Raucous by Ben Paul Dunn Read Free Book Online Page B

into the space Ben had vacated.
    “Notice of eviction,” the shorter man said. “You need to leave.”
    “I. . .I don’t understand.”
    “Nothing to understand.  Pack up and get out,” the taller said.
    “Hurry now, we’ll watch,” said the shorter.
    Ben fumbled with his phone.  He took it out the back pocket of his jeans.  He almost dropped it as his hands trembled.  He started to dial.  He had pressed the first nine when the pain came.  The shorter stepped forward and drove an oversized fist into Ben’s gut.  Ben buckled in two and fell to his knees.  His phone slid away on the hardwood floor.  Ben could see the electronic nine, big and black on its white background.  One of the two men, Ben couldn’t look up to see, smashed the heel of a hand-made leather shoe down onto the Gorilla glass screen and it shattered.  The heel of the shoe had a metal curve nailed into the leather sole.
    The shorter of the two crouched down as Ben sat forward as if he had just committed hari-kari.
    “You’re right, we’re being unreasonable.  Too much to take in, I guess.  We’ll give you a day.  Twenty-four hours.  We’ll come back.  And you’ll be gone.  Won’t you?”
    Ben nodded and thought about how he could alter the destination address on his e-bay delivery because tomorrow was Jean's problem.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    He thought of how long Jim would stay compliant.  His mind was toying with his courage as he prepared the food.  The same process the same ingredients, the same care.  Sausage, mash and gravy.  The farmhouse bread was warm.  He walked down the stairs to the basement, balancing the tray, pacing the steps to keep balance.  He placed the key into the lock and pushed the door open.  Jim was sat on the bed as if he hadn't moved since the last meal twenty four hours before.  Jim took the food and followed his same routine.  He cut the food, he chewed slowly, and he cleaned the plate and folded his napkin.  He handed the tray back to Raucous.
    Raucous stood and stepped to the door.
    "Strange seeing him?" Jim asked.
    Raucous turned.  "Always strange to see someone you killed."
    "Only if they're still alive."
    "Happen to you?"
    "When I kill, they stay dead.  I guess pretty soon, if such things truly do exist, I'll be meeting a few."
    "Christian?"
    Jim inhaled and stood.
    "His continued ability to breathe and live is of great importance to important men.  More important than the man Turk.  So he is safe.  Protected even."
    "They bringing him here?"
    "Maybe.  You know more than me."
    "I hear he remembers nothing."
    "Not even you, and you are someone he really should remember."
    Raucous turned with the tray and stepped outside the room.  He looked back and Jim was sitting in the same space on the edge of the bed.  His hands clasped in front of him as he rested his elbows on his thighs.  Jim looked to the door.
    "He may look like an adult Christian, but believe me, Raucous, you killed him."
    "I know."
    Raucous couldn't close the door.
    "Do you think you'll be able to get to the end.  Get what you want?"  Jim asked.
    "I don't know.  But I will die trying."
    "Me and you both."
    Raucous locked the door.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    Mitch liked to wait, to ponder.  If confused, as he was now, he had to decide and do.  This was a moment of choice.  Rash actions were for Jean, Inaction for Ben.  Mitch had to decide, for them all.
    Mitch flipped the card over in his fingers.  A name and an address.  One printed and representing the services of an ex policeman, the other handwritten and an invitation into the past and future.  The present was gone.  Their bank account was frozen.  The bank manager, the friendly smiling youthful face of smarm, was no longer their friend.  When the limitless money was coming in he was handshakes and freebies.  Now the account was as good as dead, they were nothing, not even worthy of an explanation.  Jean knew where Ben kept his stash and so did Mitch.  They