Shark Killer

"Remember what I said about the wonders of editing? Well, you will certainly be impressed with this bit of cinematograpy.
Didn't you wonder why she wanted you to enter the apartment from outside and then pull the pantyhose over your head?
The camera outside has a clear image of your face as you are entering the apartment, and the camera in the foyer has you preparing for your assault.
It's all so realistic, much better than those home security ads. And that grim look on your face was just icing on the cake."

I was fuming."The only reason I had a 'grim look', as you put it, is because I thought the whole thing was so ridiculous.
I really didn't want to do it".

"Ah, but you did Ricky boy. Anything to please the young lady.
I'll bet she licked your ear and said 'Please daddy, do it for me'.
And you just rolled over like the little pup you are. How about when she screamed as you sneaked up behind her?
That was sooo believable. And guess who wrote the script? Some of my best work, I must say.
And you gave us an added bonus Ricky. We really didn't anticipate you getting into it as much as you did.
Got the cuffs just a little tight. Left some nasty bruises, which are on record at the emergency room".

"Hey, wait a minute! There were no cuffs you A hole!" I yelled.

Chad chuckled at this outburst."Remember what I said about editing? And those bruises on the poor girls neck too. Never thought you to be a choker Ricky".

I didn't bother responding to that one. It didn't matter anyway. This sneaky ####### had his bases covered.
I didn't need to hear any more, for I remembered it all too vividly. I had to stall now, come up with a plan.


__________________

 

Legal Advice

And I use the phrase loosely. I decided to call my lawyer friend Perry. Well, he's not exactly a lawyer, not yet anyway.
I have confidence that he will pass the BAR exam one day. After seven attempts, he should be somewhat familiar with the test by now.
I still have my doubts about the school he went to, Herverd Law Academy in Tijuana,Mexico.
But Perry assures me he got plenty of bang for his educational buck. Whatever that means.
So I give my old pal Perry a call and explain my dilemma.

"Hmm. Very interesting Rick. I knew that would happen one day. Now if you had listened to me to start with, you wouldn't be in this mess.
Should have came to Mexico with me. Those chicks down there...all that stuff you like? No problemo amigo" Perry tells me.

"Will you shut up and listen. I'm being framed. Can't I beat this in court?
I mean, couldn't a lawyer get a video expert to prove the video was doctored?
And maybe get a PI to investigate this Chad guy? Maybe he has a record of extortion or something" I asked.


"Oh yeah, you could do all that and more. Probably beat the whole thing. But how much do you think all that would cost?
A helluva lot more than any twenty grand, I promise. Maybe five times that much. Yessiree, talking big bucks my man.
And guess what? If you win, you still lose. A sex crime? Rape even? Oh boy, that's a lose, lose situation.
Because right or wrong, people thrive on this stuff.
I don't know what it is about people, but whenever it is a sexual related charge,they are always prepared to believe the worst.
It's like they hope you are guilty. And you know they almost always believe the woman,even without physical evidence.
I'd say you are pretty much screwed"


"Gee, thanks, friend. That was mighty encouraging. You need to work on your attorney-client relations skills.
I'm looking for a hand to maybe pull me out of this hole and you're throwing dirt on top of me" I tell him.


"Hold on buddy, I didn't say I didn't have an idea. You definitely need help, just not of the legal variety" he says.


"What exactly do you have in mind?" I ask Perry.


"If I remember correctly, you have a very scary acquaintance who owes you a very big favor. It just may be time to call in that ####.
If I were in your shoes, I believe I'd be giving the infamous Brother G a call"
__________________

​

 

Brother G

Once upon a time I made a rare stop in West Memphis AR.
I say rare because I would typically never stop in that town, but on this particular day my truck was running hot and I didn't want to risk damaging an engine.
I pulled into a truck stop to have a hose replaced, and afterward decided to take a short break to avoid stopping later.

