HD novella

[S-Cackalacky]

Jimbo walked out of Corene's cabin with a big grin on his face. He was relieved that Corene and the woman Pogo thought she was killing were both in good health and spirits. But still, he was a little shocked and amazed at the turn of events that had taken place. He had seen Corene in a new light. This woman who he had respected for the skills she possessed had suddenly flipped over in his mind. She could stand toe to toe with the best of men and that had been his perspective of her for as long as he had known her. When that cabin door opened, he had never seen a woman so beautiful. She was a big statuesque woman – strong and firm, but with a subtle glowing tone to her skin that simply radiated beauty. The old vision of a hard woodsy woman traipsing through the skodies, dressed in the most unflattering clothes – and God, that big sweat stained floppy hat she wore - that had vanished in an instant. A calm had come over her and she seemed happy and lighthearted - like you feel when you've been out in the hot sun all day and step into the cool shade of the thick woods and feel your brow relax with a sense of ease coming over your whole being. He felt happy to know this new person – this new old friend. She was happy and it made him feel happy for her.

Jimbo hastened back to the cafe to make the 11:30 lunchtime opening. He knew Bubba and the wait staff would be hard pressed to get things ready for the opening. He walked through the door at eleven and found Bubba, the two waitresses (Frida and Bertha), and the busboy (Jackson) hard at work getting things ready. Pogo was sitting quietly at a corner table finishing his BBQ plate and a familiar looking mug of apple cider. He briefly stood over Pogo and let him know that things were just fine between Miss Corene and her lady friend. A shout came across the dining room in Frida's familiar coarse voice, “Hey boss, you fuckin' work here? You thinkin' about getting' this shit hole open for business?” Jimbo shouted back, “You know darlin', if you weren't so damned sweet, I'd fire your ass.”. She turned her back to him, grabbed her ass with one hand, and shot back, “You know this ass gets you more business than Bubba's BBQ.”. And Jimbo replied, “yea, and I know it gets you more tips than I take to the bank in receipts. You should be payin' ME.”. She laughed and went about her business. Bertha and Jackson were filling the BBQ sauce bottles. They looked at each other and shook their heads as they pushed a service cart loaded with gallon jugs of sauce from table to table. Each table had three bottles – a Carolina style vinegar sauce, a thick sweet sauce, and a Bubba's special “Atomic Annie” sauce. Jimbo joined them and took up the task of wiping off the newly filled bottles with a damp bar cloth that he occasionally rinsed out in a vat of warm water. As they finished up the last table, a little alarm clock over by the bar went off. It was 11:30 – time to open.

Jimbo flipped the sign in the door window from “Closed” to “Open”, unlocked the door and took a position behind the bar. People soon began to drift in and seat themselves. Laborers would usually take seats at the bar, while the well dressed folk from the courthouse and main street businesses would find a favorite table. The staff move quickly knowing that the slightest lapse in efficiency would mean that service would back up. Frida and Bertha worked the dining room like it was a Broadway stage. Jackson was expected to bus each table as diners left the restaurant. “Jimbo's BBQ and Sudz” was a well oiled machine and gained a reputation as serving the best BBQ in the state. The menu was simple – pulled pork butt, chopped pork butt, wet and dry-rubbed baby back ribs, and four sides – seasoned pinto beans, seasoned collard greens, sweet cole slaw, and Bubba's secret potato salad recipe. The chopped pork could be ordered either as a platter or as a sandwich served on a big toasted sesame seed bun (with or without cole slaw). And, Jimbo and Bubba took great pride in every item on the menu and if a customer wasn't happy, they left with their money in their pocket.

Jimbo was taking drink orders from behind the bar and Frida and Bertha were in and out of the kitchen with food tickets. Jimbo passed his food tickets through a small window in the wall behind the bar. Orders came from the kitchen with the efficiency only obtained from years of practice. The dining room was packed, food was moving, people laughing, and conversation was flying. And then, the door opened and who should walk in but MARCEL LEDBETTER. Jimbo had his back to the door, drawing a beer from the tap just to the right of the food service window. Bubba whispered to him through the window, “Boss, turn around.”. Jimbo turned to face Marcel who was now standing on the other side of the bar directly in front of him. Anger rose in Jimbo's face and spewed from his mouth, “What the fuck are you doing here you sorry piece of shit. You steal beer kegs from my loading dock and you dare to show your face here.”. With an air of arrogance Marcel replied, “You know those charges were dropped. I have as much right to be here as anyone else.”. Jimbo replied, “Yes, and I have as much right as anyone else to kick your ass.”. Marcel's expression changed from arrogance to concern. Jimbo had a reputation of being somewhat reserved in his disposition. Marcel wasn't prepared for the unbridled anger he was seeing in Jimbo's face. By this time the angry voices had caught the attention of the entire dining room and silence turned into awkwardness. The silence jolted Jimbo into self awareness and his embarrassment changed his course of action. Bertha was at the bar with a drink order. Jimbo cut his eyes to her and said, “Bertha, show Mr. Ledbetter to a table.”. She sheepishly replied, “Boss, they's no empty tables.”. He scanned the dining room and said, “Seat him with Pogo.”. Jimbo had become a little curious as to why Marcel had showed up at his establishment. There was no love lost between the two men – it didn't make much sense.

“Pogo, what's that smell?” “Oh, well, I guess I didn't git my bath this week Mr. Marcel.” Marcel, scowling and speaking out loud to himself, “Goddam that Jimbo – he spect me to eat sittin' across from this stinkin' fuckin' lunatic?”. “Mr. Marcel, yo mama treat you bad when you wuz a youngun?” “You stupid fuck. The name is Ledbetter. You call me Mr. Ledbetter. Only my friends allowed to call me by my first name. And, don't talk about my fuckin' mother.” “Then I reckin I oughta sure call you Mr. Ledbeater then. Anybody ever call you Marcel?”

