The Package

The smell of nitro filled the early evening air. Cole had laid down a long smokey burn-out and was reversing slowly back to the start line. His hemi sounded strong, cackling loudly on both banks. Gretchen guided him back on the rubber he had laid until she crossed her arms on her chest indicating he should stop. Where was his opponent? Through the clearing smoke he saw the familiar logo on the car - ‘ARMY’ He was in the final against none other than ‘the snake’ himself - Don Prudhomme. No one had given the local boy any chance in the ‘Big Go East’ here in New Jersey. Prudhomme had the most wealthy sponsor on the planet - the US army. Who did Cole have? Vinny; a small time hood from downtown. Anyway, his luck had held during the eliminations and here he was. Cole cleared the engine’s throat and lurched to the starting line - perhaps he could disturb the snake’s concentration. He knew he hadn’t got the brute power of the army car so he would have to get him on a ‘hole shot’ - and that wouldn’t be easy against someone named after the reaction of a striking snake! Stamping on the accelerator again he hopped to the staging beams. The starter gave him a warning look of disapproval - he was disrespecting the champ! He hovered in pre stage, waiting for Prudhomme. The shaking fender of his opponent crossed the beam, and they both sat in pre stage. ‘ I ain’t gonna stage first’ said Cole to himself. The starter urged them both forward, Cole refused to move until Prudhomme was in stage. The engines were straining and heating in the warm summer air. The army car went into stage and Cole followed immediately. The tree went down and the mighty roar of two nitro hemis split the Jersey night. Cole had got him off the lights and thundered down the track just ahead. Suddenly, as the car went into high gear, he felt a cylinder go. The g force relented as the car’s acceleration slowed. The army car stormed past at the finish line - damn it!

‘You gonna help me to pack up or just sit there and sulk?’ said Gretchen.
Don Prudhomme’s ‘congratulations for a good race’ still sticking in his craw, Cole was in no mood to do anything much. He had him, bet it was that old magneto caused the cylinder to drop. Goddamn pile of junk!
‘You sure are one sorry excuse for a good loser Cole’ She scolded.
‘Perhaps I should get myself a new mechanic’ he retorted.
‘Who ever heard of a woman tuner anyway?’
‘Poor Cole, is he throwing his toys outta his pram again?’ Teased Gretchen.
Cole threw an empty plastic cup at her.
‘I need a drink’ he sighed.
‘The sooner we get packed the sooner we’re outta here’
Cole groaned as he got to his feet - this ain’t no way to make a livin’, he mused.
‘Can I have a word Mr. Younger?’
Cole turned to see a heavy set man in dark glasses flanked by another, equally formidable individual.
‘Sure, what can I do for you boys?’
‘Mr Travaconti would like to see you’
Oh, great, just what he needed - a lecture from Vinny.
‘Tell Vinny I’ll be along tomorrow’
‘He said he would like to see you now’ said the gorilla.
‘Look boys I’ve had a hard day and I need a drink so run along and tell Vinny I’ll drop by the Café tomorrow’
‘Are we gonna have to do this the hard way?’ asked the second heavy.
The goon reached inside his pocket. Cole grabbed his arm and spun him backwards into his partner.
‘I like the hard way, especially after the day I’ve had’ said Cole advancing on them.
The other heavy took a swing at Cole who ducked and countered with a vicious uppercut that sent him careering back into a pile of oil cans. Regaining his footing, goon number one threw another punch. Swaying back, Cole aimed a blow at the midriff. The air was expelled painfully as he doubled up. Another punch landed flush on his jaw and sent him to join his partner in a developing puddle of oil. Cole was advancing again when Gretchen pulled him back.
‘I think they’ve had enough Cole - am I right boys?’
They grunted.
‘Tell Vinny thanks for the invitation - and like I said, I’ll be along tomorrow’

