Chapter 23

Plumbers Helpers

"Danny," Regina said, "there's someone here who wants to talk with you."

"I'm really busy right now," Danny said from another room. "Can you tell whoever it is to come back later?"

"I don't think the FBI. is going to want to come back later."

"The FBI!" Danny said as he bolted into the room. "Did you say the FBI?"

"Hello Mr. Johnson, I'm Special Agent King, and this is Special Agent Wickford of the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

"Ah, hello," Danny said. "Am I in trouble for something else now?"

"No Sir," Agent King answered. "We're just here to ask you a few questions."

"What kind of questions?"

"We understand you might be a bit nervous," Agent King said, "but we've got a few concerns about the case we'd like to discuss with you."

"I told the sheriff everything."

"What we want to know is why would Junior Ripley want to cause you so much trouble? What does he stand to gain by setting you up if that's what really happened?"

"That's exactly what happened," Danny said.

"But why?" Agent Wickford asked. "What does he stand to gain by picking on you?"

"I don't know," Danny answered. "I don't know what his problem is."

"Have you and Mr. Ripley ever had any sort of business dealings, Mr. Johnson?"

"No Sir, Agent Wickford."

"Are you sure there's nothing else you want to tell us?" Agent King asked.

"Like what?"

"Only you would know that." Agent Wickford said.

"I'll tell you anything I know," Danny said, "but all I know is Junior started a fight with me at the Cool Spot, and my life has been hell ever since."

"If you think of anything, then let us know," Agent King said as he handed Danny his business card. "We'll show ourselves out. Good night Mr. Johnson, Ms. Ripley."

As Agents King and Wickford walked out the door, Danny turned to look at Regina and said, "You need to go home. There's something I need to do."

"What?" Regina asked, "What are you going to do?"

"Don't ask."

"No, I won't let you. I'm not going to go home. I'm going to stay with you. You're not supposed to be alone, remember?"

"Dammit Regina!" Danny yelled. "Get the hell out of my house!"

"See you tomorrow?" Regina asked with concern.

"Yeah, tomorrow."

*****

Danny walked into the Cool Spot Lounge where Simon, Junior, and Tommy were seated at a table in the back. He had decided to put an end to this once and for all. "You can't come in here," the bartender said.

"So call the law!" Danny shouted.

"Hold on there," Junior said. "Don't call the law just yet. Let's see what Mr. Shaggy Dog has got to say."

"What the hell is your problem, Junior!" Danny shouted. "You think you can run over anyone you want, and nothin' is going to come from it. Well I've had enough of your bullshit! Why don't you stand up, and try me without your boys to help you Pussy boy!"

"Whoa," Tommy said, "Mr. Shaggy Dog is growling. I think he might bite, Junior."

"Yeah," laughed Simon. "Looks like little sis' done let him off his leash. I'm scared, real scared."

"Why don't we see if this dog's bite is really as bad as his bark," Junior said as he, Simon, and Tommy all got up from the table, and picked-up pool cues.

"Hold it right there," said a voice from behind Danny.

"You too," said yet another voice. "Three on one just don't seem fair."

Danny looked around to see six of the plumbers he had seen working on the old mill job before Mr. Melvin was forced to fire him. "You need to calm down a bit, and look before you leap," one of the plumbers said to Danny. "Why don't you get out of here, and leave these three assholes to us."

"Are you sure?" Danny asked.

"Oh yeah," the plumber said. "We all been wanting a piece of Junior Ripley's ass for weeks now. You just run on home, and act like you were never here. Six on three is a lot fairer than three on one, don’t you think?"

"Yeah, okay," Danny said. "See Ya'll later. Thanks."

"See you around Danny," the bartender said as Danny walked out the door.

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