Skinner by Jesse D'Angelo

Author:Jesse D'Angelo [D’Angelo, Jesse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Encyclopocalypse Publications

22

BACK FOR BLOOD

Jim Reid secured the final lock in the back door of Chattanooga Billiards and lit up a Chesterfield. He was a tall, sturdy, barrel-chested man, a graying military haircut and a close-cropped beard over a lantern jaw. It had been a long day, and it was not over yet.

Arthur had just brought in a new shipment of cargo, and now that night had crept into its deepest hours, it was time to unload. Jim paced in small circles and leaned against the driver’s door of a parked, gray panel van, enjoying his cigarette under the single streetlight that illuminated the dank alley. The pre-dawn world was silent and all the lost souls had crawled back to their holes for the night.

The growl of a motorcycle passed through the dark.

A rider on the main street, the growl faded and finally cut out, leaving Jim in relaxed silence again. He took another drag from his cigarette and kicked at a bottle cap. The next sound that registered in his ears was footsteps. Two sets, coming closer, people walking on the sidewalk out front.

He expected whoever it was to just walk on by, like everyone else, but two silhouetted figures stopped when they reached the head of the alley. A man and a woman. They turned and walked toward him.

Jim’s pulse skipped. He stopped pacing and played it cool. His nickel-plated Sig Sauer P320 reminded him of its presence in his shoulder holster. The two figures drew in closer. The man was tall with short-cropped hair and a leather jacket that accentuated his powerful shoulders. The woman was sleek and lithe, the streetlights catching in her short, punk-rock afro.

Will and Janae stepped into the light.

“We’re closed,” Jim said.

Janae smiled as she drew closer. “We’re here to see Arthur.” Will flanked Jim, hands crossed in front of him. Jim noted the serious glare in the eyes of the tall Indian.

“Arthur’s gone for the night.”

“You must be Jim.”

“Uh… Do I know you guys?”

“No, Jim. But we know you.” Her eyes were hypnotic caverns, drawing him into their depths.

“Look, get out of here, little girl. You too, chief. Don’t make me have to fuck you up.” Jim puffed out his chest as he stood his ground.

“Can I get a cigarette?” She asked, the edges of her lips pulling back into a heart-shaped smirk. Jim resisted, but those eyes kept pulling at him. He produced his pack of Chesterfields without even thinking, and passed her one.

“Light me up?”

Jim obliged, sparking his Zippo and lighting the smoke for her. She took a puff and exhaled a sensual cloud into the light. Will watched with fascinated interest. “Wh-Who are you guys…?” Jim said.

“We’re your employers, Jim.”

“Look, I work for Arthur. Ya’ll better get out of — ”

“And Arthur works for us,” Janae said. “Go ahead and pass me your sidearm, would you?” Will shot a doubtful glance at her nonchalant request, but in an instant, the bewitched Jim had produced the weapon.

“Okay,” he said, passing it over.

Janae passed the Sig over to Will, who tucked it into his belt, impressed with her talent.

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