As he woke up on Sunday morning, AJ Styles stretched like a cream filled cat. He looked over at his precious little pet. John Morrison was asleep, but looked like a debouched hooker after a ten client night. AJ quietly got up to take a shower.
As soon as he heard the shower, JoMo opened his eyes. He grabbed his cell phone and starting looking up things to do in Dodge City. He knew there would be no weather to chase. JoMo also knew Adam was a photo journalist first, and this was the perfect area for a photo shoot. He knew from his time spent, watching the habits of Jericho and company, Adam would spend a weather free day out taking pictures, with Chris in tow. Now he just had to figure out the places Adam would likely choose to photograph. He smirked as he scrolled his phone.
At the Bel-Air Motel, the storm chasers ate their breakfast in the Jericho's room. Shawn also wrote out a grocery list, with milk and cereal at the top. Both Roman and Dean fussed over Seth and made sure he drank his orange juice. It made Seth feel loved and cared for, he secretly loved being their baby.
Adam stayed close to Chris as they sat on their bed. "You really think the Sergeant knows what he is doing?" Adam's face was etched with worry.
Chris chewed his bite of raisin filled cereal. "Yes, Kitten. I am sure he does. You just concentrate on taking the best possible photos. I want to see your work on the cover that special edition." He gave his husband a gentle nudge of encouragement.
Adam smiled. No one could make him feel better than Chris. "Okay. I don't know, I think I will have strong competition for that cover photo. My Padawan, you know. Maybe you could… um… get in his light?" Adam teased as he winked at Dean.
Dean laughed. "I will just adjust for light changes. It's nice of you to say it, Obi Wan, but I really don't have the skills for a cover shot; yet. I'd be happy to have a text breaker." He turned back to eat his breakfast.
Adam frowned. "Drew wasn't..." He lost himself in a distant memory.
Chris knew where Adam's mind had gone. He again nudged his husband. "Kitten, not now. It's going to be alright, I promise." He gave Adam a soft kiss.
Adam smiled at Chris. "Sorry, my Lion. I know, the Sergeant has a good plan. Guess I'd better get my cameras ready. Dean, join me? Sepia stock will be fantastic for some photos." He arched his brow at Dean.
Dean perked up. "Really? I had thought of sepia, but, I don't have any left. I know how hard it is to get." He still couldn't get over how generous Adam had been in sharing the costly film stock.
Adam chuckled. "I have some left, but, between the two of us, it will finish off my stock. We can get more if we pass through Oklahoma City. We will each have one hundred shots. We still have plenty of black and white. We can also do some hand colored prints." Adam opened the bag that contained his stock of film. He took out two fifty shot rolls of sepia stock. Adam gave them to Dean.
Dean took the rolls with a smile. "I will pay you back, I promise. Thank you, Adam. I really do appreciate it." He gave Adam an uncharacteristic hug.
Adam returned the hug. "I am glad to be of help, Dean. Not just because you are my college apprentice, but because you are a fantastic photo journalist. But, above all that, you are my friend, and friends help each other."
Dean hung his head a bit. "You are my friend too. Look, I'm sorry I was kind of a … brat at first…" Dean stopped when Adam cut him off.
"Nah, you weren't a brat. Now, I was a brat at times..." Adam was cut off by Chris.
"Now honey, tell the truth. You weren't a brat, you were a diva bitch. Still can be. Oh, that reminds me, Dean. Never, ever touch his special baby." Chris ducked as Adam took a swipe at him.
Dean chuckled. "I would never touch his camera." He held up his hands to prove his point.
Hunter chimed in. "Dean, Adam's special baby isn't his camera, it's his hair brush."
Everyone broke out in a fit of laughter as Adam turned eleven shades of red. Adam let out a growl as he went back to his cameras. It was a moment of humor and a laugh in the face of danger.
Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Ken Miller and Officer Beth Phillips went over the final agenda of their plan to catch John Morrison.
Beth pointed to a map. "So here, here, here and here. The Sarge and I will be here. We will be the happy newlyweds. No one word or laugh or I will sic not only Ken's wife, but mine as well on you. We won't look out of place taking pictures. Any questions?" She looked at the team of plain clothed officers that attended the planning meeting.
In the Jericho's hotel room, all the team members sat and listened to Hunter. He went over the plan from Sergeant Miller. He also had the same map as Officer Phillips.