Chapter 2

The next day Cole made his way downtown to Vinny’s place, a cafeteria where the local hoods would meet and discuss ‘business’. He had almost recovered from the disappointment of yesterday - but to get so close to winning a national event! Perhaps he’d pack up and try his luck in California. Some chance - where was he going to get the money to finance it? He entered the dimly lit joint. Vinny was holding court as usual at the far table. The two goons from Sunday sat on other tables nursing their injuries. One of them got up upon Cole’s approach.
‘No need to get up Ladies, I ain’t the President’
The heavy advanced menacingly.
‘Sit down Curly’ ordered Vinny.
‘Haven’t you learnt your lesson yet, Cole here is old school like me - he’ll mess you up again’
‘Sit down Cole, it’s been a while’
‘I could’ve done without Hansel and Gretel here trying to strong arm me yesterday’ said Cole.
‘Yeah, sorry about that, you can’t get quality help these days - I warned them not to get physical’
‘You see the race yesterday?’
‘Sure did, on the TV right there’ Vinny said, pointing to the set in the corner.
‘I had that army poster boy until I dropped a cylinder’
‘You’ll get him next time. As it happens, it’s driving I want to talk to you about’
‘Racing?’
‘More like a cruise - coast to coast’
‘I don’t get it’
Vinny moved closer to Cole and lowered his voice.
‘I need someone I can trust to deliver a package for me’
‘If it’s drugs or guns, count me out Vinny - you know I’m straight now’
‘Nothing like that Cole, it’s kosher, I promise. If you can make it to LA in 8 days its worth 10 large to you’
Cole let out a slow whistle.
‘For that kind of money it must be crooked’
‘Cole, me and you go way back - when I say its straight that’s the way it is, Patron’
Cole believed him, he may be a hood but he took neighbourhood loyalty seriously - he knew he could trust Cole because he wasn’t afraid of Vinny or his mob connections.
‘I’ve been thinking of racing in California’ said Cole
‘There you go - everyone’s happy and now you can buy as much nitro as you want!’ laughed Vinny.
‘When do you want me to start?’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘Jesus Vinny, this package perishable or something?’
‘Or something’ said Vinny enigmatically.
‘OK, I’ll pick it up here - say 9ish?’
‘Perfect, thanks Cole - I owe you’
‘10 grand’ said Cole getting up. As he got up the goon got up again.
‘Looks like Curly’s got a real hard on for you, Cole’ said Vinny.
‘I have that effect on the Ladies’
The goon stepped up into Cole’s face: ‘I’m gonna kill you one day’ he snarled.
‘You mean you’re gonna try. Wishin’ and doin’ are two different things, punk’
With that, he head butted his opponent viciously, leaving him holding his face and groaning. He heard the sound of Vinny’s laughter as he closed the door behind him.

Chapter 3

Cole had arranged for Gretchen and his kid brother Tommy to start heading towards LA with the rig. He would arrange a few match races when he’d delivered the package. He was looking forward to racing those arrogant west coast surfer types in their own back yard! Stepping into the café he was surprised by a blonde sitting at the table nearest the door - it was Heather!
‘Hi yah’ she said in the southern accent she’d had since she was a kid.
‘Hi yourself - been a long time Heather’
‘You haven’t changed at all, big boy’ she said flirtingly.
‘Neither have you, still a knock out’
‘Why thank you kind sir, sit down and we’ll reminisce’
‘Can’t - got to pick up a package for Vinny’
‘Why - I’m the package, silly’
Cole’s jaw dropped.
‘He called me a package did he?’
‘Vinny’s idea of a joke I suppose‘ Said Cole, stony faced.
‘It’ll be fun, you driving me all the way to California’
‘Why don’t you get on a plane like everyone else?’
‘You know I’m scared of flying Cole, or have you forgotten?’
‘I thought you might have grown out of it by now’
‘You don’t grow out of phobias - it takes years of therapy’
‘But why me, and why all the hurry?’
‘I’ll tell you all about it on the way, have a coffee before we start’

Cole and Heather sat in silence as he drove the Dodge south, out of town. He had known her at the same school he and Vinny attended. She was the local beauty who drove the boys wild. It wasn’t a surprise when she hooked up with Vinny - as his mistress (he was already married) - because she liked money and the things it could buy. They had been ‘together’ for some years now and Cole often wondered if she had told him about the little ‘fling’ they had. He had really liked her but he knew she wouldn’t stay with him because he didn’t have the money to keep her. Truth be told, she was a cold hearted gold digger.
‘So what’s going on?’ he asked her after a few miles.
‘Vinny’s being investigated by the feds, There’s going to be a hearing soon and he doesn’t want me to be called as a witness’
‘A witness to what?’
‘Let’s just say I was present during a little unpleasantness at a club one night’
‘He killed some one?’
‘Best you don’t know the details Cole, as far as you’re concerned you’re just taking me to visit my parents in LA’
‘But why me?’
‘You’re just about the only person he trusts with me - especially on an 8 day (and night) journey’
Cole laughed: ‘You obviously didn’t tell him about our past’
‘He’s a cold blooded gangster but he’s very naïve when it comes to you - he loves you like a brother you know’
Cole felt a pang of guilt.
‘I kind of suggested you could drive me’
‘You did?’
‘The truth is Cole, I’m carrying his baby and I don’t want the kid to be brought up by a gangster like Vinny!’

