hero, but…
“Based on this information I think we should alert the Marine Corps and the FBI, as a courtesy.”
“Let’s see how this plays out first, chief. No need to scare the whole town. I suggest you conduct a thorough investigation, keep it quiet, then reap the rewards once he’s in custody. You’ll be a hero.”
Knox nodded, thoughts floating on clouds of glory. “That sounds like a good plan, Mr. Laney. I sure do appreciate you letting me run this by you.”
“Any time, chief.”
+++
Hollie spit out another gob of blood, a trickle running down his chin. Johnny had worked him over well, careful to inflict the damage on the old man’s torso, avoiding his face. Hollie was pretty sure he had at least two broken ribs. The stabbing pain came with every breath.
He was alone in the basement. They hadn’t bothered gagging him, knowing that the reinforced structure kept all sound in the bunker-like complex. Bound to a steel chair, Hollie, rendered useless, could only hope the end would come soon.
Chapter 26
The attorney, Henry Ellison, arrived just before lunch time, driving up in a modest Cadillac De Ville. Renley Watts, back on duty at the Laney compound, met the lawyer at the front door and led him in to see his boss.
Max Laney rose from the table. “Henry, so good of you to come.” The two men embraced.
“You know I’m around whenever you need me, Max.”
Laney clapped his old friend on the back fondly. “When do I get to take your money on the golf course?”
Henry Ellison chuckled. “I’m getting too old for golf. My back’s not what it used to be. Besides, you’ve got me too busy working. Speaking of which, did you really convince Hollie to sell?”
“I did. We came to an arrangement. Did you bring all the paperwork? I want this to be quick and easy. Hollie isn’t feeling well.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Mr. Watts, can you fetch Mr. Herndon for us?”
“Yes, sir.”
Watts left to get the prisoner, who’d already been given new clothes and a swift clean-up. Watts couldn’t wait to see what happened next. His respect and admiration for the Max Laney’s cunning had only increased over the preceding days. Watts hoped it would be the beginning of mutually beneficial relationship.
+++
They’d warned him not to make a scene. It took every ounce of control for Hollie to hold his tongue when shaking Henry Ellison’s hand. He knew the attorney to be an honest and hard-working man, who’d been duped into believing Laney’s lies for the last thirty years.
“I heard you’ve been a little under the weather, Hollie. Everything okay?” There was genuine concern in the attorney’s tone.
“Just getting’ old. I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll keep this quick. Mr. Laney’s already signed everything. I’ll give you a summary. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.”
Hollie nodded and took a seat, feeling Laney’s stare burning into him.
Ellison proceeded to explain the quit-claim deed, and how the transaction would transpire. Hollie wanted to vomit. His whole life’s work, the sweat and toil of generations of Herndons, gone with the swipe of a pen.
True to his word, the paperwork took less than ten minutes. Smiling from ear to ear, the attorney shook everyone’s hands, gathered the legal documents and headed back out into the storm.
Max Laney patted Hollie on the back. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”
Now that the lawyer was gone, Hollie’s head hung, tears falling into his hands. “Are we done here?”
“We are.”
+++
Renley Watts returned from securing Hollie in the basement. “What now, Mr. Laney?”
Laney puffed a well-deserved cigar, ignoring his latest health kick, enjoying the pungent taste on his tongue. It had been a productive day. The fee he’d have to pay Watts was a small price to pay to gain control of the Herndon estate. “Take care of Mr. Herndon.”
“Yes, sir. You want me to do it
“Based on this information I think we should alert the Marine Corps and the FBI, as a courtesy.”
“Let’s see how this plays out first, chief. No need to scare the whole town. I suggest you conduct a thorough investigation, keep it quiet, then reap the rewards once he’s in custody. You’ll be a hero.”
Knox nodded, thoughts floating on clouds of glory. “That sounds like a good plan, Mr. Laney. I sure do appreciate you letting me run this by you.”
“Any time, chief.”
+++
Hollie spit out another gob of blood, a trickle running down his chin. Johnny had worked him over well, careful to inflict the damage on the old man’s torso, avoiding his face. Hollie was pretty sure he had at least two broken ribs. The stabbing pain came with every breath.
He was alone in the basement. They hadn’t bothered gagging him, knowing that the reinforced structure kept all sound in the bunker-like complex. Bound to a steel chair, Hollie, rendered useless, could only hope the end would come soon.
Chapter 26
The attorney, Henry Ellison, arrived just before lunch time, driving up in a modest Cadillac De Ville. Renley Watts, back on duty at the Laney compound, met the lawyer at the front door and led him in to see his boss.
Max Laney rose from the table. “Henry, so good of you to come.” The two men embraced.
“You know I’m around whenever you need me, Max.”
Laney clapped his old friend on the back fondly. “When do I get to take your money on the golf course?”
Henry Ellison chuckled. “I’m getting too old for golf. My back’s not what it used to be. Besides, you’ve got me too busy working. Speaking of which, did you really convince Hollie to sell?”
“I did. We came to an arrangement. Did you bring all the paperwork? I want this to be quick and easy. Hollie isn’t feeling well.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Mr. Watts, can you fetch Mr. Herndon for us?”
“Yes, sir.”
Watts left to get the prisoner, who’d already been given new clothes and a swift clean-up. Watts couldn’t wait to see what happened next. His respect and admiration for the Max Laney’s cunning had only increased over the preceding days. Watts hoped it would be the beginning of mutually beneficial relationship.
+++
They’d warned him not to make a scene. It took every ounce of control for Hollie to hold his tongue when shaking Henry Ellison’s hand. He knew the attorney to be an honest and hard-working man, who’d been duped into believing Laney’s lies for the last thirty years.
“I heard you’ve been a little under the weather, Hollie. Everything okay?” There was genuine concern in the attorney’s tone.
“Just getting’ old. I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll keep this quick. Mr. Laney’s already signed everything. I’ll give you a summary. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.”
Hollie nodded and took a seat, feeling Laney’s stare burning into him.
Ellison proceeded to explain the quit-claim deed, and how the transaction would transpire. Hollie wanted to vomit. His whole life’s work, the sweat and toil of generations of Herndons, gone with the swipe of a pen.
True to his word, the paperwork took less than ten minutes. Smiling from ear to ear, the attorney shook everyone’s hands, gathered the legal documents and headed back out into the storm.
Max Laney patted Hollie on the back. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”
Now that the lawyer was gone, Hollie’s head hung, tears falling into his hands. “Are we done here?”
“We are.”
+++
Renley Watts returned from securing Hollie in the basement. “What now, Mr. Laney?”
Laney puffed a well-deserved cigar, ignoring his latest health kick, enjoying the pungent taste on his tongue. It had been a productive day. The fee he’d have to pay Watts was a small price to pay to gain control of the Herndon estate. “Take care of Mr. Herndon.”
“Yes, sir. You want me to do it
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