Cover image from Free Stock Photos: Railroad Track On A Fall Day by Curtis Dean Wilson

Oliver was in a heap on the floor with Corin standing over him, fists clenched. Burl held Moe by the front of the shirt, threatening to break his face.

“You okay, brother?” Burl asked over his shoulder, not taking his eyes from Moe.

“Yeah,” Aiden gasped. “Thanks. How?” He slumped to the ground, leaning against the cool, comforting tile.

“I saw Harkness poking at you. I knew he was up to something, so I grabbed Cor and we followed. When I saw you come in here, I called Jasper. They should be here any second.”

The door burst open again and Officer Mendez slid through the opening. “Boys! You’re okay. Well, some of you, sort of…. What happened?” He stood with his hands on his hips, trying to catch his breath. He’d run across the courtyard to find them.

Aiden explained, finally realizing that Harkness was gone. “Dammit, the bastard left!”

“You go see the nurse, let me take care of this. Jesus, what a mess.” He took his radio off his shoulder and started talking rapidly on it.

Aiden, Burl and Corin started toward the main office, to see the nurse. None of them had escaped injury, though they were excited by the outcome.

“Thank you,” Aiden said. “If you hadn’t come…. I don’t know how many of them it would have taken to whip my ass, but I knew how many they were going to use.” he quoted his favorite comedian, Ron White.

“He must be okay, he’s quoting stand up,” Burl said, dabbing a split lip with the neck of his tee shirt.

They were filing into the nurse’s office when they saw Harkness in the parking lot, running toward his car. Aiden tapped his brothers.

“We can’t let him get away.”

“Jasper’s coming,” Burl protested.

“He’s not here yet! You coming?” He dashed off, hitting the emergency door from the office.

Alarms started ringing, people stood up, wondering what the hell was going on. Soon, all hell was going to cut loose, and they’d lose Harkness in the morass of people spilling from the building. Realizing he wouldn’t get to his car in time, the principal started running. Corin went after him, his brothers flanking the running man. Each step took them closer. Across the driveway, over the curb, onto the grass. They were running out of time and space. Once he got to the road, there would be no stopping him.

Burl’s fingers brushed the man’s jacket as Harkness hopped the curb. He tried to follow, but tripped. Losing his balance, he fell hard, his shin scraping the concrete. He rolled to his side, bellowing in pain, his leg bleeding.

Corin hopped the curb, trying to tackle the principal. Had he been as tall as his brothers, he’d have made it. He missed by a breath. Aiden used the distraction to barrel full tilt at the conniving bastard. His long legs, and anger, gave him speed and power. He hit Harkness from the side, crashing into his hips. They went down in a tangle of arms and legs, rolling toward the retention pond at the front of campus.

Burl lay still, trying to stop the bleeding from his shredded calf. Corin struggled to right himself and recover, but his head was spinning and he couldn’t do much more than crawl.

With a mighty splash, Aiden and Harkness hit the pond. Aiden had the misfortune to be on the bottom when they landed. Gagging and sputtering, he got a breath, but Harkness was on top of him, pushing his face under water. Aiden thrashed and kicked, using his feet to knock the other man off balance. Finally connecting with Harkess’ balls he got the advantage. Bigger and younger, he had strength on his side, but Harkness fought dirty. Grabbing Aiden’s face, he tried to drive his thumbs into the boy’s eyes. When that didn’t work, he tried to punch him in the throat.

It was all Aiden could do to stay upright. He fended off the blows, but he was weakening. Hands slippery with water, he lost his grip. That was all the principal needed. Levering himself upward, he knocked Aiden down again. Grabbing the boy’s shirt, he raised his fist to strike a blow to drive his nose into this brain. Aiden couldn’t escape, he could only struggle feebly.

Thudding feet ran passed Burl and Corin. They couldn’t tell who they both were, but one was definitely their mother. They could hear her screaming before they saw her, like an air raid siren, loud, shrill and continuous. She threw herself at Harkness. Grabbing the hand which was raised to strike her son, she wrenched his thumb and fingers apart, like Nadeya had shown her. Not stopping when she met resistance, she heard the bones crack.