Chapter 4

They were heading south and just before Washington DC Cole began to get nervous.
‘I think we’re being followed’
He was surprised by her panicked reaction.
‘My God, already, are you sure Cole?’
‘Don’t get your panties in a bunch, I’m just seeing the same black Buick too often for my liking’
‘Can you lose him?’
‘Listen baby, this car can lose anything if it wants to - but I’ve got a better idea’
He accelerated, pushing them both back in their seats.
‘I saw a bar and motel in the valley ahead from the rise. I’ll drop you at the bar and then get back on the highway to let them follow me for a few miles. I’ll be back when I’ve found out who they are’
‘How are you going to do that?’
‘I’ll let them catch up and then we’ll have a talk’
‘No violence, I know you Cole - remember I need you to get me to LA’
‘Quit worrying, I’ll be nice’
He flung the challenger into the motel car park, breaking in a cloud of dust and gravel. Heather climbed out as quickly as she could and he roared off again. Slowing after a half mile or so he saw the Buick in his rear view mirror. They were going full out and sped past him at 80 mph. He heard a screeching of breaks and a honking horn - they wanted him to pull over. Cole reached into the glove compartment for the .38. The Buick was slowing and boxing him in so he pulled into a gas station. He got out and walked to the café - better have company if these guys had bad intentions, he thought. Ignoring their shouts of: ’Hey you, stop mister’, he went inside, sat on a counter stool and ordered a coffee. Two men in sharp suits sat next to him, one on either side.
‘Are you deaf, Mister?’ said one of them.
‘No, just thirsty’ he replied.
‘Why didn’t you stop when we ordered you to?’
‘Don’t take to bein’ ordered much’
‘We’re Federal Agents’
‘Good for you Sonny, I’m all impressed’
‘You’ve got a smart mouth fella - how about I teach you some respect for the Government?’
‘Go ahead, I love politics’ he said, winking at the waitress.
The younger of the two was about to get physical when the other man said: ‘Easy, Jeremiah, let the man drink his coffee. We only have a couple of questions. Are you driving with a Miss Heather Watson?’
Cole took a long sip of his coffee.
‘Was, dropped her off a piece back’
‘How long ago and where?’
‘Oh, maybe 5 clicks, at a bus station’
‘That’s crap and you know it, Vincent Travaconti’s whore on a bus!’
Cole reminded himself of his promise to stay out of trouble and relaxed his grip on the .38.
‘Let me ask you a question’
‘Go ahead’ said the older Fed.
‘Do you guys practice being arrogant rednecks or does it come natural?’
‘Fuck you, let’s arrest this sonofabitch and be done with it’ said Jeremiah.
‘You arresting me for giving a friend a lift to a bus station?’
The older man got to his feet: ‘Tell Ms Watson we know what’s she’s done and it would be better for her to talk to us rather than Vinny. We’ll be seeing you Mr. Younger - very soon’
‘Good luck boys’ shouted Cole as they left.
Cole ordered some pie and settled back for a leisurely supper. The waitress was a friendly, shapely young lady and he chatted with her for an hour or so. In the corner of his eye he could see the Buick parked over the far side of the car park.
‘Hey, Missy, you got any bananas?’ he enquired.
‘Sure, but they’re a bit green lookin’
‘No matter, I’ll have a couple. And take some burgers and cokes to my friends parked in the Buick over there’ he said pointing.
‘It didn’t sound like you were friends’
‘Oh just a little disagreement about politics, you know how it is’
‘OK, I’ll get your bananas and then take a tray out’
As soon as she made her way out he went through the gents and exited a back door. Circling around behind the Buick, he waited until they were distracted by the comely waitress and the food. He then stuffed the tail pipes of the Buick with the bananas. Going back through the café he calmly got into his Dodge and fired it up. Drawing alongside the feds he bade then good evening. Their Buick, naturally, failed to start.
‘You’ve got some explaining to do Heather’ said Cole, gunning the Challenger.

 

Chapter 5

Heather was sobbing on his shoulder now. All Cole kept saying was: ‘200 grand, 200 grand’
‘I had to do it Cole, I knew Vinny wouldn’t have me killed, especially when he agreed for you to drive me - but his bosses won’t allow a witness to live. If they don’t get me on the road, then as soon as I get on the boat to Columbia they’ll kill me, I know it Cole. And then there’s the baby, I need the money to bring the kid up decently. You see why I stole the $200,000 don’t you Cole? You’ll still help me, won’t you?’
Cole started to laugh: ‘First you break my heart and now you’re gonna get me killed - you’re poison woman, you know that?’
‘The baby should have been yours, I know that now. Forgive me Cole, we can go to Mexico or get another boat to Chile or somewhere’
‘They don’t have much drag racing down there, do they?’ he said absent mindedly.
‘For God’s sake Cole, grow up. This is our chance to be together’
‘One thing’s for sure, Vinny will kill me if he finds out I went along with your betrayal - and I can’t say I’d blame him much’
‘So you’ll help me?’
‘What if I take the money back?’
‘They’ll still kill me because of what I saw at the club. Vinny’s not the power he used to be in the mob anymore - they’ll insist that I’m liquidated’
‘Well we can’t let them make a shake outta you, can we?’ he said smiling.
‘You have a plan?’ she said quietly, relieved by his smile.
‘Not yet, but we’ll keep heading west on the minor roads, like I said, nothing can keep pace with the Dodge when it’s angry’

