The Last Gallon by William Belanger Read Free Book Online Page A

hands about a foot wide. “It was a big ole shotgun slug sir, ‘bout this big.” Timothy laughed. “That is a big ole shotgun slug” he confirmed.
    Mark and Timothy walked off to talk alone while Kara and Joey doted over Simone. “Man you put me in a bad spot here” Timothy said. Mark nodded “I know man, that wasn’t the idea though.” Timothy waved him off. “Idea or not, you brought me a busted up chick and you’re going to expect me to do something nice here.” Mark turned slightly and said “She can come with us but we will have to turn her over to the company.” Timothy yanked him around by his shoulder and got right in Mark’s face. “Do you know what they will do to her man? Do you? Do you want that?” Mark pushed Timothy away “NO and you know that” he sneered. “What the hell do you want me to do here?” he asked. Timothy laughed and shook his head. “Damn look at us, two softies fighting over the same thing.” Mark laughed too and felt a wave of relief wash over him. He really didn’t want Timothy to be an enemy; he was the only friend he had.
    “You’re gonna owe me big but I know a guy” Timothy told Mark. “He can fix her up and then she can work for me if she so desires.” Timothy looked at Mark straight in the eyes. “You won’t forget me right?” Mark shook his head and put his hand on Timothy’s shoulder. “I got you man, I don’t know what and I don’t know how but we will pay you back.” Timothy pulled him in for a hug and whispered “You better man, you better.”
    About an hour later Simone was in the hands of a doctor and the family was preparing to cross the river again. Joey kissed Simone goodbye and tried to fight the tears unsuccessfully. She told him she would see him again and he agreed knowing full well he probably wouldn’t. Timothy interjected and let Joey know that his dad owed him big and they would definitely see each other again. Joey smiled even though that could be a very bad thing if his dad couldn’t make good on whatever promise he made.
    The family departed the garage with Timothy and loaded up on the barge. They made another successful and stress free crossing and were quickly on their way back to New York with Joey lamenting the loss of his crush.
    By nightfall the family had entered the inner sanctum of New York. There was a message on their door to report to the hangar in the morning so Mark crashed out after having a shower and a quick bite to eat. Being a courier was exciting work but quite exhausting and nerve wracking. Of course almost every bit of drama from the trip was their own doing and had nothing to do with the mission at hand.

Chapter 7- DC via NYC
    Mark was in the hangar early the next morning. The scientists marvelled at the hole the slug had torn through the door and several engineers were busy patching it. “We will see what we can do to make this a bit stronger” one of them told him.
    His former boss was in the back corner of the hangar waiting for Mark to finish debriefing the scientists on the car’s performance. It apparently was the first time such a vehicle was used. They were confounded that the car only averaged 23mpg until Mark fessed up that he had bartered away 12 gallons total. That made them happier though it was against protocol to do so. He said it was either gas or giving up his cargo so he bartered away the gas. The excuse was good enough for the time being.
    Mark approached the ex-boss who was holding another ominous envelope in his hands. Next to him was a petit e teenage girl who was bound at the wrists and ankles and gagged. “Meet your next mission” he said as he pushed the girl forward. “This is Cindy and she belongs to Gayle Levins in DC. Before you deliver her to that wildebeest you need to deliver this envelope to Philadelphia. When you get to DC you will report to headquarters and receive your final mission.”
    That wording was interesting Mark thought to himself. He took the envelope