Harkness dropped her son. Screaming with pain, he found himself face first in the water. Fred grabbed his injured hand, twisting it in an Aikido hold as he flipped Harkness over. His foot on the man’s shoulder kept him face down, sputtering as he struggled to keep his nose out of the water. Fred pushed him further, increasing the twist and tension on the principal’s arm. A bubbling, gurgling scream escaped Harkness’ lips.

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

Aiden ducked and slammed his fist into the other boy’s belly. Eddy fell with a thump and a grunt. Gasping for breath, he let out a high, shrill sound like air escaping a balloon. Aiden left him there, ducking down the staircase. He banged through the door at the bottom, jogging down the corridor, toward the courtyard.

“Aiden Partridge!” a man’s voice yelled his name from his right.

Turning, he saw Principal Harkness. The man was red in the face, his lips pressed so tightly together, they were white around the edge.

“Sir?”

“What are you doing, young man?”

“Going to class.”

“You’re running.”

“Sorry, sir. I didn’t want to be late.”

“You’re not just late, boy, you’re coming to my office. Get moving!” he bellowed, pointing to the administration building.

Without a word, Aiden shuffled toward the office. He passed Burl, who was at his locker.

“Sup?” he asked quietly.

Aiden shrugged, shaking his head. The man and teen walked out the door. As it swung slowly shut behind them, Burl watched as the principal prodded his brother with his fingers. Harkness shoved him hard enough for Aiden to lose his balance. Catching himself, Aiden stepped further to his left, away from Harkness’ reach. The principal sped up so he could poke him again. Not liking what he saw, Burl went to a nearby classroom. Corin was just sitting down. Burl tipped his head at the youngest Partridge.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Tyson, I need to borrow my brother. It’s important.”

“Sure.” The teacher frowned, but nodded. “Need a hall pass?”

“No, ma’am. Thanks. We got called to the office.”

“Okay.” Still frowning and puzzled, she watched the boys hustle out the door, trailing their brother and Harkness. Concerned, Ms. Tyson followed them to the door. Catching the eye of Officer Mendez, she pointed. “Something’s not right.”

“I’ll have a look. Not to worry. I’ve got this.”

She went back to her class, forcing a smile. “Good morning, class.”

“Good morning, Ms. Tyson,” they said as she closed the door.

Aiden had expected to go into Mr. Harkness’ office. Instead, the principle took him to the restroom beside the auditorium. These were generally deserted during the day, and often kept locked. Today, the door opened easily, and Aiden was pushed in ahead of the principal. Instead of empty, it held three other people: Xander, Moe and Oliver. The three boys had murderous expressions on their faces as they squared off with Aiden. He turned to go back out, but Harkness blocked his escape.

“What’s this about?” Aiden asked, assessing the situation. He tallied his chances of surviving this encounter, and didn’t like the total.

“You know what this is about. You and your pals shut down a very lucrative enterprise. You embarrassed a lot of people, caused more trouble than you’re worth. Do you know what happens to interfering trouble makers?”

“No, but I figure I’m about to find out.” He knew he could take any one of the boys, maybe two, but three—not even he was that good. Xander looked a little spooked, but he’d join his hood friends if they jumped Aiden.

“You’re a pain in the ass, just like your old man. He never played the game, either.”

“I’d rather play my own,” Aiden said, shifting his weight to take on the boys when they rushed.

“Foolish boy.” Nodding, Harkness signaled for the hoods to jump Aiden.

Moe rushed in first, going low with his shoulder, catching Aiden in the gut. He knocked him back a few feet, narrowly missing the tiled wall near the door. He took a swung at Aiden’s nuts, but felt his fist blocked and twisted hard. Bellowing, he tried to connect with his left. This was blocked, too. A leg sweep brought him to his knees, screaming.

Xander hung back, but Oliver jumped in, taking another swing at Aiden. He couldn’t block Oliver and contain Moe, though he did duck. Oliver’s fist still smacked the side of his head, making his ears ring. Another fist came at his face, and someone punched him in the stomach. By this time, he didn’t know if all three were on him, or just two. Lost in the pounding fists, he felt himself falter. Just as he thought he was going down, someone yanked Moe away.

