Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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No way,” Ruth stated.
I’m old and I don’t get caught up in the hype,” Keaton replied. “Kansas City.”
I’ll bet you five they lose,” Ruth responded.
I can’t afford to bet and if I won, you’d be mad at me,” Keaton replied before taking another bite from his meat.
Well, all that is great,” Davies interjected. “I was talking about the job.”
That’s all I can ask of you,” Davies smiled. He set his fork down and asked, “Desert, brandy, coffee?”
I don’t need the calories or the liquor,” Keaton grinned. “A cup of strong, black coffee would be great.”
I am not going to pass up orange sherbet just because that Tampa hater doesn’t want any,” Ruth smiled. “In fact, Hobson, bring me his bowl also.”
Yes, ma’am,” Hobson answered as he cleared the table in front of her. He looked at Davies.
Brandy, please,” Davies answered to the look.
Yes, sir,” Hobson replied and headed back to the kitchen.
Oh, Dad,” Ruth said.
Professional sports is about the money,” Keaton answered. “Sandlot baseball, if that is still a thing, playground basketball, street hockey, middle school volleyball and those kinds of things are not about the money.”
But the parents hope it will be,” Davies replied.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Yes, there is that,” Keaton said.
Hobson,” Davies called.
Please have Phillip pull the car around so he can take Mr. Keaton home and then show Mr. Keaton to the door.”
Yes, sir,” Hobson answered and then he stepped back into the kitchen.
As have I,” Ruth added. “And I look forward to watching Tampa trash Kansas City with you beside me.”
Thank you all again,” Keaton said as he stepped away from the table.
Yes, he is perfect,” Davies stated.
Chapter 8
The government worries about attacks,” Hobson explained to Keaton’s back.
Good evening, sir,” Phillip said as Keaton drew close. “I hope you had a good evening.
Are you okay, sir?” Phillip asked.
Too old. Too drunk. Too tired,” Keaton replied. “Can I go home now?”
Yes, sir. Right away, sir. Do you need a blanket or anything?” Phillip asked.
Just home,” Keaton answered. His head slumped slightly onto his chest.
Just old and tired,” Keaton answered. Then he said, “I didn’t meet Tristan Martin.”
No, sir. He had a family emergency,” Phillip answered.
Does that happen often?” Keaton asked.
No, sir,” Phillip replied. “First time that I am aware of.”
Can I trust him tomorrow night?”
Yes, sir,” Phillip answered.
Good,” Keaton responded. “What time will you pick me up tomorrow?”
Game starts at eight,” Phillip, looking up in the mirror, answered. “I am picking you up last. We need to be parked by seven-thirty. Fifteen minutes to drive there from your place. So, about seven fifteen.”
I walk slow,” Keaton responded.
Okay,” Phillip replied. “How about seven oh five? Do you think that will work?”
Alice’s was almost empty as Keaton walked into the building’s lobby. A handful of people sat at the bar and the lights at the rear of the restaurant were off.
Chapter 9
At seven PM Keaton was standing at the curb outside Alice’s. At seven-o-five the Davies limousine pulled up in front of Keaton.
Pretty good,” Keaton answered.
Good evening,” Keaton answered. He looked at the young man. “And you are Tristan Martin?”
Yes, sir,” the young man grinned. “And you’re Mr. Keaton,” he said and stretched out a well-manicured hand toward Keaton.
I think I should ride up front,” Keaton offered.
Of course, sir,” Phillip answered. “Let me go get that door for you,” he said and hurried around the front of the car to the other side.
There’s plenty of room back here,” Ruth laughed. “I won’t bite.” She looked up at Tristan and continued, “But he might.” She laughed again.
Front seat is fine,” Keaton smiled back. “I get car sick sometimes.”
Yes, sir,” Tristan answered.
No problem,” Phillip answered. “There’s no one coming.”
Mr. Keaton, do you want some champagne?” Ruth asked.
No, thank you. I got my game face on. Champagne might wash it off.” Keaton answered.
It’s okay to enjoy the evening,” Ruth said.
Boo,” Ruth responded. “Tristan. Fill my glass, please. And fill yours. ‘Father’ is paying you to have fun.” Ruth held her glass out to Tristan. He opened a compartment behind the driver’s seat and pulled an open bottle of champagne out. He filled Ruth’s glass and then one for himself as Phillip eased the big car away from the curb.
