Generations in Agony...Texas: Chapter Twenty-four

24) Risky Business…

Rolling back into town, Carl Speck Sr. drove in silence with his passenger. They had spoken briefly, enough for Carl to understand that the man was the father of old Emilio’s grandson, Jesus.

Once Solo had explained the situation to Carl, including the fact that he had come to town as a hit man, and was now protecting not only the Doc, but also Carl’s daughter-n-law and grandson from harm, Carl had no compunction about helping out a little.

“I really appreciate this Mr. Speck,” Solo told him after they had buried the bodies of the two killers and drug the rental car over into the Big Nothing. Since the Buick was out of commission, Solo had accepted Carl’s offer of a ride back into town, so he could arrange for his car to be towed in for repairs.

“Like I done told you, I can’t leave a man out yonder to dry into bones and dust. You don’t need to thank me no more.”

Solo did not reply. He remained quiet as they rode, until he brought up the boy…

“Your grandson is a fine young man.”

“So I hear.”

“He really saved my bacon too. It must be a family trait.”

“How the hell did the boy do that?”

Solo told Carl about the whole desert debacle: when he had wandered off into the desert and nearly succumbed to the elements before Charlie and Jesus had come along with the little Leigh girl. “He’s a great kid.”

“I’ll be…”

Solo patted his shirt pockets, looking for a cigarette. “Damn…”

Carl pulled his makings from his pocket and laid them on the seat between them. “If you know how to roll, you can put us both to smoking.”

Solo went to work doing just that. They did not say much else for the rest of the long, bumpy ride back into town. It was dark when they made it to the Esso station. Carl pulled in and started honking his horn. He had to lay into it for a few minutes before Caleb Morgansen came out and started walking over from his house. After Solo spoke with him a few moments, he returned to Carl’s driver’s side window. “Thanks again, Mr. Speck. I know I said I wouldn’t thank you any more, but you really have helped me out here. Can I pay for some gas, at least?”

Carl shook his head. “It ain’t necessary.”

“I owe you, then. I’m good for it.” Solo started to step away from the truck when Carl stopped him; his hand took hold of Solo’s arm.

“These fellers you been killing… You say they’re likely to hurt my kin?”

Solo nodded. “Your daughter-n-law is very fond of the Doc. They work together. Charlie’s around them a good deal. I’ve kept a close watch, but, so far Doyle has sent four men down here…”

“You think he’ll keep sending killers down?” Carl said.

“Men like Doyle don’t stop. Eventually, he’ll have to come himself. That’s what I’m waiting for.”

“If you need any back up…” Carl let that offer hang out there.

Solo nodded. “I hope not, Mr. Speck. But, you never know.”

Carl watched the man walk away to meet Caleb by the tow truck. Cleo was watching him from the trailer, smiling at him through the side mirror. He gave her a wink and put the truck in gear, then turned it all around to head back out to the north range. As he got back on the road, he figured that tonight’s camp would be a good time to make sure his pistol was clean and ready.


*

Back in the trailer, Charlie whispered softly to the horse. Her tail kept swishing in his face, slapping him hard as she beat at the flies that swarmed around. He just hoped that she did not take a notion to kick him in the head. She had her head out of the window, but had turned her neck around to watch him climb in while his grandfather and Solo spoke quietly outside. He had not been able to hear what they were saying, but was grateful that they had not noticed him.

He had been sitting out in the field when the truck pulled up. The idea to just jump in and go wherever it was that his grandfather went had not been a plan at all. It was just a spur-of-the-moment notion. No sooner had he thought it, than it made perfect sense, in a way. He left no note. And, that made him feel bad. Mom would get worried, like she had when he had gone off with Jesus.

He had thought of none of that as he maneuvered his way over the tailgate. All he had thought at the time was that he wanted to get away, as far away as possible. Away from his mom kissing the Doc, away from this miserable little town.

The truck began to roll and he simply sat back and closed his eyes. It would be a bumpy ride.

*