The Law and Dan Mesa by Dan Sears

older would be assassin looks toward the younger one and says, “Lorenzo, you have a lot to learn about people. That man is dangerous. Had I been him, I would have killed you. The only reason he didn’t kill you was because he wears a badge. I saw something in his eyes, and believe me when I tell you do not be fooled by his politeness. He was only inches away from killing you. Next time, he will kill you and make no mistake about it.”
    “Johnnie, you are too old and too careful. I will kill him next time. Watch and see.”
    Johnnie “the Butcher” Martin, short for Johnnie Martinelli, looks at Lorenzo Balducci and shakes his head in a sad way.
     
    “Good evening, sir, are you here for dinner and do you want smoking or nonsmoking?”
    “Yes, one for dinner and in the nonsmoking area, please.”
    Charley takes note of the man, who seems to be in his early forties and is physically fit and not handsome but has a presence that speaks of courage and a hint of sadness in his eyes.
    “Ma’am, is Ms. Olivetti working this evening?” he asks. “If she is, will you please tell her that an old friend would like to see her?”
    “Who shall I say is asking for her?”
    “Just tell her Daniel Mesa is asking for her. Thank you, Ma’am.”
    Charley walks away hurriedly and tells the waitress to go to the stranger’s table.
    The waitress approaches, saying, “What would you like to drink, sir?”
    “I would like a glass of iced tea, please, with lemon, and a glass of White Zinfandel for my guest, who will be here shortly.”
    Dan’s mind returns to Sonia. Sonia, I wish I had been there for you. This shouldn’t have happened to you. I promise you they will pay for what was done to you. I shall have to live with this for the rest of my life. I will get everyone who was a part this. I will make them pay!
    In the meantime, Charley knocks on Janie’s office door.
    “Come in, Charley. You look worried. What’s wrong?”
    “Ms. Olivetti, there is a rather handsome black man wearing western gear and a badge asking for you. He looks familiar, but yet I don’t know him. What shall I do?”
    “Charley, he is an Arizona ranger named Dan Mesa and a very, very dear friend. He is the one I let get away. Where is he seated?” she asks. “Oh, I bet I can tell you. He is seated so he has a complete view of the room with his back to the wall, right?”
    “Yes, but how do you know that?”
    “I know Ranger Daniel Mesa better than most. He is one in a million, and I mean exactly that. Show me where he is sitting.”
    Dan sees her coming and breaks out in a sweat. He rises as she approaches.
    “Hello, Janie,” he says, “it is good to see you again. I . . . I . . . well, what I mean is you are lovely.”
    “Why, Daniel Mesa, I do believe you are blushing! You really are happy to see me, aren’t you?”
    “Janie, I am always glad to see you. Every time I see you, you take my breath away. I guess I still have you under my skin. Please, have a seat. I ordered a glass of wine for you. If I remember correctly it is White Zinfandel?”
    “Dan, I heard about Sonia, and I am so sorry. I heard she was a friend of yours. Have you caught those responsible for it?”
    “No, I haven’t, but I will. I can promise you that. It seems that the culprits are Carlos Meana and Antonio Blackbear of Tucson. They kidnapped her and took her to a house and left her there. The house was struck by lightning, and she burned to death. They tied her to a chair, and she was gagged. Every time I think about it, I just want to kill them slowly and let them suffer as she did. I keep having these nightmares . . . I can hear her screaming my name. I should have been there.”
    Janie is watching his face and sees the pain and hurt he is going through. Before she knows it, she is crying softly.
    Mesa regains his composure and looks up to see her tears. He immediately apologizes.
    “Janie, I am sorry for bothering you with this. I told you I would be