A cracking blow landed, followed by a smack against tile and a loud, ululating groan. Closer to him, he saw Oliver tugged from behind. Blood spattered him as a fist, not his, connected with the boy’s nose. Xander tried to run away, but Aiden tripped him. He fell, hitting his head on the sink. Slithering to the floor, he bled from a cut to the chin.

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

Cover image from Free Stock Photos: Railroad Track On A Fall Day by Curtis Dean Wilson

The spot grew bigger, and stage lights came up showing the others behind him. Together, they sang Reaching for the Moon by Irving Berlin. Before he finished the short, emotional song, he was in tears. He heard sniffs and sniffles around him. When he finished, he dropped his head.

“I loved you,” he whispered, not expecting the microphone to pick it up.

Leaving the stage to thunderous applause, he handed off the microphone and went to his dressing room. Without stopping to change, he grabbed his bag and clothing, marching out the stage door. He’d forgotten all about Aaron, only concerned with getting outside as soon as possible. No one tried to stop him. They all knew what had happened, but had no idea Eoin felt so strongly about the young woman who was killed. Blindly rushing to the parking lot, he didn’t pay attention to his surroundings until he heard a scuff and shuffle to the rear.

“Perty lady like you ought not to be out on her own,” a rough voice, at his heels, said.

Eoin swung around to see a grubby individual in a shabby Army jacket and tattered jeans. He was slight of build, but looked fast and held a knife as if he knew how to use it. Tossing his bundle of clothing out of the way, Eoin wished for a weapon. He didn’t even have an umbrella like Deirdre had. Casting a quick look over his shoulder, he noted no one else was creeping up on him. The knife wielder took that moment to rush him. Having expected that, Eoin blocked with his leather messenger bag. Knocking his attacker back a step, he lowered his stance, taking a more defensive position. The position wasn’t easy in a tight dress and six inch heels, but he managed.

The assailant rushed him again. This time, Eoin used the bag as a weapon, slapping the knife away with the flat of it. He drove the edge into the man’s throat and stomped on his foot with the six inch stiletto. Screaming, the other man leaned over, grabbing at his foot. Eoin brought his knee to the man’s jaw and smacked him on the back of the head with his bag. Aaron raced out the back of the club, Eoin yelled at him. It wasn’t words, so much as a growl of anger and desperation.

Aaron ran to his side and put his foot on the back of the assailant’s neck, keeping him on the ground, while he called for back up. “You okay, Eoin?”

“Yeah. Yeah.” He gasped to catch his breath, clutching Aaron’s arm.

“You go wait inside. I’ve got this.”

“I don’t think I can walk yet.”

“Okay.”

The criminal wiggled and writhed, but Aaron’s booted foot kept him down. He hadn’t thought to search the other man, not realizing he was armed. Eoin saw the knife blade arc to stab Aaron in the leg. Roaring like a rabid lion, he kicked the knife away and stepped on the man’s hand. His heel sank into sinew and flesh.

The man screamed, calling for help, and that’s when the police arrived. It took some fast talk, on Eoin’s part, to keep from being arrested for assault. With Aaron’s statement, and copies of the security video, they let him go and carted the other guy off for medical attention.

“You sure you’re okay, Eoin?” Aaron said, after the cops left.

“Yeah. Maybe. I don’t know. I thought my life was finally falling into place. The love of my life came back to me, we were going to start a life together.” His face collapsed. Drawing a shuddering breath, he clung to Aaron’s arm. “She’s dead. And I should…I should have stopped her. Found her the money.”

“I’m going to take you home,” Aaron said. “They can manage without me at Deidre’s house. I’ll tell the guy at the door. You’ll be okay?”

“Yeah.” He bent over to gather his scattered belongings, trying not to cry.

Aaron came back, Stacy, the hostess, in his wake. She often acted as house manager, as she was tonight. “You okay, sugar?” She squatted by him, taking his face in her hands.

“Yeah…. No….”

Stacy gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. “It’s gonna be okay, sweetie. You ever need a shoulder, you call me, okay? I lost my fiance a year ago, in Iraq. Friends help.”

“Thanks. Right now, I wanna go home and drink myself into oblivion.”