Jimbo, standing some distance across the dining room, could see that things were going as expected with Ledbetter and Pogo. He chuckled to himself and turned to draw another beer order.

[corene1]

As Jimbo walked out the door of her cabin Corene was so thankful that he was the man she knew he was. Strong and handsome yet loyal and trustworthy. She knew many men would have tried to make the best of this situation for their own satisfaction. As she turned and headed back to her bedroom she too noticed Sarah on the bed and they both smiled like the old Cheshire cat at each other. While getting ready for the meeting that evening Corene said to her. I am so glad all this is over , these guys have been trying to get me laid for the longest time, guess they figured I was alone too much. Now we can get back on track to nailing these SOB's that are trying to ruin our little town. Sure wish I knew what TB was up to, he really does go to the edge to get things done, but that was his way. Just hope he can keep him and his cohorts above ground. These people played hard ball for sure and for certain. We will find out in a while what everyone else knows. Both women looked at each other with a reassuring smile and knew that everything would be OK.

[Jimbo]

The sexual tension that was boiling to the surface while Jimbo was at Corene's was not lost on either of them. The alluring sight of Sarah through the door laying naked on the bed, Corene looking like an angel from heaven, skilled, firm and independent when working problems in the shop, toe to toe with any man, but so graceful and beautiful when she let her hair down after work. Jimbo's entire being was buzzin with the thoughts, images and possibilites rushing through his head of what could have been, and of the delicious activities surely transpiring between Corene and Sarah. Throughout the long busy day at the BBQ, too many plates of brisket and beans, smoked hocks and sausages to count Jimbo couldnt shake the desire and tension. Today the brisket ran out earlier than usual, pork butt, even the burnt ends were gone earlier than normal. Such is the case in a good BBQ shop, when the food's gone, the sign flips over, 'Sorry, grills empty. -jimbo" Today that happened at 7:30 in the evening. People who came late for dinner were dissapointed, but if you been around you know, the food is on teh grill all night, and when its gone its gone. Locals never come for dinner after 6.

Jimbo and the staff cleaned up, closed shop and were out of there by 8. Corene's place was north, over the ridge. Home was a left turn and SW about 5 min. Jimbo started the car, looked north, smiled and paused for a minute, shook his head and turned left. When he got home and walked in his beautful wife walked up to him and kissed him leaving his lips wet. He loved her kisses, they were real and came from the soul. She asked him how his day was and he said terrific, but its about to get better, as he took her hand and led her into the bedroom.

[HDNB]

They made love three times. The first, fast and hungry as they devoured their heated passions, Eck could taste the sea salt on her body from the spa's mineral pools. It reminded him of his first, a beautiful and generous girl from his home town in Scotland. They had discovered each other on a hot beach in mid July, on break from their sophomore year. The smell of the ocean was thick and the memory had him coming hard, like the waves crashing against the rocks all those years ago.
The second time was less rushed and Coleen worked hard to please him. She rode him slowly and thoroughly at a nice rising trot, allowing him time to catch his breath from the first sprint they had enjoyed.
The third was all about her. Eck pulled out all of the stops, and finished what the spa had started. They collapsed into each others arms and nodded off in an endorphin soaked sleep.
Eck was the first to awake after a brief nap, he slid out from between the covers and had a quick jump through the shower. As he exited the ensuite the light shone on Coleen's back and her hair radiated a soft polished copper sheen.
"I'm hungry" She said, flipping over under the sheets
Damn, that girl practically glows! Eck thought to himself. "Well it's not even 9 O'clock, would you like to go downstairs and have a late dinner?"
"9 O'clock? you mean it's still Sunday night? I'm so energized, i feel like i've been on holiday for week!" Coleen slid out from the bed and allowed the sheets to fall back behind her. Eck admired her slim, fit figure. Firm tits with lipstick pink nipples. Not too big, not too small... her trim waist gave way to a high round ass. He enjoyed the view as she passed on the way to the ensuite. "Perfect" He muttered to himself.
"What was that?" Coleen asked as she stopped at the doorway to the bath. She struck a pose looking back over her shoulder with a hand on the doorjamb and the other on her hip. The light behind her accentuated all of her curves and lit the copper rose at her midriff.
"I said ye have a fine fat round arse, ye wee tart!" "Now, go about you business in there, or i'll have ye back on the bed!" he dismissed her with a pointed finger swirling up through the air.
Coleen smiled and turned back to the bath. She called out over her shoulder "Call down for a table Eck, I'm famished!"

[HDNB]

When Coleen finished her ablutions, she grabbed her purse with one hand and Eck with the other. "Come on, let's go!" she urged "I'm starving."
Eck agreed "Yeah, it's been a long time since lunch."
As they walked Coleen's heels clicked intermittantly on the polished tiles that separated carpet inlays in hallway's expanse. As they turned the corner to the elevator lobby the two old gals they had met on the way up were startled by their sudden appearance and they gasped mid sentence and started like a couple of frightened hens that they were.
It was Eck's turn for a suppressed chuckle and he touched the brim of an imaginary hat with his hand and greeted the auld broads with "evenin' ladies, 'tis a bonnie braw nicht t'nich? Aye?" He could turn the Scot's brogue on and off at will, and he always enjoyed the looks older people gave him, especially the ladies. Like he was something of an exotic peacock, which tonite he even felt the part.
The old gals tittered between themselves and exchanged glances as the elevator arrived for it's decent to the main lobby. "after you Mmms." Eck insisted, holding the door for his little covey to enter.