A young woman approached my truck and inquired if I may be in need of some company.
I told her I did not require company at this time and she went about her way without incident.
A short time later I observed a large, burly truckdriver exit his truck and roughly grab this woman.
She was screaming and resisting, but was no match for this brute. He managed to force her into the cab of his truck and began driving away.
There was obviously foul play afoot here and I decided to rescue this damsel in distress.
After securing my trusty .45, I leapt from my vehicle in heroic fashion.
As he passed by me I took out his steering tire with one shot. The fuel tank was tempting, but I didn't want to risk burning the whole place down.
This upset the driver greatly it seemed, for he quickly stopped and exited his truck, looking none to happy.
This gave the woman an opportunity to escape, which was my primary intention.
This turn of events was entirely unexpected. I thought he would attempt to flee, rather than charge toward me with a pistola of his own.
That's when my training kicked in. In other words, I took off running like hell.
Having a truck length head start on tubby was a great advantadge. As I ran back to the next row I spotted a flat bed with side kit.
A running leap got me up on the edge of the trailer and a little heave ho and I was rolling over the top edge of the side boards.
Turned out to be a load of watermelons stacked about three feet from the top, so it wasn't much of a drop.
It wasn't long before somebody called 9-1-1.
I suppose old tubby running around waving that revolver yelling "I'll kill em" is sure to garner some attention.
I was determined to avoid any legal complications, so I remained with the watermelons until after dark.
Once I was sure things had settled down I crept back to my truck.
As I eased my way along the side of my trailer, I was caught totally by surprise as I was jumped from both sides.
Strong arms immobilized me instantly and they wasted no time lifting my piece from the waistband of my jeans.
These guys were pros. The only words spoken were "We are not here to harm you, but make one peep and you're a dead man"
Clear enough I reckon, so I did as I was told. They hustled me into the back seat of a 80s Monte Carlo and off into the night we went.
It occured to me that these guys weren't wearing masks and I wasn't blindfolded. Never a good sign.
"I don't reckon you fellas would mind telling me where we're going would ya", I summoned the nerve to ask. I was rewarded with a grunt.
I can take a hint, so I just shut up.
We soon arrived at a two story frame house somewhere in the heart of old downtown Memphis. I didn't move, not anxious to discover my fate.
"What you waitin on boy, a written invitation? Get yo butt out da car" I was told by one of the gentlemen.
As we entered the old house, I was struck by the musty smell of a room permeated with the odors of pot, booze and sex.
Even in the dim light, I had no trouble recognizing a familiar face. My, my, if it ain't my damsel in distress.
Seated next to her was a very large, very serious looking black gentleman. He eyed me suspiciously with dark piercing eyes that showed nothing.
After what felt like an eternity, I was rewarded with a broad smile that revealed several gold capped teeth.
"My man! Have a seat. What you drinkin? What ever you like" He magnanminiously offered. Like we were old friends.
"Why thank you sir. But, uh...do we know each other?" I asked.
"Now we do brother. They call me Brother G and you have done me a great service. You done a good thing today. A real good thing.
And I take care of folks that look out for my interests. You don't even know what you done did, do you boy?" Bro G inquired.
"Don't reckon I do" I responded
He laughed a little, then continued."See this fine young sista right here? Sho you remember her from today across the river.
Well, my man, just so happens she is my first cousin. Blood kin. And she tole me what you done. Popped a cap in fatso's rig so's she could jump out.
You didn't have to do that.
You coulda just looked the other way and went on about your bidness. That's what most folks woulda did.
But you stepped up. Mighty brave for a white boy. I like that. Like it a lot.
Tell you what, anything you ever need, and I mean ANYTHING, you just tell old Brother G, and I promise I will take care of it.
Anything you like right now is yours too. Got some fine girls upstairs you interested. Cuz here said you turned her down today.
I don't get that, but that's your bidness." He tells me.

"If it's all the same to you Mr.G, I'd like a ride back to my truck, if you don't mind. I can't afford to be late" I told him.

He thought this was hilarious."Ok, my man, suit yoself, and ain't no need to call me mister neither.
But I meant what I said. I owe you big time brother. Anything at all, I can handle it"

And so it was. That is how I befriended that Memphis gangster, Brother G. And Perry is right. It's time to take him up on his generous offer.
Poor little Chad don't have no idea what he done got himself into.
________________

 

Walkin' in Memphis

Ring, ring."Billy Bob's Brokering. How can help you?" said the voice on the phone.
"Billy Bob, this is Ricky. Need a load man." I told him.
"Well if it ain't my number one driver. I reckon you'll be wantin to go back to Florida when you empty out."
"Not this trip. Need to get to Memphis this week."
"You don't say. Have a fallin out with that hot honey you got stashed in Florida?"
"Hey, don't you be worrying none about that."
"Whoa hoss, didn't mean to hit a sore spot. Sounds like that little gal done kicked you to the curb. You're right though, ain't none of my business.
But I do have you a load. Good load. Ready to load anytime tomorrow. Just as soon as you get empty, you can load er up and get it off next morning."
What's it pay Billy Bob?" I inquired.
"I can give you $800. And since I like you so much, you can swing by the office after you get loaded and I'll pay you half up front, in cash"
"$800! It's almost 600 miles up there man."
"Hey, you wanted a load to Memphis and I got one. I know a fella will do it for $650, but I'm looking out for my buddy." he magnamaniously declared.
"Sure you are Billy Bob" I said, realizing my mistake too late. Should never have acted like I needed to go there. Oh well, need to get up there and handle this thing.
"That's my boy. Just call me in the morning and I'll set you up" Click.