"So, we will be surrounded by cops. I do know that Detective Miller and Officer Phillips will be posing as newlyweds. That way, they won't look out of place with cameras. Adam, you and Dean must remember, do not aim cameras at Morrison. We don't want him to know that we know he is around. That's why Miller and Phillips have the cameras. Also remember, if Morrison and or Styles do interact with us; behave normally. Show them that bygones are bygones and there are no hard feelings." Hunter finished laying out Miller's plan. He just hoped it worked.
Roman looked at Dean. He could see the old anger boiling behind Dean's eyes. While the others looked at the map, Roman quietly led Dean to the bathroom in their room. Roman put his hands on Dean's shoulders.
"Dean, I see the anger in your eyes. I know how you feel. You want Seth and Adam to be safe, and I promise, they will be. You must do everything Hunter and Detective Miller said. Leave it to the police, Dean. Don't do anything that will blow this. I know you how you feel about cops and authority, but this time, they are on your side, our side. I love you, our devil of fire. Can you do this for me? For us?" Roman pulled Dean in for a fiery, passion filled kiss.
Dean looked up at Roman. "Our baby will be safe? I won't do anything that will get in the way of the cops. But if Sethie is in danger..." He halted when Roman pulled him in for a strong hug.
"He won't be, but do you think for one minute that I would let anything happen to Sethie or you? You just pay attention to Adam. He really wants you in that special edition magazine. We are so very proud of you, D." This time, Roman gave Dean a soft, love filled kiss.
Dean clung to Roman, something he would only do in private. "I know, Ro. You'd never let anything happen to Sethie and I. I'll behave, I promise. Ro, thanks… I… I felt my center slipping, you always manage to bring me back. I love you, Ro." Dean kissed Roman in return. The two embraced for a few more minutes, then returned to the others.
Shawn, who had also noticed Dean's anger, smiled. Dean looked relaxed and the anger was gone from his eyes. Roman glanced over at Shawn and gave him a sly wink. An understanding passed between them. They would both keep an extra eye on Dean later, hopefully without Dean knowing it.
Everyone gave a start when Hunter's cell phone rang. "Helmsley… yes, Officer Phillips… yes… yes, we're ready… didn't take long… well, Styles is a weather chaser, this is the next area to watch… alright, we'll leave here in half an hour...no, just the Rover... thank you, Officer Phillips… good luck to you too..." Hunter ended the call.
"So, Styles and Morrison are in town? Well, that's no real surprise. Of course the police aren't sure anything will even happen, but they are all in place. They want us there at eleven. We'll stop for food, then picnic and photograph as planned. Remember, we are all just site seeing to relax before the next storms break." Hunter further explained the call.
Chris chuckled. "Well, one thing for sure, Styles can't miss the Rover, not with all our branding on it. Let's go. By the time we order at Sonic, we will be there on time. Shawn?" He looked at the older man.
Shawn knew what Chris wanted. "Hold hands and let us pray." He paused as the team quickly formed a prayer circle. He began, "Lord, there are people in the world who do not yet know or understand your incredible love. Some of those people seek to harm. Please, help protect us from that harm. Show them your love and mercy. We ask this in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen." The prayer ended with a chorus of "Amen."
At eleven A.M. sharp, the Jericho storm chase Range Rover parked in the lot of the Boot Hill group carried their food to the small, park-like picnic area in a grove of shade trees. There were a few people enjoying the grounds. Hunter knew two of them were law enforcement, but he didn't know which two.
"Chris, if Adam explodes, you can come stay in our room." Seth teased as Adam sat on the blanket and unpacked his food, a fully loaded, foot long chili cheese dog, a large order of chili cheese fries and a large root beer.
"I haven't exploded yet." Adam stuck his tongue out at Seth, then took a bite so big he looked like a chipmunk.
Chris nearly choked on his bite of tenderloin sandwich. "Seth, I may take you up on that offer. His butt lets out toxic fumes that would make a unicorn weep. " He yelped when Adam playfully smacked him up side the head.
AJ Styles drove towards the Boot Hill area. "I can't believe you found a paint ball gun that looks so real. That will scare the fuck outta Jericho. Even more so with those blood red paint balls." AJ pulled into the same museum parking lot. "Ha! We were right. What an ego, right down to the stupid logo on his hubcaps." He pointed out the highly labeled storm chase Range Rover. Styles parked well away from the Jericho vehicle.
Morrison laughed. "You know what they say, huge ego, tiny dick." His look showed a happy, carefree attitude, but inside, JoMo was wary. He had to be cautious and make sure Styles did the dirty work.