Once they were situated in the restaurant, Eck sipped his Van Winkle and said "you know, some day this could be a really special drop. It reminds me of my dear ol da's stillhouse. My family has been putting up small batch whisky since the mid 1700's and let me tell you, that's a warehouse you can spend a lifetime in!"
Coleen thought about her own family and realised she had forgot to call Anne back. She gazed off and thought what may have prompted the call.
"Hello? Hello?" Eck asked, snapping her attention back.
"Oh I'm so sorry" she confessed. "I was just thinking about my sister, she had called earlier and with your arrival I totally forgot to ring her back."
"I've got so much to tell you, Eck" she continued. "I've been in meetings all week and it's been brutal."
"Well, I can see you are distracted girl." Eck reached over and touched her hand, but she pulled back and rested her hand on her purse instead, feeling Basil's firm ebony handle gave her some security.
Eck looked a little hurt, so she started her story from the begining where the two of them had left of in Chicago.
"You know when you dropped me at the train?" she started, as her eyes roamed the room.
"Yeah, yeah," He said "last Sunday, Aye?"
"Thats right. We were not barely out of the train station and these two thugs were bearing down on me Eck. I tried to make a break for it and find a way off, or a place to hide. The train was going too fast to jump and as soon as i was out the door, they were all over me." she recounted, reinforcing the same story as the debriefings she had sat through. Almost if she told the same story enough times it would somehow become less true than the awful truth it was.
Eck prickled with protectionism "Where are these men now?" he demanded, puffed up and ready to fight he was now looking the room over with her.
"They're dead , Eck."
"Wha?.." he trailed off, looking her in the eyes
"I kicked one off the train at full speed. I think I broke his neck before he went over the side, but no matter the effect was the same. There was another agent on board, Jed. He shot the other one in the head." she said flatly.
Eck was stunned by the violence. He had reported on plenty, but preferred that violence be somewhat further removed than his dinner table.
Coleen continued to fill in the blanks, explaining that the FBI had called her back for the information Eck had given her on the conterfeitors. "The Director himself was in those meetings." she said, lending some importance to conversation. The fake money had been coming into the treasury from all over the country and the the Treasury agents had not been able to pick up a sniff of the source.
"Apparently, that witch Hazel has been keeping company with the Chicago mob for some time now. Her, and her partner have been pretty cozy with Enrico, Guiseppe and the rest of the crew you met in their games room. Of course, I have been reporting this back for almost a year...So I had no idea her and Adams were dirty. The bosses let me know that they had been onto Williams and Adams for almost two years. It sure would have been nice to know they were on the other side when i was watching them."

"Fucking hell" Eck agreed. Somewhat dumbfounded, he sat transfixed as she wove the story.

"So, these two dirty bitches had recruited the two fat fuckers that made the huge mess in Pagosa springs"
"What happened to them anyway? Eck asked by the way.
"They were relieved of duty, stripped of badge gun and honour, and shown the door." she said smugly.
"They were nobodies and the brass didn't want them making any more mess for the company than they already have. Plus they want this bitch Williams and her partner, bad."

"Along with as much mob as they can sweep up too, I Imagine." said Eck.

"You'd be surprised." replied Coleen. "They can put up with most criminals. Crooks are fairly predictable and you know what side they are on. There is no tolerance for dirty cops at the head office, they are mad as hell that a couple of their own are in on this."
"They pulled Jed in from a quiet, special little unit they keep on side for situations like this. It's hard as hell to tell which side of the fence he is on, but the bosses ensure me he is bonafide. They had sent him and that kid Roy up to ride with Williams' little gang. Before the queer cash showed up everyone just assumed that Williams was using her badge to weasle in on the Mob's booze trade."

"So it turns out she's using the mob's own queer money to leaverage the booze against them?" Eck was starting to put the pieces together.

"Exactly!" Coleen said triumphantly. We are just missing the final connection, how did she get her hands on the queer, and how is the Mob moving it?"

"Leadbetter" Said Eck.
"Who?" she replied
"Marcel Leadbetter, he has a few businesses down in Muckalee Creek and he has his dirty little paws in everything. I saw him meeting with Larry and Uncle Mo while we were holed up in that shithole he calls a motel."
"I never considered it until just now. I have been so focussed on Williams and Adams trying to figure their angle out, I never really connected Leadbetter as the middleman until now." He said.

Now Coleen was confused. "Well her and Adams never knew Leadbetter before, thats for sure! Why would he have put them up in his hotel, that could bring the heat in a little too close." she mused. "I'll bet she busted that queer in Chicago and never turned it in."

The waitress brought their dinner in and Coleen attacked the steak. "Oh, my god, i needed this!" she said through a full mouth.

Eck ordered another Rip Van Winkle "three fingers, no ice" he said.

[Truckinbutch]

