The Boaz Stranger–Chapter 38

Ray spent all day Friday and half of Saturday plotting the best way to rid his world of Billy and Buddy James.

Ray had left three messages at The Shack’s kitchen office for Billy to call. He’d also asked Wesley Jones, the restaurant’s owner, an hour ago to have Billy call.

It was five minutes before one when Billy returned his call. Ray recognized the number. “Hold on, let me go outside.” He knew it was safe to discuss only the most innocuous subjects inside his house. Lillian had dropped a recording device when he’d pushed her back against the garage stairs. Unfortunately, she’d taken it when she and Lee had left.

“Okay, but hurry. I’ve got people to feed.”

Ray exited the Lodge through the rear door and walked down the sidewalk toward the detached garage. “Thanks for waiting. I’m out of jail and have your money. When can we meet?”

The loud clanking of pots and pans and the loud cries of finished orders muffled when Billy entered his office and closed the door. “I get off at 10:00. I could drop by.”

“Not here at the Lodge. It’s too dangerous. Let’s meet at the farm. Dogwood Trail, off Cox Gap Road.” Ray had already calculated it was within the five-mile radius allowed by his ankle monitor.

“I guess I can. Send me the address and I’ll Google it.”

“After you turn right on Dogwood, keep going until you see a Remax Real Estate sign. It’ll be on your left. If you go to the dead end, you’ve missed it.” Ray stuck with his plan to discuss other business face-to-face but decided now might be better.

Billy spoke first. “Let’s be clear. You’re bringing me ten grand. In cash. Right?” The noises amplified and Billy mumbled something about a non-functioning fry machine to someone.

“That’s right. And more if you want it.” Ray paused for Billy’s curiosity to kindle.

“What’s the job this time?” Billy knew there was never a free lunch with Ray Archer.

“You’ll need Buddy. Can you bring him? I’ll explain to both. It’s worth another hundred grand. Each.” The James twins had worked for Ray long enough for him to know they couldn’t resist a financial temptation.

“It’ll be midnight before he can get here. And, just so you know, we both agree they’ll be no more fires.”

“No problem. I’ll see you in seven hours. Be on time.”

“We’ll be there. One other thing. Don’t bring anyone, especially that bastard Ted King.”

“I’ll be alone. Turn left at the Remax sign and keep going straight. I’ll be waiting at the barn.”

After ending the call, Ray returned inside the Lodge. He’d prefer staying put in his rocker underneath the porch of his detached garage. This position provided an unobstructed view of the valley below. Ray always preferred wintertime, especially days when the sun hid. The panorama of leafless trees underneath a gray, foreboding sky reminded him of life. No matter success or happiness, just beneath the surface was heartache and tragedy ready to prick his skin and remind him spring might never come.

The good thing about being inside the Lodge was the warmth. Ray added another log to the great room’s fireplace and sat eight feet away in his leather Lazy-Boy. Thoughts of the claustrophobic jail cell reminded him of important things he needed to accomplish to guarantee his long-term freedom.

Ray knew better than to let his emotions dictate his actions. Without doubt, his unrestrained libido was the direct link to his current predicament. If only he could go back and undo all the sex, surely his life would be as sublime as strawberry jam on wheat toast.

A ding from his cell brought Ray back to the present. He reached to the side table for his iPhone. It was a text from his jail mate. “They released me. Yea, and thanks. I’ll come to see you Monday at your office. Call me if you need me earlier.”

The mind is a strange beast. Orin Russell, still a teenager, was from Albertville. Ray’s sexual history anchored in that very spot. If not for Sharon Teague he might have been a virgin on his wedding night, but the promiscuous fifteen-year-old had been all accelerator, no brakes, from their first date. She’d been an excellent teacher, and Ray had been a fast learner.

But, after a year of sex (and a surprise pregnancy), Ray had grown bored and confident. That’s when Rachel Kern had moved to Boaz. She’d been a challenge, just what Ray needed. A two-month steady bombardment had destroyed the MK’s tall and thick walls of resistance, culminating fifteen months later in another unrevealed pregnancy, followed by Rachel’s return to China.

Ray knew he was wasting time and mental energy but hoped his digression would yield the motivation for what had to be done. After Rachel came Vanessa Elkins, now Clausen. The ninth grader’s willingness had reminded him of Sharon, other than the experience. Ray had become an excellent teacher himself. That intercourse had lasted a month (not counting the reconnection in college) before everything changed forever.

Ray closed his eyes and thought of the many affairs over the years, all briefly exciting, all except one. It was neither brief nor exciting. The half-century screwing of plain and formless Jane Fordham had always been a repetitious nightmare. When sex becomes a duty, it’s no longer pleasurable. Instead, it’s a sickening chore. It’s like downing a large dose of Castor oil to trigger a messy bowel movement. Ray opened his eyes and laughed out loud when he realized the insanity of the thoughts flooding his mind. Prison would be an oasis just to be free from Jane’s slavery.

So, Ray had no choice but to develop an alternative plan to rid his life of the woman who knew too much. But first things first. She wasn’t the only one who needed to begin their eternal rest.

Ray found it difficult to decide his order of service. Lee and Lillian were two bloodhounds on his trail, but he was confident the pair would never discover the deeply buried secrets. No matter the odds, Ray knew they had to go.

Another text from Orin, this one asking what time he should come Monday morning, diverted Ray’s attention to tonight’s meeting. He shouldn’t miss this opportunity. It might prove difficult to replicate the privacy needed for what had to be done. Plus, Billy and Buddy, especially Buddy, were currently the biggest threat to Ray’s freedom. The stocky man could easily trade his knowledge for a sweet deal with the DA, resulting in Ray’s fast march to an eight-by-eight jail cell.