Raw Justice: A mystery and suspense standalone crime thriller (No Justice Book 5) by JK Ellem

Author:JK Ellem [Ellem, JK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 28th Street Multimedia Group
Published: 2020-07-02T16:00:00+00:00

28

On their way back through town, Sam decided to fill the Land Rover up with gas.

As they pulled into the gas station, something caught Shaw’s attention across the street where a strip of stores were. “I’ll be back,” he said to Sam, who had the gas cap off and was pumping gas.

One particular store had Shaw’s interest. A Closed sign hung from behind the glass. He tried the front door, just to make certain, but it was locked, and the windows were dark, no sign of activity inside. Shaw stood in front of the McKenzie store, looking at the Opening Hours sign in the window. The store should be open.

“Ain’t been open since yesterday,” a voice came from behind Shaw. He turned to see an old man standing there with gray hair, a wizened face, dressed in a plaid shirt and well-worn blue jeans. In one hand he carried a gas can. “Need some kerosene for my lamps.” The man looked at Shaw. “But the place is shut.”

“What about the gas station across the road?”

The old man scrunched his weathered face and shook his head as though Shaw had suggested he eat his own feces. “Total rip off, that place across the street.” The man shuffled forward and gave a chuckle. “Saw what you did the other day with that axe of yours.”

Shaw raised an eyebrow.

“That Joey Lombardi is a piece of work, just like his father. Deserved it, if you ask me. Been putting his squeeze on most businesses around here. Raising the rent for no apparent reason, then kicking people out when they cannot afford it.”

“Is that right?” Shaw said.

The man pointed at the McKenzie store with the fuel can. “Been buying my kerosene near on fifty years from the McKenzies. Ain’t gonna start buying it elsewhere.”

Shaw glanced across the street. He couldn’t see Sam, but her Land Rover was still parked at the pump. “Maybe it’s not open today,” Shaw suggested. “Day off.”

The man scowled. “Ain’t been closed in fifty years. That young lass in there usually opens it up like clockwork each morning.” The old man wandered off cursing to himself.

Shaw glanced across the street and noticed that a sheriff’s cruiser that had pulled into the gas station, was parked right across the front of Sam’s SUV, blocking it in. Roy Beckman climbed out just as Sam was walking out of the gas station, carrying two take-out coffees.

Shaw let out a sigh and started over. He didn’t want to confront Roy Beckman again and was certain Sam didn’t want to either.

Out of nowhere, a black, jacked-up pickup truck pulled up tight to the curb and skidded to a halt, blocking Shaw’s path. The pickup truck was so huge it blocked Shaw’s view of the gas station. Four doors flew open, and out piled Joey Lombardi and three hefty-looking men. Joey locked eyes on Shaw and headed toward him, like a shark homing in on a school of bait fish.

Shaw stepped back but kept his hands by his sides.

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