Chapter 39: Harvest
—Hurry up and get all the money out of the cash register.
Two teenagers in yellow Pikachu hoods were holding knives in front of the cashier, but he had no intention of moving.
— Fuck? What are you waiting for? put all the cash in the bag.-I shout the highest assailant.
—We are not playing damn, what are you waiting for.- he said as they brought both his knives closer to the cashier's face.
The cashier did not panic. He turned his head and pointed something to the side with his index finger. The two men in masks, confused and furious, turned to watch, only to see how Ethan and Brock approached with unsheathed weapons. They immediately panicked, soon threw the knives to the ground and knelt down, holding their heads in their hands.
— Didn't your dad teach you that robbing a donut shop is like asking for a free police escort? — Ethan said, patting the big man in the ear before pushing him to the ground along with the little one. Both were handcuffed.
The episode ended quickly. After sending the two thieves back to the police station, Ethan left in a hurry. That afternoon she had received a call from Rebecca, she was very excited to invite him to her new house that night.
Rebecca's house was not far from Burton's residence, just a few minutes drive away. Although it was not as exclusive a place as where Carrie lived, it was still a pretty good area of the city.
When he arrived, he noticed that Proctor's Rolls-Royce was parked outside. Ethan stopped his car, opened the trunk, and pulled out a bottle of expensive champagne, along with several drinks. He closed the trunk and headed towards the house, which was illuminated and with soft music in the air.
Rebecca, in a white dress, opened the door with a huge smile and hugged him happily.
—Congratulations —Ethan said, handing him the champagne.
—Thanks, come in fast.
With uncontrollable excitement, Rebecca led him into the house. Since she was expelled from her family, she had gone through a period of sadness, but now she seemed like a whole new person, like a bird released from its cage. However, life outside the Amish community had brought fear and insecurity. Finally, with Burton's help, Rebecca had established herself and found her place in the world.
In the living room, Ethan noticed Burton sitting on the sofa, erect as a robot.
—Good evening, Burton —greeted Ethan.
This type of person is taciturn and meticulous in doing things. Usually, it doesn't attract much attention, but a ruthless man like no other.
Burton's origin was quite mysterious. Proctor was once caught by his rivals and imprisoned in a basement.
It was in the basement that Proctor met Burton, who had been incarcerated here for who knows how many years. At that time, the subject was like a dog, naked, and scarred all over his body, while his neck was tied with an iron chain.
After Proctorse got rid of his handcuffs with the clip hidden in his mouth, he looked for the one who was choking him and after a brief fight at the end, he dragged the owner struggling up the stairs and threw him, crying desperately, towards Burton.
Thereafter, Borden became a shadow alongside Proctor.
Ethan came to his senses and greeted him.
Burton looked at him and nodded silently, turning his attention to the television.
—Don't worry about it —Rebecca said — let's go to the backyard.
After leaving the room, Rebecca leaned toward Ethan and whispered in his ear:
—It's like that all the time, it scares me a little.
—Don't worry, —doesn't bother me, Ethan replied with a smile.
The backyard was surrounded by a high fence and bushes, giving it a lot of privacy. There was a small pool illuminated by soft lights and, next to it, a grill. Burton was standing in front of the grill, cooking.
—Mr. Proctor, nice to see you again.
Proctor turned and smiled when he saw Ethan.
—The food looks amazing, you should give me some lessons sometime. —Ethan commented as he looked at the burgers and sausages roasting on the grill.
—Thanks, but wait to see this.
Soon Proctor opened a second grill, revealing a large piece of smoked beef loin that gave off a tempting scent.
— Grilled loin? —Ethan asked, impressed.
—Yes, I learned it from a friend in Texas. This is the best of the factory.
—Uncle Kai came this morning to help me smoke it —Rebecca added, approaching.
—I already want to try it —Ethan said, taking a sip of liquor —
Soon after, the four of them were sitting around the table by the pool. Rebecca cut the meat, which opened easily, releasing tempting juices. He placed the slices on everyone's plates, accompanied by hamburgers and sausages.
—This is amazing —Ethan said while savoring the soft texture of the meat.
After dinner, Boden returned to the living room, Rebecca enthusiastically set about tidying up the house, and Ethan and Proctor sat up in the armchairs by the pool, with glasses of wine in hand.
—It seems like something very fun happened today —Burton said curiously.
—If you mean the assault of the warehouse truck at the Kinaho Tribe Casino — Ethan said, moving his cup — I don't think Alex found it as fun as you.
—I found it quite funny —answered with a smile.
Proctor turned his head.
— Is there anything you can share with me?
—There were no clues, Alex was not very cooperative. You know of something that can help us. —Ethan got up and took the bottle of wine from the table next to him.
—Not only do I find it more fun.
Proctor exhaled a puff of smoke.
The former chief of the Kinaho tribe died recently After Alex took over as new chief, he immediately turned his back on him and wanted to get him out of the new casino project play.
If Proctor hadn't promised the old boss not to kill his son, he would have arranged for Alex to be killed directly.
