Heart of Thunder 6

Chapter 6

"Who is Butcher Brannigan?" Lisa asked letting go of Jinx

"He's a ruthless Vegas loan shark that I tangled with once not long after I became bionic." Replied Michael, "you miss a payment with him and it's bye-bye kneecaps."

"How did you wind up tangling with someone like him?" asked Carole

"My dad was at a science symposium being held at a resort in Vegas," replied Michael, "On the second day one of dad's top research assistants got bit by the gambling bug and before we knew anything about it, he was in hock to Brannigan to the tune of $50,000! plus interest of 20% a week!"

"Yikes," said Stevie, "so what did you do?"

"After clobbering a couple of Brannigan's goons, I got a meeting with Brannigan himself and convinced him that it would be in his best interests to cut his losses. Because, if he continued to harass my father's research fellows, as prominent as my father is in his field, he could wind up the target of a federal investigation and that would be a lot of negative flack that he didn't want."

Brannigan decided I was right and backed off. My father then told that particular assistant that if he ever caught him gambling again, he'd hang him by his ankles from the top of the flagpole!"

"That guy was lucky to have you two." Said Stevie

"Thanks," said Mike, "But having Brannigan here worries me. This time, we don't have the threat of the FBI to make him back off!"

"I'm guessing he's not called Butcher Brannigan for nothing." Said Carole

"And you'd be right." Replied Michael, "When I said he was ruthless it was an understatement."

"So, what do we do?" asked Lisa

"To deal with Brannigan, we're going to need some leverage." Replied Michael, "a way to convince him that it would be in his best interests to leave us alone."

"That's not going to be easy." Said Stevie, "He doesn't sound like the type who would be in a hurry to walk away from a chance to make thousands of dollars."

"you're right he's not." Said Michael, "We'll just have to tell Max about this and keep our eyes open."

The others nodded in agreement. Michael turned back to Jinx.

"Jinx," he said his voice becoming menacing, "On behalf of Jess Cooper and her grandfather Orlando, stay away from Bailey Cooper, if you get him tangled up in gambling again, I'll personally drop kick you into the next county!"

Jinx gulped loudly and nodded.

Michael and the Saddle club slid out of the booth and went to their own table.

Michael was silent for several seconds. He was lost in his own thoughts.

"With Butcher Harrigan in town, maybe I should go it alone from here.," he thought to himself, "In the short time I've been here, these people have become some of the best friends I've ever had. I don't want to put them in danger and Harrigan plays for keeps!"

"What are you thinking." Stevie asked Michael

Michael sighed. He considered avoiding the question but decided not to

"I was wondering if maybe I should try taking care of Brannigan on my own without dragging you guys into it," admitted Michael.

"These guys are messing with Pine Hollow," said Lisa, "That makes it our fight!"

"Yeah," said Carole, "So, just try and keep us out of it."

Michael smiled.

"Okay," he said, "I get the message. Now let's get back to Pine Hollow and tell Max what we found out."

Leaving money to pay their bill as well as a tip they headed out the door. They stepped outside and turned to head up to the store where they had arranged to meat Mrs. Reg.

As they walked a girl with dark hair stepped out of a store a few yards ahead and turned in the same direction they were going.

Stevie peered at the back of the girl's head.

"Hey, Carole," she said, "Isn't that K.C.?"

"I can't tell for sure," said Carole, "The lighting here is so terrible and Mr. Willis, the owner, is too cheap to get it fixed."

These words were barely out of her mouth when a figure darted out a darkened doorway and ripped the girl's purse off her shoulder!

"Hey!" the girl yelled

"That is K.C.!" cried Stevie

Michael was already running. He caught up to the would-be purse snatcher like he was standing still, hooked his foot and sent him sprawling.

Michael grabbed the purse and glared at the purse snatcher.

"Beat it!" he growled making his bionic eye glow red.

The terrified purse snatcher didn't have to be told twice. He jumped up and ran for it.

Michael turned around and walked back to K.C.

"Here's your purse, Miss K.C." he said growing nervous as he noticed for the first time how pretty she was.

"Thanks," she said smiling back at him curiously. "And you are?"

"M-Michael, and it was N-No Problem," stammered Michael

"I-I have to go." Said K.C. smiling nervously and blushing a little.

"Me too," smiled Michael, "You know things to do."

"Yeah, I understand," said K.C., "Well um bye."

She hurried off.

Lisa, Carole and Stevie dissolved into giggles.

"You two so like each other." Giggled Lisa

Michael didn't say anything he just turned bright red

"Oh, I am so going to tease K.C. about this." Giggled Carole

"I'm pretty sure we all are!" snickered Stevie

"Definitely," laughed Lisa.

Hurrying up to the feed and supply store, they met up with Mrs. Reg just as two stock boys were loading some huge sacks of sweet feed in the bed of the truck.

When they were done loading Mrs. Reg's order Michael and the girls all piled into the truck and headed back to Pine Hollow. On the way they filled Mrs. Reg in on what was going on.

When they got back to Pine Hollow, they went looking for Max while Red and several of the other stable hands helped Mrs. Reg.

They were just walking up the steps to Max's office, when they heard a cackling laugh coming from inside.

"Oh no!" groaned Michael, "it can't be."

When they walked into the office, Max looked up.

"Oh good, you're here," he said, "I'd like you to meet Evelyn Bowers."

Evelyn turned and her eyes lit when she saw Michael.

"Hi Mikey!"

To Be Continued…Please Review