Stacy gave him a hug and helped him gather his things. Once he was settled in the car, Aaron drove him home. Taking Eoin’s keys, he went in and checked to make sure no one was skulking inside. Satisfied it was clear, he let Eoin go in.

“Drinking it away doesn’t work,” he warned. “Trust me. You just wake up, hungover, with the same problem. Better to just try for a good night’s sleep. You call me if you ever need to talk. You’ve got friends, Eoin. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” They exchanged a brief hug.

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

Cover image from Free Stock Photos: Railroad Track On A Fall Day by Curtis Dean Wilson

Deirdre and Fred both shuddered. “Thanks for the compliment—I think. Only one woman gets in my pants, but better left unsaid.” He kissed his wife’s hand. “What about Wendy?” he asked gently. “When will her body be released?”

“Soon,” Vanessa said. “Do you still want to claim it?”

“Yes,” Deirdre said.

“We’ll all pitch in, give her a lovely send-off,” Teague said. “And I’ll hook you up with the best in the business, at a discount.”

“Another relative?”

“Yeah. We take care of friends and family. Y’all are both now. You’ve been officially adopted by the McTeague and McMurtry clans.”

Eoin brightened. “From County Donegal, to the north?”

“The very one,” Teague grinned. “Don’t tell me.”

“I’ve got a McTeague or two in my family tree.”

“No kidding? But none here in the US?”

“Not a one. Why?”

“Because, I’ve got some cousins who would love to meet you.”

“They’re gorgeous,” Jasper added. “You will not be disappointed.”

“How would they feel about dating a drag queen?” Eoin asked.

“Probably wouldn’t have a problem with it,” Aaron said. “They’re pretty hard to shock, too.”

The extra company left soon after, though Aaron stuck around. He was under orders to stay close for the next couple of days. No one minded. They had a large house and everyone enjoyed Aaron’s company.

Since Fred was home, Eoin decided to go to work. Friday night was the busiest of the week, and he not only head lined, he hosted. He was going to drive himself, but Aaron insisted upon taking him.

“I don’t want you to leave the family,” Eoin said as he shaved.

Aaron stood in the doorway, talking. “They’ll be covered. Jasper and Nadeya are coming over. They’re leaving Baby Ray with Teague’s wife. They’ll be here any minute, and they’re bringing dinner, so you can’t use that as an excuse. You’re getting an escort whether you want it or not.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe, if you were in fighting trim. But they beat the shit out of you once, what makes you think they won’t do it again? And you’re still bruised. I’m going with you, that’s final.”

Bridling somewhat at the ultimatum, Eoin sighed. “Fine. You can come in and watch, if you like.”

“Thank you. I intended to. Glad we understand one another.” He patted Eoin on the shoulder and went to change.

True to their word, Nadeya and Jasper arrived with a huge meal, sent by Teague’s uncle.

“I’m good with guns, I don’t cook,” Nadeya said as she set things out. “You need a compound infiltrated, I’m your girl. Sniper in the church tower, I got ya covered. Whipping up an amazing meal for ten people, not my game.”

Deirdre laughed. “I love cooking for crowds, but not when I’m limping. I can shoot, and I mostly hit what I aim at, but I’m not the infiltrating sniper type. I think it’s cool that you are.”

“I think it’s cool that having a house full of drop-ins, doesn’t bother you.”

“You’re bringing food, I don’t care at all.” She paused, trying to find words to voice her fears. “You think something might happen tonight. To us, or to Eoin.”

“Not all of them stayed in jail. They’re rich and connected, and managed to pull the right strings. Word has filtered down, somehow, that there are people taking a stand, speaking up. We’ve got friends watching everyone, so please don’t worry.”

“Just saved the big guns for our besties,” Jasper said, snagging a carrot off the relish platter.

Nadeya whisked it away with one hand, twisting his fingers with the other. “Behave.”

“Ow….honey, ow. It’s just a carrot,” Jasper said, wincing when she let go.

“You need to teach me that,” Deirdre said. “It would come in handy at Thanksgiving.”

“Happy to.” She set the tray down and spent the next few minutes showing the move to Deirdre. “Works like a charm. You can do it with one or two hands—two is easier. Add a little more pressure and twist to it, you can break fingers like kindling.”

“Good to know. I hope I won’t have to use it.”