A day later they pulled up at a diner just outside of Nashville. Cole was still numbed by the situation he found himself in, but he found that driving like a bat outta hell across country roads was great therapy.
‘Don’t you have some more appropriate music, considering where we are?’ she complained.
‘What’s wrong with James Brown?’
‘We need to keep a low profile, Cole, and the Godfather of Soul is a lot of things but he ain’t that’
The ’Payback’ song stopped along with the engine as they parked up.
‘All that cross country drivin’ has given me a hell of an appetite, hope they’ve got pie’
‘Every diner in America’s got pie, Cole’
‘I guess’ he said as they took their seats in a booth.
Cole was into his second helping when a young voice interrupted them:
‘Nice ride mister, is it a 440?’
Cole looked up to see a kid in his early twenties wearing a leather jacket.
‘426 - I only drive hemis’ said Cole.
‘Cool - that’s a rare combination, man. Torqueflite or manual? What’s it do in the quarter?’
‘Four on the floor, low tens - high nines on a good day. You a racer?’
‘My brother is - he’s got a Boss 429 Mustang’
‘That’s rarer than my ride kid, you parked outside?’
‘Yessir, right alongside yours’
Cole smiled, he knew what was coming next.
‘How much and where?
‘$500? - there’s a little track down the road a piece’
Cole turned to Heather: ‘OK if I go earn some easy money?’
‘You’re going racing?’ she said, surprised.
‘Only take an hour or so - right kid?’
‘Sure, like I say the track’s not far, and there’s a meeting going down’
‘You see honey, the pride of Mopar must be defended against the local cowboys here’
‘OK Cole, I’ll get a room at the motel, but try not to get yourself killed or arrested’ she sighed.

Chapter 6

Cole drove with the younger McCandless brother in the passenger seat - ‘in case he couldn’t keep up with the Mustang and got lost’. He wondered what young Luke would say or do if he knew that there was $200,000 in the trunk. Heather had agreed it would be safer there than under a motel bed. The ‘Boss’ Mustang ahead was an impressive looking piece of Detroit steel and with the massive 429 squeezed under the hood ,if the guy could drive worth a damn, it would be a close race. He could see, through the corner of his eye, the kid was watching him closely.
‘Hey, I know you man, you’re the guy who drives the ‘Outlaw’ funny car outta Jersey - I seen you on the TV last weekend’
‘That’s me Luke, but can you keep it to yourself? The Lady ain’t my wife, if you know what I mean!’ said Cole in his best conspiratorial voice.
‘Sure thing, I know what you big city boys are like’
Cole wasn’t sure if that was a joke or not so he shrugged saying: ‘ Racer’s union, right?’
‘You should’ve beat The Snake in the final’
‘Tell me about it - this track much further?’
‘Naw, we’re almost there’
They took a left down a dirt track road and emerged amongst a mass of race cars of every variety. To Cole it was like travelling back in time; front motored dragsters, Willy’s gassers, injected A fuel funny cars and fuel altereds!
He parked up next to the ‘stang and after arranging the time for their race Cole went for a stroll around the pits. This was his natural environment - he enjoyed competing in NHRA ‘big shows’ but this is where real blue collar types raced at the weekend. He fell in love with a Camaro bodied A fuel funny car that was still running a chevy ‘rat’ big block motor. Predictably it was called ‘The Hemi Hunter’ and was painted in green metal flake. Deep in conversation he had forgotten his up-coming money race and had to hurry putting the slicks on, taking the mufflers off and removing the air filters. Luckily the locals rallied around and helped him - it was clear the McCandless brothers were neighbourhood heroes. It would be a shame to take their money! The cars were called to the starting line. Young Luke poured the water for his burnout while his opponent enjoyed the services of a ‘Daisy Duke’ look alike, complete with hot pants. If they were trying to distract him, they were succeeding - Cole was laughing with delight. The long burnouts were greeted with wild cheers as they reversed back. He’d half expected the start to be done with flags, but to his slight disappointment they had a ‘state of the art’ Christmas tree. Troy McCandless was giving Cole ‘the stare’, to which he usually responded with ‘the finger’, but being the guest of these neighbourly hillbillies he refrained. He even, politely, staged first. On the green they couldn’t be separated. They seemed to be glued together as the cars gathered momentum. Cole was shifting a little later than his opponent - which indicated Troy wasn’t quite as confident in the torque of his Ford big block. His final shift got the hemi up on it’s hind legs and roared through the traps at 115mph. He beat the Mustang by a fender!
On returning to the pits, Cole was again surprised by the applause. Getting out of the Challenger he was back slapped and hand shook - even getting a kiss from Daisy Duke. Troy McCandless approached - he made Cole, who was a big man, look like a lightweight. He wasn’t sure if he was going to get punched or hand shook.
‘Shaw was a good race, pilgrim - you done this affor?’
‘A little’ said Cole, mightily relieved by the smile on his opponent’s face.
‘Come and have some ‘shine with us’ said Troy handing over the $500.
‘Sorry, got a date with a Lady, tell you what, buy everyone a drink on me’ said Cole refusing the money.
‘We pay our debts around here mister’ said Troy with a little menace.
‘I’ll remember that if I ever need a favour - besides I’ve had so much fun I can’t take your money’
Every one seemed pleased by this and Troy reluctantly agreed.
Cole was still smiling as he drove away to the sound of James Brown’s ‘Say it Loud, I’m Black and Proud’