Nice shortcut,” Keaton offered.
Friends in high places,” Phillip answered.
What are you two talking about?” Ruth asked leaning forward over the car seat.
You were not,” Tristan stated. “You were talking about us drinking before the match.”
Were you?” Ruth demanded.
Ms. Ruth, do you think I would ever talk about you negatively?” Phillip said.
I guess,” Phillip answered. “You need to set back and relax. We’re almost to the parking area.” There was a heavily guarded entrance under the Sportatorium just ahead.
I’ll whip your...” Tristan started but Ruth pulled him back into his seat.
Hush!” Ruth ordered. “Let him drive. Besides,” she laughed, “I can kick your ass.”
Can not,” Tristan sputtered.
Ms. Davies, good evening,” he said to her. He looked at Phillip and added, “Pull on in, Phillip.”
Thanks. I am running a little late,” Phillip answered.
That’s not too bad,” Phillip said letting the car start forward and raising his window. He pulled into the Sportatorium.
What the hell?” Tristan swore quietly from the backseat.
Gang bangers,” Keaton responded. “Phillip, can you turn around and get back outside?”
No,” Phillip answered. “They are behind us too!”
Lock the doors! Lock all the doors!” Tristan shouted.
Back up over them,” Keaton ordered.
What? I can’t!” Phillip answered. “I’ll kill them.”
If they’re real Harlequins, they’re already dead,” Keaton answered. “Get Ruth out of here!”
Oh, God. Oh, God” Tristan began repeating.
Jeez,” Keaton muttered and unlocked his car door.
Don’t open that door,” Tristan shouted as Keaton leaned into the door to open it against the pressing bodies of the Harlequins. Arms came in through the opening. Hands reached for Keaton and pulled him out of the car. Ruth shrieked.
Chapter 10
Old friend,” Keaton answered.
I can believe that,” the woman answered. She handed the pistol back to Keaton. “You’re lucky that thing didn’t dislocate your shoulder.”
I’ll be sore tomorrow,” Keaton answered.
I was sorry to hear about his passing,” Keaton stated.
It was clean. None of this coming back to life shit,” Escobar answered.
He was a fair cop,” Keaton added.
So does death,” Keaton replied.
Yes, sir. It does,” Escobar replied. “You and your people are free to go.” She reached into the left, outside jacket pocket and pulled out a business card. She handed it to Keaton. “Before you start shooting next time, call me. Okay?”
Sure,” Keaton answered taking the card. He turned and headed back to the elevator.
Right,” the uniform answered with a deep rumbling voice. He looked back to where Escobar stood, watching. She nodded her head.
Right,” the uniform repeated. He took a step back from Keaton and looked him up and down. “See you around,” he stated and turned and walked away.
Anytime,” Keaton called after with a grin. He looked at Ruth, “The game is not to half time yet. Do you want to go up?”
No,” Ruth whispered with a head shake.
You’re crazy,” Tristan said. “We could have all been killed.”
No, not really,” Keaton answered. “They wanted Ruth alive or they wouldn’t have been so nice in their approach. But they would have killed the rest of us.”
I want to go home,” Ruth ordered. “Right now!”
Yes, ma’am,” Phillip answered. “Let me go get the car.”
No, I’ll go with you,” Ruth told him. “I don’t trust these two. One’s a gunslinger and the other’s a coward.”
I’d better call ahead and let Hobson know what’s happened,” Phillip stated.
He knows,” Keaton answered. “I’m sure Mr. Davies knows too. That woman, Escobar, said we had rich friends. That would be who she meant.”
Still yet...” Phillip started.
Of course, call,” Keaton replied.
No, no I’m not” Ruth answered. “You killed three people back there and we’re just driving home.”
I know apparently, that’s true. But legally it’s not. There are only two types of humans, LDs and LAs. You can’t kill LAs because they’re alive. You can’t kill LDs because they’re already dead,” Keaton stated. “Hell, you can kill all the LDs you want. No one cares. There’s always more of them coming along.
LDs have never gotten an Equal Rights Amendment passed. They can’t even vote. They don’t want to. They have a simpler political power; if you don’t do what they want, they bite you. You die. Then you come back as one of them and now you want what they wanted. It’s pretty simple.”
You’re terrible,” Ruth said.
I think of it as ‘experienced,’” Keaton answered. “That’s why I was hired.”
Yes, sir,” Phillip responded.