Payroll by William James Johnson Chapter 31

With Hansen's gun poking in his back, Eduardo walked slowly towards the black limo.
"Forget my car. We'll take yours."
"Whatever you say Senor...please don't hurt me and my friends."
"No one's going to get hurt as long as you do as your told."
"I will Senor...I promise."
"What you said in there about his investments...you mean it? They're really worth two million dollars?"
"He's worth even more if you count the value of his hacienda. I've been very fortunate with his money."
"Fortunate...Hell. I'd call it phenomenal. How did you make it grow so rapidly?"
"Short term warrants...you only have to put up ten percent of their value, and each month you reinvest your profit. It's a gamble , but knowing all you can about a business reduces the risk. I can help you with your investments too."
Their financial discussion was suddenly interrupted as Hansen saw down the mountain road, coming towards them at top speed, a black and white police cruiser churning up clouds of dust.
"I wonder what the hell they're after?"
"Probably coming to arrest the robbers."
"Let's get a move on. I sure don't feel like hanging around here, answering a bunch of questions."
"What about your men?"
"They're big enough to take care of themselves...now move it."
Eduardo turned the ignition key. The labouring engine would not turn over.
"Now what the hell's wrong?"
"I'm sorry Senor. It must be the dust. At this time of year I have a lot of trouble starting it. It'll only take me a minute to clean the air filter."
"Fuck it for Chrissake. They're almost here. We'll have to use mine."
As he turned his back on Eduardo to get out of the car, a man who had been hiding in the back seat suddenly jumped up and swung a tire iron across Hansen's back, knocking him through the open car door onto the pavement. He was out cold.
"What took you so long?" asked Eduardo, irritated.
"He had a gun. I was afraid if I moved too soon, he might shoot you."
"Good work Fernando."
"Gracias amigo."
"How did you know we would be taking my car?"
"I didn't know, so I took the distributor caps off both cars."
"You're a smart man."
"I was right wasn't I..That limo was the one they used to take us to Sanchez."
"Yes, you were right. We are lucky we did not go in together. We would not have had any chance against his men and their machine guns."
"What should we do now?"
"Here is Captain Juarez. It is now his problem."
The cruiser screeched as it skidded to a stop within feet of the two men standing over the unconscious Hansen, his gun in Eduardo's hand. Juarez threw open his door and dropped onto his knees beside it, thrusting his revolver through the open window.
"Drop your guns and grab me some sky." Juarez was a great fan of the American TV detective, "Dirty Harry."
Edurado dropped the gun and kicked it over to the Captain, raising his hands above his head.
"Don't shoot Captain. We are not armed."
"Cuff em and bring them here," ordered Juarez, getting back to his feet when he saw the danger was over.
"Be very quiet Senor or his men will hear you and begin shooting."
"What men?"
"Hansen's men...in the house. They have capture Senor Silky and his wife."
They have guns?"
"Si Senor. Machine guns."
"Take cover men. Spread out on each side of the gate and keep close to the walls. Okay Eduardo, fill me in."
"The man on the ground is the American sailor Hansen...the monster who sells our children in his country."
"The chicken trader?"
"The same...he came here with his men to rob Senor Silky."
"And Silky's the guy who shot Sanchez?"
Fernando interrupted. "No Captain...Sanchez was shot by Miguel."
"Who the hell's Miguel?"
"He is a street boy," explained Eduardo. "He is living with the Canadians."
"And they used him to ambush Sanchez?"
"Please Captain...this is not the place, nor the time," said Eduardo. "Our friends are in very great danger. After they have been saved, they will tell you the whole story."
"Okay...you're right. How're we going to get into this place. It's built like a fort."
"Through the front gate. Ring the bell, and Hansen's man will let you in."
"Oh!..just like that. I ring the bell, and he let's us in."
"Not quite Captain. If he sees you, he will start shooting. I will ring the bell. He's expecting me to return."
Juarez spaced his four men on each side of the gate and waited with them while Eduardo rang the bell. A couple of minutes later, Raoul came to the gate.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Eduardo. Me and Mr. Hansen."
"Is that you Mr. Hansen?" asked Raoul through the tiny opening in the solid metal gate. The previous owner spared no expense providing himself with maximum security.
"He's waiting in the limo. He wants you and Tomaso to come with him."
Raoul was being extra cautious after having been criticized for pulling out the telephone line. "Tell him to come to the gate...I'm not opening it until I hear Hansen."
As they exchanged queries, Fernando made his way discreetly to Hansen's limo and opened the door quietly and sat in the driver's seat. Eduardo could see what his friend was trying to do.
