| The biggest problem is the entourage. You’ll attract all manner of friends, new and old, and everybody will want something. You’re lucky to have a friend like Murray.” Sooley laughed and said, “He ain’t gettin’ nothin’.” They shared a good laugh. Arnie said, “You’ll need him. And you’ll need his mother.” “My mother?” “Yes. Ida. I had a long chat with her this morning.” “No! You gotta be kidding. Don’t tell me she called you.” Murray was shaking his head, humiliated. “She did.” “I’m so sorry, Arnie. So sorry.” “Sorry for what?” “She’s just butting in. I can’t believe this.” “Relax, Murray. We had a good talk. She considers you two to be her boys and she’s just being protective.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. My mother died when I was ten years old. Be thankful she’s there.” Murray and Sooley exchanged confused looks. “What does she want?” Sooley asked. “Well, she asked to see the agency agreement you and I will sign. Fine with me. I’m an open book, Sooley. There are no secrets, no hidden language. She’s a lawyer and it’s a good thing for her to take a look. Any objections?” Sooley raised both hands, palms up, and said, “Look, whatever Miss Ida wants is fine with me. I can’t say no to her.” Murray said, “She’s tough. She’ll probably want to cut your four percent.” Arnie laughed and said, “That’s not gonna happen. I’m sure Miss Ida and I can find plenty of common ground. I’ve been |
may have been crying. A soldier ordered him to lay down the weapon and he did so. He fell to his knees, touched his fingertips to his chin, and begged for his life. The two soldiers stood over him. One kicked him in the face and knocked him flat, facedown. The other raised his Kallie and fired away, strafing the boy’s back and head. Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak! When all was quiet, the passengers cautiously lifted their heads and watched as the soldiers cleared the road, then dragged the six dead bodies to the cargo truck and piled them together near the fuel tank under the driver’s seat. In no hurry, they searched through all pockets and kept the money and valuables. They confiscated their weapons and found two sat phones in the cab. They turned a valve, drained the diesel from the tank, and let it run over the dead bodies. One soldier ripped off a tee shirt from a corpse, soaked it with lighter fluid, and wrapped it around a large rock. They backed away, lit the tee shirt, and tossed it at the cargo truck. Whoosh! The noise startled even the soldiers and they stepped back again. The fire roared and engulfed the truck and sent thick, black exhaust boiling upward. Flames shot from the dead bodies as the clothing caught fire, then the flesh began sizzling. The soldiers laughed and admired their work. The bus driver swept glass from his dashboard and resettled into his seat |
