Raucous by Ben Paul Dunn Read Free Book Online Page A

haven’t shown me your badge.”
    “My client would like to know information.”
    “And that client is who?”
    “Not at liberty to say.”
    “Well, I am at liberty to leave.  Thanks for the test run for my next involvement with fake police.”
    Parker reached inside his tweed jacket.  Mitch saw the shoulder holster, and knew Parker wanted to show his power.  There are few who can carry concealed pistols without fear of arrest but Parker wanted to show Mitch he was one.  Parker pulled out a folded piece of white paper between his middle- and forefinger and placed it on the table. 
    “This is for you,” he said.
    Mitch looked at the paper for ten seconds before deciding he would open it.  The paper had been folded into four.  Written folded and placed in a pocket.  He opened the paper out and read the address. 
    “And what is this?” He asked.
    Parker smiled and stood and walked to the door in silence.  He looked back as he stepped through the door.  He smiled and spoke through a grin.
    “It's a place where you need to go because this town is not yours any more.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    His promise was coming.  He should do it now, pull the trigger on the old man.  But he couldn’t.  He was making excuses, avoiding the inevitable.  He had promised.
    Raucous passed the food, a metal tray with a single plate, a knife and fork and a glass of water.  The plate held bangers and mash with gravy, a dish Raucous had prepared in the large kitchen of the Turk's establishment.  The kitchen had been clean and empty.  Business started in the late evening.  Dinners for men who would stay on to enjoy the women who danced for their pleasure.  At 10 a.m. the place had been wiped down and was dormant ready for the night ahead.
    Jim was being kept in a room in the basement.  The room was for women or men to rest.  A single bed, with light blue sheets was along the right wall, a single desk and chair on the left.  A room two meters by three, no window and a heavy wood door with a single large lock.  Jim sat on the bed and accepted the tray.  Raucous sat at the desk and faced Jim.  The door was closed.
    Jim placed a napkin into his shirt collar.  He took the knife and fork and cut the first sausage into small chunks; he spread mash onto the chunks and dipped them in gravy.  He placed a piece into his mouth and chewed slowly, savouring the taste. 
    Raucous watched the old man, thinking about when his own death would come.  Jim had no escape.  He knew that.  He had known as soon as he had gone to see the boy, to see Christian.  Only thing to concern the old man now was the how: quick or slow, easy or painful.
    Jim finished up.  He wiped the white porcelain plate clean with a single, thick-cut slice of farmhouse bread.  He pulled the napkin from his collar, folded it into a small square and placed it on the plate.  He handed the tray to Raucous.  Raucous accepted, stood, opened the door and left.  He locked the door behind him as Jim stared at the white wall.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    Ben didn’t fight, even when he outweighed and out-aged people by an easy amount.  These two men were not in those categories.  They were late thirties, shaven-headed goons.  They were big, probable power lifters not looking for definition but single effort strength.  They wouldn’t run marathons but they could crush a neck and choke someone to sleep with ease.  They were suited.  Grey nylon jackets looking like slim-fits when they were probably the size of a two-man tent.
    “We’re here to remove you,” the taller of the two said.
    Ben had opened the door expecting a parcel of Japanese action figures.  A Dragonball level four Goku that he had never held.  In the UK they were rare, in Japan they were teenage boy’s Barbies.  These two were empty handed.
    “Remove me?” Ben asked.
    The shorter, still six inches taller than Ben, thrust a paper forward smacking Ben’s chest, and pushing him back.  The men stepped