"Open the gate Raoul and see for yourself. I don't want to anger Mr. Hansen. You know what a temper he has."
He heard the bolt slide on the iron gate, and Raoul stood in the opening his Uzi in operational position, and waved to the guy in the limo. Fernando responded by leaning on the car horn. This was enough to make the crook come out of the yard. That was all it took for Juarez to get a smash at his head with the butt of his magnum. He fell like a sack of dried beans.
"Cuff him and put him in the cruiser with Hansen...Okay Eduardo, one down, and one to go. What do we do now?"
"Just wait. When Raoul does not come back, Tomaso will come to see why."
"But if he doesn't, then what?"
"He will. Tomaso is a very nervous man. He needs someone to tell him what to do. Just be ready. If he sees you, he will shoot, and someone will get hurt."
"How is it you know so much about these men Eduardo?"
"In my business, I have to be able to judge people. Men like Tomaso are very easy to read. He is a follower, and when there is no one to follow, he is frightened, and dangerous. He does have a machine gun like Raoul, and he could use it."
"Maybe I should have two of my men move inside the yard and locate by the portico. They could pick off Tomaso when he comes out."
"That is too risky Captain. He may be inside looking at the gate right now. Please Senor, don't take any chances."
"He knows you Eduardo...go take a look in the gate ...see if you can spot him. If he's not there, we'll ring the bell again. That'll make him come out."
"I'll do it...but I think it's wrong."
"I don't care what you think...just do it...now."
Eduardo moved gingerly towards the gate which the Captain had closed after dropping Raoul, and peered through the small opening. Indicating to Juarez he saw nothing, the Captain gestured for him to ring the bell. Eduardo pressed the button and waited. A couple of minutes later, he saw Tomaso coming towards him, his arm wrapped around Rona's throat, brandishing his Uzi in his free hand.
"Who the hell's out there?"
"It's me Tomaso...Eduardo. Raoul and Hansen are waiting for you in the limo."
"If you're lying, this bitch is as good as dead right now."
"Please do not hurt her. Hansen wants you and Raoul to come with us to the bank, in case we should have any trouble with the guards. He doesn't care what happens to these robbers now that he's going to get all the money. Let her go Tomaso."
Tomaso squinted towards the black limo, barely able to see the outline of the driver behind the tinted glass. Unable to be seen by Tomaso, Eduardo signalled Fernando, and he leaned on the horn.
"Come on my friend. You are keeping us all waiting. Your boss is getting angry."
"How do I know it's not a trick?"
Eduardo gestured again, and Fernando pumped the horn several times.
"Okay...okay. Tell him I'm coming. Jeezus he can be a miserable bastard."
He pushed Rona out of the way and opened the gate. Hesitating for a moment before coming out, he braced his machine gun against his waist and pointed it at Eduardo.
"You better be telling me the truth amigo, or so help me you are a dead man."
Reacting to his threat, Juarez jumped into the space in front of Eduardo and fired a shot, catching Tomaso in the shoulder. Instinctively the thug jammed the gate shut and pushed the bolt into place, followed up by a burst of automatic fire through the small opening in the door. Bullets ricocheted off the driveway. Fortunately no one was hit.
"Mother of God...I knew we should've waited. Now he's hurt and he's going to hurt them to get even," said Eduardo, furiously.
"I'm sorry Eduardo. I thought he was going to shoot you."
"Why would he shoot me. I was the one who was going to transfer the money for them. Now there's no telling what he'll do."
They were interrupted by another burst from the machine gun.
"Is there another way into this place?"
"Across the lake...but that would take too much time. They could all be dead by then."
"Well then tell me...what would you do?"
"Wait...like I asked you to do before."
"But you just said trying to get in by the lake side could be too late...why are you saying we should wait now?"
"Senor Silky is a very clever man...I believe in him. He'll find a way."
Inside the wall, staggering towards the portico when Tomaso released her, Rona reached out to Silky who yanked her into the protection of the foyer, slamming the solid door, and locking it. The bleeding Tomaso fired into the ornately carved wood, splintering it in several places, some of the shells penetrating the thinner sections.
"Quick...get out back with Carmelita and the kids and take cover in the garden shed. Make sure you lock it. You'll be safe there...it's solid steel. Me and Sandy are going to do our best to keep an eye on Tomaso."
"He's wounded Silky."
"I know...I saw the blood. I think it's his shoulder. Could be just a matter of time...Now go on...Hurry."
