In the warehouse basement, tall, fleshy Jasper stood next to his two slender friends, Adam and Carl. They regarded their captives with grim resolve. Will barely looked up at them. Sitting on the dusty cold floor, he was a far cry from the dapper, confident man who sat on a grassy hill with Kitty, 6 months ago, expounding on life. He'd just explained everything to her – his life the past 6 months, and how his dealings with three arrogant youths had brought him here. She'd said nothing in response, and even before the door opened and the men filed in, he was filled with a deep, dark, harrowing despair. When he finally looked up and saw the men's faces he knew there was no way out of this. Saving himself was a lost cause, and he couldn't even help Kitty.
Kitty got to her feet and stood facing the men. She looked from one to the other. "I know what happened to your sons, and I am so very, very sorry. It's not for me to say whether or not Will could have avoided what happened, but causing more pain and bloodshed will only make everything worse. Let us go. We won't go to the police."
Adam opened his hands toward her, in a gesture of helplessness. "I see you don't wear a wedding ring, Miss, so I guess you don't have children. Still, maybe you know that raising a boy isn't easy. It takes time for a boy to become a real man. The three of us – we did our best raising our three boys with their mothers gone from this earth. And there were such good things about them – their loyalty to each other, the way they learned real quick, the jokes they liked to tell us, the pride they took in that silly vegetable garden the three of them tended together – so many good things. Yes, they were cocky, and kind of full of themselves, but all they needed was time to mature, and become real men. Who is perfect at 18 years old? No one. Stambridge didn't care about that. He killed our boys, before they could grow to be men. The three of us knew the law won't punish Will Stambridge, for taking our boys. It would be labeled self-defense. Getting justice was up to us. We had to do it for the sake of our boys and future boys that Stambridge would shoot, just for being prideful and foolish. I'm sorry you got mixed into this, Miss, but it's all the fault of Will Stambridge."
Adam seemed almost to shrink, as if his words exhausted him. He quickly pulled himself together and nodded at Jasper. The big man, grabbed Kitty from behind and held her arms. "I have her Carl, put the blindfold on." Kitty twisted wildly back and forth, trying to loosen Jasper's grip. She got one arm free and jabbed her elbow back into his squishy stomach. He bent over and gasped. Carl ran behind Kitty and threw his arm around her, trying to subdue her. She stomped her foot down hard on his, and kneed him in the groin. He howled in pain. Adam hurried over and shoved her hard. She fell back and landed on her butt – stunned. Jasper caught his breath and straightened up. "We'll tie her to a column to keep her still. Then we'll blindfold her." Adam grabbed a rope.
Matt
After walking the length of Empire Street, without finding a clue to Kitty's whereabouts, Matt headed back to the corner where he started, cursing himself for wasting time. He picked up his pace. The walkway was uneven and he stepped off into some weeds. A crunching sound – something hard beneath his foot. He glanced down. An object glittered in the sun. He knelt to get a better look. His heart jumped. Kitty's broach – the one he'd given her just before the the trip. She had been on this street. He picked up the broach to examine it closely. A torn piece of blue cloth was stuck on the pin. Clearly the broach had been forcibly torn from her blouse. He narrowed his eyes and took a long carefully look across the back of the warehouse. The small door in the center seemed the only possibility. He shook the knob. The door was locked, and it was way too thick to kick in. He pulled out his gun and fired at the metal lock. It flew apart.
Kitty
Kicking and struggling all the way, Kitty was dragged to a wooden beam. Carl gripped her hard, while Adam wrapped the rope around her. With the rope secured she continued to struggle, but couldn't budge an inch. Carl tied the blindfold around her eyes. The three men looked at each other. Jasper nodded, "We all fire at once, remember." They moved back, stood shoulder-to-shoulder two feet from Kitty and raised their guns. A shot rang out. The three men froze – confused – none of them had fired. They turned towards the stairs. A big man was racing into basement holding a gun. Carl and Jasper panicked, and fired at the man. 4 bullets flew. Jasper and Carl's hit the wall. Matt's went into their chests. They crumbled to the ground. Adam, shuddered at the sight of his fallen friends. He dropped his gun to the floor and raised his shaking hands, "I give up, don't shoot."
Kitty finally managed to wiggle loose and pulled her blindfold off. "Matt, you sure cut it close." Her voice was shakier than she was aiming for." He hurried over. "Are you all right?" She fell into his arms. "I am now."
"What the heck." Police Lieutenant Mike Haley came racing down the steps. Matt smiled crookedly. "How'd you find me?"
Mike hurried to check the two men lying on the ground. "I noticed you were nowhere near the group, and made some lucky guesses." He nodded, "Both these men are dead. Must be quite a story. Kitty all right?"
"I'm fine Mike." Kitty piped up. "But Will's taken a beating." Matt and Mike looked over, and for he first time noticed Will. Matt blinked twice. "Will Stambridge?" Will nodded, "Yes, and I hope someone has a key to these." He held up his handcuffs.
"Like I said." Mike looked at Matt. "This must be quite a story." He turned his attention to Will. "I heard you came to town, but thought you left. Anyway, Stambridge, we'll have you out of those handcuffs soon." He quickly assessed the man's condition. "And we'll get you to a doctor before we ask you for a statement. I"ll get some officers down here to help with everything."
Adam stood off the side watching the scene unfold, with his hands held in the air. He didn't move or make a sound, but inside he was seething. Three 18 year old boys were dead. Now, Jasper and Carl, his two best friends were also dead. And it was all because of Stambridge. Now that terrible man would be taken to see a doctor. Then he'd make a statement to the police about how he'd been wronged, and ride off to live his life. It wasn't right, it wasn't fair. He had to do something. What happened after didn't matter. It was up to him.
Slowly and carefully, Adam inched his right hand downwards while eyeing the gun on the floor. Everyone was busy. The police lieutenant was pulling the bodies over to the steps. The big man was taking to the redhead called Kitty. Stambridge was just standing there, handcuffed to the pipe, waiting to be freed. He was a sitting duck. Time to move. Adam bent and grabbed the pistol. "Die Stambridge."
Matt got to Will in half a step. He shoved Stambridge down, turned and fired. Two shots rang out. Matt staggered back, with Adam's bullet in his gut. His own shot hit the ceiling.
"Nooo, Nooo." Shaking with rage Adam aimed at Stambridge again. Mike Haley's bullet took Adam down before he pulled the trigger. Mike knelt to feel a pulse. Adam was among the dead.
"Matt." Mike hurried over to his friend, bleeding on the floor, Kitty'd already pulled off her slip and was pressing it against the wound. "He's breathing Mike, but bleeding bad." Mike jumped to his feet and ran off. "I'll get help."
Kitty pushed down hard on the wound. Matt groaned in pain. "Stay with me Cowboy. Stay with me."
Will Stambridge watched in horror.
TBC
