Ch.12 Pay the Piper
The meet with Jimmy's men went easier than they thought, the stacks of money fitting in the bags with room to spare. The exchange made, the ride to I-99 was a short one, before they opened their bikes up and cruised the highway south.
Despite being a man short, Tom recovering with the help of the girls tender loving care, the club rode down to TJ as scheduled, the Friday afternoon chillier than before. They never even made it out of Stockton, before jackets came out of the bags to cover bare arms. Once buttoned up, the riders took control of the road they were on and no one interfered with their space on it. Looks given to them might still show resentment towards them, but there was a respect that was afforded them, the common patch worn by all, showing a force of many to reckon with.
The drop off spot at the back of the restaurant went just as easy with Jimmy's men, getting unloaded in minutes and a thick envelope handed to JT in return. The envelope was stuffed inside his cut and the ride continued on to the border area. Smiles were broader, knowing what they had made, before the run even started.
The warmer climes down south had the jackets opened and the shivers ending. Wally pulled into his hiding spot to wait, while the rest of the guys rode along the improved trail. They parked and readied their bags, as Manuel and friends did the same on the other side of the border. Once ready, a steady stream of kilo bricks flew over the fence and were caught by the guys and stuffed into bags. Once all were filled, Manuel took a break and kept watch, as the guys rode slowly out to Wally and filled his trunk with them. They rode back and the process started all over again, kilo bricks arcing in the air to ready hands.
The sound of a jeep echoed from between the hills, letting them know company was coming. Manuel had informed them of the increase of border watching and knew the jeep would travel away from them first, before heading their way on their route. The friendly skies above were clear and bright, affording them ample time to spot a plane coming. They acted like they were playing catch football, the seriousness of their actions not showing, when the faint drone of an engine was heard. At first, only one engine was heard, then a second could be made out. Bodies began moving as fast as they could, collecting the branches and covering their bikes. Manuel was doing the same and he and his friends were under the truck, waiting for the fly by.
The first plane flew overhead and passed heading west, while another was coming east and passed a few minutes later. Wally watched from the safety of his car, looking through his binoculars and watching the watchers searching for his friends. The planes passed and the guys gave them a few minutes to get out of sight, before they uncovered the bikes and said quick goodbyes, getting out of the area fast. Wally was loaded and the bikes evened out for weight, before they began their journey back north. They cruised along the old road slowly, the potholes and ruts making it treacherous to ride on.
Their speed increased, once they got on the smoother secondary road, making it more like the pleasure ride they wanted people to think they were on. The highway was a few miles down the road, their cut off coming up to go north again. JT leaned into the corner and led the club onto I-10, unaware of the Aztecs riding north a half mile back.
La Roca saw the club and looked back at his Sgt. At Arms and nodded for him to pull up beside him.
"Looks like our friends from up north are back again and I don't see no girlfriends this time. I think we need to have a talk and see what's up."
La Roca twisted his throttle, getting the same response from the others. The numbers were about the same, each club riding with eight members, but the mindsets were completely different in both. Wally saw them coming up behind him in his mirror and beeped his horn at Lenny in front of him. Lenny looked back and saw Wally pointing behind him and looked past and saw the formation of bikes. He didn't need to do anything more, than speed past everyone up to JT and cruised beside him.
"Looks like we have some riding company behind us. Our friends, the Aztecs, I'm sure, are coming up on our asses. I say we get a move on and put some distance between us."
"Gotcha Lenny."
No more was said, as JT opened his throttle wide open and surged ahead. The others did the same and passed Lenny, waiting to duck back in to his position. He pulled beside Wally and shouted through the window to him.
"Don't let them pass you. Block these fuckers and hopefully we get out of their territory in time."
Wally nodded and eased off, as Lenny pulled in front of him and checked his pistol in his cut, flicking off the safety. The Aztecs were moving flat out as well and gaining on the heavier bikes. Wally moved to the left and took up both lanes, letting the Aztec leader know he wasn't letting them past him. La Roca sent two riders ahead of him to go around either side of Wally, but he veered sharply back and forth, making them back off on their attempts.
Wally could see the anger on La Roca's face and knew they had no chance of stopping and working this out peacefully. JT looked back and saw how close they were and knew trying to outrun them, wasn't an option anymore. The large, green sign showed Palm Springs to be five miles ahead and JT hoped they could make it there and find some safety in a public area. He could hear Wally's tires screeching, as he rocked the Chev back and forth across the lanes.
When a shot went through the back window and miraculously passed by everyone, JT knew their time for running, had run out. Up ahead, he could see the roadside restaurant that still looked busy and pointed to the guys that that was the destination to seek cover. JT raced into the parking lot, followed by the rest and pulled as close to the building, as possible. They got off their bikes and made for the door in as much of a hurry as possible, without drawing too much attention to themselves. The Aztecs were close on their heels, parking behind the bikes, so they were blocked in, offering no chance to escape.
JT and the guys walked to the back, where the restrooms were, leaving plenty of space and people between them and the Aztecs now coming in. They spotted one another and looks were shared, both sides knowing what was on the table now. La Roca sent three guys outside and around the back, cutting off any exit from there. Things looked dire for them and JT hoped beyond anything, it didn't erupt into a gun battle with so many innocent people that would be caught in the crossfire.
The front door opened and to JT's biggest surprise and happiness, Jimmy Cacuzza and several of his crew walked in. He came towards JT and his club, showing great happiness at seeing them.
"Stopping off for a bite to eat, before you head back up?"
"Not really, Jimmy. We seem to have some pissed off bikers from down here, who don't like us riding in their territory it seems."
"Is that right? Let me look into this."
Jimmy and his men walked over to the Aztec crew, letting them know they were in charge.
"You gentleman have a problem?"
"We got nothing to do with you, just those guys you were talking to."
"Those gentlemen happen to be friends of mine and are very welcome to be in my establishment. You and your friends are equally as welcome to enjoy the atmosphere and a fine meal. What I will not allow to happen, is any of my guests to be disturbed by any disruptions. Do I make myself clear?"
La Roca wasn't going to heed Jimmy's words, until he saw his men open their jackets and showed them the pistols inside. La Roca knew enough not to try anything and backed down. He looked at JT and the others at the back and stared them down with a look of death to them. JT moved forward towards Jimmy, as the Aztecs moved to the door.
"Thanks Jimmy, Thought we were goners there, for a moment."
"Not while you're in my establishment, it won't."
"This is your place?"
"One of them. Why are these dirt bags after you anyway?"
"They don't like that we cross their territory on our runs, I guess."
"You are moving your goods through someone else's territory and not paying for the privilege?"
"Why? None of his business what we do."
"Would you be happy with some other crew operating in your fair town and not pay up anything to you?"
"Yeah, I see your point, so what should we do about it?"