Read Online Renewal 5 - an Untimely Fall by Jf Perkins - Free Book Online

trouble up the road and I dodged two bullets less than I should have. I’ll be ok.”
    “Sorry about that, Bill. I didn’t know it was still that bad.”
    “It’s fine up to Murfreesboro. We had to run an errand up in Nashville.”
    “Ah. I didn’t think people could go there anymore.”
    “Well, I don’t recommend it,” Bill said, waving his left hand over his reclining form. “Listen, I haven’t forgotten my promise to come check out your place and see what we can set up, but I’m going to have to come back later, for obvious reasons. Meantime, we brought some more food for your family, ok?”
    “Hey, I really appreciate it, Bill. You have no idea how much that food helps. My wife actually likes me again.”
    “Oh, I understand completely. Rob, we’re almost home. Give them the rest, except for our pack food.”
    Rob hefted the cloth sacks off the back of the truck. This time, Larry and his boys were strong enough to carry the heavy food bags back to their own truck. Larry set his boys to the task with another subtle wave.
    “Thank you.” Larry said, with a slight dip of his head.
    “You are welcome,” Bill said. “One other thing. Those guys up the road... they’re with us.”
    “Hey, don’t you worry. We’ll move our truck and keep going until we hit the dinner table,” Larry said with a happy smile. “Any man who can turn one truck into four can have whatever he wants, I always say.”
    “You say that, huh... I think I’ll borrow that one. Anyway, keep an eye out. We’ll be back. If it’s not me, I’ll give whoever comes out here a special code word. Let’s say, Bertha Bashing. If you aren’t sure, just ask and they’ll say that to let you know I sent them. I may be laid up for a while.”
    “Ok, Bill. Thanks again, to all of you,” Larry swept his gaze over the truck. “I hope you get back on your feet soon.” Larry held his hand up in a tally-ho gesture and waved at Bill one more time as he walked over to his truck, climbed in, and drove up Gossburg Road into the hills.
    ***
    Bill was tired from the travel. He was, in fact, thinking back to his hospital bed with some sense of wistfulness. There was one more task to complete, or at least to see to completion, before he could collapse into his own bed for a real night’s sleep. Jerry Doan Jenkins would finally have his date with ten state police, and justice.
    The truck convoy rumbled across the muddy ruts in the fallow field, heading for Teeny Town’s training ground and unofficial jail. The guard had immediately reported their arrival from the road. When the trucks crunched to halt among the dripping leaves of the forest, they encountered a full complement of the guard, centered on Kirk, who looked as calm, yet implacable as always. Seth had thoughtfully turned the truck to give Bill a decent view of the important section of the woods. Bill could see up into the trees, filled with young men and women tasked with watching the Judge and his single living man. He breathed deeply for a minute, focusing on the clear drops of water slowly releasing their hold on the low hanging leaves. He knew what was coming, and he would face it on his feet.
    Kirk made the connections quickly, and stalked over to his brother. “What happened?”
    “I got shot. Shit happens. I’m fine. Help me out of this truck,” Bill growled testily.
    “I can handle this, you know,” Kirk said.
    “I know, Kirk. You can handle damn near anything, but I arrested this prick. I’m going to hand him over.”
    “Alright then.” Kirk walked away.
    Bill thought Kirk was ignoring his request, but Kirk was complying with no explanation, in typical Kirk fashion. He walked around the truck towards the edge of the woods until he found a young dogwood. He drew his knife, a wicked curved blade, and lopped the sapling off with one lightning strike. He picked another point near the ground and sheared the wood again. Satisfied, he walked back to his brother, and simply