Fake Reflection

“Please don’t hurt her.” the clerk begged in hushed tone behind the counter. Jacoby walked up and set a case of beer on the counter. The clerks back was to him, and he cocked a brow as he eves dropped on the conversation. “I promise I’ll have it.” the man whispered. He was visibly upset, and Jacoby’s curiosity perked up. “I will, I will, just please don’t hurt her.” he whispered before hanging up. The clerk turned quickly wiping away a few tears. “Is this all for you?” he asked ringing up Jacoby’s beer. “Yea.” he said, studying the upset man. “$18.50” the clerk said as Jacoby pulled out his wallet. He laid a twenty on the counter with a business card on top of it. The clerk looked down at the white card with a roach on the front with slight confusion. “What is this?” he asked turning it over, and only seeing a number on the back. “Well I couldn’t help but over hear your phone conversation,” Jacoby said with a small smirk, “Give me a call, I might be able to help.” he said grabbing the case, and heading for the door.

The clerk stared down at the card for a moment. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to get involved with another gang. “Wait!” he called out when the bell on the door pulled him out of his daze. Jacoby stopped, and turned to face the clerk. “He has my wife.” the clerk told him. Jacoby narrowed his eyes, and strolled back over to the counter. “Independent loan shark?” he questioned setting the case back up on the counter. “A gang.” the clerk replied. “Oh really?” Jacoby asked with surprised amusement. Shadz is going to love this. “Yes.” the clerk replied as Jacoby pulled out his phone. “Ha I can’t fucking believe this.” he said with a chuckle as he dialed, and put the phone up to his ear. “Who is it?” he asked as the line rang. “The man said his name was Ivan.” the clerk told him. Jacoby let out a chuckle. “This just keeps getting better and better.” he said just before the line was answered.

“What’s up man?” Matt asked. “Dude, so I’m buying some beer at this gas station,” Jacoby started. Matt could hear the amusement in his voice, and smiled, “And the clerk is on the phone talking about Don’t hurt her, I’ll have it, kind of shit,” he said rambling the story, “What’s this about?” Matt asked wanting him to get to the point. “Well turns out your favorite new gang is breaking the rules already.” Jacoby said, not hiding his amusement. Matt gripped tightly to his phone. All signs of a smile on his face gone. “I knew this guy was going to be a problem,” Matt mumbled, “Tell the man to lock up, and bring him here.” Matt told Jacoby before ending the call.

The only reason Matt continued with their gang initiation was so he could keep an eye on him. He knew he would still do business on his own. At least this way Matt could keep him in check. Not even two months in yet, and he was already breaking rules. Matt let a smirk cross his face. He was going to have fun teaching him a lesson.

Jacoby opened the back door for the clerk, and he climbed in. Getting into the drivers seat, he reached over to the glove box, and pulled out a black cloth bag. “I need you to put this over your head.” Jacoby told him, handing him the bag. The man hesitated for a moment before taking the bag from him. He looked up at Jacoby with worried eyes. “Don’t worry man, you can trust me. I promise we’ll get your wife back.” he said giving the man a reassuring look. With a hesitant nod, the clerk slipped the bag over his head, and rested back against the seat as Jacoby pulled away.

“Training a new guy Danny Boy.” Jacoby asked with a grin as he pulled up to the gate. “Yep,” Dan said hitting the button for the gate, “Micah, been here bout a month.” Dan told him as the gate opened. Jacoby pulled forward till he was next to the booth. “Jacoby.” he introduced himself to Shane. “He’s a 24/7er.” Dan told him. Shane gave him a nod, “Nice to me you.” he said with a smile. Jacoby took a second look at the man with Dan, “You look familiar. Have we met?” he asked. “No. I’m pretty new around town, and I think I would remember that name, and your face.” Shane lied. The truth was he’s arrested Jacoby before. It’s been several years since it happened, but they have met. It was dark, and Shane was in uniform with his hat on, and right now he was praying he didn’t recognize him. Jacoby nodded, “Yea you must just have one of those faces.” he said with a friendly smile before pulling away.

“You can take that off now.” Jacoby told the man in the back. The clerk pulled off the bag, and took a deep breath in. He didn’t know what was going on, and his nerves were going crazy. Jacoby climbed out of the car once parked, and opened the back door. The trembling man looked up at him, hesitating before climbing out. “Relax,” Jacoby told him as he walked him up to the door, “You’re in no danger here.” he said as they went inside. Jacoby walked the clerk strait ahead, down the hall, to Matt’s office. The door was standing open as Matt awaited for their arrival, and Jacoby closed it behind them. He ushered the clerk to one of the chairs in front of the desk, and greeted Matt with a hand shake. “That new guy, the security guard,” Jacoby said taking a seat, “Dude looks familiar I just can’t place it.” he told him. “Yea Syndy said that too, but she knew she had never met him before.” Matt said. “He must just have one of those faces then.” Jacoby said shrugging it off.

