Part 2 – Kenny Sullivan

  Chapter Fifteen - Felt like dragging him.

  The double- doors burst open. The big man leisurely strolled through while dragging someone with him.

  Frank said. “What's up Fred?”

  The big man replied. “I caught you a present.”

  “If you free his legs, you won't have to drag him?”

  “Felt like dragging him. He hurt the girl who brought food. I know how upset you get about that. Stand right there and don't move. You don't want to make my friend angry.” Fred forced the man upright. The big man reached around his back and pulled out a very large hunting knife. He cut the tie strap off the man's legs. He wanted to ask his friend if he was happy now. He didn’t.

  " Are you saying he physically hurt the waitress?” Frank inquired.

  Fred replied, “Yes, I am. During his attempted escape. He kicked her feet and pushed her onto a table. The push broke a bowl of soup, and she cut her hand. Plus, he scared the dog mess out of her. Is this the one we’re looking for?” With one hand on the man's shoulder, he forced him to plant himself firmly on the ground. With a second giant hand placed squarely on the man's head, he forced the man's head upward.

  Frank looked at the man.

  Fred mumbled. “Could have killed him myself when he knocked over my beer.”

  “Yep, that's him. We got his pardner over here.” Frank stated.

  Fred replied. “The police are coming. We don't have much time.”

  Jerome stood in the double doors. He had reasoned that he might have to block one of their exits. He really hoped he wouldn't have to take on the big guy.

  Benny mumbled. “Oh boy. Now we got another one. And this one got an ugly hat.”

  Frank stepped towards Fred and his captive. “You shouldn't mess with people who bring you food.” No one saw his hand move. The large revolver was in the air. In a rapid fluid motion, it dropped down. It impacted the top of the captive's head.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Kenny started to speak. “Hey man, you can't...”

  Frank interrupted Kenny. “I'm not going to hurt him, much. I just wanted to get his attention. Fred, That guy's Kenny Sullivan. He's the one we heard about. The guy back over there is Benny. I don't know the guy standing in the door. But I think he's with these two. Mr. Sullivan, you can call this guy Tee or Fred.”

  Benny replied. “Like the stuff you drink? Or maybe like you take a whiz?”

  Frank said without moving. “It's slang for little. And you don't need to act like an ass.”

  Frank’s posture shifted. “Mr. Sullivan, this might be a good time for you to send one of your people to call the police on your behalf.”

  Kenny said. “Benny, make the call.”

  Benny nodded and moved out of the alley. Kenny stepped back to get a better view of the man on the ground.

  Frank nodded at the big man. “Go ahead. Tell Mr. Sullivan what you learned.”

  “I met me an old man the other day. He said that some paintings were stolen from him. He had pictures of them. When we were tracking these two guys, I saw one of the paintings in a woman's house. I've been told that her sister was married to somebody important. Like a judge or a DA or prosecutor or something. I looked into it. It seemed to be true. I have all the information written down. I even got some pictures. The painting was still there yesterday. I don't think it's going to move anytime soon. The woman who had it seemed kind of proud.” The big guy shook his head in disgust.

  There was what seemed like a long pause. Fred looked at Kenny and said, “I like that old man. Somebody should do something about that. Maybe, you could be that somebody?” He pulled a large brown envelope out of his coat. He handed it to Kenny.

  Kenny replied. “Well big man, I think you just found somebody.”

  Frank lightly tapped the captive man's face with an open hand. “Come on. Pay attention. Look at me now.” He grasped his chin to hold the man's head up. “He seems really quiet? Out of it?”

  Jerome spoke. “He might be a little more active if your friend hadn't been sitting on him in there.” He jerked his thumb backwards. He really wanted to talk about the big revolver. But he stopped himself.

  Frank slapped the man a little harder. “Wake up! Maybe if I broke a hand or a foot, you'd be a little more receptive? I could blow off your kneecap?” He tapped the man's temple with the barrel of his pistol.

  The captive's eyes blinked, and he slurred as he spoke. “I don't know you. Who are you? What do you want?” Slowly the group of men around him came into view. “Hey, what's going on? I didn't do nothing.” He mumbled a little more. His mumbling stopped when he spotted his friend on the ground and the girl on the wall. He started to move but was held in place. He spoke with a little more clarity. “Come on, man, let me go. I'm not part of any of this.”

  Frank said. “Malcolm. You previously worked with a man named Murphy. You don't do that anymore. If you do, I will find you and kill you. If you want to stay alive, you will help Mr. Sullivan. If you see me again. Run. Hide. It won't save you, but it’ll give you a little more time. Do you understand?”

  The man's eyes darted around in confusion.

  Frank commanded. “Repeat after me. I will not work with the tall white-haired man named Murphy anymore. I will cooperate with the police and with Mr. Sullivan.”

  “Hey man? What? I'm not... you? It's you!” His eyes widened and life came back into them. He eyed the pistol. “Don't do it, man. I had nothing to do with any of that. I never did nothing to you, and I ain't going to. Don't kill me. I'll do what you want. Anything, man!?”

  Kenny said. “Well, this is different?”