Free When A Plan Comes Together by Jerry D. Young Page B

recognized the expensive Rolex. Dave didn’t have that kind of money.
     
    “We don’t need to discuss anything,” Kathy said. Over her shoulder she told Roxie. “Fix Mr. Monroe a sack lunch.” Looking back at Dave, she continued. “I’m sure you want to see how your house has fared. Pick up a few things for your journey.”
     
    Dave’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t planning on continuing. I’ve come back home to stay. Why are you treating me like this? I’ve come to take care of you. A woman alone, with two children, needs a man around to take care of them.”
     
    “We’ve managed,” Kathy said. “And we will continue to manage without your help or interference. You don’t look well. I suggest you join one of the groups over near the state line. They are crying for farm laborers.”
     
    Kathy saw the angry flash in Dave’s eyes, quickly hidden. He hadn’t liked Kathy’s dismissal, or suggestion he should work as a laborer. He went up another step. “Far enough, Dave,” Kathy said, lifting the barrel of the rifle slightly.
     
    “You’d shoot me?” Dave asked. He barked a laugh. “You don’t have it in you. You’re probably dying to get a man back in your bed. But I understand you have to put up a front for the two brats.”
     
    Kathy’s eyes flared in anger. Dave was becoming unhinged. “What happened to you, Dave?” she asked. “You wouldn’t have dared speak to me like this before the attack.”
     
    Dave took another step up as he replied. “I’ve been through the wringer, woman! I stayed in my basement and got sick as a dog. You obviously had a real shelter, from the looks of the three of you. You could have invited me in. But you didn’t. I couldn’t take it after two weeks. I tried to get in here, but your security is too good.
     
    “I went down to the city hall and they took me in, but we got a lousy cup of soup a day. I won’t live like that. I deserve better. When the gang came through… Well, let’s just say I found a way to survive.”
     
    “You told them to come here!” Rex almost yelled. He’d moved closer to the house, his hand still on his pistol grip.
     
    “And it made no difference. None of them came back with the food and… well… I was to be well rewarded for guiding them to a successful score.” He took the final step up onto the porch and grabbed for Kathy’s gun.
     
    He didn’t get a hand on it. Kathy was ready for the move and stepped back smoothly. She probably would have shot him, except Rex had leapt up the stairs and tackled Dave around the knees. Dave went down hard, face first onto floor of the porch.
     
    He screamed in rage and struggled to get up. But Rex had his arms in a tight hold. Kathy stepped forward, stooped down, and removed both the rifle from where it had fallen, and the pistol that was riding behind his belt in the middle of his back.
     
    Roxie was standing in the doorway now, with a paper sack in one hand and her Glock in the other.
     
    “You’ll regret this!” Dave screamed as Rex stepped back and let Dave up. Roxie tossed the bag of food to him and Dave caught it automatically. It was either catch it or have it hit him in the face.
     
    “You’re lucky I don’t just shoot you!” Rex said. He had his pistol out now, too. “Just for what you were thinking you’d do to my mother and sister.”
     
    “Why you little…” Dave growled and took a step toward Rex. But all three guns on him lifted and he knew he was a finger twitch from dying. Rather than dying where he stood, Dave whirled around and tromped down the steps. His long strides took him away from the house quickly.
     
    Kathy, Roxie, and Rex kept his back in their sights until he suddenly turned and ran between two houses well down the street.
     
    “This is a problem,” Kathy said softly. “He’ll probably be back.”
     
    “I won’t hesitate next time,” Rex said. “I should have just killed him.”
     
    “No, sweetheart,” Kathy said. “I