Chapter 7

Cole was whistling excerpts from his cassette collection when he entered the motel.
‘I’m sorry sir, we have no Heather Watson staying here’ said the attendant.
He felt a cold hand grip his heart. Running over to the diner he knocked on the locked door. Eventually one of the staff immerged shouting through the door: ‘We’re closed - can’t you read?’
‘It’s important, if you don’t open up I’ll call the police‘ he lied.
‘OK, OK, what’s the emergency - you need more pie?’ said the man remembering Cole from earlier.
‘The woman I was with, did you see her leave?’
‘Sure did, hold on I think she gave me a message to give to you’
He went behind the counter: ‘Ah, here it is’
Cole read the slip of paper: ‘They arrived just after you left - they want you to come to the next bar travelling north. They say it’s called ‘The Cowboy’s Rest’. Bring the money’
Cole looked up at the waiter: ‘What did the men she left with look like?’
‘Heavy lookin’ dudes - one had his nose in plaster. I think his name was Charlie - no, Curly, that was it’

‘What makes you think he’ll come?’ asked Curly ‘I wouldn’t if I was him’
‘That’s one of many differences between you and Cole - he’s a gentleman and would never leave a lady in the hands of someone like you’ replied Vinny ‘That right, Heather?’
She just turned and stared out of the window.
‘If he’s such a gentleman why’d he run off with your woman and your money?’ asked Curly with some logic.
‘We have yet to ascertain the details of the situation my young friend. The lady here can be quite duplicitous and it’s possible she was using him - you know, quivering lips, tears and a very sad story etc’
‘Du - what?’ said Curly.
‘You just do like I say and don’t underestimate Cole this time, he’s very dangerous, specially when he’s cornered’ warned Vinny for the umpteenth time.
Suddenly they heard the growl of the hemi.
‘OK, spread out and keep frosty’ ordered Vinny.
The four hoods scattered around the bar room. The rest of the clientele had all left quietly, feeling the tension in the air.
Cole walked in casually, like a man on holiday looking for a beer.
‘Well, fancy seeing you here Vinny - not often you venture this far from the city’
‘Frisk him Curly, see if he still carries the .38 I gave him a lifetime ago’
Curly turned Cole to the bar roughly and searched his pockets.
‘He’s clean’
‘Well now, have you brought the money?’ asked Vinny politely.
‘What money?’
‘Look, Cole, I don’t know what she told you but she’s got $200 grand of my money and I want it back - that’s all. Then you can have her, if you want the two timing bitch!’
‘How do I know you won’t kill her after I hand you the dough?’
‘Guess you’ll just have to trust me - I’ve never struck a woman, let alone killed one’
‘I bet scum like Curly here could help you out with that’ said Cole looking at the increasingly agitated killer.
Curly struck Cole ferociously with the back of his hand. The other hoods converged on Cole as he rubbed the side of his face.
‘How would you like to see the ‘Lady’ here with a busted knee cap? We’ll keep breaking her bones until you get the money, smart mouth’ threatened Curly.
‘Now you boys aint real neighbourly are you?’ said a deep voice with a southern accent.
‘Just put your guns on the bar there, nice and slow like, and we’ll have us a civilised conversation’
Troy McCandless stood just inside the back exit sporting a shotgun.

