Millions on the Bayou

By Gregory Haydel

Millions on the Bayou is a novel written to give the reader the insight of what could happen when a large amount of cash is found. Many circumstances occur throughout the story that has suspenseful and fatal outcomes. The story is told by a grandfather to his grandson while on a fishing trip, and the grandson is captivated by his grandfather’s vivid imagination. The story has an ending that will have the reader wanting a sequel to Millions on the Bayou.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662405297

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Millions on the Bayou

Gregory Haydel

Copyright © 2020 Gregory Haydel

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-6624-0528-0 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-3272-9 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-6624-0529-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Final Chapter

Preface

This story that I have written is about the events of a drug deal of heroin that started in South Africa and what happens after the drugs make its way to south Louisiana.

The storyteller in this novel is a Louisiana man that is born and raised in the southern region of Louisiana and is called a Cajun. Cajuns are hardworking, fun loving, and family-oriented people. The beliefs of Cajuns are simple, love of God, country, family, and friends. To give your life for any of these is considered an honor.

The characters in this story are many with each one a story in itself. The author has written each chapter to give insight on what happens when events beyond our control interfere with normal lives of normal people and cause consequences that will change the future of many in this story.

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this novel are fictitious.

I would like to thank my wife for her encouragement during my writing of this novel. I’d also like to thank Page Publishing for the professional standards they uphold.

Chapter One

Grandpa Tells His Story

In early October in a small boat, two people are fishing on a bayou in southern Louisiana. The weather is warm with a sauna-like atmosphere even with a slightly overcast sky. There is a light breeze drifting from the west, causing the Spanish moss to sway on the branches of the old cypress trees. The temperature is seventy-eight degrees, but it feels like ninety, and it’s getting hotter with every minute that passes.

Kyle is a young man, 17 years of age five feet ten inches tall weighing 174 pounds with brown hair. He was born and raised in the small town of Franklin, Louisiana. He likes to play sports such as baseball, basketball, football, but really enjoys catching fish. He has a B average in school and always tries to be a good student. Kyle is an only child and loves spending time with his grandfather, who is standing on the bow of the eighteen-feet-long boat holding a fishing pole.

Alex is a sixty-five-year-old and is in good health for his age. Alex is six feet tall weighing 190 pounds, clean shaven, with full head of gray hair. Alex has lived in Franklin his entire life. Alex has been married for forty-five years to his high school sweetheart and has retired after working over forty years in the construction of building single-family homes. He has three brothers that worked alongside of him, and they partnered for forty years owning a company they called Baldwin Brothers Construction.

Kyle is throwing out his line with the cut bait of a small mullet fish, hoping to catch a big catfish. Alex is reeling in his line slowly with artificial bait, and without any warning, a fish strikes. Alex sets the hook on the fish, not knowing what it could be, because in this bayou it could be almost anything on the hook. Kyle reels in his line quickly and sets his fishing pole down. Kyle grabs the fish net that has a four-foot extended pole that could reach out easily to catch the fish when his grandpa reels in the fish close to the boat. Alex is setting the drag on his fishing reel that will allow the fish to run without breaking the line.

The fight is on with Kyle holding the fish net close to the edge of the water, encouraging his grandpa. Kyle says with excitement in his voice, Grandpa, you have him, just get that fish a little closer to the boat, and I’ll catch him with the net.

Alex is reeling in his line slowly but surely, being careful not to break the ten-pound test line, and says with a smile on his face, I believe this one will be a keeper. It’s putting up a good fight, that’s for sure. Alex is reeling the fish closer to the boat, and without any reason, the large fish propels itself out of the water straight toward the boat. Kyle notices what is happening and, with expert timing, raises the net to catch the large fish in midair with the big net. Kyle yells with joy in his voice.

I caught him, Grandpa! Did you see that, Grandpa?

Alex is just as excited as Kyle is with the action that just took place and speaks to Kyle with pride in his voice.

Great catch, Kyle, that’s what I call teamwork, and man, look at the size of that fish.

Kyle smiles at his grandpa and says, laughing, I believe that’s a keeper.

Alex removes the large bass from the net carefully, takes out the hook from the mouth of the fish, and holds up the fish to admire the beautiful colors of its body. Alex says loudly, Yes, sir, that is a keeper. Alex slowly puts the fish into the live well of the boat and says to Kyle with eagerness, Let us catch a few more, Kyle.

Kyle smiles at his grandpa then picks up his rod and reel and casts his bait into the bayou and says, I sure would like to catch a fish like that.