Proctor did not expect that his moment of mercy would almost cost him his life.
He simply arranged for unionists to stop construction and hinder the progress of the new casino, hoping that Alex would return to the negotiating table.
Under this circumstance, to prevent the Kinaho tribe from falling into chaos and from all their efforts to vain, Proctor has not yet decided not to assassinate Alex.
In his opinion, using an explosive to blow up the casino as a warning was already a great kindness on his part.
As for Kendall, Proctor did not know that the young mayor was on the casino construction site until he was discovered in the ruins.
As cunning as Proctor was, when he learned that Mayor Kendall was alone and died in the explosion, he immediately guessed many things and was glad he made mistakes. However, he was forced to keep a low profile during that period.
Ethan looked at Proctor's expression of rejoicing and smiled silently. He served him a glass of wine.
This guy doesn't know yet, but now he had been awarded the robbery of the armored truck.
Seeing Proctor's curious gaze, Ethan had no choice but to tell him everything that happened to Alex in the woods. Hearing Ethan's words and thinking about Alex's furious expression, Proctor laughed.
When he finished laughing, he shook the ash from his cigarette and said to Ethan with a serious face:
— You know what? Alex is actually a pathetic person.
Hearing Proctor's comments about Alex, Ethan was also interested and asked:
— Why do you say so? After all, he is the chief of the Kinaho tribe.
Proctor shook his head and said seriously:
—If a person is not strong enough, being in a high position will only bring danger. Why do I say it is pathetic? For the reason that he doesn't realize how weak he is.
As he spoke, Proctor couldn't help but touch his neck before continuing:
—He hesitates to do things, worries too much about what others think, and is too demanding of decency. It will never be strong.
Noticing Proctor's movements, Ethan squinted.
This guy should have been killed by people sent by Alex a few days ago, but he still made that comment. It is really interesting.
Ethan took his glass of wine in silence; Proctor's evaluation made sense.
Tribe committee members almost forced Alex to resign because he was not determined and ruthless enough. If Alex were half as unforgiving as his sister, it is possible that everything would have been different.
At that moment, Burton approached. He looked at Ethan without expression and then pointed at Proctor's watch.
Proctor nodded, got up from the couch and said to Ethan:
—I have to go.
She was about to leave when she saw Rebecca busy in the kitchen and stopped.
Proctor turned with a fierce look in his eyes.
—If you don't use a condom, I promise to cut your penis and give it to the dogs.
Suddenly Ethan choked on the wine and wet his clothes. He was about to say something, but Proctor had already turned around and left.
After Proctor left, the backyard was silent.
The night was getting dark and a gust of night wind passed, causing the leaves of the bushes outside the fence to sway smoothly. Ethan took a sip of wine under the starlight and heard a slight sound of footsteps beside him.
Rebecca wore a white bikini and walked barefoot towards the pool. The garden lights emitted a pale yellow light that reflected off her, giving her a confused feeling of beauty.
— Won't you swim with me?
Rebecca pulled her hair back with both hands and then slowly dropped it, extending an invitation to Ethan.
Ethan looked her up and down, shook her head and said:
—I don't like swimming in clothes.
The next moment, two pieces of white cloth flew and hung precariously from their glass of wine.
He quickly looked at Rebecca. Her young body had perfect curves and smooth skin.
Rebecca ignored him, crossed her hands over her head, bent her legs, and plunged into the water like a mermaid.
With a splash in the pool, Rebecca's figure swimming underwater was barely visible.
Without clogging clothes, his movements seemed extremely smooth.
Ethan used his fingers to remove the cloth from the glass, drank the wine in one gulp, and then got up to take off his clothes.
At Rebecca's exclamation, Ethan ran forward, jumped up, and screamed loudly:
— Geronimoooo!
With a roar, the pool exploded into a large ball of water, wetting the tables and chairs next door.
After Rebecca lowered her hands that blocked the water, Ethan had disappeared from her sight.
He looked around quickly and saw a dark shadow under the slowly approaching water. Rebecca tried to swim away, but they grabbed her ankle.
She screamed before Ethan's burning body enveloped her.
The next day, Ethan arrived at the police station. After everyone else went out on patrol, he got up and entered the sheriff's office.
— How is the situation? —he asked, closing the door and sitting in a chair.
—Don't worry, Job already took care of everything. It will not attract mice. -Hood replied with a relaxed expression:
Ethan nodded.
— Where's our old friend, Special Agent Racine?
—I don't know. I haven't seen him since the last closed-door hearing. He should have appeared at Carrie's court hearing this morning.
Jim Racine had become obsessed in New York with hunting Rabbit for years, and now that he was dying, he had taken it as his last will.
Whenever there was a trace of Rabbit, he appeared. As for the rest, he ignored it.
Even former FBI agent Dean Xavier was transferred because Racine was not going to allow anyone to interfere with his hunt, and Xavier's constant interventions caused him to be removed from the case.
Carrie's imprisonment seemed inevitable.
