Ma knew that when ‘J’ got red like that it was no time to try and fool around with him. Just then another trustee came in and said, “a lady in town told us that Ma had K sent to the bottom of the river, and Harold a few days ago got the same treatment.” ‘J’ turned amazingly dark red and hit the table so hard the table broke in two. He was a big, strong man! “We planted K here to keep an eye on you because we were hearing things and we wanted to make sure before we did anything”, said Dan. “It was your daughter Betty that had been sending us info about what you were doing here Ma”, continued Dan, “and K told us you had Betty killed.” “Now, OUT WITH IT!”, bellowed ‘J’.

“It wasn’t me”, yelled Ma, “it was that crazy idiot Earl that killed Betty, she’s my daughter, I’m not gonna kill her.” “K told us the truth Ma”, said Dan calmly, “and because of that you killed K.” “NO, NO, that’s not it, screamed Ma, “that K, she was spying on me, her and Earl were against me and tried making me look bad, it was all that idiot Earl’s fault, and Dave too for that matter, they just wanted my share of the money!!” “You’re trying to lie your way out of this right to our faces Ma”, said Dan, “that is just so hard to believe, we know you can’t be trusted anymore.” No, no, wait”, cried Ma, give me a chance here!” “Then start TELLING THE TRUTH,” bellowed J once more!

“A couple PI’s came to town looking for Harold and I, they took the merchandise, the money and left town”, she began to say. “But I got the boys out looking for them right now, they’ll find them sooner or later”, she said. “Two PI’s foiled you Ma?”, asked Dan, “you’re getting to be a liability to the corporation Ma.” “But I already told you, it wasn’t my fault, it was Earl and Dave, it was all their fault!”, screamed Ma, “and K too, it isn’t me!” “Who were the PI’s?”, asked ‘J’, trying to remain calm. “I, I’m not sure”, she said weakly, “a man, woman and their 2 cats.” “CATS!”, screamed ‘J’, “we’re talking about our merchandise and you talk about cats getting in your way?” “Take her out”, said Dan. Two of the trustees dragged Ma out screaming as loudly as she could. There were 2 shots, and all was silent.

“If there are any people left here tell them to leave and not cross us, or they will wish they had never heard of us”, said Dan to a couple other trustees. “We’ll have to forget the merchandise and get out of here”, said Dan. “Earl and Dave might find those PI’s”, said J. “They know how to contact us”, said Dan, “I don’t want to stay here any longer”. “By the way, J, you’re in charge of this area now”, said George quietly. George was the head trustee and vice president of the corporation. He always remains silent at these meetings, but makes all final decisions. “Now let’s go”, said George. “I’ll get that merchandise”, said J, “but it might take awhile.” “That’s up to you”, said George, as they drove away.

Now back to us again. I looked at my watch. “It’s only a couple of hours before those trustees show up”, I said, “if they don’t get their merchandise I wouldn’t want to be in Ma’s shoes.” “Who cares about Ma”, said Karin, “what are we going to do now, we’re kind of trapped with nowhere to go”. Meow, meow.=Yes, not go on road, they see us, not go back to town, they see us, not go on river, they see us. Meow.=Not go flying, we not have feathers. We in bigger trouble all the time. “Yes, I have to admit, things are not looking good for us”, I said, “but we can’t give up either, so let’s all think for a bit, there must be a solution”.

After a few minutes pass, “Okay,” I said, “back to the river!” Both cat’s ears go straight up! “Um, are you okay?”, asked Karin. “Trust me in this,” I said, “it’s our best way to escape.” Meow, meow.=But humans in boat will see us. “That’s what we want, Muffin”, I said. Meow.=All this excitement get to him, he not think straight anymore. Meow, meow?=You right, which leg you want? Meow.=I take left leg this time. Meow, meow.=Okay, then right leg for me. Chomp! Chomp! AAAAAAAAAA!!! I tried to muffle my scream so no one else in the area would hear it. “Why did you two do that?”, I asked. Meow, meow.=You not thinking right, this help clear brain.

To Be Continued.

©2020 Steve McLeod.