The primary aim of the "Novel Excerpts" blog category is to showcase my creative writing, specifically from the novels I've written. Hopefully, these posts will provide a glimpse into my storytelling style, themes, and narrative skills. It's an opportunity to share my artistic expressions and the worlds I've created through my novels.
The Boaz Scorekeeper, written in 2017, is my second novel. I'll post it a chapter a day over the next few weeks.
After church, I told Karla I had to go to the law office for a couple of hours but that I would see her by 3:00 at the latest.
I swung by McDonald’s for a sandwich and pulled in the parking lot by 12:20 p.m. James Impala was parked in my usual spot and he and Wade were walking towards the office stoop.
I parked and got out.
“Micaden, we need to talk. It is in your best interest and ours to talk this thing out.” James said.
I should have refused, simply told them to get lost. No, I should have told them I would spend the rest of my life making sure Gina found justice. But, I didn’t do either. Instead, I allowed them to follow me into the office and on into the conference room.
James did most of the talking. “We suspect you are behind the disappearances of John, Randall, and now Fred. Yes, we know we will never see any of them again. Fred has been gone for nearly ten days. Even though Fritz originally told us Fred was away on a little trip we know he has gone the way of John and Randall. It has to be you.”
I didn’t respond.
“Wade and I have a deal for you. We will not tell the police where you buried Gina if you will not tell them what the two of you found out about the business operations of Club Eden, including our little sex trafficking ring.”
Again, I didn’t respond, but I could tell my silence was pissing off Wade.
“Tanner, the only reason we haven’t killed you is because you are a member of Club Eden. Have you forgotten the oath you took? The same one we took. You do recall the part that says, ‘My duty is to my fellow Club members and therefore I will do everything I possibly can to protect each of them from all harm from every source.’” Wade said.
“You’re not as safe as you think you are.” James motioned for Wade to be quiet. “We found your little hideout down Dogwood Trail. You know Franklin and Danny saw you as you passed them outside with the Riggins the day after Halloween. They were not sure but they thought they saw Gina with you.”
“Were you and Gina having an affair?” Wade asked.
I couldn’t sit silent any longer. “No, absolutely not. I was her attorney.”
“Why did she need an attorney?” Wade asked.
“She was leaving your sorry ass. She had had enough of your hypocrisy and criminal lifestyle.” I said.
“Tanner, here is why you are going to strike this deal with us. Gina’s body is now in your third grave on your property at the end of Dogwood Trail. We suspect you buried two of our brothers in those other two graves. Wade and I didn’t take the time to dig them up. If you do not agree to our offer, the minute we leave here I am calling Detective Morrow and telling him that I have just received an anonymous call telling me where Gina’s body is buried. As soon as he knows that location, his fellow officers will race to your little hideout and you will be arrested for Gina’s murder. Is that what you want?” James said.
“It scares me to death to think that I could be back in jail before I see another sunrise. But, let me be clear with you two criminals. No matter what you do, what you threaten me with, I will not sway from my commitment to the Murray family. My life’s mission is to see that the two of you and every other person in any way responsible for their deaths receive real justice.” I said.
“Tanner, you are a fool. You may have gotten away with killing John, Randall, and Fred, but your luck has run out. You can’t destroy Club Eden. It is too powerful. It is too well connected. This time, you will lose. You will be convicted and sentenced to death. You do know that the abduction and murder of Gina will be a capital crime?” Wade said.
“You two idiots have my full permission to bring your best shot. But, you better be ready to pay the piper if you’re going to play this song. Don’t ever forget that Gina was a master of espionage. She got enough goods on you two and the Club to earn you a lifetime pass to Death Row at Holman Prison. Now, get out of my office.” I said walking over to a bookshelf and pulling a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum pistol from behind a row of Southeastern Reporters, the ones I had put back after the law office was searched in July.
Wade and James walked to the front door, with me trailing and pointing the barrel of my gun towards James’ back.
The Pencil-Driven Life 