A town too far pt5

Mayor Gray Anderson had asked selected members of the community to stay behind after the committees decision had been read out, to help decide their next course of action.

The decision itself had been a surprise to many members of the town, the committee had voted with caution trying to diffuse the already tense situation, it was decided that Goetz had not directly committed crimes in their town, and the evidence in his direct actions at Rogue River were unclear other than the theft of supplies.

The committee decided that he should be taken to New Bern to answer for his crimes against their town and people, it would also be seen as an act to strengthen the on going friendship and partnership amongst the two towns.

Eventually it was decided that Johnston, Eric and Jimmy would escort Goetz into New Bern, they met at the jail early the next morning, Jake had come along and offered the use of his car, April was there too to offer any medical care required before the journey.

The group prepared to leave the Jail, Eric was standing by the doors

“there’s quite a crowd out here, and things could get nasty” he warned.

Johnston led the way, Goetz was escorted by Jimmy and Bill, April and Eric walked out behind the group, Jake stepped forward

“Jake where do you think your going” asked Johnston

“I’m coming along” he answered, limping along beside his father

“Like hell you are, son you’re in no fit state to play hero” said Johnston

“I want to find Heather and bring her back” he limped on ahead

“can you even drive, in your condition?” asked Johnston

“I’ll manage” Jake was already heading through the doors, towards his car

“damn, ok guys here we go, keep tight” Johnston hunched his shoulders forward ready to pierce the gathering crowd 

The crowd separated around them, some began chanting “killer, killer”

Bill and Eric separated and began to force them back, Jake got the car doors open, Johnston pushed the seat forward allowing access to the back seat, just then the crowd surged forward, Jimmy pushed Goetz towards the car, April was caught in the melee and was in danger of being trapped.

Jimmy stumbled and fell under the weight of the crowd.

Johnston pulled Goetz into the car and April threw herself forward next to Goetz, Jake gunned the engine and sped away.

“Well that was fun” quipped Goetz shifting himself in the seat

“why don’t you just shut up, April honey are you ok” asked Johnston

“I’m ok, just a little shuck up” she answered adjusting herself into the back seat

Jake took a tight corner, the rear tyres fighting for traction on the icy roads, the car fishtailed for a few worrying moments until Jake regained control.

“jeez man take it easy, I want to get to my execution in one piece” said Goetz

Johnston turned in his seat, and pointed his finger into Goetz’s face “not one more word”

For the following hour, the conversation between April, Jake and Johnston went form the their plans after the towns power was restored, the weather, the food they missed the most, and to Gail’s up coming birthday, Goetz just watched the countryside through the window.

Snow had begun drifting in from the north making visibility poor.

The conversation moved onto town gossip

“Old man Oliver is still claiming the bombs were dropped by aliens” Said Johnston

“I was speaking to Gwen, last Wednesday and she saw him wearing a tin foil hat, so the Government couldn’t read his thoughts” laughed Jake

“what do you make of Robert Hawkins” asked April

“Well he seems a decent enough, served with the St. Louis police department from what I understand, a good family man, keeps to himself” answered Johnston

“you’re way off, you think I’m dangerous? Ha, that guy ain’t a cop, I’ve seen his type before, when my team was back in Iraq, those sorts were running around doing black op’s for the CIA” added Goetz

Johnston just turned in his seat and stared at Goetz, who again fell silent.

“Damn, we’ve got trouble here!” shouted Jake checking the rear view mirror

April and Johnston turned their heads to see a black SUV appear from a concealed side road

Jake floored the accelerator, the car fought for traction then lurched forward.

“Hell not those guys again, April keep down” Johnston fumbled with his shotgun and tried to manoeuvre himself and shotgun around in the passenger seat.

The SUV surged ahead quickly closing the gap

“I can’t go much faster, not in this weather” shouted Jake fighting the controls.

The car skidded and snaked on the frozen road surface.

The SUV passenger window came down and a figure leaned out.

‘Crack, Crack’ the shots were wide, but caused Jake to swerve the car violently

as they approached a snow cover cross roads.

“Dad I can’t out run ‘em” said Jake, his knuckles white, and brow beaded with sweat

“ok son, turn here we’ll head for the old quarry near Blacktop”

Jake spun the wheel and the car took a sharp left, the wheels throwing gravel and snow up all around them

The SUV overshot the turn and had to slow to make a turn in the road.

Jake tried to build up his speed to loose them, but the road became uneven and the SUV was soon in their rear view again

The car skidded and hit a snow drift, which lifted the front of the car, the car landed heavily, and spun in a full circle, Jakes head slammed into the steering wheel and April let out a scream of pain from the back as her head hit the window.

Johnston reached over and brought the car to a stop, he could see that his son was dazed

“Jake, can you hear me” cried Johnston, reaching for his shotgun.

“April’s hurt back here” called Goetz who was shifting in his seat, but his hands were still cuffed behind him “get these cuffs off me man, come on”

Johnston reached into the back , “turn around” he fumbled with the keys and managed to loosed them enough for Goetz to free himself.

He opened the passenger door and began to check on April, just then another 2 shots rang out as the SUV had climbed to the top of the hill, using the side of the car for support he tried to get April out of the car, but he slipped in the snow, as he was trying to get back up he felt a strong hand on his shoulder keeping him down.

Johnston looked up to see Goetz holding the shotgun

“Stay here, look after your kid and the doc” he called as he ran across to the rough snowy terrain.

The SUV headed toward the car, the gunman took aim, just then Goetz got his first shot off, hitting the gunman who fell back into the vehicle, The driver skidded and turned the big machine towards Goetz, he pumped the shotgun and took a deep breath.

This was it, he thought to himself, he would die with honour and if he was going down, he’d take these with him, bracing the shotgun against his wounded shoulder he breathed out and squeezed the trigger , images of the hospital carnage at Rogue River flashed in his mind, as the wind shield shattered

He pumped the gun again, aiming for the front tyre, his breath a vapour stream in the cold air, in his mind images of the shootings at New Bern, the tyre blew out, the car was almost on him now the driver fighting to control the vehicle, a quick pump and he started to raise the gun, images of Aprils kind and delicate face filled his mind, his shoulder gave out and he never managed to get off the final shot, as the SUV slammed into him.

Sending Goetz and the SUV  over the edge of the quarry pit, the heavy vehicle tumbled end over end and exploded and the bottom.

Jake limped to the edge to peer over, but it was all over, the heavy snow, filled the sky creating patterns as they fell in front of the thick oily smoke rising from below the edge, Johnston came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“c’mon son it’s time to go home” holding a supporting hand out to his son.

April was dazed but nothing seemed too serious, they laid her in the back seat covered her with a spare blanket, they turned the car around and headed for home.

Silence filled the car on their journey home, even the thick snow covered the sound of the road, all were deep in thought about the events of the past few days.

For Jake he realised how he too could have ended up in the same situation as Goetz, he also wondered about Heather and if she was still safe.

Johnston’s thought were on his family, if he could heal the rift that had grown there.

For April, Goetz had asked her if she thought he was beyond redemption, at the time she didn’t know how to answer him, but now she thought that everyone deserved a second chance.

As they approached the Town, the twinkling light from Baileys tavern could be seen guiding them back to safety.

Guiding them back to their family and friends.

Guiding them Back to Jericho.

Hi Chris,

I loved it! I like that Goetz was able to redeem himself. I liked that the Jericho committee chose compassion and justice for Goetz.

I loved my cameo and that you put Old Man Oliver, our Telegraph editor, into the story.

When you said you put me in the story, I thought you were going to put a rat in the story.

Please keep writing!

Gwen