“Me too.”

The meal was finally ready, and they all sat down to eat the best barbecue they’d ever had in their lives. There was chicken, ribs and pulled pork. All the sides they could imagine, including a huge mixed salad. There was plenty left over for another meal, after they had all eaten. The men cleaned up while Nadeya and Deirdre settled in the living room.

© 2018 Dellani Oakes

Cover image from Free Stock Photos: Railroad Track On A Fall Day by Curtis Dean Wilson

Scott took the phone and hung up. “I have to cuff you, but I’ll put them in front. Don’t make me regret that decision.”

“No, sir. Thank you.”

Scott tilted the camera so he was looking into it upside down. “We cool now, Aiden? Don’t answer, I can’t hear you.” He and Felix walked to a cruiser, and the boy was put in the back. Scott stood beside it, directing activities.

The last of the ring leaders were rounded up. Felix was the only student caught in the sting, but he was treated well and kept separate from the adults. He sat with Scott, telling him everything he knew.

“Is it over now?” Deidre asked as things wound down.

“Not entirely,” Vanessa explained. “These are some powerful people, who will pull strings and do their best to blame others. I expect Jim Butcher to be taking the brunt of this, not that I pity him. He probably deserves the worst he gets. But many of the guilty will do their best to wriggle free. Fortunately, the judges that will handle these cases, are kin, in one way or another, to Teague’s family. They’re the most honest people I know.”

“If they aren’t kin, they’re friends,” Teague added. “And many of the lawyers around and about. Most of the others won’t touch a scandal like this. It’s career suicide. They’ll have to pay lawyers from out of state.”

“Really?” Deirdre’s eyes got huge. “Your family influence is that great?”

“Yeah. Volusia County is where many of us call home, but we’re related to people all over the state. These folks don’t know the strings I can pull with a single phone call.”

“I’m in the presence of royalty,” Deirdre said with a smirk. “My family’s been around quite a while, but we came with the English.”

“We’re kin to the Spanish, Minorcans and Natives,” Teague said, looking proud.

There was a loud knock at the door. Suddenly alert, everyone waited while Teague went to the door and looked out. Laughing, he opened the door. Scott swaggered in, grinning and carrying a donut box.

“I bring donuts and coffee.”

“I don’t see coffee,” Teague said, blocking his way.

“That’s because my Boss is bringing it.”

A lovely woman with strawberry blonde hair stood behind him. Dressed in a pretty black dress, covered with butterflies, she walked in with a Box o’ Joe and a bag of sugar and creamer.

“This is my boss, Lieutenant Scott,” Vanessa said. “And the lovely lady with him is his wife, Cadence.” She made introductions all around.

Their midday victory party was interrupted by the front door banging open and shut. All eyes turned to the door.

“Dee!”

“That’s my husband,” Deirdre gasped. “In the kitchen,” she called, trying to get up.

Eoin helped her stand to greet her husband. Fred rushed to her, ignoring everyone else. Sweeping her into his arms, he hugged and kissed her.

“Oh, my love. Are you all right? You’re wearing a boot? What happened? And who are all these people? What the hell have I missed? What have you made your mother do?” He focused at last on his sons.

“It’s a long story, Dad,” Corin said. “Sit down, have some refreshments, and we’ll tell you.”

Their father took his seat and waited. Cadence served him coffee, Scott gave him some donuts. “Well?”

“It all started with the vultures,” Corin began.

“Oh, don’t,” Burl said. “Or we’ll be here all day.”

“I’ve got all day,” Fred replied. “But just one of you tell me, or I’ll go out of my f**king mind. After the week I’ve had, the level of violence would escalate, and we’ve got pregnant ladies present.”

“Spooky how this family can do that,” Vanessa said.

Aiden took the narrative, with help from Eoin and Deirdre. Fred focused on one after the other, too shocked to eat and drink.

“And all this shit was going on under our noses? What the ever loving f**k? I’m glad I didn’t join that stupid Private Golf Club. They were all after me to do it, Bigby and Mona Colfer. Why would she be so hell bent on it?”

“Mom’s hot,” Corin said with a wink. “And you’re buff. Maybe Mona wanted in your pants?”

© 2018 Dellani Oakes