Chapter 8

‘Who the fuck are you?’ asked Vinny.
‘Just a concerned citizen’ answered Troy, making sure the guns were neatly placed along the counter. ‘We don’t like city types comin’ in here and gettin’ rowdy’
Cole chose one of the weapons and pointed it at Curly: ‘Sit yourself down boys’
‘Ah, I see the cavalry has arrived - racing buddy is he Cole?’ said Vinny.
‘Something like that. Now I think we can work this thing out with nobody getting’ their bones broke, right Vinny?’
‘Sure Cole, long as I get my money’
Heather ran over to Cole and grasped his arm.
‘Now I couldn’t figure out how you found us so easily, until I took a glimpse at the dash in your car on the way in’ continued Cole ’ You’ve got a tracking device on my car, right?’
There was silence.
‘Look I know a scanning screen when I see one, I watch James Bond movies. And I bet I know where you got it too - from a fed called Jeremiah!’
Vinny’s eye brows raised: ‘How in the hell do you know that Cole?’
‘Let’s just say I know you love gizmos and I heard he was in the market. Is it on my car?’
‘Well I suppose you’ll tear your Dodge apart until you find it ,so yeah, I had it put under your left rear wheel arch - works real good too’
‘You won’t be needing it anymore, I’ve got a deal for you. Meet me at Tulsa Raceway car park in two days time and you can have your money. It’ll give me time to get Heather here stashed away somewhere safe. What d’ya say Vinny?’
Vinny lit a cigar: ‘So I’ve got to trust you now, eh Cole?’
‘Have I ever gone back on my word?’
Vinny shook his head ‘No you never have - OK Cole we’ll do it your way, if it’s OK with your friend with the scatter gun’
‘Seems mighty civilised to me’ said Troy ‘But never come back to these parts again - or I might shoot me some city boys’
Curly cursed something under his breath.
‘You got something to say?’ asked Cole, advancing on Curly.
‘Fuck you and your hillbilly inbred girl friend’
‘You need some anger management therapy Curly, perhaps this will help’
Cole hit him on the nose with the butt of his revolver.
‘See you in Tulsa Vinny’

‘What are you thinking, Cole. They’ll take the money, kill you and then come after me’ said a tearful Heather.
They were driving to Oklahoma at a leisurely pace.
‘And why didn’t you take the bug, or what ever it’s called, out of your wheel arch?’
‘Because, my dear, the feds are using it to track us just like Vinny’
‘But that’s another good reason for junking it, isn’t it?’
‘I guessed that Jeremiah character sold or gave Vinny the bug and Vinny confirmed it - which is very good news for us’
‘You’re not making any sense Cole, why the hell is it good news?’
‘Because it means they are corrupt maverick feds and so we just have two of them to deal with instead of the whole damn US secret service’ explained Cole with a smile.
‘I still don’t get it’
‘Leaving the bug on means Jeremiah and his chum will be at Tulsa - so Vinny will have to deal with them as well as us’
Cole gave a thumbs up in the rear view mirror to the McCandless brothers following in the Mustang.
‘And the money Cole?’
‘We’ll see what happens, but I’ve got to take it if there’s an option to get out of this mess without anyone gettin’ killed’
He added, ruefully: ‘But that ain’t very likely’

 

Chapter 9

Jeremiah Winchester III was a great disappointment to his family. He had proved too volatile and unstable for the family business (banking) and even the army had rejected him for similar reasons. It was not until he was introduced to the FBI by a school chum that he found a natural home. Surrounded by fellow xenophobes and homicidal maniacs he was, for a while, content. Eventually it occurred to him that he was consistently passed over for promotion, despite his family connections, and so became disaffected once more. Despite their deplorable ethnic origins he found himself more and more in the company of those whom he was supposed to oppose - the mob. The racism and violence of the gangsters greatly entertained him. Then there were the deals - money and respect (he imagined) from the corruption that came so easily to him. Vinny had proved a very profitable connection because of his love of guns and gizmos. Then the whole Heather thing had happened. Vinny had told him of her betrayal and theft but had neglected to mention just how much she had stolen. When Jeremiah learnt that $200,000 was missing he smelt an opportunity. He remembered that Vinny used one of the FBI tracking devices to keep tabs on her and so he reckoned this was why he didn’t seem too concerned about finding her. So it proved - he simply used his own scanner and tuned it in to the frequency of the device he had sold Vinny and the rest would be easy! Until, of course, that gorilla called Cole Younger became part of it all.
‘I don’t like it’ said Jeremiah.
‘He’s travelling north, why the hell is he going towards Tulsa?’
‘You’re the genius of this caper - why don’t you tell me’ said his reluctant partner Trent.
‘We should’ve taken him out at the diner like I wanted to’
‘Oh yeah, great idea - a shootout at a public place with a guy who knows how to handle the piece he was carrying’
‘You scared of that trailer trash?’ Sneered Jeremiah.
‘You bet I am, I’ve seen his rap sheet.’
‘Well I’m tired of spinin’ my wheels, we’ll take him at Tulsa’
‘High noon, I suppose’ said Trent humourlessly.