Four of us worrkin at it it didn't take long to get our critters tended to . We ambled up to the house and set to table . That Maggie woman of Forest's knew what she was about . Had places set for us at the table with steaming mugs of fresh boiled coffee at each place and more on the stove . She was in the process of placing platters of fried eggs , hard ham , and red eye gravy on the table . SOH offered to help and she told her to drag the biscuits from the oven . That tray came out golden brown and perfect . Big ole cathead biscuits , hand squoze and nearly the size of the dinner plate horn on my favorite mesican saddle . Country butter , honey , jam and jellies on the side . The woman knew how to feed a hearty crew . Few words were exchanged while we devoured breakfast .
>After breakfast ; me and Brock , Forrest and Flatwoods carried cups of coffee to the porch . The women busied themselves with clean up before they joined us . We sat there for a time enjuyin the morning while we sipped coffee and smoked . Forrest was the first to break the silence .
"Say ya want to do some tradin , do ya ?"
"That's what was on our minds when we set off over the mountains with that string of pack mules ."
"Whatcha packin ?"
"Mixed bill . Mostly hams , bacon , and summer sausages . Stuff that won't perish . Some prime hides from last winter . Flatwoods has him a mesican that is some as a leather worker . Part of one pack is his work . Belts , purses , such like . One pair of hand tooled boots that I think would look fine on that lady of yours ."
"How would they look on your woman ?"
"Fine , I 'spect . If , she wasn't already wearin a pair her ownself . You ain't noticed but I saw Maggie eyeing them ."
"You sombitch . You don't miss a trick to skin a feller , do ya . I'll get no rest until I trade for them fuckin boots !"
>I just tipped my hat a bit and smiled . Forrest , he continued rocking for a spell , thinkin . Then he spoke .
"So what ya lookin to trade for ? Flatwoods done cleaned us out of cash money last evening . All I could do would be to barter , given I was inclined to trade ."
"Forest , I figger that load ought to be worth five tons , shelled , of that bloody butcher sweet corn you all raise so well ."
>Forrest's eyes popped wide ,"I damned well expect you would , you connivin bastard ! I couldn't see my way past three tons if you throwed the mules in to boot !"
"Forrest , the milk of human kindness has curdled in your breast ."Forrest bristled at that ."Was you to offer the borry of them mules for two trips for us to carry three tons back home , we might could dicker on that ." Flatwoods and Brock nodded in agreement .
"Might could , if you throwed in that stud horse of yourn in for boot ."
"Rekin not , Couldn't have you ownin the fastest and the second fastest runnin critters in this here country ."
Flatwoods shifted in his chair . I could see the gleam in his eye and that little twitch in the corner . He knew where this was headed same as me and Brock .
>Forrest spluttered , I had touched his vanity , "I already got the fastest runin critter in these parts !"
"Rekin not . Don't lose track of what we are dickerin on . Mules , packs , and corn . Runnin critters is something we can talk about after we get on dickerin on that ."

[Truckinbutch]

SOH and Maggie came to the porch with more coffee for all of us .
"Look at them boots , Forrest ," pointing at SOH's feet ,"Ain't they pretty ?"
Forrest shot me a glare that would have curdled urine .
"The borry of my mules for two trips , huh . Rekin them bone spavined , swaybacked , lop eared glue bags can make that many more trips ? And by the way , how's the paperwork on them critters ?"
>I had to shift in my chair a bit at that last question ."This side of the Skodies , I'd say the papers was fine .West of there , mebbie not so much . Now what makes you think you already own the fastest critter in this country ? "

[S-Cackalacky]

Commentary:

Jimbo, you saved Pogo's life. I was about to introduce some tragedy into this little tale. Before you sold all the que and locked up for the night, I had planned to have Ledbetter shoot Pogo in a most dramatical way. And you, Jimbo, were to be scarred with guilt for life for having seated Ledbetter at Pogo's table. And the funeral would have had even Judge Rad crying at the grave site. But alas, such is the challenge of picking up on a plot twist. I was really hoping you would bend to your basest instincts and make that left turn.

[Jimbo]

haha I could write an alternate titilating twist in. Always wanted to jump in the sack with 2 girls.

[corene1]

OK Jimbo ! Just because SC set us up doesn't mean Sarah and I won't play hard to get. I may cost you a lot of good drinking whiskey.

[Jimbo]

Maybe Jimbo will be the one thats hard to get, eh.

[woodshed]

haha I could write an alternate titilating twist in. Always wanted to jump in the sack with 2 girls.

Just no talk about Jimbo's package please.
I am looking forward to meeting him soon and would prefer no thoughts of such when I do.

[Truckinbutch]

haha I could write an alternate titilating twist in. Always wanted to jump in the sack with 2 girls.

I think I would fight shy of that , Jimbo . It can be devastating to a man's ego to find out that he has more wishbone than backbone

[woodshed]

WISHbone. Love it.

[HDNB]

sc, can't let a thing like running out of pork stand in your way... let it fly!

swear to god, you people are readin' my mail. first the cougar, now this:

[HDNB]

"Miss Coleen!" it was the beautiful Puerto Rican attendant, Daniela, behind the front desk again, calling out, waving a slip of paper.
As she approached the front desk Coleen could feel the clerk's eyes on her.
"Miss Coleen," she continued, "I got a message forjou from that 'orkaborks' girl. She left a number forjou to call!"

Coleen walked up and extended her hand for the message. Instead of handing it over, the dark skinned beauty leaned forward and fanned her face with the paper. "Miss Coleen, that fella jour wi', he's a handsome man no?" Coleen was a bit taken aback at the line of questioning but her smooth velvety voice had drawn her in. She could feel the heat from this woman's body, and it was stirring an equal response in her. She leaned across the broad granite counter and touched Daniela's hand.

In a low, confidential tone she continued "If th' twoajou like toget together, jouknow," she lowered her eyes and the tip of her pink toungue darted out to wet her top lip, "d'jouknow, you all... could give me a call." Daniela breathed, as she handed the slip of paper to Coleen.

Coleen responded at the most base level. She could feel the heat spread through her thighs and her nipples stand up to the attention. "err, umm, Thanks!" she said as she gathered up the note, turning as the heat blossomed into her cheeks. Walking away, she waved the note cheerily "I'll get back to you on that!"

