The Ticket X & X1 edited

The Ticket X

We arrived at the little house and the door was opened Ellen and Laura stepped out first there was a loud Craack and Laura went down with blood spurting out of her chest. She was quickly put back into the car and we were on the way to the hospital. I pulled off my Jacket and held it on the wound. We met the ambulance halfway there and she was transferred to the ambulance where they could work on her.

After the ambulance left for the hospital I started making phone calls. The first call was the number given me by Al Sims. I answered with the code word Hondo. Then said they shot one of my girls. I gave them my bag phone number and Charles’s number. He said he would contact Pater Lane. I called The General and said they shot one of my girls. He said give me a list of what you need.

The last call I made was to Jacob Littlestar I told him what had happened and that War had been declared and that the best thing was to stay out of the way…or help. “Jacob I know she was not the target… I know it was meant for me… The people don’t care who they shoot, they don’t see their target they just shoot.” He tried to calm me down I told him again to not get in the way.

Charles was waiting when we returned to the house. I sent Josie and Celeste to the hospital I told them to make sure Mavis Demp was in charge of the trauma unit. “ Charles how near ready are we to being able to use the guest house.”

“With out a few amenities we could get by now. “

“Start educating them on what is going on and move them in. Necessary work will continue but the rest prep for war. And Charles do you happen to have a couple of Ex Army Recon hanging around if so send them to me. Any thing you need make a list.”

The phone rang it was Celeste reporting on Laura, They have the bleeding stopped and she is stable. The bullet penetrated her lung.

I asked if she was awake and if so could she have visitors Celeste answered NO to both questions.
The next morning two men were waiting for me to finish breakfast. They were quite a contrast one was about 5’6” tall and the other 6′ 4” they identified themselves as Tom Graves and Brad Nichols I shook their hands and said I am Night…and you are… They smiled and Tom said Homer.( they could drop him anywhere and like a beeline he would find camp) Brad said Eagle (he had sharp eyesight) they had worked as a team before they got out.

I gave them an address to meet the homeless man in the wheel chair. He has identified the seven but not the leader who is only known by the initial M in a circle. He is your assignment I want to know his name his occupation his address and anything else you can find out about him. The second man which along with M are listed as Dangerous and their names were encrypted. The second man or person is the ‘scorpion ‘ No picture is known to exist he is an assassin noted for shots or knives in the back. If you find this person. Shoot first and ask questions later.

That afternoon I had Charles and two others watch the house. I loaded all the girls in my truck and went to the big house for a supper meeting Rhonda and her two sisters were invited I would have invited Lila and Nancy but didn’t wish to endanger them. I also had two extra chairs for Celeste and Connie. I didn’t really expect Celeste or Josie would leave the hospital but… I had planned to ask Sandy Sixkiller but instead just had a discussion with her on the phone. She told me there was something brewing in New Mexico.

6 pm the ritual has been completed. We said Grace and dug in to a hearty beef stew with scalloped potatoes salad and big plates of corn bread. After the dessert we first had the normal ranch meeting.

I want to steer as much trouble away from you girls as I can therefore I will only spend 2 nights a week
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XI


My two Recon were posted at either end of the block from the warehouse where the Crime Bosses met, The Limo was the last to arrive.