******************************************

Cole and Heather were laying on the hood of the Dodge looking up at the clear Oklahoma night sky, eating burgers and drinking beer, waiting for the sun to rise.
‘Ain’t you scared of anything Cole?’ asked Heather.
‘Fire’ said Cole
‘What?’
‘Fire, I’m scared of fire - like all funny car drivers. I’ve seen to many guys get burnt not to be scared of fire’
‘Why do you do it, I’ve never understood why you race those monsters’
‘I guess it’s kinda like bull riding at a rodeo - to be able to control all that power. You just get addicted to the next pass. Looking for the perfect run - straight and dry.’
‘And the danger, you were always the daring one at school’ She sighed.
‘Seems like a lifetime ago now Cole - all that hope and innocence’
Cole laughed ‘You, innocent - give me a break’
‘Don’t be horrible to me Cole, not on such a lovely night’
‘Could be my last one’ he mused.
‘Why don’t we just get the hell out of here, with this kind of money we can go anywhere’
‘I gave my word to Vinny’
‘Besides what kind of life would it be, always looking over our shoulders’
‘Better than being dead’ she pleaded.
‘I don’t know if you can understand this, but I owe Vinny. We looked after each other growing up on the tough side of town. I can’t betray him again’
Cole looked up at the stars. ‘You couldn’t see heaven from the neighbourhood where we grew up, hell, you couldn’t even see the top of the tenements’

Chapter 10

‘You don’t have to do this Troy, it’s not your fight’ said Cole loading his .38.
‘If I don’t help you, who’s going to? You seem real friendly with that Vinny, perhaps it won’t come to a fight?’
‘Perhaps, but he’s got a lot of gun happy help - and those guys will find an excuse to shoot, I know the type’
‘Well I’m in, but you owe me a drive in your funny car when we’re done - I always wanted me a drive in one of those things’
‘You got it big man. Now I know Tulsa Raceway well and when we get there I want you and your scatter gun at the top of the starting tower - there shouldn’t be anyone around, I’ve checked the race schedules. I’ll park up as close as I can and wait for them. Like I said I’m expecting a black Buick to turn up and I don’t want any space behind me for anyone to park. If the shooting starts open up on the Buick and I’ll deal with Vinny’s guys. Any questions?’
‘What if the guys in the Buick start in on Vinny’s mob?’ asked Troy.
‘We couldn’t be that lucky, but if they do keep your head down and let them get on with it’
He fired the Challenger up and they headed out. The younger McCandless brother had taken Heather on to Oklahoma City in the Mustang where they planned to meet later if all went OK, if not, well ,that was her problem.

The sweat trickled down Cole’s back as he waited. As he’d hoped the place was deserted and Troy had no trouble breaking into the tower. He waved at Cole when he was positioned. That crazy hillbilly seemed to be enjoying himself! Then he saw Vinny’s Charger. They circled the car park slowly before parking about 20 yards in front of Cole. Curly and another guy got out and stood in front of their car. Vinny joined them after a while and beckoned Cole.
‘Just bring the money out Cole, nice and easy’ he said.
Cole reached for the suitcase and got out. Curly was smiling under his reinforced nose dressing. The bloodshot eyes were unblinking with pure hate. Cole knew then that one of them would die here.
Cole couldn‘t help himself and said: ‘How’s the sinuses Curly?’
‘Shut up Cole, you want to get plugged?’ asked Vinny.
Just then the Buick turned up. Vinny’s men backed up against their car. Jeremiah got out.
‘Morning gentlemen, am I interrupting a financial transaction?’
‘What the fuck are you doing here?’ asked Vinny.
‘I figured you owe me Vinny, after all it was one of my bugs that enabled you to track your money down’
‘Get your IV league ass outta here before I lose my sense of humour’ threatened Vinny.
‘Not a very polite way to speak to your partner, Vinny’ said Jeremiah drawing a gun from inside his $500 suit jacket.
His partner shouted: ‘No!’ from inside the Buick before the shooting started.
Curly started blasting away at the fed, winging him as he ducked. Returning fire, Jeremiah took down the hood standing next to Curly who fell into Vinny taking them both down to the asphalt. A machine gun rattled from the back seat of the Charger, raking the fed’s car. The guy inside didn’t stand a chance. Jeremiah took a couple of shots at Curly, but his aim was poor and Curly killed him with one bullet to the head. Cole couldn’t help but be a little impressed by his calm under fire, until Curly turned his gun onto Cole.
‘Now it’s your turn, funny man’
Suddenly Vinny came out of nowhere and dived between the two. Curly’s bullet hit him in the back between the shoulder blades. As Vinny fell Cole emptied his gun into Curly. Curly looked surprised as he died, like a man who’d been given the wrong flavour of ice cream!
Cole held Vinny’s head up.
‘Why’d you have to go and do a fool thing like that ?’ asked Cole.
‘Couldn’t let that piece of shit kill you, could I?’
‘You crazy sonofabitch, he was on your side’
Suddenly the sound of a shotgun echoed around the car park and Cole looked up to see the hood with the machine gun slump to the ground. Vinny looked up and smiled:
‘That giant hillbilly friend of yours?’
‘Yep, I never come to a gunfight without one’
‘Listen Cole, look after Heather won’t you? I think she loved me - she just loved money more’
‘Sure thing Vinny, guess there won’t be a trial now anyway’
‘What trial?’ asked Vinny
‘The one that started this whole thing - you know, Heather being a witness at the club’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’
‘But I thought all the panic was to get her on a boat near LA in eight days?’
‘Her mother’s birthday was in eight days, that’s what she told me’ said Vinny
They both started to laugh at the realisation of Heather’s treachery.
‘What a woman, even at school she used us, nothing changes’ Vinny’s voice was getting weak.
‘Listen, I know a made man in LA who can help you if you give him the money - he can square it with the Jersey family, perhaps. Manny Shirocko at ‘The Big Badda Bing Club’
Again they began to laugh.
‘Sounds like a real classy place’ said Cole
‘I’m gonna miss you’ said Vinny as he stared into eternity.

