The gears of fate
1064 Words
“The girl’s got background—you know that?” Marcus asked coldly.
Tiger froze. “Didn’t hear.”
“You didn’t check her connections—just rushed in blind. Reckless?” Marcus frowned. “If today wasn’t Julian—if you hurt that girl—consequences? My brother kidn*pped her without full intel—that’s why Matsushita folded hard. You’d be worse.”
“I… didn’t think that far.”
“Plus—department’s full crackdown on drugs. Our slogan. You touch product now—sabotage me?” Marcus low growl. “What I tell you?”
Tiger touched head bandage. “Not pushing now—stock piled, brothers dumped plenty…”
“Tiger—don’t lose footing over small profit. Someone above covers you—why panic?” Marcus helpless command. “Whatever reason—follow the rhythm now. Warning: make noise on the wind—nobody saves you.”
“Got it,” Tiger nodded.
“One more. Julian’s my man—working for me. Don’t provoke. Need be—help him. Clear?”
Marcus knew Tiger petty, grudge-holder—specific order.
“Little Marcus—I don’t get it. You’ve been department long—plenty talent. Why recruit this hothead?” Tiger gritted. “f**k—I’ve run Ashmire years—no one dared gun butt my head. This kid…”
“Tiger—when you learn?” Marcus sighed. “There’s always someone tougher. You think you’re hard—Matsushita meaner, folded to Julian. These times? Hungry people rob army grain. Narrow roads—new hard cases everywhere. You never know—today’s scavenger tomorrow’s boss. No-profit beef—not beef. Understand?”
Tiger pouted. “Your mouth could plow fields… Fine. Listen—no touch him.”
…
The next evening.
Julian and Victor arrived at Second Sister’s Tavern as agreed—Sebastian’s wedding reception. Simple meal, cheer. Budget tight—no extravagance.
Past eight. Julian scanned second floor—department faces, neighbors, Sebastian’s sister.
“Mom didn’t come?” Victor asked.
“Health bad,” Sebastian smiled. Pulled sister. “Haven’t met—my sister, Vivian Crowe.”
“Hello, Brother Julian,” Vivian said. Eleven or twelve, sharp features, spirited—blind eyes wasted beauty.
“Hello,” Julian greeted, turned to bride Bella. “Beautiful today.”
Bella in simple red dress smiled, nodded. “Hello.”
Victor eyed radiant Bella, grinned. “Well-nourished now.”
“Get lost,” Sebastian cursed, waved. “Main table—sit anywhere.”
Julian and Victor took main table, snacked, waited.
Ten minutes—Marcus Vale arrived with Tiger.
“Hey—Captain.”
“Wedding food, Captain.”
“…”
Thirty-plus stood, greeted.
“Just dropping by. Sit.” Marcus waved, sat Julian’s table. “Punks skipping work for drinks?”
“Post-interrogation,” Julian grinned.
Marcus slapped thigh, to Tiger. “Know each other?”
“Forget yesterday?” Tiger pointed bandage, smiled Julian. “Brother—impression deep.”
Julian saw shift, hand out. “Sorry—didn’t know you knew Captain.”
“Little Marcus said yesterday—girl connected. You stepping in helped.” Tiger warm shake. “Yesterday past. Fresh start. Marcus here—family. Hang—you’ll see my kind.”
“Sure,” Julian nodded. “Drink later.”
“Deal.”
Victor leaned Julian. “How know this bastard?”
“Beat him yesterday,” Julian casual.
Victor disgusted Tiger glance, low. “Stay away—no good.”
“Why?”
“Last year—beef Ashmire boss. Ran over pregnant wife. Six-plus months—head crushed…” Victor grim. “Boss two kids left—broke. Accident ruling—paid off.”
Julian shocked. “No sentence?”
“f**k no. Boss backed down.” Victor hoarse. “Animal.”
Julian cold glance Tiger—no more talk.
Marcus there—feast started, toasts lively.
Eating, Marcus kept Julian. “Brother—few catch eye. You one. Guts, brains—eat anywhere. Good work—no short.”
“Know, Captain.” Julian flushed, nodded.
“Wait.” Marcus patted arm, poured, stood. “Quiet.”
Tables looked.
“Sebastian big day—close. Toast him.” Marcus raised, smiled.
Lead—everyone stood, toasted couple.
Newlyweds beaming, drank.
Marcus downed, poured. “More. Little Julian new—but my type. Helped department big. Chief happy… promotion time. Work—look after him.”
Line—Julian center. Colleagues toasted.
Others float—Julian wasteland vet, uneasy.
Spotlight recent—Matsushita, drug breakthrough—Julian core. Favor normal.
But Marcus beyond appreciation—too special. No tie—two cases—this attitude? Odd?
Julian puzzled.
…
Third round, fifth dish.
Marcus watch check, low Julian. “Outside—word.”
“Yeah.” Julian rose, followed downstairs.
Inside, drunk Tiger leering pulled Sebastian. “Question.”
Sebastian veteran, knew Tiger, polite. “What, Tiger bro?”
Tiger eyes Bella, booze. “Where dig this chick?”
Sebastian pause, glance Bella, low. “No secret—north Salt Lake living zone buy.”
“How much?”
“Forty-five hundred.”
“f**k—four-five grand lifetime ride? Worth!” Tiger crude.
Sebastian smile, no reply.
“Hey—middleman later. I look.”
“…” Sebastian stunned. “Tiger bro—married?”
“f**k—wives too many fear?” Tiger yellow teeth. “Cash idle—buy toy.”
“Sure—introduce.”
“Deal!” Tiger eye Bella, nod. “Good—fair, long legs.”
Sebastian awkward, bottle. “Come—Bella and I toast.”
“Good.”
“Come wife—toast Tiger bro.” Sebastian poured.
Bella graceful, nod. “Tiger bro—hello.”
“Sister-in-law—Sebastian life hard…” Tiger booze-bold, grabbed Bella arm, muttered.
…
Downstairs.
Marcus passenger, to Julian. “Drive—department, talk.”
“Yeah.” Julian drove.
…
Hour-plus later.
Feast end, Sebastian home. Sister mother room. Couple bed “life talk.”
Knock-knock.
Sebastian belt half, deeper imminent—window knock.
“Who?”
“Out.” Shadow days ago, low.
Sebastian pause, clothes, exit.
Dim moonlight—wanted Silas Hart glance around. “Little brother—quiet spot. Few words.”
Sebastian froze long, eyes red, lunged. “You f*****g crazy? You almost killed me!”
- Writer
