"The Annual Fear" (13) © Rolly A. Chabot

Again I find myself at the keyboard. Some near and dear say that is hermetically attached to me. If not this one, the IPad. I guess it is a part of who we are. Leave them behind and it is the camera.

I have been getting a few emails asking what has happened with The Annual Fear and I must admit I have been slipping with it. Best get on with the story. We are already in Chapter 13 so find somewhere comfy and lets pick up where we left off with Wanda behind bars.

Welcome to the Fireside and the comforts of my home. Stay as long as you like and above all now that you are dearly loved...

Wanda and Tom were released Tuesday morning after the long weekend for causing a public disturbance. It was called a minor misdemeanour but an effective one to get a few things in order and to carry out the rest of the plan. Three days confined to the small cells seemed to have cooled them down a little but Dan knew he was heading for trouble.

The Green Wiener was the next on the list of things to take care of. Dan called in the local health authorities and briefed them on the situation. An earlier call from the Judge had taken care of the legal end of things and they were more than glad to come in and check the establishment.

At four pm that day they walked in and took over doing a complete inspection and cited Tom with 27 conditions and violations to take care of, including some very expensive upgrades. The doors had been closed by 4:30pm and a sign posted according to the Public Safety Act. “Closed until further notice.”

“This is so wrong what you are attempting to do Dan, so wrong in fact I think I will be calling my people in Vegas. This amounts to nothing more than harassment and your attempt to get me to close up and leave. You have not heard the end of me, this has only added fuel to the fire as far as I am concerned."

“Take it as you take it Tom, you are in gross violation of State health code, building code, electrical and plumbing code you will be shut down for a long while. To do this work you will need permits and permits are issued through my office, need I say any more.”

“We will see about that, I will bring in crews from elsewhere to do the work.”

“Just remember Tom, they will all need their business licenses to work in this town and the fees just tripled with the economy the way it is and all. I will see to it they get charged according to the work they do and that will not be cheap.”

“Push too hard Dan and there will be more trouble than it is worth too you and this poo dunk town. I will not stand back and allow this to happen. I have a business here and I’m well connected.”

“Like I said before, bring it on, this time I will be in the drivers seat and from this seat I can see you will have trouble getting anything done. You have the reports, either get it cleaned up or pack up, you are in violation.”

Ronny had called and he had some leads but nothing worth pressing any charges. It seems the Vegas group had covered all their tracks. He had said they had uncovered a large drug trafficking ring that had connections outside of Vegas but had no idea where the point of distribution was.

“Do some sniffing around Dan, maybe there is a connection. Maybe a warehouse, an old building or something of that nature.”

“I will, I know that Reardon has been getting several big trucks in at the back of the bar, something I have noticed a few times.”

“Might be you have something there, they have so many methods of concealing the stuff. Do you have access to a drug dog, that has always been the weapon of choice for us.”

"I have a good friend over in Midland County that uses one on the force I will call him up, he loves the pot pie over here and would come at the drop of a hat.”

“Look into it while the trail is still hot. Make sure the building you mentioned with and all the trucks is secured. Another question Dan, more on a personal note.”

Dan knew what was coming and was prepared to answer the question.”

“The comment is about Jennifer, promise you look after that girl should you guys go anywhere, she is special and means a lot to me and the family, plus you would need to answer to the entire 39^th precinct should you blow it. I know I have said this before but I just want to be sure we are all on the same page.”

“Ronny it is only a fishing trip, that’s all there is to it.” “Anyway can a girl not hire a guide to take her fishing?

“Of course she can Dan. She is a very sensitive girl and one who has been hurt and hurt very bad by men. All I’m saying is tread lightly and take care of her my friend. You have both had some hard things happen to you in life. I think you get the drift.”

“I do and yes I will, again its just a fishing trip, nothing more at this time.”

Dan called over to Midland County Sheriff’s office in Cedar Rapids. The voice, which came on the other end, was jovial as always. “Rugger here, your bark is my command,” was the comment on the other end.

“Dale, Dan over here at Cedar Ridge, I have some work for you and the dog, I might even toss in some of our famous Pot Pie. Seeing as how you would be working I think I might have it in my budget to cover the cost for your meal."

“Might, well I tell you right now we do not budge unless it is a promise. What have you got happening there?

Dan filled him in, could be hard drugs in containers, maybe, well hidden. Both Dan and Dale had seen and heard of these methods before and they were good at what they did as well.

Dale spoke “How does Friday morning sound to you, I could be there by 10 am, take care of the sniff job and be ready for lunch at noon.”

“See you then, Pot Pie will be on order for the day, might even find a biscuit for the dog.”

“Let him earn his pay first as he has been getting a little fat and sassy lately.”

Dan called Ben at the locksmith office and ordered all the locks on the doors at the Green Wiener be secured. He hand delivered a Court Order to Tom Reardon stating that the premises were closed for entry to all the staff and the owners. “Consider yourself locked out until further notice.”

“What do you think, do you think I will stand by and comply with something like this, I own the property and I will enter anytime I want.”

