Page 18 of Runt's Haunted Ride
"Rigged game," Tank said dismissively.
"That's what I thought, but the carnie got quite a crowd, and they acted like it was perfectly normal for a ring to bounce off the ground and still land on the target. All of them but one guy. The orange clown stepped in and blew some of that powder onthe guy's face. His eyes glazed over, and he shut up." I looked around the room. "The kicker—the clown and carny said her prize jewelry was real diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. If I had to guess, I would say it would be worth fifty grand, easy. The carnie was showing it off to the whole crowd, letting people examine it."
"No fucking way," Heavy said. "You're making that up."
"Listen, I'm just reporting what I saw. We were told to keep a lookout. That's what we did," I told him. The room was quiet as the guys all looked at us.
"That's it. I want in on that action," Leaper announced to everyone.
The room buzzed with excitement and disbelief as guy after guy spoke up about wanting to change jobs with us.
"Sit down," Fang ordered, but Leaper ignored him.
Leaper continued. "I want midway patrol tomorrow night. If there's that much action, I want in on it."
"Same here," Diesel said, joining Leaper.
"Count me in too," Crusher added. "I'm tired of checking IDs while the real excitement is happening somewhere else."
"ENOUGH!" Fang roared in his gorilla voice, standing up from his chair. The room went silent. "I'm not shuffling assignments because you're—"
The clubhouse door swung open, cutting off whatever Fang was about to say. President Silver walked in. "Boys," the President said, his cold eyes sweeping the room. "Sounds like quite a discussion in here."
"Just debriefing the night's activities, sir," Fang said, his tone immediately respectful.
The President poured a shot of whiskey and then settled himself and the bottle into his chair at the head of the room. "What's got everyone so worked up?"
Fang quickly summarized the night's reports, emphasizing the boring assignments and building up to our encounters. When he got to the part about Mortis, the President's eyes sharpened.
"You think they were real jewels?" the President asked.
"Yes, sir," I confirmed.
"Did anyone else see these jewels?"
No one said anything.
"Huh. Tell me the part about Mortis again."
Fang motioned for us to speak, so Swinger, Bulldog, and I filled him in on what happened. The President leaned back in his chair; his fingers wrapped around the neck of the whiskey bottle. The room held its breath, waiting.
"I've heard Mortis is into some dark shit. Voodoo and all that." He slammed back a shot and poured another. "These jewels are interesting, but I don't think that's what we're looking for. I mean, granted, when the time comes, we'll take them too. I'm going to make some calls and find out what we're looking for. But for the time being, Fang, I want assignments rotated starting tomorrow night. Fresh eyes in different spots."
Fang's eyes widened. "Sir, I didn't think Mortis—"
"I wasn't asking for your opinion," the President cut him off. "Mix it up. Different assignments, different teams. I want eyes and ears everywhere. Those carnies and clowns know the score. Watch them. We'll let them lead us to the loot."
The room erupted in quiet celebration. Guys were already making plans, claiming spots, eager for their chance at the action.
Swinger looked at me. "Fine by me. I can use a night away from those things."
"Me too," Bulldog and I said together.
As the meeting broke up and guys began drifting off to their rooms or back out to the bars, I finished my beer and headed to my own room. I meant what I said. I was glad to be getting abreak from the midway. The farther I could be from Mortis and his clown brigade, the better.
Chapter 6
"Alright, listen up," Fang called out, glaring, his voice carrying across the carnival parking lot with an edge that made several members flinch. "New assignments, new responsibilities. Don't fuck this up just because you're in a different spot. And you midway guys, don't go looking for trouble just so you can sound cool tonight."