—By the way —Hood — said I just received a call from the Kinaho Tribe Police Department, they will not continue the investigation of the theft of the stock truck. Alex seems to want to bury the incident
Hood continued with gloating:
—The new casino was bombed and the security truck was stolen. Alex will definitely be pressured by the Tribal Council. I wonder what kind of conflicts will arise between him and Proctor.
It's been two days since I spoke to Hood at the police station.
In recent days, scandalous news has awakened the inhabitants of Banshee. The result of the sentence of the district attorney's wife, Carrie Hopewell, will serve 30 days at Mercer County State Women's Prison was announced.
Hood has been sad for the past two days. Affected by their state of mind, gangsters on the village streets did not dare to leave, the last time the Sheriff beat up a Dealer, so they were also missing.
Regarding the theft of the Kinaho Moon Casino stock truck, many are looking forward to Alex's reaction. However, Banshee Town has been unexpectedly calm since two thieves were caught in the donut shop. Work at the police station has become more relaxed, and only one or two traffic violations have been detected.
That afternoon, while Ethan was fishing on the side of the road, Hood's old blue truck passed him, honking the horn.
Ethan put down his phone, started his vehicle, and quickly followed him.
They went all the way to the Davis Bar and parked in the barn next to the bar.
When Hood arrived in Banshee Town, he decided to impersonate the police chief, he had nowhere to stay, Sugar rented him the second floor of the barn where he kept his various items.
Hood looked for no other place to live and has remained in that place to this day.
They both got out of the car one after another.
The Davis Bar door was locked, with a sign saying, "Closed."
Ethan looked through the cracks in the barn boards and saw a yellow convertible parked inside. A feeling of premonition ran through him.
He looked at Hood with enthusiasm, and Hood bowed his head.
—Let's go in and talk —Hood said.
The two walked down the hall between the Davis Bar and the barn. After a while, Sugar opened the door, holding his old double-barreled shotgun.
Sugar looked behind them, stepped aside, and entered the back door into a storage room, filled with various drinks. Next to them was a folding bed for temporary rest.
—I haven't seen them in a few days. Have you missed me, you bastards? —Job's mocking voice sounded as he left the warehouse.
The guy was wearing a white lace suit and wearing a silver wig to his shoulders. Although Ethan was used to his extravagances, this outfit surprised him.
Hood crossed his arms and leaned against the wall by the pool table, ignoring Job.
Ethan pointed to a large black bag at Job's feet.
—If it contains what I believe, I must admit that I have missed you —he said, clashing his fist.
— What's wrong with this one? —Job replied to Ethan, before directing a glance at Hood.
Ethan sat at the pool table and dropped the cue ball into a pocket. Then he turned to Job and said:
—Carrie's sentence was reduced, only 30 days in prison.
Job snapped his lips.
—This time, it will enter.
Hood shrugged with boredom.
—It is only a month. You can bear it.
—Once you're in jail, no matter how long it is, even if it's only one day, there's always a shadow left in your heart —Sugar muttered, guarding the shotgun behind the bar.
With both hands resting on the bar, he looked at a photo on the wall, lost in his thoughts. The old boxer and waiter seemed duller than usual.
Seeing them, Ethan coughed softly, reminding Job of something.
Job, picking up the hint, raised the large black bag on the pool table. At that time, Sugar was also encouraged.
He approached quickly and, together with Ethan, put the billiard balls in the pockets.
—Knights —Job said, nodding to those present.
He opened the zipper on the bag and forcefully poured the contents onto the table. Stacks of dollar bills fell in heaps, forming a small mountain under the light of the pool table lamp.
Sugar's breathing grew heavier, and she swallowed saliva.
Ethan couldn't resist the temptation to take a pack of bills and smell it, letting the scent of ink stimulate his brain, flooding it with a pleasant sensation.
— Have you never seen so much money? —Job scoffed.
—No, you don't see that I'm an honest cop —Ethan replied, fiddling with the bills. Sugar nodded quickly.
—This time, our harvest was quite good —Job continued —. Seven bags of cash, the tribe is very tidy with their money, so it could be divided without problem.
Job explained how he had changed the smallest denomination money through his own channels. Although there were some losses, there was $$ 970,000 ready to be divided.
—Since the money was recovered directly from the gaming tables, it is untraceable. We can divide it without problem.
Hood smiled.
—That's why I signed up for the casino from the beginning.
Job looked at Ethan and Sugar.
—I already told you, in this team everyone contributes their value, and the reward is shared equally. Which means that each one corresponds to $194 thousand dollars. Any objection?
—I'm fine with it. —Sugar replied, surprised.
Ethan did not object either. Although each other's workload was different, they all risked their lives. Also, he had an advantage, having been late.
After organizing the tickets, Ethan looked at his part with a smile on his face.
Job spoke again, hitting the table:
—Be careful how they spend their money, we do not want to raise suspicions. Now that we are done with this work, it is time to celebrate. Sugar, bring the bottle of whiskey!