At the picnic area, Seth suddenly thought of something. He leaned in to speak softly. "You know, I just had a thought. Detective Miller is the twin of the Detective in Guymon. Morrison isn't stupid, like Styles. Won't he… well… understand what I am getting at?" The young man looked at Hunter with worry filled eyes.
Hunter guffawed. "Not to worry, Seth. The Sergeant said he would be in disguise. He knew about the issue of being Kyle's twin. This may not be a big city, but the police know what they are doing." He finished off his double cheeseburger with a wink to Seth.
Seth flushed a bit. "I should have realized he would wear a disguise. Well, the wild west show is at two. That gives you guys time to take some photographs." He looked at the info he'd pulled up on his cell phone.
"Don't fret about it, Seth. I was about to say something about them being twins myself. Dean, we will shoot color first, then when the shot looks good, switch to sepia." Adam opened his camera case. As he did, he let out a fart that sounded more like a cannon.
Chris jumped up. "Look out! He's gonna blow!" He made a show of waving away the smell.
Adam stood. "Ah! That's better. Please do excuse me. Dean, let's get to work." He picked up his equipment and gave the group a sheepish wink.
With a laugh, the storm chasers picked up their trash and tossed it into the nearby garbage cans. Blankets were folded and put back in the Rover. The group then headed to "The Wild West" section of Dodge City. Boot Hill Cemetery was first on the list. Adam and Dean had their cameras out and ready.
Morrison and Styles were also headed for the reproduction cemetery. Morrison's mind was busy. He was pleased to see, that while there were people around, it wasn't over crowded. Schools weren't out for the summer yet.
What Styles didn't know was that, of course, the gun they carried was very real. It was one of two that JoMo kept hidden in his bag. They weren't the first guns JoMo had bought. He'd carried guns since he'd once lived on the south side of L. A. JoMo had been a stripper and call boy until he was discovered and became a high fashion model. Even Drew never known about the guns, or his illicit past. At least Morrison had gotten himself off the drugs; for now. JoMo had moved to Florida to get away from the pressures of Los Angeles.
Just before they got to the cemetery, JoMo stopped AJ. "Look, you carry the gun. That will make it even more of a surprise. Jericho won't suspect you. It's okay if you don't want to." Morrison gave his lover a bit of a pout with puppy dog eyes.
AJ fell under JoMo's gaze. "Of course I'll carry it. Hell, I'll even do it. I can't wait to see that jerk covered in red paint..." He slyly took the gun in hand as JoMo passed it to him. It was in a handgun style, not a normal looking paintball gun.
AJ hid the gun in his jacket pocket. He was surprised by the weight of it. "It even feels real. Heavier than I thought. Wouldn't be very practical for a paintball assault course. I just hope we find them, I want to get this over with. I have other things I'd rather be doing… with you." He pulled JoMo in for a near pornographic kiss.
Morrison had to stop himself from rolling his eyes as AJ rammed his tongue down his throat. Instead, JoMo forced himself to respond to AJ's kiss. After all, it would be over soon. Morrison had decided to go back to L.A. That's where all the real men and their money were located.
Detective Sergeant Ken Miller and Officer Beth Phillips walked by Styles and Morrison, hand in hand. Sergeant Miller now had long brown hair, pulled into a pony tail, a scruffy beard and mustache. He looked nothing like his twin brother back in Guymon, Oklahoma. He and Beth wore earpieces that couldn't be seen by anyone. They could also speak to their fellow officers through tiny microphones hidden under their shirt collars.
The "honeymoon" couple stopped to take a picture. Beth posed in front of the cemetery sign. "That's it, babe. I've got you framed up." Miller spoke in a prearranged code. He had just told his fellow officers Styles and Morrison were at the cemetery.
Just before the Jericho storm chasers got to the cemetery proper, Hunter spoke. "Remember everyone, stay close. Look..." He nodded toward the parking lot. "They are here. The red shoe proves it."
The others casually looked to the oddly shaped car AJ Styles drove. "Don't worry, we will be alright. Remember what Hunter said, act natural and let the police do their work. We are a team, and we will do this just like a chase; together. Now, let's go." Chris spoke like the leader he was. Between himself and Hunter, the group had the confidence they needed.
The group of seven storm chasers made their way into Boot Hill Cemetery. The original cemetery was long gone. In the 1930's, the bodies were moved to the other cemetery in town and a school was built on the land. Eventually the town rebuilt a replica of the old cemetery. However, none of the towns famous residents were ever buried there. Most of them had died, far away from Dodge City. Still, the reproduction cemetery was interesting and typical for the "wild west." It also made for an excellent photo opportunity.