Chapter 11

‘Vinny’s dead! I can’t believe it’ said Heather, trembling slightly.
‘He died saving my life’ Cole was looking at her intently.
‘D - did he say anything ?’
‘Yeah, he said he thought you loved him but that you loved his money more’
‘He said that?’
‘He forgave you, he even laughed when I told him of the lies you fed me to get me to help you’
She was silent.
‘Do you know what really gets to me?’ he asked her.
‘What, Cole?’ her green eyes began to fill.
‘That a gangster like Vinny was able to forgive you but that I can’t. The guy loved us both and we betrayed him’
‘Perhaps you need to forgive yourself, Cole. It was all me. I wanted you but I wanted the money as well - it was my way out’
‘And the baby?’
‘There never was any baby, I’m so sorry Cole, for everything’
He looked away from her.
‘What are you going to do?’ she asked.
‘Vinny said I could make a deal with someone in LA about the money. I’ll give you 10 grand on one condition’
‘What condition?’
‘That I never see you again’
She began to cry.
‘But what will I do?’
‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn’

The PA blared out across the bleachers at Ontario Motor Speedway in California: ‘In the next round of Funny Car we have a rematch of the final of the Summernationals at Englishtown last July. Don ‘the snake’ Prudhomme will take on Cole ‘outlaw’ Younger. The word is that the snake is a bit rattled by being out qualified by the man from New Jersey - should be a great race folks’
‘Come on Cole, get suited up, what are you thinking about so intently?’ asked Gretchen.
‘Oh, nothing much’
Cole was thinking back to when he walked into ‘The Big Badda Bing’ club and asked for Manny Shirocko. The guy was a fat sweaty gangster with a glass eye - he obviously knew all about Cole’s situation.
‘You got a lotta hard bark on you, comin’ in here like this’ he said ‘What can I do for you?’
‘Vinny told me you were a sporting guy who likes a bet on a long shot occasionally’ lied Cole.
The gangster beckoned Cole to sit.
‘What do you have in mind?’
He didn’t know how he’d done it but he got Manny to loan him half of the money so he could beat Prudhomme in the upcoming world finals. Perhaps they were all a bit ‘snakebit’ here in California and wanted to see the Army poster boy get beat, or maybe they were just bored with ‘fixed’ horse racing and boxing and wanted to bet on something else. What he did know was that if Prudhomme won, the mob would own him - if they didn’t kill him. But this was his chance. With the money he bought a brand new Keith Black hemi - the thing was beautiful and the power! As Vinny would have said: ’Forget about it’
The hemi cackled into life, rocking the safety frame the embraced Cole. The bright sunlight was cut abruptly as the plastic body was lowered, plunging him into darkness before his eyes began to adapt. He pushed it gently into gear and approached the start line. Gretchen gave the signal and the hemi roared defiantly as he performed the burnout. While reversing he thought he heard Vinny’s voice, as it was during their childhood:
‘Hey, Cole, you’ll never make it, you crazy sonofabitch’ he laughed.
The lights on the ‘Christmas tree’ came down and on the green both cars lept like hungry lionesses. A tall willowy blonde got to her feet and, blocking her ears, looked down from the bleachers at the race, with her heart in her mouth.
And so it was, back in the day - when the hair was big and the music was funky. A racing driver from downtown New Jersey thought he could take on the Mob, the FBI, The Army and a man they called ‘The Snake’

THE END