Yes, I know it's been forever since I updated. Thanks, all the reviews totally got my Mom out of her funk. Anyways, here it is...
Chapter 8
We're trapped. I've rolled Joe into some bushes in my backyard. Another bullet hits the ground inches from us.
"Cut you a deal," someone says. "Come out and I'll only kill Frank."
No way can I get Joe out of this.
I stand up.
"I'm Frank."
"No, I'm Frank," Joe says and stands up beside me.
I look at the hooded guy holding a gun.
"Only getting paid to kill Frank."
"That's me," Joe says.
"No way," the guy pointing the gun says. "I read the papers. You're Joe. You got hurt when your brother's car exploded."
"The paper screwed up," Joe says. "I got hurt when my car exploded. My lawyer is calling the paper tomorrow."
Only Joe would argue with a professional hit man holding a gun.
"Hope your boss doesn't mind if you off the wrong guy," Joe says and takes a step toward the hit man. "Hey, I'm looking for a new job."
I try to grab Joe, but he's out of reach.
"You don't have a lot of paperwork, right?" Joe says. "You wouldn't want to leave a paper trail for the police to follow."
I will kill Joe if he doesn't shut up and get back here.
"Show me your ID," the hooded guy says. "NOW!"
"Dude, I'm wearing sleep pants," Joe says. "No ID. Trust me, I'm Frank."
Before I can make a move, the hit man grabs Joe around the neck and points his gun at Joe's heart.
"Everybody inside," the hit man says.
I lead us upstairs to my condo.
How do I get Joe out of this? God, I could use a little help down here.
"You, over there," the hit man says and nods his head at the opposite side of my living room.
No choice. I walk across the living room.
"ID," the hit man says.
"You got retirement?" Joe asks.
My fingers fumble as I get my driver's license out of wallet.
"Got a killer 401K," the hit man says.
"Yeah, Dad tells me to put more money away, but after rent and car payments there isn't much left," Joe says and sighs.
I've never understood how Joe does this. He can talk to anybody about anything. A gift or a curse? I know he's trying to distract the hit man but I'm going to kill Joe after this.
"Here's my ID," I say.
Joe realizes the game is up and bites the hit man's arm. The hit man pushes Joe to the floor. The guy has his gun aimed at Joe's head when I tackle him from behind. A bullet slams into my hardwood floor an inch from Joe's head. I hit the guy with an uppercut. He's stunned, but not down for the count. He pulls out a knife. I grab the knife, twist his arm and jab my knee into his gonads. The guy curls up into the fetal position.
"Police!" someone says as the door breaks open.
"What happened?" Con asks.
"He tried to kill us," I say.
I crawl over to Joe. Gently I push him over. His white t-shirt is soaked blood red. I clamp my hand over Joe's wound and apply pressure.
"I'll drive you to the hospital," Con says as he eyes the blood.
I ride with Joe in the backseat of Con's police car. Joe lays across the seat. I press my jacket against his chest wound. Sirens whine and lights flash as Con gets us to Bayport Hospital.
Con waits with me in the waiting room, while Joe is in surgery.
"How did you find us?" I ask.
"You called me," Con says. "From your cell phone."
"No," I say. "Joe called. He must have found my cell phone in my jacket pocket."
Dad and Sam show up. While Sam gets coffee from the vending machine, I bring Dad up to speed.
"Joe wants me to work with Edward," I say.
"WHAT!" Dad says.
Maybe I shouldn't tell Dad this. But I'm angry. With Joe, the hit man, Callie and the world.
"He says Edward is perfect," I say. "Guess Joe noticed how you and Edward get along. Joe even tried to be like Edward."
Dad definitely didn't deserve that.
"I'll take care of Edward," Dad says.
When Joe is in recovery, I plant myself at his bedside.
"He's out of it," the nurse says. "With his pain meds he won't know what he's saying."
While Joe's unconscious I plant a bug under his hospital nightstand.
Call me paranoid, but I've only got one brother. And he's only hanging on by a thread.
"Frank?" Joe whispers.
"Right here," I say and grab Joe's arm.
"What's the date?" Joe whispers.
"May 27th," I say.
"Gonna marry Iola today," Joe whispers.
"Yeah?" I ask, as my voice breaks.
"Be my best man?" Joe whispers.
"Always," I choke out.
"Want two kids…girls like Iola," Joe whispers. "Think I'll be a good dad?"
"Definitely," I say.
"Iola's the best part of me," Joe says. "Don't know what I do if I lost her."
Joe goes limp as the pain meds knock him unconscious.
How many ghosts haunt Joe? He's trapped between a past he can't change and a future he'll never have.
"You are the strongest person I know," I say.
Joe wasn't afraid to give Iola his heart. I still can't figure out if Callie is the one for me. And people say I'm the smart one.
How does Joe carry so much pain and still keep it together?
Hours later Joe yawns and wakes up.
"Hey," I say. "Welcome back."
"Everybody OK?" Joe asks.
"You are until you get discharged," I say. "Then I'm going to kill you! What are you doing fighting with a professional hit man when you're blind?"
"Was night," Joe says. "He couldn't see me."
Perfect Joe logic.
"Frank, your dad needs you," Sam says. "They found a disposable cell phone on the hit man. We're hoping you can link him to Victor Lurd. I'll keep Joecompany."
Six long hours later, I've hacked the hitman's phone. I found a phone call fromLurd. With the phone company's help, I got a recording of Lurd's voice ordering the hit on me and offering to pay one million dollars.
"Good job, Frank," Dad says.
"If Joe hadn't distracted the hit man, I wouldn't be here," I say.
"Speaking of Joe, I told Edward he wasn't a good fit for our office," Dad says. "I gave him a good recommendation and some job leads."
"Good," I say.
"Hi guys," Sam says.
"Thought you were with Joe," I say.
"Edward said you needed me here," Sam says.
"No," Dad says. "Who's with Joe?"
"Edward," Sam says.
"Call hospital security!" I shout as I run down the hall. "Get them to Joe's room!"