We, The Wicked

By Mike Poppe

In Nashville, Tennessee, Mickey Brennan is hired to find Erin Cole, a 22 year old girl, who has disappeared. Because she had been having trouble with a stalker, her best friend believes Erin to be kidnapped. The police think she may have just took off on a fling for a few days with someone she ran into in a bar. As Mickey begins the investigation, he suddenly becomes the subject of a hit put out by Marco Salucci, the crime boss in Phoenix, Arizona. Because Erin Cole left Phoenix after her boyfriend was assassinated, Mickey assumes the two things must be related, but has absolutely nothing to confirm his suspicions.
Dodging bullets as he dives into his investigation, Mickey ultimately finds himself in Phoenix, with his Private Investigator friend, Kerri Carrie, assisting. Traveling back and forth across the country, this case becomes a trail of twists and turns that leaves Mickey, and the criminals, confused and looking over their shoulders. If Mickey is right, before this case is over, it will reach all the way into the government in Washington, D.C. All he has to do, is find a way to dodge an army of hit men and stay alive long enough to prove his case.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mike Poppe
• Release date: Jan 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310748417

Mike Poppe

I was born in Rector, Arkansas, a small farming based town in Northeast Arkansas. Later, my parents moved to St. Louis in search of better economic opportunity. At age 16, disallusioned and bored with the “One Size Fits All” educational system, I dropped out in the 10th grade.Just as soon as I turned 17, I joined the Marine Corps. The education the Corps provided, wasn't always polite and pleasant, but it most certainly was not boring. My four year enlistment included one year in South Vietnam. 7 November, 1965 to 6 November, 1966. At the end of my enlistment, having attained the rank of Sgt E-5, I returned to civilian life.After nine months as an Industrial Engineering Clerk, I took advantage of an opportunity to move into transportation. For the next 34 years, I was a dispatcher and driver supervisor in the Trucking Industry.In 2011, the rise in popularity of E-books caught my attention. A life long avid reader, I'd always believed I could write a book, but didn't know how to go about getting it published. The birth of E-Books changed all that. In the fall of 2011, fulfilling a life long dream, I published my first book, The Sparrows Whisper.Today, my wife, Mary Katherine, and I, live in a small rural town in Southwestern Illinois. With the encouragement of family and friends, I've published a total of 13 novels. The split between my books has been divided pretty evenly between Mysteries and Westerns. Work on number 14, is under way.For all those that have taken the time to read my books, I appreciate your interest very much.

Book preview

We, The Wicked

Novel #4 in the Mickey Brennan Mystery Series

Story and Cover Illustration by Mike Poppe

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Mike Poppe, January 24, 2015

We, The Wicked, is a work of fiction.

No resemblance of it's characters to anyone living or dead is intended.

Preview

The fourth guy was a follower. The kind of guy that hangs around tough guys, trying to make others think he's tough too. After watching his three companions get busted up, he only wanted to disappear. He stepped back and held his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. Hey, I'm out of it, he said. I don't want any trouble.

Eli answered, You were in it when the idea of raping this girl sounded like fun. So asshole, you're in it now, right to the end.

The guy was so focused on trying to find a way to talk his way out of this situation, that he was slow in reacting when Eli moved. Eli took two quick steps forward, snatching up the heavy ashtray from the bar as he moved. The first time the ashtray smashed into the guy's face, it broke his nose, and laid open a deep cut over his right eye. The second time, it broke his orbital bone. Begging for mercy, he dropped to his knees. When Eli kicked him in the throat, the guy dropped to the floor and didn't move.