Coleen met Eck at the elevator and he asked "what was all that?"
"I think she was coming on to me...I think she was coming onto us!" she replied incredulously. the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Coleen hustled Eck inside.
"Wait, wait. What?" he said, looking over her shoulder at the front desk where Daniela stood, feet shoulder width apart facing him. As the door slid closed Eck could see her as she raised her hand up to squeeze an ample breast and give him a long, lascivious wink.

[Truckinbutch]

Forrest 'humpfed' and went back to sippin his coffee .I couldn't help but notice how his eyes kept scannin the stock in the barn yard . I had him , he just didn't know it yet ........ He given it some mote thought and then stood . Placed his cup on the porch rail and pitched his cigar butt into the door yard . "Let's go down and see what you got in them packs ."
>We trooped down to the barn , the women following .
>SOH looked to Maggie and said , "They call me Speaker Of the House . My right name is Jaye . You pay attention when they open them packs . There's a pair of boots in one of them that will fit you well that's just like mine ."
>Maggie smiled and nodded . "Rough life we have ridin herd on all these kids growin older , ain't it ."
>"Tell me about it , sister ."
>Well , Forrest , he went through his routine inspectin the packs . Cut a couple pieces of summer sausage and tasted . Allowed that they was tainted . Complained that the bacons was underweight and the hams showed signs of the skipped fly . The moths had been to the furs and on and on .
>I just let him posture .I knowed we had brought him prime goods and he did ,too . It was just his way of dickerin . He lost ground when we opened that pack of leather goods and that pair of boots fell out .Maggie let out a squeal and plopped down to pull them on . They fit like a glove and she told him in no uncertain terms that those were her's and he was to buy them . I got a withering look from him over that .
>He had the same jaundiced eye when it came to inspecting the livestock . Found fault with every critter in the lot . That's all to be expected when a couple fellers go to tradin and I had the patience to wait him out .
Howard and Jack showed up and started kibitzin on Forrest's part .
>The sun was gettin near straight over our heads . Maggie and Jaye , new friends that they were , told us that they would go prepare lunch . Maggie skippin a bit in her new boots .

[Jimbo]

HAHA TB, thats a damn good point. Jimbo might find his self on the short splintered end of that broken wishbone after them 2 tug on it making their wish! Best think Jimbo should leave that one well enough alone.

Anyway, Jimbo popped open his eyes after a helluva 'fluffer'd' romp with his lady, all worked up from the near miss earlier in the day. It was late, almost 11 when he jumped outta bed and said, 'sumbitch gotta head back to the BBQ and Suds to load up the grills again for tomorrow'. These new hogs he been getting from the local hog farmer are tasting better he though since he worked out the arrangement to haul all his spent brewing grains down for a discount on the hogs. Them hogs been sucking up the grains about the same rate the towns folk been sucking down the beer that came from them grains, and eatin the hogs fattened by the grains. Helluva symbiotic thing we got workin here he thought to himself.

When Coleen squeezed her titty at Eck he instinctively hit the Stop button in the elevator mid floor and stepped toward Coleen. "You gonna follow through with that promise or you just teasing me?' Coleen dove into Eck pressing him against the mirror in the elevator while simultaneously reaching down and unbuttoning his pants..... 6 minutes later when the elevator doors opened on their floor there was a steamy butt cheek print on the mirror and 2 sweaty disheveled people stepping out replaced by a young couple stepping in, who by the look on their face could clearly sense what just took place in that confined space.

[corene1]

Corene and Sarah were sitting on the porch talking wondering when the men in Pagosa were going to get together and discuss the trap they were supposed to be setting for them city bootleggers that were working from Pagosa. Marcel wasn't one to be given time to think about his predicament or he would figure a way to turn it around on them. She knew TB was suppose to stash the hootch somewhere near her cabin to flush out Jed , and see what side he was playing . As far as she could figure , he was playing every side trying to get an advantage, and now he was gone , heading back to the city . He was dirty and she knew it , why else would he know where the mobs still site was.She didn't know where TB had put those 2 packers that she and Sarah had help catch. Matter of fact they could be out prowling around right now looking to get payback. They certainly knew what she and Sarah looked like. Things could turn sour in an instant. She hadn't seen any of the Feds in town, it was actually very calm as if nothing was going on but that was a dangerous thought to believe right now. The Mob was going to come back after their money and their booze . If it wasn't around someone was going to pay big time. Hell , they may take it out on the whole town just to prove a point. She could just feel there was going to be some blood spilt before this was over. She and Sarah agreed that they should keep their senses on high alert for the time being.

[Truckinbutch]

The conversation around the lunch table was desultory at best . Forrest grumblin about how he was gonna get took if he made this trade as presented . Howard and Jack giving their affermitive amens to every Forrest grumble .
>By the time I reached for a toothpick and a sip of my last cup of coffee I had had enough ,"Goddamnit , Forrest ! You got to shit or get off the pot ! You gonna trade or not ?"
>Forrest stared into his cup for a bit before he grudgingly looked up at me ,"Rekin we'll trade ."
>I stretched my hand across the table to shake and seal the deal . That done , I relaxed . We had turned a good profit as the deal stood right now . Any bonus would just be icing on the cake . I wanted to get the first load on the mules and get headed back toward the Springs . I was certain that the folks back home were wondering about our whereabouts .
"Let's go get that first pack string loaded . I want to head out today . We can discuss a proposition that I think will turn a profit for all of us while we are loading up . A matter of a race to be held later in the year ."