It didn't take long for Dean and Adam to get lost in taking pictures. Shawn and Hunter stayed close, but hand in hand they looked at the educational signs that told about the history of the cemetery.
Seth jumped up on Roman's back with a laugh. Roman carried Seth piggyback with his own laugh, as they wandered around, but stayed close to the others.
Chris stayed with Adam and Dean to play camera assistant. He helped the photographers by holding cameras and carried their bags.
Sergeant Miller and Officer Phillips were also close as they took their own pictures and acted like newlyweds.
As Adam knelt down to change a lens on his camera, Chris knelt next to him and spoke in a barely there whisper. "Maybe we should go up to the far corner, a lot less people there. After all, we want to draw them to us. I am not happy about it, but, I want this over as quickly as possible." Chris was worried, but he also wanted Morrison caught.
Adam looked at his husband with such utter and complete trust, he resembled a small child. He knew Chris would never intentionally lead him into danger. He gave Chris a smile and a kiss on the cheek.
"What ever you think is best, my Lion..." Adam paused and turned to Dean. "Come, Padawan. Let's try up there, better light." He gave Dean a sly wink. Dean immediately understood.
Without looking too obvious, the seven men made their way up to the far corner of the cemetery.
"They are very clever." Officer Phillips stated as she and her "husband" moved toward the storm chasers, but not close enough to draw unwanted attention from Styles and Morrison.
Morrison smiled inside, as he thought to himself. "That's right, keep moving. Go on, the less people around the better. You are never going to see it coming." He casually led AJ toward the group of storm chasers.
Little did Morrison and Styles realize, they were surrounded by undercover law enforcement. As far as JoMo was concerned, Drew would soon be avenged.
Even though they knew they were under threat, Adam and Dean were soon lost in taking pictures. Adam used his precious sepia film stock.
"Sepia is perfect. It has the feel of tintype. Now, focus carefully, sepia tends to easily blur." Adam instructed as Dean picked up his camera loaded with sepia film stock.
Seth slid off Roman's back, after all he didn't want to wear Roman out. Dean handed Seth his digital camera and picked up the sepia film loaded one. Seth was curious. "Why use film? I see that your digital camera has a sepia setting."
Adam laughed. "Because, digital is too perfect. Digital is wonderful, no denying that, but, like I said, it is too perfect. Look, it's like a CD. The music is crystal clear, but, that isn't always the best. CD's don't have the tiny scratches that vinyl records have. Those scratches and skips give the music character. Clear and perfect removes that character. Understand?" His brow arched at Seth.
Seth smiled with a nod. "Yeah, I understand. I like that comparison. It's a good lesson to remember, perfection isn't always the best. Unless of course you are chasing tornadoes." He laughed a bit and gave Adam a wink.
Once again, Adam and Dean were soon lost in their work. Chris sat on the ground and seemed to mindlessly play a game on his cell phone. Shawn, Hunter, Roman and Seth read the different historical markers. However, Chris, Hunter and Roman were on alert.
As Morrison and Styles drew closer to their target, JoMo got a sudden tingle up his spine. He had a feeling they were being watched.
JoMo wanted to survey the area, but didn't want to make a show of it. In a fluid motion, he brushed his left foot over the top of his right foot. The action did what he intended it to do. His right shoelace was untied. JoMo stopped walking.
"Wait, my shoe came untied. I don't want to trip and fall." JoMo casually knelt down to retie his sneaker. However, his eyes scanned every person in the area. JoMo could spot a cop a million miles away. It came from his years of experience in smuggling drugs and other illegal things.
Styles stopped to wait for his little pet. He rolled his eyes as he looked around. He spotted the Jericho storm team. Chris held on to his blond bitch as Adam leaned at an odd angle to take a picture. Styles wished he could knock them over in a heap.
JoMo scanned the area twice. He still had the feeling he was being watched. But he also knew none of the people in the area were cops. Cops always stuck out like sore thumbs, because it was obvious they were trying to hide the fact they were cops. They hid behind newspapers and coffee cups, sunglasses and bad wigs. JoMo relaxed, but still, he kept his eyes open.
When he stood, JoMo pulled AJ into his arms. He spoke softly in AJ's ear. "Let's go over there, we need to decide how we are going to do this." He gave AJ a soft kiss. He led Styles to a nearby bench.