Table of Contents

start

cover

Preview

01 Erin Cole

02 Toni Boyle

03 Lenny

04 Gorman

05 Ann

06 Confused

07 Boots Sullivan

08 Going Shopping

09 A Face From The Past

10 Jennifer

11 On The Run

12 Blackmail

13 Jack Ripplinger

14 Going Home

15 Risk

16 Tickets

17 Eli

18 Questions

19 In Search Of

20 An Offer He Could Refuse

21 Diane Travelstead

22 Ambush

23 Reflections

24 Big Auggie

25 Retribution

26 Fallacy

27 Fork In The Road

28 Phoenix

29 Stirring The Pot

30 San Antonio

31 Decision Time

32 Moving

33 Invitation To Danger

34 Rattlesnakes And Bullets

35 All In The Family

36 A Long Day

37 A Helping Hand

38 Kelli

39 Spilled Coffee

40 Phases

41 Twain

42 Game Time

43 Pay The Piper

44 Picking Up The Pieces

45 Last Call

01 Erin Cole

Erin Cole slammed the phone down as Toni Doyle walked into her office. Toni, I hope you're not bringing me another problem, she declared. I've had my fill of problems, headaches, and stress today. Would you believe I just spent twenty minutes on the phone with a guy in our legal office? After twenty minutes of tap dancing around the question, he gives me some bullshit excuse, and says he'll get back with me. I swear, if their office wasn't a thousand miles away, I'd drive over there and strangle the bastard.

Toni flashed her a sympathetic smile.

Let me guess. You were talking to a guy named Wilcox?

Yeah, how did you know?

I've dealt with him before, Toni replied. The next time, you should ask for Diane Pettit. She gives answers instead of passing the buck. If you are making plans to drive out there and hang Wilcox by his family jewels, you must take a number dear. There's a long line ahead of you. Toni smiled as she offered a suggestion. Anyway, a few of the girls are getting together after work for a couple of beers. Why don't you come along and see if you can get rid of that tension?

Erin appeared to be on the verge of accepting the invitation, but then shook her head as a sign she wouldn't be going.

Thanks Toni, but as inviting as letting my hair down with a few beers sounds, I'm afraid I must pass this time. But keep me in mind for the next time, ok?

Toni shrugged her shoulders.

Sure thing. Listen, if you change your mind at the last minute, you've got my number. I do believe it would do you a lot of good. Too much work and no play, makes Erin an uptight girl.

As she watched Toni walking down the hall, Erin pounded her pen into the writing pad in frustration. Since starting her employment at Stovall Investments, other than the guys who regularly hit on her for a date, most of whom she rejected, Toni was the only employee who had tried to make her feel welcome. Now for the second time in a row, she had declined Toni's invitation to get together away from work. The guilt she assumed for having spurned Toni's attempts at friendship, was tempered by a measure of fear that recently had begun to torment her.

It began one morning as she left home to drive to work. Her gas tank was down to a quarter of a tank of gas. The weather forecast was for heavy rain beginning in the afternoon and continuing on into the night. To avoid getting soaked as she pumped gas in the rain on the way home, Erin decided to fill her tank at the Circle K gas station near her home. As the gas began to flow from the pump into her gas tank, a new Nissan Sonata pulled up to the pumps across from her car. A tall man with reddish brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard, stepped out of the Nissan and began filling his tank. As he gripped the nozzle, the man stared at her and smiled.

At first, Erin didn't give the man's actions much thought. She was twenty two, her waistline hadn't changed in seven years, and she would have to be a complete idiot to not be aware men found her attractive. Guys had been eyeballing her since she turned twelve. Erin worked hard to maintain her looks. She enjoyed knowing guys liked to check her out. Occasionally, a guy might cross the line, but generally if she ignored him, that usually took care of the problem. In this case, the guy hadn't said or done anything wrong. But for some reason, she felt uncomfortable. Erin turned her back to him and finished filling her tank.

When the pump turned off, she replaced the nozzle on the pump, and tightened the lid on the gas tank. As she peeked at the man with the beard out of the corner of her eye, she saw him still staring at her. She assumed he must have been staring at her ass the entire time she was pumping gas. On other days, in similar situations when she was in a playful mood, Erin might have rewarded a guy's interest by dropping her keys and giving him a flash of cleavage, before laughing as she drove away. Today, her inner warning system was telling her this man had more on his mind than just admiring a pretty girl. Disturbed, more than frightened, Erin kept an eye on him as she climbed into her car and locked the doors. As she drove away from the pumps, she made it a point to not glance in his direction. Once away from the gas pumps, she turned right on the street and accelerated into the flow of traffic.