[ga flatwoods]

Flatwoods did everything he could do to keep from pulling the trigger and blowing that loud mouthed cousin of TB's head clear off. Thankfully though TB had interrupted and kept another ghost from accumulating in Flatwoods closet. Ghost? Yes he carried many. Some he had even tucked so far into the deep recesses of his mind that he had forgotten them, if only for a while. Some had been derived during the war, when it was him or them. Those he remembered mostly from looking directly into their eyes before disbursing them. The eye contact was always intimate and unexpected from the other side. His ex wife had taught him that trick when she tried to stab him from coming in one night too many drunk from the still site. She had a fire in her eyes that was blurred from the creek water and unrecognizable and misconceived as want of a woman. She wanted him alright and when he pulled her up tight, he looked her in the eyes. She had stared him down since he walked in the door. As he was deep in those eyes, she let a slight squint , almost a quiver of the eyelid, and THRUST! The knife in the back hit one rib glancing further inward before hitting the inside of another and cracking the rib at the blade tip. The blade snapped off in his back impacted into the rib. Without thought, he shot her as he held her. She died there still looking into his eyes. From that point foreward Flatwoods never had another woman in his home for longer than one night. No personal items would be brought over other than a toothbrush, a fresh pair of panties, and a douche bottle. The killing of others had made Flatwoods a humbled man, but a dangerous one when required. If you ever saw it in him it was likely the last thing you saw.
As the arguements around the table continued, Flatwoods mind had drifted back to all those places, smells, looks, expressions, and loves and lives gone to his hand. When the silence returned, he was finally able to stop his hand from trembling under the weight of the trigger pull and his internal mental battle of control. The pistol was holstered and he collected his money. While everyone was distracted, he made his way out of the house to the barn. He would wait out most of the time there until the trade was made in the morning. Flatwoods took a high sest I the hay loft where he could see all the happenings around the house. He reached into his coat and pulled out a flask of creek water to sip on and lubricate his stressed mind and trigger finger.

After breakfast the next morning and the deals made for his leather goods, he eased out of the home site alone for some self time. Dinner found him in Pagosa Springs half drunk and hungry. Jimbo's was open and he went in, sat at a table, took another pull from another bottle he had, sat it on the table and puled out his cards to occupy his hands while waiting to be served. When he walked into the restaurant he felt the stare of the stranger seated with Jimbos illegitimate son -the boy wasnt quite right. As Flatwoods walked in someone got up to leave and opened up a corner table. Flatwoods took the seat with his back to the wall. The stranger continued to stare. Flatwoods nervous twitch began again for the second time in as many days. He took a pull of whiskey while unstrapping the leg iron at the same time. As the bottle hit the table, the other hand returned to shuffle the cards. In his nervous twitch, the carss did not close with a crisp flip of the wrist, looking rather amateurish. They stranger across the room got up and headed over to Flatwoods'table.....

[Truckinbutch]

That Forrest ! I swear , he kept grumblin and bitchin while we all worked at fillin grain sacks and loadin the pack string about how they was gettin screwed on the trade . I finally runned out of patience . never have much to begin with .
"GODDAMN YOU , FORREST ! Now I've just heard ENOUGH ! You know full well that you boys are going to get double out of these goods as what you could have gotten from that corn in these parts . I SWEAR ! You would argue with a possum to the same end you are gettin here . Just dry it up . We get this pack string loaded and then we can have a drink and discuss the next item of business before we leave ."
>Forrest , he didn't like none of being talked to thataway , but he shut up and went back to fillin sacks . Howard and Jack was watchin him to get a clue as to whether they was packin mules or fixin to fight .
I had all of them riled enough to be lookin for a chance to regain their pride . Had them just where I calculated I wanted them by the time we had the pack string loaded and tied up to the hitch rail .
>We settled on the porch for a drink before we headed back to Pagosa . I couldn't help but notice that the jug Maggie put on the table was the house stuff instead of the good whiskey . Cheap shit , I rekined it to be about ten fights to the gallon and them Bondurant boys filled their glasses . Me and Brock and Jaye poured a couple fingers each to be sociable . Flatwoods , he had done skun out for Pagosa in the middle of last evening to avoid the heavy lifting and mule packing . That's Flatwoods and what can I say ? He stood when he was needed and he did clean them out of foldin money so they had to trade ...............
>Forrest had drained about half his glass on his first pull . His red eyes and edgy actions was showin it . "What's this idea you got for both of us to make money ?"he asked .
"A race ."
"A race?"
"Yep , a well advertised race .Open to all comers what have an entry fee . Five mile rough ride point to point . Starts here and ends here . You get to sell eats and likker to the crowd , me and you take a cut of the entry money on the start and side bets are allowed amongst private parties ."
"You going to enter that Tennessee Stud of yours ?"
"Sure nuff ."
"You got a deal . Let's work out the details and I'll start advertisin ."

[HDNB]