Officer Phillips leaned in to give her "husband" a kiss. After a quick peck, she whispered in his ear. "Morrison just scanned the area. He was looking for undercover cops. He seems satisfied, but we need to be extra cautious." She reported her feelings to her boss.
Ken pulled his "wife" in closer. "Yeah, I caught that too. The old "tying my shoe" trick. This just proves my brother's theory. Morrison is a professional criminal. I hope his background check on Morrison comes through soon. Let's stay on point." He and Beth began to stroll away, hand in hand. They stopped next to Shawn and Hunter and read one of the historical markers.
Beth posed next to the marker, as Miller snapped her picture. The Detective spoke in a whisper to the coppery blond storm chaser who stood next to him.
"Morrison is looking for cops. We don't think he's twigged. You are doing great, just stay alert and remain calm and casual. Now, act like you are pointing something out to us. Being a fellow friendly tourist."
Shawn raised his hand and pointed to a historical marker to their left. Shawn said nothing but he gave the newlyweds a warm smile. He and Hunter went off in the opposite direction, also hand in hand. Shawn relayed what Sergeant Miller had told him as they walked.
Hunter listened, then spoke in a whisper. "I have a feeling John Morrison isn't a stranger to crime. I'm starting to wonder if this is really going to work." He was frustrated. They all wanted this over and done. The couple wandered back to where their fellow storm chasers were located.
Dean held up a map of the area from the tourist information booth. It was the perfect way for the group to talk without raising suspicions.
"…so, the Sergeant said Morrison is wary, but seemed satisfied. What would you say if we separated a bit more? Maybe that would draw Morrison out faster? We can still stay close, just a bit further apart. You know what I am trying to say." Hunter spoke in a quiet voice. He pointed to the map as well.
"No. Now I agreed to this because you promised we would stay together! I am not having my husband put in any deeper danger. We stick together, or we leave and give up this crazy idea." Adam spoke in a whisper, but his anger was clear.
Chris put an arm around Adam's waist. "Calm down, baby. You agreed that this is the right thing to do. Hunter didn't mean it how it sounds. He meant that you and I should isolate ourselves. They will still be here. Look, let's go over there and take pictures, by the hanging tree, just us. Don't forget, we are still surrounded by Sergeant Miller's guys. Please, Kitten? You can do this. I promise, I won't get hurt and neither will anyone else." He pulled Adam in for a soft kiss.
Adam sighed. "You're right. Sorry I got so bitchy. I have to get the past out of my head, but it's hard with Morrison so close. I just… if he'd only known the real Drew." He rubbed his cheek, it felt like Drew had slapped him six seconds ago, instead of nearly six years ago.
Shawn leaned in to look at the tourist brochure over Adam's shoulder. "It's alright, we understand. None of us like this. Now, we will go over there while you and Chris go over there." He casually pointed as if showing the others where to go, as tourists.
John Morrison watched the Jericho team with the eyes of an eagle. He only wished he could hear what they said, but they were too far away. JoMo smiled brightly, he nudged AJ with his elbow. Styles was lost in some game on his cell phone.
"Look, lover. This is our chance." JoMo nodded towards the group of storm chasers.
AJ put his phone in his pocket. "So, they are finally splitting up. Ha! Jerrishit and his bitch are headed for the hanging tree. Too bad it's only a paintball gun." He patted the gun he had in the waistband of his jeans.
Morrison had the forethought to act shocked. "AJ, you wouldn't… really… kill someone… would you?" He even managed to show a bit of fear in his brown doe eyes. Inside, he smirked at the thought.
AJ saw the fear in his lover's eyes, was JoMo afraid of him? He pulled his pet into his arms. "No, my precious pet. It's just words. I might hate those fuckers, but I couldn't actually kill anyone. I know you couldn't either. So, how do you want to do this? Just walk up to them and splatter them with paint?" He would do whatever his little pet wanted.
It took all of Morrison's effort not to roll his eyes. AJ was a complete idiot at times. "No, we have to play it cool. Sucker them in. Make them think… just follow my lead. When the time is right to pepper them with paint balls, I will pinch you on the ass. Okay?" JoMo explained as simply as he could. He could only hope AJ wouldn't screw it up.
AJ nodded. "Got it. You really do have a way of doing things. I think I'd hate to have you as an enemy..." He laughed, then continued. "I'm joking, pet. You could never really hurt anyone. Well, shall we go… paint the town red..." Styles laughed at his own joke.
