***Hi everyone, sorry for the delay on this next chapter. I finally finished my Master's! Anyway, this is the second to last chapter of the story. One to go! Thank you to all of those who have stuck around through the years to read my story. I really do appreciate it!***
Chapter 20
The court went back and forth for a few more months after Shiloh's shocking appeal in wanting to turn in his stepfather. The evidence that had been gathered based on Shiloh's tip was analyzed and debated, determining if it was enough to prove that Marcus Verdas had in fact stolen the Johnaha family fortune, as well as having a tire in the Gas Guzzler Massacre plot.
What was even more surprising was how involved Marcus was in the mob. The number of cars who came forward to throw dirt on him, expose him for the number of cars he victimized or ordered to be killed was unnerving. Even worse, they were all gas guzzlers. Big Thing and his family were not alone in being victims to the Beamer's dealings.
After what felt like another eternity to Big Thing, the court was finally called back to reach a final decision.
Big Thing parked himself at the front of the court with his family, accompanied by the truck boys and Bill Rocan. He needed all the support he and his family could get to make it to the end of this whole mess. Standing a few feet from him was the guilty car in question, Marcus, who was whispering to his attorney. Big Thing's gut twisted. Could this really be the car that stole their fortune? It almost didn't seem real, or possible that they could have finally found the car who did it. Yet, he was hoping. It was all he could do.
As everyone waited for Judge Oilengine to arrive, Big Thing started up a conversation with Bill. They talked about what life was going to be like after everything was all over, the unknown seeming daunting to them. Especially for Bill, as no one knew where he was going to go now that his parents were dead. As they spoke, neither of them noticed that Shiloh and his attorney drove into the courtroom. As the Prius parked on the opposite side of the room from them, he was carefully eyeing his enemy.
When Judge Oilengine finally drove into the court, the entire room immediately grew silent, everyone perched on their tires. He got up on his stand and stared at the sea of cars before him, taking the gavel in his tire.
"Based on incriminating evidence, the jury has reached a verdict on the position of Marcus Verdas," the judge paused, clearing his throat before turning to look at Marcus, who stood numbly on the courtroom floor. Besides his attorney, the Beamer was alone, not flanked by either Shiloh or his wife. Anna Verdas was at the back of the courtroom, as far away from him as possible, watching and eagerly waiting for the verdict.
"Marcus Verdas, you are presumed guilty for aiding Shiloh in the Gas Guzzler Massacre plot, as well as stealing the Johnaha fortune. All their money will be rightfully returned to them. Because of your involvement in the Massacre, your treacherous history in the mob, and you lying under oath in a court of law, you will receive the death penalty."
Judge Oilengine turned away from a stunned, wide-eyed Marcus as he shifted his attention towards Shiloh.
"Shiloh, in exchange for you assisting in taking Marcus Verdas down and revealing his involvement in the Massarce and mob dealings, you are now sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole."
Shiloh let out a sigh of relief as cars around him started booing, tossing insults at the Prius. Everyone wanted him dead just as much as Big Thing did. However, Big Thing couldn't deny that the Prius did help by taking a car just as involved down with him, even if it was only for selfish reasons.
Big Thing turned to look at Marcus. At first, the Beamer looked blank and numb, realizing that this was the end of the line for him. However, his emotionless state quickly switched to fury when the reality of his fate hit him. He whipped around towards his stepson, eyes filled with rage, looking mad, his teeth clenched.
"You will pay for this, Shiloh! Now neither of us will have that money! I hope you rot in prison for betraying me, ROT!" Marcus screamed out as the authorities surrounded him, wrestling him down to get a parking boot on his tire. After he was secured and being escorted out of the courthouse, Marcus kicked and screamed as he was dragged, shouting death threat after death threat at Shiloh. The cars in the courthouse booed and hissed at him as well until he disappeared through the courtroom doors.
Shiloh raised his eyebrows unenthusiastically while watching Marcus go, holding a calm gaze as the authorities came to ship him off to prison. Big Thing glanced over at him, curious as to why Shiloh decided to drag his stepfather down with him. Questions began surfacing in his mind, curiosity nipping at him. He had to know.
As Judge Oilengine adjourned the court and closed the case, Big Thing ceased his opportunity, driving over towards Shiloh to talk to him before he was taken away. After the verdict was delivered, cars began leaving the courthouse in droves, causing major congestion, forcing Big Thing to push his way through the crowds. As he went, Joe saw him drive over towards Shiloh out of the corner of his eye, the Tahoe getting lost in the crowd. Concern creased across the Blazer's face as he quickly tried to drive after Big Thing.
"Shiloh!" Big Thing called out as he finally got on the other side of the court. The Prius turned to him and grimaced.
"Why did you do it? Why did you turn your stepfather in to return our fortune to us?" Big Thing asked.
