Authors Note
:
I wish to thank readers for their voting and comments on my previous submissions. It certainly keeps me motivated and thinking outside the square. I've written this story in a different style would appreciate any feedback. I hope you enjoy reading it as much I've enjoyed writing it.
Regards
Bazzza
*
Jonathon Rowland Dillon, better known as JD to his friends stepped out onto the asphalt as the heavy doors clanged closed behind him. He took a deep breath, held it in and savoured it. It was so different from the stale fetid air of the prison that had incarcerated him for the last two years, and which now stood only feet behind him. A sense of relief and freedom overwhelmed him as he gazed out into the winter twilight before him. Suddenly, headlights were switched on and a vehicle moved slowly from the car park towards where he was standing. JD recognised the limo as it swept around and stopped next to him. He smiled as a massive figure uncurled itself from the driver's seat and approached him.
"Hey Monty, its good to see you man." JD said as he held out his hand.
The six foot five, African American grasped JD's hand in and embraced him with the other. "It's good to have you back, we've missed you."
JD managed to extract his hand from Monty's vice like hand and embraced his good friend.
"Shit, you've lost some weight." Monty suggested as he pushed JD back to arms length and looked him up and down.
"Yeah, shit food and a bit of exercise. How about you get me out of this shit hole. You know where I need to go."
Minutes later, JD was sitting eyes closed in the rear of the limo listening to the silence. It was the first time in two years when there were no doors banging, someone coughing or people yelling at each other. Removing his favourite bottle from the built in mini-bar, he poured two large fingers into a glass. He swilled the aged malt whisky in his mouth before swallowing it. He thought how lucky he was, he had been sentenced to twenty five to life for murder, only doing two was a miracle.
JD was an enforcer for Charlie O'Hara, one of the powerful crime bosses in the country. His duties were to manipulate un-cooperative people to do things they really didn't want to do by any means available to him. In extreme cases, that could include the elimination of a person and the disposal of their remains. It was something that JD had done many times before and was very good at. The trouble started when JD had whacked a Gilbert Morris on O'Hara's orders. Gilbert had been involved in money laundering for O'Hara, when he was investigated by the Fed's for something completely unrelated, he had struck a deal to give up O'Hara for a reduced sentence. JD whacked him at the first opportunity and his body now lay deep under a new section of the interstate road four hours drive away. The Fed's were extremely agitated when their star witness disappeared from right under their noses, and left no stone unturned to get to the bottom of it. Eventually, they got wind of JD's involvement and successfully charged with him Gilberts murder. Without the body, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence and numerous untruths. Fortunately, O'Hara was a good employee and launched an appeal against JD's conviction. Through intimidation and bribery of witnesses and other informed people, the conviction was overturned and JD was now a free man.
Before the limo hit the main road, JD asked Monty to pull over somewhere quiet. JD removed his clothes and replaced them with those that Monty had left on the back seat. JD smiled as he put on the silk shirt and tailored trousers, while they were a little too big, it still felt real good. To finish it off, he slipped on a pair of Italian black leather ankle boots. Good clothes and shoes had always been one of his passions. Discarding his old clothes on the side of the road, he signalled Monty to move off. JD then located the big Colt automatic handgun in a compartment behind the front seat; it was his favourite choice of weapon. Removing the clip, he checked the action and then returned it to its ready state. He was now ready to set things right, closing his eyes he began thinking how close he was to fulfilling his dream.
Three hours later, the Limo began to close on the outskirts of the city, JD asked Monty to drive through the main drag rather than take the ring road. The traffic was nearly at a standstill but JD didn't mind one bit. He watched people happily going about their business, young lovers holding hands, parents with children, groups of people socialising and having fun. JD watched and thought how two years of his life had been taken from him, and now it was time to make amends. Someone was about to pay the price.
Another hour later, JD stirred from light slumber as the limo left the road and began winding up a long tree lined drive and stopped outside a substantial three story house. After placing the Colt in his jacket pocket, JD stepped out of the limo and approached the driver's window.
"Better come inside with me. I'm a little out of practise if you know what I mean." JD suggested.
JD stepped back as Monty opened the door and stepped out. Monty was a lower level enforcer on O'Hara's payroll. He was ten years younger than JD and looked up to him as the master. They had worked together on several jobs, they not only enjoyed each others company, but more importantly, they trusted each other implicitly. JD had witnessed Monty ending the lives of others with his massive bare hands on more than one occasion. Even though he sometimes appeared to be a genial giant, he wasn't a man to be trifled with. They approached the front door and rang the bell, seconds later it was opened by the man they had come to see.
"Hello Tony, remember me?" JD greeted the old acquaintance.
Tony Branner stared at the two men on his doorstep, his heart thumped as he realised that what ever JD and Monty had come for, it wasn't going to be good news.
"Well, aren't you going to ask us inside?"
JD and Monty made themselves comfortable in the huge living room while their host poured drinks for them. JD stared at the extravagance of his surroundings and compared it to the bleak cell he had just left, he cursed silently and fought to control his anger.
"So, what brings you to my humble abode?" Tony asked as he handed over their drinks.
Before JD could answer, a door opened and in walked Melanie Branner. She was what JD would describe as a trophy wife, stunningly beautiful looking every bit the beauty queen she had once been. She married a man twenty years older, not for his looks or love, but for his power and his money. For Tony Branner was a powerful man, a trusted advisor for O'Hara's financial empire. He was responsible for not only the legitimate side of O'Hara's empire, but also the more lucrative underworld dealings.
Melanie looked over at the two visitors, the older one looked familiar but she couldn't place him, the other looked like another over muscled hoodlum. As they didn't hold any interest for her, she turned with the intention of leaving the room.
"Please don't leave us Mrs Branner." JD suggested. "My business here tonight may concern you."