Several times during that work day, Erin found her attention to her work assignments disrupted by flashbacks to the incident at the gas station. By the time she arrived home that evening, she was mentally flogging herself for over reacting. After all, guys like to look at girls. Some were just more bold about it than others. She would find it a boring world, if guys suddenly stopped admiring her figure. After finishing her evening meal, Erin resolved to forget the man at the gas station, and lost herself in an Ann Rule novel. That night, as she slipped between her bed sheets and flipped off the lights, Erin decided the incident must have been nothing more than an embarrassing bit of paranoia on her part.

If her peace of mind needed bolstering, it was soon in coming. The next day, despite paying closer attention than usual to the things and people around her, Erin saw no sign of the man she remembered from the gas station. The next day passed quietly without incident as well. When two more days went by without a sighting of the bearded man, her concerns were largely dismissed.

Still, a few unanswered concerns remained. For the past week, nervous about the gas station incident, Erin remained at her desk for lunch. With Monday starting a new week, she resolved there would be no more of that foolishness. It was Erin's belief that she had allowed herself to become a prisoner of her own mind. Accepting that concept, she sternly resolved to stop that behavior in its' tracks. She locked her office and walked to the new outdoor restaurant across the street. The clear blue sky, along with a light pleasant breeze, only added to her decision to be positive. She had been a damn fool to hide out from a threat that existed only in her own mind. After the waitress left with her order, Erin killed time by turning on her android tablet and resumed reading her Ann Rule mystery novel. One chapter later, a man's voice broke her concentration.

Excuse me miss. I have no salt or pepper on my table, and the poor waitress looks to be swamped. I wondered if perhaps I could borrow yours for just a second or two?

Reaching for the salt and pepper shakers in a reflex action, Erin turned to face the man. The man who spoke to her, was the man she remembered from the gas station. Unable to speak, Erin stared into his eyes as he applied the seasonings, then returned the containers to her table. Her food had not yet arrived, but shaken to the bone by this unexpected meeting, she dropped the money for her order on the table, and rushed from the restaurant. Because she feared the man might follow, Erin crossed the street in the midst of heavy traffic, narrowly avoiding being run over by a taxi. She didn't miss out on being cussed out by the taxi driver.

Once back in her building, fearing being caught in an elevator with the bearded man, Erin took the stairs to the third floor. At the top of the stairs, Erin stopped, looked back down the stairs for any sign of pursuit , then turned left, and rushed to the ladies room. After splashing her face with cold water, she locked herself in a stall and cried. Fifteen minutes later, having won her battle for composure, Erin walked to her office. Her steps were intentionally aggressive, but inside, she was quaking, fearing the bearded man might appear at any time.

In spite of her fears, Erin kept focused on her job through the afternoon. With her usual quitting time drawing near, Erin punched in Toni's extension on the office phone. When Toni answered, Erin said, Hi. It's Erin. Do you know what time you will be going home?

Toni replied, I'd planned on leaving in about half an hour. Why?

I wondered if you would mind walking out to the parking lot with me when you leave?

No, not at all, Toni said. Is there a problem?

Erin looked out the window at the street and parking lot below for any sign of the man with the beard. She didn't see him down there, but that meant nothing. He could be by the front door, or twenty miles away. When she heard Toni asking if she was still there, Erin answered, Oh, I'm sorry. I got distracted. Yes, I'm still here, and yes, there may be a problem. I'll stop by your office and explain.

Toni was clearing off her desk when Erin arrived. Erin's nervous eyes and quick shallow breathing prompted Toni to ask, Something seems to be troubling you Erin. What's going on?

Erin hesitated, then said, Honestly, I'm not sure. It may be that I'm just making too much of a coincidence.

After Erin related the story of the two incidents, Toni whistled softly.

First of all, I don't buy your idea that you're making too much out of this. A girl with your looks, has more than enough experience with attention from guys to know when something is wrong. Come on, I'll walk you to your car.

When they reached Erin's car, they both looked through the side window to be sure the back seat was empty. Toni kept watch until Erin was in the car, twisted the ignition key, and the engine was running. When Erin thanked her and reached to close the door, Toni said, Wait. Maybe I should follow and make sure you get in your home safely. Where do you live?