Shiloh laughed. Big Thing could still see the madness in his eyes, his desire to kill and destroy his enemy.
"Simple. I couldn't let him have the fortune, not without me getting my fair share."
The Prius paused a moment, reflecting.
"Can you believe it? He was about to drive away without a second thought, leaving me on death row and keeping everything to himself. I thought the bond we shared was special." Shiloh sighed as his eyes dropped to the ground.
"I always hated gas guzzlers, but they always hated me. I was constantly mocked by them and pushed around because I was weaker. I was afraid of them. My stepfather taught me to fight and have them fear me, not let myself get taken advantage of. Marcus taught me to hate them. Yet, after all he did, he just turned on me when I was protecting him."
Shiloh looked back up at Big Thing.
"Besides, if I can't have the money, it might as well be returned to its rightful owner."
Before the Prius could say more, the authorities surrounded him, pulling him away and out through the courthouse doors. Cars continued to scream death threats and throw insults his way as he was pushed through the crowd. Big Thing watched Shiloh go, breathing out a sigh of relief, thankful that he would never have to see the Prius ever again. He was gone for good, no longer allowed to roam the streets.
However, in that moment something pulled at him. Big Thing realized that even though it was all over, that Shiloh was gone, that he and his family were now safe, he had so many unanswered questions. For some reason, Shiloh being sent to prison wasn't enough closure for him regarding the Massacre than he thought. Before Big Thing could allow his thoughts to spiral out of control, Joe finally pushed through the bustling crowd, pulling up in front of him. Maddie was not too far behind him.
"What were you doin' talkin' to him?" Joe asked sternly, scolding Big Thing. "You shouldn't go within two miles of that car!"
Big Thing flashed a sheepish grin.
"Just had to ask him something, that's all," Big Thing replied apprehensively. He wasn't going to mention how much the wheels were still turning in his head, at least not yet anyway.
"I don't think there is anything to ask, son. That car is mad," Joe remarked.
Big Thing sighed. His dad was right. He would just have to let it go.
Maddie finally emerged from the crowd behind them, driving up to her son. Slightly pushing Joe out of the way, although not intentionally, she gave Big Thing a grand embrace, breaking up the awkward moment between father and son. The Tahoe smiled at his mother's ability to be loving but burly at the same time as she held him with a strong grip. She let go of him before turning to her husband.
"We're getting our money back! Our lives can be normal again, I can't believe it!" Maddie sobbed, tears running down her sides. Joe nuzzled into her and smiled, his gaze warm and for the first time, hopeful.
"We have a whole future ahead of us, Maddie. I can finally see it, for the first time," Joe paused, a swell of confidence building up in him, something Big Thing could tell had not happened in years. A glimmer of the old cattle rancher that had once been shined through, that strong personality resurfacing that had been stifled years ago.
"Maddie, I'm gonna call the boss, shut down that shithole, pack everything up, and get the hell out of Dodge," Joe bolstered.
"Where we gonna go, Joe?" Maddie asked, antsy from anticipation.
"Why, were heading home, Maddie! Were headin' back to Clay. I'm gonna polish that old wood sign out front, hang it high and show that the ol' Lazy J Bar will be back in business!" Joe whooped and hollered, throwing his hat high in the air before catching it and placing it back on his roof.
Maddie shrieked with glee, hugging her husband harder than she had in a long time. Big Thing watched on, ready to jump out of his frame with excitement. No words could express how he felt in that moment. His parents were coming home, with all their lives in poverty finally being over.
Maddie let go of Joe and the old rancher turned to Big Thing.
"Arlington, this can't be complete without you. I think now would be the time to ask. So, would you like to be my right-hand ranch hand? I can't do this without the help of my son," Joe said, smiling warmly. The Blazer's eyes were welling up with tears; he had been waiting for this moment for so long that the moment felt surreal.
Big Thing's smile stretched wide, feeling emotional. Before he could respond, Joe spoke up again.
"Oh, and before I forget, I have something to give you. I think if you are going to be my right-hand man, you gotta look the part," Joe said. He then took the cattle horns off his hood, gesturing Big Thing to come closer. The Tahoe leaned in, uncertain at first, until Joe gently placed them on Big Thing's hood. After Joe pulled away, Big Thing looked down at his hood in awe, the massive horns giving him a sense of strength and grandeur. They stretched across his hood perfectly, making him look powerful and important, something he had never felt before. He looked at his dad, stunned, again at a loss for words.
"Why, they look perfect on you! Those horns were way too big on me anyway. So, what do yah say, son? Will you help me run the ranch?" Joe asked, holding out his tire.
Big Thing felt overwhelmed; he would be running the ranch with his father. He would be together with his family, finally under one roof. How it should have always been. He would be somewhere he belonged, and for the first time in his life, he felt he had a purpose. In that moment all he could say before embracing his father was:
"Dad, of course."