Merrick (11 page)

Two days later, we were gathered in Merrick’s bar, Shona at my side, Merrick, wearing a

sweat shirt that had the logo

……………………………………Black Cat.

I didn’t ask.

I was afraid he’d tell me.

Merrick said

‘The loot has a nationwide APB on Charlie, where can he go, sooner or later they’ll get

him.’

Neither of us bought that, it was more for Shona. The guy had prepared his escape a long

time ago. He was dust, a ghost, lost in some shadows of foreboding.

Merrick looked a bit nervous, I said

‘Spit it out, what’s eating you?’

He looked at Shona, said

‘You hear this guy, speaking American?’

She said

‘Trust me, he’s all Irish.

Merrick said

‘Don’t go off on me, ok?’

I waited

He swallowed, then

‘We’ve been offered a new case, Serge. Boxer passed it along, you interested?’

I looked at Shona, she said

‘Of course, what else he’s going to do, mope around the house, getting on my nerves.’

Merrick smiled, asked

‘So, anyone up for a movie?’

‘YOU CANNOT FUCK EVERYBODY AND THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD WORK IS

IF YOU COULD FUCK EVERYBODY.

HARRY CREWS.

In the Catskill’s, in winter, it’s quiet, you can pick your choice of cabins to rent. Charlie,

a bag of groceries tucked in his arm, the Beretta in the right pocket of his heavy duty

parka, smiled. His beard had come full in, grey, giving him that distinguished look. And

his shaven head, oh Sweet Mother, to shave off all that thick hair?

But what you gonna do?

In the spring, the heat would be off, the heat would be on, weather wise and he could

move to Boca.

The deal done and sealed.

So, a few months to eat, drink some beers, down some hot Jameson, how was he hurting.

Already, in the local Tavern, the proprietress given him that
come on
look. No sweat,

he’d get to her, thought

‘How sweet it is.’

Managed to get his key in the lock of the cabin, without dropping the grocery bag, got in

tried to balance for the light switch when wham, like he was hit by a fucking mule.

Out.

Came to, naked, tied to the basic wooden kitchen chair, two huge guys looking at him

with almost disinterest.

One had, what?............a lightening scar on his face, the fuck was with that?

The other was juicing up a power drill.

Scar face moved up

Asked

‘How you like your hot dog?’

The End