This time Morrison did roll his eyes, but with a laugh. "Paint Jericho red, you mean. Remember, as soon as I pinch you on the ass, plaster them. Come on, I need to apologize to that blond bitch, Adam." JoMo made air quotes around the word apologize. Both men laughed again as they stood.
Several pairs of eyes watches as Styles and Morrison made their way over to where Chris and Adam stood. Adam took pictures of the tree, that had at one time, been used for hanging criminals. Despite it's brutal history, it was a very beautiful, ancient oak tree.
Sergeant Miller spoke softly to Officer Phillips. "That was a very clever move. It finally drew Morrison out..." He then spoke to his team. "It's like a rooster in a hen house." He spoke in code. What the Detective meant was, don't take your eyes off of Morrison and Styles. A couple of the undercover police officers nonchalantly wandered closer to Chris and Adam.
All of the others members of the Jericho storm team were on high alert. Both Roman and Seth took hold of one of Dean's hands when the auburn haired man let out a low growl. Roman and Seth understood. Chris and Adam were family and Dean protected those he cared about, fiercely protected. Dean had been in more than one fight when someone had looked at Roman or Seth the wrong way.
Hunter wished that he had his gun, but he had promised Sergeant Miller he wouldn't carry it in order to avoid any accidents. Hunter understood it, but he didn't like it. Morrison was too close for comfort.
AJ held JoMo's hand as they approached Chris and Adam. As they drew closer to the Jericho's, AJ broke out in a light sweat. He wasn't at all sure this would work.
As Chris saw Styles and Morrison approach, he put his arm around Adam's waist. Adam had his digital camera in hand.
Chris spoke softly in Adam's ear. "We've got company, Kitten." He gently turned Adam to face the enemy.
Adam turned to face Styles and Morrison. "What do you want. We have nothing to say to you."
Morrison put an arm around AJ's waist, to make it easier to give the signal to shoot. "Adam, please. I just wanted to explain and apologize. See, I had no idea that gun was real. I thought it was just a paintball gun. Adam, I was stupid… I haven't been in my right mind since Drew died. I blamed you and your husband. It was really wrong. AJ has really helped me realize how wrong I was. I know you probably think I should be in jail, but, I honestly didn't know the gun was real. Detective Miller believed me and I hope you will too. I'm going to stay with AJ for a while. He has really helped me so much. Adam, Chris I am truly sorry. Chris, I hope you and the other young man have recovered from the stupid damage I caused. Is… there anything I can do? Make it up to you in some way?" JoMo had on his best doe eyed look and he sounded deeply sincere.
Adam held tight to Chris' hand as he spoke. "John, I can understand that grief can make you do stupid things. Say that I do believe you, that you didn't know the gun was real, that you thought it was a paintball gun. Why would you want to do something like that? Destroy all our hard work with paint balls? What happened to Drew was his own fault. Chris tried to pull him out of the car, but he refused. I didn't do you wrong, John. I encouraged Drew to go back to you, more than once. There is something you can do, just go away and stay away. We'll draw a line in the sand and forget any of this ever happened." Adam was honestly sincere.
AJ was confused. He wanted to clear up a few things. Adam had been a bitch to his pet, and he wasn't going to stand for it.
"What about what you did to him, back in college? Destroying his car and clothes with paint balls. All because of some fraternity politics? You were a bitch to him, blondie. And you ask why he wanted revenge?" AJ was angry. Adam wasn't going to just walk away.
JoMo had to hide the panic that erupted from his very soul. He had no idea AJ would bring up the prank story. He had to get out of there fast. The killing of Jericho would have to wait. He pulled at AJ.
"Come on, AJ. Let's go. There is nothing more to say." He started to turn to walk away.
Adam was more confused than ever. "What the hell are you talking about? I was never in a frat at college and I never knew John at college. I went to Humber College in Canada. I took one post grad class in Tampa, and that was a night class. I have never owned a paintball gun, let alone fired one. What the fuck has he told you? Now I don't believe a word Morrison has said. You really did mean to kill Chris, didn't you? I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you rot in jail for what you did to Chris and Seth." Adam was like a mother lion with her cubs under threat. Fire sparked in his hazel eyes.
The atmosphere exploded. In a swift movement, AJ pulled out the "paintball" gun and aimed it directly at Adam. Bodies were shoved, shouts heard and the awful sound of a discharged gun filled the air. A scream echoed across Boot Hill Cemetery….