Erin gave her the address and said, Really, there's no need for you to go to that much trouble. I'll be careful.

Toni smiled and told a white lie. Well, believe it or not, we live in the same general neighborhood. My subdivision is just down the street from yours.. I'll follow you home. Actually, they lived at least 15 miles apart, but Toni didn't care. She needed to be sure Toni was safe. When Erin started to protest, Toni held up her hand. I'd be worrying if I didn't go with you. If we get separated, just stay in your car until I get there, ok?

The look of relief on Erin's face was unmistakable. She thanked her friend, closed and locked the car doors, then waited while Toni walked to her car. When they entered Erin's house together, Toni was holding a spray can of mace. Together, they went room by room until they were satisfied the house was safe. At Erin's request, Toni agreed to stay and have coffee. When the coffee was ready, they carried their cups into the living room and sat on the couch.

After sipping from her cup, Erin said, If there is something to fear, I've possibly put you in danger by getting you involved. There's nothing I can do to change that, but I believe I owe you more of an explanation. At the least, you deserve to know what this is all about, or at least, what I believe it's about.

Toni waved her hand in dismissal. Erin, I'll listen if you want to talk, but it's not necessary to explain anything to me unless you wish to do so.

Erin nodded, then begin speaking.

Before I moved here, I lived in Phoenix. I got somewhat involved with a guy named Tyler Hayes. We dated for almost a year. He asked me to marry him several times, but I wasn't even sure it was smart of me to date him. I never quite understood the attraction he held for me. He was good looking, and he had a bit of a wild streak. I suppose I must have found that exciting at the time. On the other hand, Tyler was very secretive about what he did for a living. I got the impression it was probably at least on the edge of being illegal. His continued refusal to discuss his work, together with my natural curiosity, got the better of me.

Toni set down her cup and said, Yes, I would think so.

A little embarrassed to be sharing this part of her life, Erin looked down at the floor and continued with her story.

One day, when he left for work,I followed him. I wanted to find out what he was so concerned about hiding from me. I suppose I expected to find another woman stashed away somewhere. I even conjured up the notion he might have a wife and kids in another part of town. Not that it would have crushed me if that was the case. Like I said, despite the weird attraction I felt for Tyler, I knew we had no future together. Anyway, I lost him in the traffic, and headed back home. Half an hour after I got home, Tyler walked in the door. When I stood up, he knocked me to the floor. I swear, I think he was actually foaming at the mouth. He screamed and said if I ever tried to follow him again, he'd give me a beating I'd never forget.

Toni's eyes flashed with anger as she responded. That son of a bitch! What did you do?

I refused to see him for two weeks. Then, like a damn fool, I forgave him. Despite my concerns, I resumed dating Tyler again. Don't ask me why. I can't believe I was that stupid. One morning, we got out of bed and Tyler decided he wanted to eat breakfast at Bob Evans. As we walked from my front porch to his car, a man stepped out from the side of my house. He stuck a pistol to the side of Tyler's head and pulled the trigger. I watched the bullet tear the other side of his head wide open, and he flopped to the ground.

My God, Toni exclaimed. What happened then?

I was in shock. I didn't move, didn't scream, didn't say a word. The man ran around the corner and disappeared. Tyler was lying on the ground, and I was unable to move or speak. When a neighbor saw Tyler on the ground, and me staring into space, he called the cops. Tyler was dead of course. Physically, I was unharmed, but I've never quite shaken that experience. For three days and nights, I was unable to sleep for longer than a minute or two. I finally had to get medication to put me to sleep. Tyler's killer was tall like this guy, but he was wearing a mask, so I have nothing else to connect them. I may be wrong, but I believe this is the same guy who killed Tyler.

Toni stood, walked over and squeezed Erin's hand.

After what you have experienced, you would be nuts to not be considering all possibilities. Listen, if it would make you feel safer, I'd be more than glad to stay with you for awhile. I'd invite you to stay with me, but my place is pretty cramped.

Thanks Toni, Erin answered. Let me think it over. I'm not sure it's really necessary to take you out of your home.

