other end rang once.

“Listen carefully. Find out everything you can about a writer, Edward Carter. Black male, heavyset, bald. I want to know what he eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I want to know how many times he farts a day; if he's into any sort of morbid sexual taste or if he's a family man. I want his home address and all the phone numbers he uses. You know which email to send the information. I expect everything I want to know in 24 hours.”

Freddy hung up.

“Edward Carter, huh? I shut him down or I shut him up.”