Alex looks at Kyle and says with a voice of encouragement, I know you can catch a fish, Kyle, you just have to get them to take the bait. The clouds in the sky become more abundant and are a welcome sight to the fishermen who were hoping for shade from the relentless heat of the morning sun. Alex is casting his line over and over in the bayou’s black water without any success of getting a fish to take the hook. Alex puts down his rod and reel and opens up the small ice chest to retrieve a bottle of water. Alex removes the cap of the bottle and takes a drink of the cold refreshing water and asks Kyle if he would care for a bottle of water. Kyle puts down his rod and reel without bringing in the line with the hopes that a fish will take his bait while he drinks some cold water.

Kyle looks at his grandpa and says with expectation in his voice, Grandpa, while the fish are not biting, would you please tell me a story to pass the time?

Alex looks at his grandson, takes another drink from the bottle of cold water, and says with a smile on his face, Sure, Kyle, I have a story I believe you will enjoy.

Kyle keeps an eye on his fishing line while his ears are focused on his grandpa’s voice. Alex sits down on a seat in the boat and gets comfortable to begin his story that he knows will be a keeper, just like that big fish he caught five minutes ago.

Alex begins his story with the old saying, Once upon a time in a small town in southern Louisiana, there were these four brothers who had a construction company.

Kyle interrupts his Grandpa and says with confusion in his voice, Is this a true story of you and your brothers, Grandpa?

Alex looks at his grandson and smiles. Kyle, this is a story that I am making up as I go just to pass the time, so if you are finished interrupting me, I will continue.

Kyle looks at his Grandpa, smiles, and says with an apologetic voice, I am sorry, Grandpa, I will not interrupt you again.

Alex takes a drink of water out of his half-full plastic bottle and puts it on the deck of the boat. Alex starts his story again.

Once upon a time, there were four brothers that had a business. Each brother was an expert and licensed in his particular field of work. Alec Bosworth is the oldest of the four brothers, being twenty-two years of age. A man who stood six feet, two inches tall, with a muscular frame, with blue eyes, and black hair that was thick as grass on a baseball outfield. Alec, being the oldest, was in charge of the finances of every construction job the brothers would encounter. Alec was a very good carpenter and could almost build anything with wood.

Austin Bosworth is twenty-one years old with a height of six feet one, and his weight is around 190 pounds, not as muscular as his older brother, but still in good physical shape. Austin has a full head of brown hair with brown eyes. He went to trade school for a few years and received his state license from Louisiana to do residential and commercial electrical installation for new and old construction. Austin is a hard worker like his other brothers, but his work had to be perfection, nothing less.

Steven Bosworth is twenty years old weighing 210 pounds and standing six feet, two inches tall. Steven has a full head of blond hair with green eyes. He is in very good shape because he loves going to the fitness center to lift weights. Steven also went to trade school for a few years and has a state license from Louisiana to be a master plumber. The work of being a plumber is hard, but Steven is up for any challenge.

Billy is the youngest of the four brothers at nineteen years old, but the biggest standing at six feet, five inches tall. He weighs 240 pounds with no fat on those big bones. Billy has brown eyes with black hair and a full beard covering his chiseled face. Billy didn’t go to trade school. He learned his profession as an expert painter from working many hours doing sheetrock work and all other particulars of the painting business. He also is an expert in putting down tile and other flooring.

Alec is riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle down the highway to the house that the brothers have been building for four weeks. Alec left the bank where the owner of the new home works to collect money for work done for the week. It’s a beautiful sunny day in late October with the temperature being sixty-nine degrees with high humidity of 82 percent making it warmer than usual. Alec is enjoying his ride on the motorcycle. Cruising on a smooth road makes the ride sweet as sugar. The noise from the mufflers of the Harley Davidson is loud enough to hear from miles away.

Billy is finishing up floating some sheetrock in the living room, with Steven and Austin helping too. The brothers help each other with every step of building of the house. Steven, being the plumber, is the boss when putting in the foundation of the home because the plumbing is first to be put in. Alec is the boss when the framing of the house is being built. Austin is the boss when all the electrical wiring is being installed in the walls and attic. Billy is the boss when the plumbing and wiring passes inspection. The sheetrock is put up on the ceilings and the walls. The painting begins when preparation of the interior of the home is done to Billy’s satisfaction. All the brothers work as a team to help each other throughout the process of building a beautiful, safe home.

The three brothers are cleaning up the house after a hard day finishing sheetrock in the large living room. The rumble of noise is getting louder from outside, and Billy looks at his brothers. Billy speaks with happiness in his voice and says, Sounds like Alec is getting back from the bank with our pay. I hear his Harley coming down the road. Steven walks to the front door and notices Alec driving his motorcycle on the driveway and wishes one day he will have his own Harley.