Ok, Toni replied. But do think it over. It wouldn't inconvenience me at all. In fact, it would be nice to have someone to talk to and share meals with every day. Regardless, I do think you should call the police tomorrow and make a report. I realize there's nothing they can do about these two incidents, since the guy didn't do anything illegal, but considering what happened in Phoenix, the whole thing should be put down in a report. At the very least, it will establish a pattern. If the guy shows up again, maybe a visit by a couple of cops might be enough to scare him off.

Erin seemed doubtful, but said, You could be right. I'll think it over.

After again reminding Erin it was dangerous for her to be staying alone, Toni left and drove home. Before she went to bed that night, she called to be sure Erin was safe and sound. After their call was over, Toni tossed and turned. She feared Erin simply didn't understand how much danger she might be in. Toni knew. How well she knew. She learned her lesson early on, while still living at home.

When she was 16, Toni overheard her parents having the worst argument she could ever remember between them. Her uncle Charlie, her father's older brother, was being released on parole, after serving two years of a five year prison sentence for stealing a car. The rest of the family would have nothing to do with him, and Charlie was asking to be allowed to stay with them until he could get a fresh start. Her father felt obligated to help his brother, by letting him stay with them until he got his feet on the ground. Her mother, who had always despised Charlie, was dead set against the idea. After arguing for several hours, her mother finally relented and grudgingly agreed to give him a chance.

For the first two months, although awkward, the arrangement went along without any serious problems. Her mother and Charlie had a few angry words, but her father managed to calm both of them down before it got too ugly. Toni herself was a little uneasy. A few times she had caught Charlie staring at her. Not that he said, or did anything wrong, but it made her feel very uncomfortable. Toni wasn't quite sure what to think or do. Was the way Charlie looked at her really out of line, or was she taking it that way, just because he had been in prison? She was afraid to talk to her mother about it, because she knew her mother would hit the root and demand her uncle leave. Her uncle Charlie had nowhere else to go. Toni didn't want to be the cause of her uncle being thrown out on the street, over something that she might just be exaggerating in her mind. In the end, she resolved to quit worrying about it. After all, he was her uncle, not some bum they took in off the street. Her father had trusted Charlie enough to take him in, and help him get a fresh start, when nobody else would. She couldn't imagine uncle Charlie betraying that trust.

Then one day, when Toni came home from school, her uncle Charlie was sitting in the living room, watching television. Toni smiled and asked, Hi, what are you doing home this early?

He said, I've been pounding the pavement so much looking for a job, that my knee is killing me. I got beat up in prison pretty bad, and they really messed up my knee. If I'm on my feet too long it gets really painful, so I came home and decided to rest it for the afternoon.

Toni replied, Well, go ahead and take it easy. I've got homework I've got to get done. Don't strain your knee. If you need anything, yell, and I'll come down and get it for you.

Twenty minutes later, laying face down across her bed, studying an assignment, Toni heard a slight noise, and suddenly felt Charlie on top of her, as he tore at her clothes. She screamed and jammed her elbow into his face, stunning him enough to allow her to break free. She was almost out the bedroom door, when he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back. As he shoved her back on the bed, Toni was screaming at the top of her lungs. Fortunately, her older brother David was just coming home, and heard her screams. David was much smaller than their uncle, but with rage and surprise on his side, he gave their uncle a vicious beating.

That evening, the argument between family members was loud, furious, and lasted late into the night. Toni, her mother, and her brother, wanted Charlie's attack to be reported to his parole officer, so he could be put back in prison. Her father, torn between loyalty to his brother, and his daughter, couldn't bear the idea of sending his own brother to prison. He pleased with his family to give Charlie another chance. He was certain Charlie would not dare throw his last chance away.

It was well after two in the morning, when Toni's mother brought the argument to a close. With everyone talking at once, she slammed her fist down on the table, and yelled, STOP! Looking across the table at her husband, she said, It comes down to this. I won't have my daughter worrying every day, wondering what this animal will do next. I WILL NOT HAVE IT! Tom, he's your brother, and if you must keep your brother here, I won't stop you. But if you do, then I and the kids are leaving. That is my last word on the subject. Decide as you will.