Matt nodded, and turned his attention to the clerk who was clearly nervous. “What’s your name?” Matt asked. “Frank.” he told him. “How much do you owe?” Matt questioned. “$50,000, I needed-” Matt cut him off, “I don’t need to know what you needed it for.” he said. “Now you say the man has your wife.” he asked. Frank nodded, “He said I had 48 hours before he did something to her.” he whispered as tears filled his eyes. Anger flashed in Matt’s eyes, and he slid a picture towards Frank. “Is this him?” he asked as he looked over Ivan’s picture. “Yes, sir.” he said. Matt nodded as a smirk played at his lips. “Today’s your lucky day,” Matt said, “I’m going to get your wife back, and I’m going to do it for free.” he said crossing his arms on his desk, and leaning forward, “And you’re not going to owe him a fucking dime.” he finished, the smirk turning wicked. Matt didn‘t like it when his rules were broken, and he was going to get enough enjoyment out of knocking the little punk on his ass. “I don’t understand. How can you do that?” Frank asked. “Why don’t you let me worry about that.” Matt told him leaning back in his seat, and putting his hands behind his head.

Frank didn’t know what to say. This man he didn’t even know was going to help him for nothing in return. He was beyond grateful, and works couldn’t express his gratitude. “Thank you….” he trailed off. He didn’t know his name. “It’s Shadows.” Matt told him as if he was reading his mind. “Thank you Shadows.” Frank said with an appreciative smile. “You’re welcome.” he said returning his smile. Matt didn’t usually do these things for free, but he’s been waiting for this guy to give him a reason. He just didn’t think it would be so soon. “You busy?” Matt asked looking to Jacoby. He smiled and shook his head. “Wanna watch me knock a little bitch on his ass?” he asked with a wide smile. “You fucking know it.” Jacoby said jumping up startling Frank a little. Matt let out a chuckle, and stood as well. “I’m going to go get some others,” he said as they left the office, “I’ll met you outside.” he told them disappearing through the doorway to the left of the stairs.

Everyone was out back by the pool. That’s where he was when Jacoby called. Brian and Tammy have been teaching Lilly how to swim. She’s getting pretty good, can almost make it from one end of the pool to the other. Matt walked out the sliding door and too the pool. “Brian, Jimmy, Zacky, got a job to do.” he said cutting short their fun. The guys didn’t hesitate. They knew Jacoby was coming over, and that Ivan was breaking the rules, so they were ready. Zacky got together some new tasers he’s been working on. He’s been getting impatient for an opportunity to use them, and this was the perfect chance. Not all rules are punishable by death. Only the severe ones. As long as they didn’t kill the woman, they wouldn’t die. It was just going to be a simple in and out procedure.

The four joined Jacoby and Frank outside. There were no introductions done. Frank didn’t need to know who the rest were. They all piled into one black SUV, Brian driving and Matt in the front. Frank sat between Jacoby and Jimmy, and Zack sat in the far back. “Do you have a cell phone, and a way to get a hold of him?” Jimmy asked Frank as he pulled out a laptop from a black bag. “Yea,” he said pulling his phone out of his pocket. Jimmy took it, and connected a wire to it before plugging it into his computer. “Call him and tell him you have the money, and can met him in an hour.” Matt instructed. Frank did what he was told, and dialed Ivan. Jimmy recorded the conversation on his laptop as Frank made arrangements to met for an exchange. He sent the address to the GPS mounted to the dash, and Brian started the vehicle.

Brian drove down the drive, and stopped at the security booth. Matt rolled down the window, “Jarrett!” he called out to Shane, “Get in.” Matt ordered. “Awe I wanna go.” Dan whined. Matt let out a chuckle. “I just need him to babysit.” Matt told him. “Oh you have fun with that,” Dan told Shane giving him a pat on the back. Dan hated babysitting clients. It was the most boring thing to do. At least in the booth they had TV, video games, and stuff to pass the time. Babysitting was just awkward silence. “Don’t ask questions just do what you’re told.” he advised Shane before he walked out of the booth. With a nod, Shane excitedly climbed into the SUV, and sat next to Zacky. He didn’t exactly know what babysitting entitled, but he was just happy to get out of that fucking booth for awhile. He hasn’t been able to find anything to connect these guys to the Drug Cartel, but he hasn’t spent much time in the house. He was hoping maybe this would be an opportunity to pin something, anything to them, or at least get a start on building some evidence. Shane was on high alert now, and a little excited. He’d never admit that he’s often wondered what it was like on the other side, but it’s peeked his curiosity a few times, and now he has a front row view.

Notes

Somebody's in trouble....