Gabe's Second Chance (Appledale 3)

“For what?” Rick Riley, the older brother, snorted giving Jason a bored look. “Fighting? I’ll have bail set in no time and be out of here before you can blink.”

“Who is setting your bail? Your boss, Cantrell?” John asked, quietly watching their reaction closely.

Both men looked at each other with caution, not knowing how to answer that question.

“I want my phone call,” Harry shouted, fear showing in his eyes. His brother no longer looked superior or cocky either, as he just nodded quietly.

“Phones are down until tomorrow. You know how these little towns are.” Jason shrugged carelessly. “Meanwhile let’s talk deals, boys.”

John smiled but it wasn’t a friendly smile. He took out his file full of pictures to show the two brothers hoping they would be scared enough to snitch on Cantrell. “We have a list of charges for you boys, including attempted kidnapping. I wouldn’t count on bail anytime soon, boys. Are you ready to talk about your boss now or should we just show this list to the judge and see what he has to say?”

* * * *

Karissa hugged Gabe tightly trying not to show fear, but she couldn’t help feeling afraid. The Riley brothers had made a deal with the DEA agents for a lesser sentence by giving them the time and date of the next exchange, which was tonight in an empty field on the outskirts of town. They also told Ryan a local man Harvey Johnson had given them a lot of information on the town and showed them the best places in the woods where nobody went. Ryan was saddened to hear the news but had arrested the man who was now sitting with the Riley brothers in a cell.

Gabe was going in to work, hoping to make an arrest tonight. He was taking Karissa to stay with Casey so she wouldn’t be sitting home alone and frightened.

“It’ll be over soon, baby.” Gabe comforted Karissa, rubbing her arms up and down slowly. “The sooner it’s over, the sooner we can make this wedding happen. We have a family to get started on, honey.”

That made her smile. “I’m so excited for that and grateful I have made such good friends. They have been a big help, but you be careful, Gabe. I love you and I just found you again.”

Gabe walked her to Casey’s porch and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I love you too and I will pick you up when it’s over. Don’t worry, honey. I’ll be careful. I have you to come home to now.”

She smiled and waved good-bye, going inside to see her sister and make wedding plans. She had faith in the men that they would be okay.

* * * *

Gabe met the men at the station. Jason and John explained how Cantrell and one of his men were picking up the last load of drugs and where.

“According to the Riley boys he is taking the drugs to Oklahoma where his men will sell it. It’s supposed to be the last exchange for a while so we need to wrap it up tonight,” Jason said, putting on a bulletproof vest and handing each man one to wear.

“We need to wait until the drugs are in Cantrell’s hands, then we can bust them,” John added. “And be alert, he might bring extra men along. Especially since he can’t contact the Riley boys or Harvey. He might be suspicious.”

Ethan nodded, checking his weapons carefully. “Let’s get this over with, boys. I want my peaceful life back.”

Harrison chuckled and shook his head playfully. “Is this the same man who got pumped up to kick ass in combat?”

Ethan smiled back at his old friend. “That was before I had a wife and baby on the way. That’s my excitement now.”

“Don’t blame you.” John nodded in understanding. “I have a wife waiting for me at home, too. I leave the thrills to the young single ones like Jason.”

Everyone laughed and got their weapons ready and soon they were on their way to the meeting place.

The men headed to the location the Riley brothers had given them. It was just getting dark and they needed to spread out so they were all hidden yet could see what was going on. Adrenaline was running high. They all wanted this to end tonight and could feel the anxiety of waiting to see who Cantrell showed up with.

Cantrell and two other men showed up a few minutes later and got out of the same junky pickup truck he had been using. Lou Smith showed up soon after that but all alone.

“Where’s Rick and Henry?” Cantrell asked Lou angrily.

Lou looked at his boss nervously. “I heard they started a fight at some restaurant and got arrested but they never called me to bail them out. I’ve been worried.”

Cantrell looked angry. “Those idiots! If they snitch on me I will kill them. I warned them to behave after that bar fight a few days ago. I need men I can trust and not screw ups like those two.”

Lou grimaced and said, “I know, boss, I told them to lay low, too. They are young but I know they won’t say nothing. How long can the cops hold them for fightin

g? Harvey said he heard gossip Rick pulled a knife on some local boy.”

Cantrell sighed pacing back and forth. “Let’s do the switch right now. I want out of this town tonight. I’ve got too much money to lose if this deal goes sour.”