Daniela's advance had fired her passions once again and when they got into the room Coleen quickly turned and kissed Eck deeply. Satisfied from dinner and relaxed from the bourbon he slowly returned her kiss as his hands gently explored her curves. She was fine and fit, her exercize regimen had flattened her belly. Eck could feel her tight abs when he slid his hand around the front of her blouse and down into her loose skirt.
Coleen paused her kiss and unbuttoned Eck's shirt and pulled her blouse up over her head. Both naked from the waist up she crushed her breasts back into his chest and kissed him, darting her tongue into his mouth. Eck bent and scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed as she giggled, nibbling on his neck.
In the morning, Coleen had more meetings and was up at the crack of dawn. Eck woke slowly and reached over for a squeeze as Coleen was getting out of the other side. She pushed his hand away and said
"too slow sailor, I have to be gone in minutes."
"I could be done in half that," he said to her backside as she made her way into the ensuite. Eck sat up in the luxurious bed and propped a few pillows. Leaning back, he scrubbed the stubble on his face a wilded his hair up a bit. He had not felt this satisfied in some time. The scent of Coleen lingered and he could close his eyes and conjure the sight of her fine backside as she walked away.
He felt some familiar stirrings and popped his eyes open. Grabbing the telephone, He called out "Do you want some coffee?"
"If you can get it here fast, I'd love some!" came the reply from the bathroom.
He dialled quickly and barked some orders at the room service, finishing with "and i need that here immediately!"
The service had performed some magic and coffee had appeared almost instantly. Coming out of the bathroom Coleen commented "how the hell did you pull that off? and grabbed up a cup as Eck poured.
" I get to meet the joint task force today. The Treasury of course is involved now, so they are going to be posturing for position and trying to work out the lead on the case now."
"Well isn't it your case? After all, you brought the information down." "Courtesy me, i might add..." Eck reminded her.
"Oh, I'll get credit for it all right. I'll damn sure see to that. If I don't look out for me, they will sure as shit take all the glory for themselves. Probably break an arm patting themselves on the back."
"Problem is, My cover is blown. Those two guys on the train were Mob enforcers. They came after me directly and never went home, so i'm done. There's no way I can get back into Chicago and not wind up in a body bag."
"We are kinda fucked." She said "No one left on the inside, just the bad guys left in the sandbox." she mused.
Eck said " you are forgetting me and my very lucky friend Phil." "We have a standing invitation to some high stakes poker there. That Friday night game will be back on for sure"
"You would do that?" she asked.
"Play poker with Uncle Sam's money? You bet! But Just for the record, I get to keep any overage, and there'll be no pissing and whining if it goes the other way."
"Let me talk to the bosses today. I'll see what they say, and get back with you tonight?"
There was a little glimmer in her eyes and the corner of her mouth turned up in a small grin.
Eck bent and kissed her and said "Go get 'em." "I'll hang out and make some calls, catch up with Phil and whats going on in Pagosa springs."
"I'll be back by three" She said. "That spa is wonderful. Why don't you see if you can book up in for massage this afternoon?
"Aye." Eck agreed

[HDNB]

"Any word on the poker game, Phil?" enquired Eck. the long distance call sounded more like a two way radio than the full duplex one gets used to in the city. Eck almost wanted to say "over" when he quit talking so Phil would know it was his turn.
"For sure!" he said sounding excited. "That gorilla was by the bar and told me we are on for Saturday night. Beck's in town and there is another high roller supposed to be there too. No details yet, just some guy from Europe, That's all that."
"Sounds like a good time" Eck replied. "I'm just working on some bankroll for us Phil, so your winnings from last week should be safe."
"That's some news I like to hear. I like to keep my foldin' cash where it belongs...folded up in my pocket. Any news from Pagosa? Phil enquired.
"Next on the agenda Phil. I gotta give Halfbaked a call and asee what him and young Boston have dredged up. I'll be in touch. Soon." and he rang off the phone.

[Truckinbutch]

We trailed that mule string across the mountain until nearly dark when we came to a good camp site . Brock and I tended the stock while Jaye put together a cookin fire and started coffee to boilin . Time we had the string settled for the night there was supper waitin on us by the fire and some fine coffee .
>Relaxing after the meal I pulled a jug of creek water from my pack and poured a healthy dollop into everyone's empty coffee cup . We enjoyed the whisky and the dying fire on full bellies and talked .
Brock lead off ,"Pilgrim , we done good on the mules we stole and the honest goods we traded ,so far . You really got a plan for us to need to go back there after the next load of grain is packed out ?
"Sure 'nuff , Jim . That horse race . "
"How so ? Forrest has all the concessions locked up and all we stand to profit from is our cut of the admission fees for the race . That's gonna be piddly ."
"Uh huh . And then there's the side bets and that Bondurant pride and greed . They are gonna have to cover all bets against Forrest's Highland Bay runnin horse as a matter of family pride . The 2 loads of corn we are taking back to Pagosa is going to be converted to bettin cash by S3 in their boilers . We take the whole town back over there for a race . And who wouldn't go to a race like this around here ? Gonna be more people show up than would for a hangin . Forrest is so sue of his horse that he is gonna start givin markers to cover all bets . He wins and them Bondurants is the richest people in these parts ."
"That's my point !"exclaimed Brock ,"Why we bein part of makin them the richest folks in the country ?"
>I poured another dollop in each cup . Jaye was just grinnin at me as she waited for me to drop the other shoe .
>"We ain't . That Highland Bay pony never saw the day that he could show heels to my Tennessee Stud . He's Cajun Creek bred and a great grandson of Man of War and I'm ridin him . Forrest's going to mount Jack because he's the lightest in the family . Jack would do well to ride an ice cream parlor stool , being the dandy he is ."
"So , we get even odds between partisanship and smart money between you and him and I'm supposed to bet all my money on you because we are friends ?"
"Not in the least ! I'm not even bettin on me except to place , not win ."
"Never knowed you to throw a race or do folks crooked .........."
"Ain't gonna now and never have .Gonna run that race as hard as I can for the win . I just know that the smart money is going to take the long odds on another entrant ."
>Jaye just smiled .
>"Another entrant ?"queried Brock
>"What fool would bet on a mule ?"giggled Jaye ,"That's what works the charm . Butch engineered the race point to point . No designated track . You can run the road course like most will or you can pick your own path . That's what me and Steppin Woman are going to do . Up and over and back again to the finish line .Going to be long odds on a mule . That's where the big money is . Butch bettin that Stud to place is just common sense . If he could beat me he will . Forrest's horse is going to place show at best and all our bets are covered in the first two places ."
>Brock grinned at me ,"Pilgrim , she got a sister stashed somewhere that I could try to marry up to ?"