He set me up alright. I get over to this joint to discover a load of flour in 50 lb. bags on slip sheets going to Piggly Wiggly. 45,900 lbs. to boot.
Ring, ring."Hey brother Billy. What's up with this. You couldn't find a worse load for me? Of course you didn't bother to tell me this was a grocery warehouse load"
"Ricky my man. I've never known you to whine like this. Tell you what I'll do, just for you of course.
Go ahead and run this thing up there for me and I'll pay the lumper for you"
"Oh well, ain't you just a regular saint. Tell ya what Billy Bob, just make it an even grand and I'll come by and pick up half when I load.
And before you start poormouthing, I know #### well you're getting $1500 for this heavyass load." I tell him.
"Man Ricky, all I do for you and you talk to me like that. OK, but just because I like you so much."
"Yeah sure Billy Bob, whatever. See ya." Click.

Two days later. Memphis TN

Ring, ring. "Yo,sup" said the deep voice.
"Need to talk to Brother G" I said.
"You and everbody else. Who this be?"
"This is Ricky the trucker. Brother G knows me" I replied. I heard what was possibly a grunt and was put on hold.
After what felt like about five minutes Brother G himself came on the line.
"My man Ricky! What is up wid you?" he announced.
"Hey G, remember when you said I ever needed anything?"
"#### right I do, and I meant every word of it. I take it you be needin something"
"Yeah I do. Need something big. Real big, and I don't need to be discussing it on the phone"
"I understand completely. Believe me I understand. Where you be?"
"I'm at the old Piggly Wiggly warehouse over here off Shelby Drive. The man said I can leave my rig here long as I please. Be ok here" I tell him.
"I know exactly where you be. Have a ride for you in about an hour. Bring your appetite wid you cause we got some bodacious ribs on the way.
Then we'll get down to bidness"

 

The Meeting

Well, I got this junk off my trailer. Can't believe Billy Bob agreed to the extra $200. Lumper only cost me a hundred, but I knew this guy.
I don't tell ole BB everything. Darn tightwad be wanting some money back. That's ok, I gave my lumper an extra fifty to keep an eye on my truck.
Not that bad of an area, but you never know.

The car that arrived for me was definitely not the same junker I was kidnapped in at West Memphis that night.
This was a very nice black Lincoln Town Car. Not stretched, but sweet enough.
Same two gentlemen though, only dressed much nicer, and seemed to treat me with some newfound respect.
They were still wary and businesslike, and the bulge in their suit jackets was unmistakeable.
"We ain't goin to the house this time. Bossman don't like talkin bidness there. Sides, you gonna like this" the driver informed me.
And I did. Seems Brother G reserved the entire restaurant this afternoon. The sign proclaimed it to be "Jimmy's Smokin Pig". And underneath,"BBQ, ribs & chicken". And "Coldest beer in Memphis". And in smaller script "BYOB"
Ah,sounds good indeed. Glad I'm not driving, cause I might need some liquid courage to go through with this.
"Ricky the trucker, my man" G announced as I stepped through the entrance. "Bring yoself over here to my table, and order just whatever pleases you"
Introductions were made and drinks were served all around.
I noticed the veiled looks of resentment I was getting from a few of the crew for having what was apparently the seat of honor at G's right side.
I commenced to feasting on pork ribs with sweet sauce, baked beans, cole slaw and buttery Texas toast.
I made sure to save some room for the beef brisket, which was surprisingly good, considering we weren't in Texas.
Sorry, that's just a prejudice I have about nobody outside of Texas can do it properly, but this wasn't bad.
Chased it all down with a few frosted mugs of MillerLite. Hey, gotta cut back somewhere.

When all the feasting was done, Brother G and I retired to a back room, accompanied only by a large silent gentleman with a large bulge in his jacket.
As G lit up an expensive cigar he offered me one and asked if I would like some brandy or any other after dinner apertif. No thanks, I'm good, I told him.
"I suppose you have noticed that I haven't bothered to check you for a wire" G tells me. Actually, I never thought about it, but then again, this is all new to me.
"I think you're OK. Besides, the way the man operates nowadays, if they want to get you, there's plenty of other ways.
Stuff they got now, they could be across the street in that apartment listening to everything we be sayin. All wireless.
Anyway, I'm assuming you have something heavy laying on your heart or you wouldn't be here.
Any man that turns down some poon cause he's gotta drive that truck, #### sure ain't gonna give up a load over some free BBQ."
G was right about that, for doggone real. No turning back now. Time to lay it all out.

 

In reality, I'm a non drinker, but Ricky is my fictional alter ego LOL