Faced with her ultimatum, her father relented. After getting her mother to agree that they would not report Charlie's attack, he ordered his brother out of the house, and told him he could never come back. Charlie never tried to return to their home, but Toni saw him two or three times, hanging around places she went. He never said anything to her, but the look in his eyes, was frightening. Toni never told her anyone in her family about those occasions, for she had no way of knowing that Charlie meant any harm. The man was alone and without family. She could understand he might hang around just to catch a glimpse of his family members, just out of loneliness. A couple of months later, Charlie was killed while holding up a liquor store. Her father was the only family member to attend the funeral.

Toni's uncle Charlie was dead, but never again would she be able to feel comfortable around men. She even tried six months of sessions with a shrink, but nothing helped. Even today, years later, when a man, any man, came within an arms distance, the fear came back. The fear Erin was now dealing with, brought her own fears from that time back to the surface.

The next day after Toni's offer to stay with Erin, they had lunch together at a place a couple of blocks away from the office. Once seated at their table, Erin said, Toni, I thought over what you said. I think you may be right. I'm trying a little too hard to be independent, especially under these conditions. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I would appreciate it, if you would move in with me for a little while, until we know it's safe again.

Now, you're using your head, Toni responded, as she gave Erin a hug. When I get home after work, I'll pack and move over tonight. If you don't have anything else to do, maybe you can give me a hand. I've got a lot of groceries and things we should take to your place.

For the next two weeks, Toni stayed with Erin, and they shared the commute between home and work. They also established a daily routine of having their meals together, to hopefully prevent any more surprise appearances by Erin's stalker. On Monday of the third week, Erin received a phone call at work. The voice belonged to a man.

Hello Erin. You think you're really smart having that broad stay with you all the time don't you? Well, don't kid yourself. You're wasting your time using that broad as protection. If I come after you, she, and six more like her can't stop me. I'm going to ask you something, and if you want to keep on living, you better tell me the truth. Did Tyler talk to you about his work?

Trying unsuccessfully to mask her fear, she replied, No. He refused to talk about his work.

The voice said, You better be telling me the truth Erin. A word of advice. If he told you anything at all, you better keep it to yourself. I mean, you don't say a word about it to anybody. Family, friends, not even to your dog. Then his voice took on a really frightening tone. If you pass along anything at all, I'll find out, and I'll kill you. Now, you got that bitch?

Erin fought off the urge to drop the phone and run away, but managed to squeak out a I understand, response. The line went dead. Erin rushed to the lady's room, and locked herself in a stall, so she could compose herself again. Fifteen minutes later, she rushed down to Toni's office to tell her about the call, but the secretary said Toni was in a meeting with the personnel manager. As much as Erin wanted to hang around and wait for Toni to return, she realized the meeting might last a long time. Walking hurriedly back to her office, Toni's eyes scanned every doorway, every hall, and every tall man she ran across.

On the ride home, Erin intended to share the news of the phone call, but before she could speak, Toni gave her a jolt with news of her own.

Dear, I know it's lousy timing for you, but I'm being sent to Atlanta tomorrow afternoon for a three day seminar. Damn it, I tried every way possible to reschedule to a later date, but they wouldn't buy it. They are holding the same seminar again in three months. There's not a reason in the world why he couldn't let me attend that session, other than he's just too damn lazy to make the phone call and arrange it. I swear Erin, if I ever form a company of my own, there won't be a single male bastard on the payroll.

Reaching over and squeezing Erin's hand, she said, I should be back late Friday evening. I'll catch a cab to and from the airport and leave my car in your driveway, so it looks like you're not alone. If you avoid making any stops to and from work, and keep your doors and windows locked at home, I'm sure you will be fine.

Trying to project confidence she didn't feel, Erin assured Toni she would be fine during her absence. Because she understood the news of the phone call would trouble Toni during her seminar, Erin decided to discuss it later.

Much to Erin's relief, both Tuesday and Wednesday passed without a sign of trouble. Toni called both nights and talked with her for over an hour each time. When she called again Thursday night, Toni said,