Rona kissed him, feeling the trembling in his chest. "Whatever happens Silky, you know I love you."
"I love you too Rona. Make it fast before he tries to get in the back way."
Running along the hallway which joined the front of the house with the back, she disappeared into the area where they did most of their living.
"Come on Sandy...It's up to you old fellow."
The dog's tongue dripped as he tensed his legs, waiting for instructions.
"When I swing the door open, he'll probably shoot, so we better stay out of the way. As soon as he comes in, take him down like you always do."
Anyone seeing him explaining his plan to a dog like this would have been certain the man was crazy. But Silky knew Sandy understood every word. He was special.
After giving Rona several minutes to get to the back shed, he decided to go into action. Looking through the metal grate on one of the front windows, he saw Tomaso standing by the main gate, his gun tucked into his waist, his shirt soaked in blood.
"Tomaso!"
"What do you want?"
"Come on in...we can talk."
"I've got nothing to say to you."
"Don't be stupid...no one has been hurt yet. Put down your gun, and we'll surrender together. I'll go with you."
He pointed the Uzi at the window and fired a burst, the shells rebounding off the wrought iron staircase.
"I'm going to open the front door. I'm serious amigo. Come in the house and we'll talk."
Tomaso fired another burst into the front door. Silky began to doubt his plan. At least with the crook on the outside, obviously bleeding profusely, it was a matter of time.
Captain Juarez shouted at Tomaso from outside the wall. It was comforting to know help was at hand, but Silky couldn't make Tomaso take the bait. Mustering all his courage, he slipped the bolt on the door, and waited. It made a loud noise as it rammed against the stops. Tomaso didn't fire this time. Slowly, Silky opened the door, letting it swing of its own weight until the entrance was completely vulnerable.
"I'm coming in."
"Good...we'll talk."
Silky pressed against the thick walls for protection in case Tomaso should decide to fire again. Sandy stood beside him, prepared to pounce on his command. Seconds seemed like minutes as the thug moved cautiously towards them, his shadow reaching deep into the foyer.
"Come on out...I want to see you."
"Put down your gun first."
"No way."
"Then you'll have to wait until you're inside. I'm not going to stick my neck out and have you shoot me."
Silky saw his shadow drop the arm that was holding the gun.
"I'm not going to shoot you...I want to talk. Maybe you're right. We give ourselves up before anyone gets hurt, they can't do nothin' to us."
"Okay...come on in Tomaso."
His shadow began to move again towards the entrance. Silky reached down and held Sandy's collar. Just as the crook's foot entered the foyer, he let Sandy go. Tomaso had forgotten about the Doberman. In the house he had appeared so docile, sleeping when Hansen was speaking to them, he took the dog for granted. Sandy flew at his neck, and the Uzi fired hitting the animal in the leg. Silky smashed a large metal umbrella stand over Tomaso's head, knocking him to the tiled floor. His gun flew out of his hand, skidding on the tiles, stopping at the foot of the stairs. Before Tomaso could get back to his feet, Silky grabbed the weapon, and using the metal butt, delivered another blow to his suffering head, knocking him out.
Quickly he went to Sandy, whose rear right leg hung awkwardly over his front paw, bleeding heavily. He ripped off his shirt and wrapped it above the wound and using a cane which had fallen out of the umbrella stand, broke it in half, and slipped it into the knotted shirt and began to twist it until the bleeding stopped.
"Jeezus...Jeezus Sandy. Don't die on me old friend. Please don't die."
He ran out into the front yard and yelled to the men on the other side of the wall.
"It's me Silky...I'm going to open the gate now. Don't shoot. I took care of Tomaso"
He slid the bolt and slowly opened the gate. Facing him were his friends Eduardo and Fernando, flanked by four policemen and Captain of police, Simon Juarez.
"Hurry up men. You've got to help me get Sandy to the hospital right away. He's been shot. Look after him for me Fernando while I tell the others it's all over."
Fernando rushed to the dog's side. Sandy's eyes were closed, and his breathing was very shallow.
"Help me Eduardo get him into your car. We must get him to the doctor right away. Is that okay Captain?"
"Give him a hand Eduardo...you better go with him. Me and my men will stay. I've got a lot of questions I want to ask your friend."
Raising the hood of Eduardo's car, Fernando replaced the distributor cap, then slammed it shut.
"Okay amigo. Let's burn it."
His banker friend smiled at the expression, then hit the accelerator, leaving a wide patch of rubber on the pavement.

View the biography of William James Johnson at www.noozoon.com