[woodshed]

Coming home through the fog Shed was thinking about sneaking in under all of the crap going on in Pagosa.
Been there for years and just makin for special occasions, but looking to take it all the way.
What's up with this fog, he says to her. Kinda weird, she replies. In December?
Hal as she is known is the one that drives Shed to jump in. Shed is a man who spends a lot of time in the backcountry and knows the local terrain. Hal understands. Been married to him for damn near 25 years. He knows where to set up a still.

He moves the still out of the garage and into the high desert making sure to stay off of the reservation. Don't need two nations after you. Builds a bigger still and gets after it. Two running all day long with just enough water from a spring to cool it. Shed is looking at county domination. With dreams of taking on the whole state, maybe the country or world.

[HDNB]

Again they chatted amicably about the weather, parents and inlaws until they heard the familiar "click" of the operator getting bored and moving to another, more interesting conversation. Still, they were guarded... using nicknames and broad imagery incase they were still being listened to.

"Young Boston is getting pretty bored down there at the motel" halfbaked said into the phone. "Must admit, pretty as this town is there isn't much going on here either when there is no federal police in jail. Boston says that the motel does a pretty good business with truck drivers going through and the service station he has sells a lot of diesel to them trucks. other than that he says a Mr. and Mrs. with two kids spent a night passing through."
"has he been writing down which trucks and when? asked Eck
"I'm sure, man. He's knows his job after all. Where's that important to our deal?" Baked was curious.
"The distribution has been impossible to follow, but i think we know where things are going now, and how they are getting there. Go down and see him for a minute. Make sure he knows that we need to know everything."
"Phil says you met a nice chica in Chi. How's that going for you?"
"Oh shit!" Eck said "that reminds me i gotta go. few arrangements on this end i gotta make." "Be good man, we'll get together soon." and he rang off the phone.

Man, Phil was right he thought. He's got it bad.

[S-Cackalacky]

The night before Jimbo took the day's receipts home with him to tally up and take to the bank the next day. The next morning he poured a cup of coffee and sat in his home office with the cash box open in front of him. When the register was closed out, the bills were bundled and placed in the cash box in order of denomination - from highest to lowest. He pulled out a short stack of 100 dollar bills - 3 bills. He counted through them quickly making sure none were sticking together and repeated the process a second time. As he handled the 3 bills, he noticed something odd. One of the bills just didn't feel right in his fingers. He pulled it away from the rest and began examining it more closely. The paper didn't feel right. He continued to scrutinize it. The fibers weren't quite right. He uttered out loud to himself, "Goddam, it's counterfit.". In one corner there was a number scribbled in pencil. It was the number 13. Again, he spoke to himself, "Damn, that's the table Ledbetter and Pogo were sitting at.". It was also the table where Frida, Bertha, and Jackson always took their breaks, so chances are no one else sat at that table last night. Bertha waited that table. Frida and Bertha had been trained to write the table number on any bill larger than a twenty. Jimbo quickly fumbled through the register receipts for the one for table 13. And, there it was - table 13, cash tendered $100.00, change tendered $92.50. The sorry bastard had ordered the cheapest thing on the menu - a pork sandwich and no drink. Jimbo thought to himself, "Probably didn't even leave a tip.".

Jimbo flipped through his rolodex, yanked the phone from the hook and punched in the number from the rolodex. "Hello Bertha? Sorry hon to bother you at home, but did you wait on Marcel Ledbetter yesterday at table 13?". "Yes I did and do you know that sorry fucker didn't even leave me a tip. Ordered the cheapest damned thing on the menu and a glass of water and paid with a hunderd dollar bill. Why, did I do something wrong boss?" "No, no, everything is fine. I'll see you at work later today."

Jimbo leaned back in his chair contemplating what he had just learned and what course of action to take next. Now, he flipped through the rolodex at a much more relaxed pace, calmly picked up the phone, thought for a few seconds while the ring tone buzzed from the phone. He then hung up the phone, folded the bill and the receipt and stuffed it in his shirt pocket and went about the business of preparing yesterday's receipts for bank deposit.

[Truckinbutch]

We traipsed off the high pass down into Pagosa late the next afternoon and pulled up at the feed store . Leroy , one of the hired hands eyed the pack string .(Damn me ! I forgot who in S3 owns the feed store if even we had cast that part . Lil bit a help here )
"Whatcha got on the mules ?"he asked .
"Ton and a half of Bloody Butcher corn . It's just for S3 and another ton and a half comin later in the week . Just want to get it in the dry here til we parcel it out . Need two hunnert pounds of oats to feed this pack string . Say, you got any speltz ?"
"I think we got about a hunnert pounds of them . Don't get much call on account of them being more expensive ."
"I'll take 'em . Rekin you could have me another five hunnert by the end of the week ?"
"I s'pose I could . Monday at the latest . What for you wantin all that high dollar grain for ?"
"Leroy , you always been too damn nosey for your own good . I ordered it and i'm payin for it and it ain't a damn bit of your bidness what I want it for !"
>Leroy blushed crimson with embarrassment and , on cue , Jaye touched me on the arm in mock admonishment . I acted humbled .
"I'm sorry , Leroy , I'm just cranky cause I'm tired . You gonna hear it anyway . They's a big race to be held over to Black Water Station in 6 weeks . Them speltz are higher in protein and I expect them to give the Stud just a little more edge over that Bondurant horse ."
>Leroy brightened right up . He had some REAL news to spread now . I couldn't have spread the news any faster if I had got on the party telephone line .
>
>The three of us decided to take supper over to Jimbo's BBQ and catch him up to speed rather than have to cook when we got home .

[HDNB]

don't believe the esteemed position of feed store owner has been brokered yet, but you called the name cranky. seems like it fits.