“Not anymore, your violations and all have now become a police matter. So stay clear, you have been served.

Dan called Ridge Security and ordered them to post guards at the property and no one was allowed to enter the premises unless he cleared them in writing.

Dan had seen to it the he was present when Wanda had been escorted to the office to clean out her personal things. The fire and daggers she had thrown toward him had been definite. Her emotions had been high, as she attempted to slip documentation into her briefcase. He inspected them and held them, as they were pertinent to her construction plans. "These are papers pertinent to Town development and will be considered town property."

The anger in her eyes was threatening but had no effect on him. She had gone from proper dress to baggy sweat pants and a loose fitting sweater. Her flaming red hair was showing the grey she had always been so careful to cover up. Her face was drawn. She had been forced to rent a motel room on the east side of town.

Her household possessions had been packed and shipped as stated to Vegas. Dan had gone so far as to freeze her bank accounts and those of Tom Reardon in the event the assets would be needed to pay for the costs the county had been incurring.

Joe Mullen had been to see her several times. One day they were sitting at the diner and Joe had parked in a handicapped zone, well marked. Within minutes Dan had a tow truck there and it had hooked on. When they came out they were shouting at the driver. Dan had stepped out of his cruiser. “Break the law in this town and there is always a price to pay, you can get your truck out of impound tomorrow after four o’clock.”

Joe was livid, he shouted at him. “I have meetings to attend too, you can not do this to me I’m Joe Mullen.”

“Don’t matter a hill of beans to me who you are, break the law here and you pay the price.”

The last Dan had seen of the two of them they were on foot heading up the hill back to the motel. Joe Mullen was soaked with sweat as he carried his overweight frame up the hill.

The following day he was at the impound lot, bailed his truck out and took off in a cloud of dust and squealing tires. Less than a mile down the road Dan had pulled him over and hung another $200.00 fine on him for stunting and another $68.00 fine for speeding.

“You will pay for this Sheriff, I’m a man to be respected as I have connections. Stay clear of me and I will do the same of you. Do we understand each other?

“Perfectly but that will only work one way in my opinion as you are only a guest here in this town. When you play on my turf you play by my rules.”

Again Joe took off in a spray of gravel and again Dan chased after him. Joe had no intention of stopping this time so Dan managed to do a tip maneuver, he hooked the back left corner of Joe’s truck with the front of his cruiser, which spun Joe’s truck around at high speed and he found himself over in the north ditch. His truck was going nowhere.

Dan walked over, wrote another ticket for failing to stop for a police officer and deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. He called a tow truck.

Joe was angry, as he got out of his truck Dan caught sight of a revolver tucked away inside his jacket on a shoulder holster. Dan reached for his own weapon and commanded Joe to spread his legs and lock his hands over his head. He reached over and pulled out a Smith and Weston 38 caliber snob nose, solid chrome revolver. After cuffing Joe he read him his rights and arrested him, taking him back to cells in Cedar Ridge.

Joe was wild with anger, not used to being treated as the common criminal that he was. Again a small crowd gathered as Dan escorted Joe into cells. He called Wes and said, “I have another for you to watch Wes. This time it is Joe Mullen.”

“Clarence the circuit Judge will not be in town until the middle of next week so you are here for a list of infractions, carrying a concealed weapon, which is against the law here in the State, resisting arrest and several unpaid traffic violations. Make yourself at home as you will see nothing of the outside world till your day in court.”

Dan drove slowly home that evening wondering if he had bitten off a bigger bite than he should have messing with the criminal element of Vegas. He knew he was the law and all. Wes had some experience with dealing with the criminal element. They should be able to clean the town up but there was the pending trouble, which was sitting heavy with him.

Just as he pulled up to the cabin his cell phone rang. “ Sheriff Clifford from Cedar Rapids Dan. I hear you have your hands full over there. Just thought I would call and let you know if you have a need for some backup please call. We have some open wounds here from the last go around with that bunch and would love to come in and help.”

“Thanks for the offer Clifford. It is good to know I have some professional help close by. It looks like this could be a long running battle here.”

I know what you are saying. For us it was devastating as you are aware I lost a few good men and I would not want that to happen on your turf. Please call if we can help.”

“Thanks Clifford and I may just take you up on the offer. It is possible we could have some heavy’s on the way here.”

Well to get to you they need to pass through this town. I will get the boys out stopping every stray vehicle passing through especially the ones with Nevada plates on.

“Blessing to you guys over there. What say we get some fishing in this summer?

“Deal, take care Dan and know we have your back.”

He and Jake closed the day off in prayer and Bible Study at Sarah’s Hill just as the setting sun settled in the far west. There was a warm wind starting to come over the mountain ranges. Patches of green grass were starting to show. He had even noticed some flower bulbs beginning to show their green stocks in the warmer areas close to the cabin.

Change was always a welcome sight for Dan, knowing better times were coming, or were they?

© By: Rolly A. Chabot.... All Rights Reserved

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