Alec turns off his motorcycle engine after revving the motor. All the brothers gather in front of the house, and Alec hands each of his brothers an envelope with cash. Alec speaks with happiness in his voice, because he knows that the building of the house is on schedule. My brothers, I like to say to all of y’all that the owner is pleased with our work, and more important, I am proud of the excellent work we have accomplished in the short time we have been working on this house.

Billy laughs and says with confidence in his voice, Listen, big brother, with teamwork and communication, we can take on any situation and make it look awesome.

Steven looks in his envelope and counts his money for his fifty hours’ worth of work and says proudly, Teamwork and communication is good, but making good money every week is what I’m busting my tail for.

Austin speaks loudly to get everyone’s attention and says, Are we still planning on going to the camp this weekend to finish putting on the roof of the new addition to the camp?

Alec speaks up with the voice of authority and says, Yes, we are, the weather is going to be good for working on a roof. We will meet at the Franklin Canal boat landing around seven o’clock in the morning.

The brothers all agree on the time and place. Alec locks the front door of the house they are building. Alec walks over to his motorcycle and swings his leg over the Harley Davidson and sits on the bike’s seat. Alec yells to his brothers as they walk to their trucks. Don’t spend all that money in one place! Alec then starts up his loud Harley and rides away ahead of his brothers, who are close behind. Steven drives his truck home, where his girlfriend, Roxanne, is waiting for him to get back from work.

Steven walks in the front door of his small home, where he finds Roxanne in the kitchen preparing supper for her hardworking man. Steven looks at Roxanne, who is wearing a pair of cutoff jeans and a T-shirt that shows her curves that make Steven smile. Steven walks over close to Roxanne and shows her the envelope with cash stuffed in it. Roxanne smiles at Steven and speaks with joy in her voice. Hey, baby, you have that money I see that you worked hard all week for. I love you for all you do.

Steven gives Roxanne a hug and a kiss on her lips and speaks to her in a loving voice. Yeah, baby, your man is getting the job done. Sweetheart, your food smells great, but that body I’m holding is oh so hot.

Roxanne gives a long kiss to Steven on his lips and says in a soft whisper, ‘Well, honey, if you’re a good boy, I’ll have an apple pie for dessert after this good meal I’m preparing for us.’

Steven smiles at Roxanne and says, I will be on my best behavior!

Austin and Billy stop at a local bar in Franklin called the Matador to have a few beers. Billy sees an old friend of his named Rob Snider sitting at the bar having a beer. Rob went to school with Billy all through high school. Rob is five feet, eight inches tall and weighs 160 pounds with a full head of black hair and blue eyes. Rob is married to his high school sweetheart, Mindy, and has a two-year-old daughter. Rob was in the Marines as a soldier for four years in the Gulf War.

Billy and Austin sit next to Rob, with Billy sitting to his left, while Austin sits to right side of Rob. Billy looks at the bartender, who is cleaning glasses with a small clean white towel at the end of the bar. Billy speaks loudly so the bartender will hear his order over the music from the jukebox. Billy says, Hey, Sam, bring us a round of beers over here.

Sam, who has been working at the Matador for three years, is a forty-year-old who is six feet tall and weighs 220 pounds. He is bald and clean-shaven, with brown eyes. Sam walks over to where the three men are sitting, takes off the caps of the beer bottles, and put a beer in front of each man. Sam says to Billy politely, That will be six bucks, Billy.

Billy puts a twenty-dollar bill on the bar and smiles at Sam and says with a voice of relaxation, Hey, Sam, keep the beers coming.

Sam smiles at Billy and picks up the twenty-dollar bill and says, Sure will, Billy. Sam walks back down to the end of the bar and takes an order from a customer who just sat down at the bar.

Rob thanks Billy for the beer and asks Billy, How is the house building coming along?

Billy takes a drink of the cold beer and looks at Rob and smiles. Rob, we all have been working hard, and the weather has been good, we are on schedule.

Austin looks at Rob and says with curiosity in his voice, Rob, what have you been doing today?

Rob takes a drink of his beer and looks at Austin, smiles, and says with pride in his voice, I am going to Jim’s Pawnshop as soon as I finish this beer to buy me a deer rifle. I have been seeing some big deer in the marsh. I need a gun that can kill a deer from a great distance.

Billy takes another drink of his beer and says to Rob, The rifle you want is a .300 Magnum, that gun is awesome!

Rob takes one last drink of his beer and puts the bottle on the bar. Rob stands up and shakes hands with Austin first, then smiles at Billy, looking directly at his face. Rob smiles and says, A .300 Magnum, okay, I will see if Jim has one to sell. I’ll be in the marsh tomorrow hunting all day. Y’all be cool.

Austin and Billy continue drinking a few more beers, while Rob walks out the bar.

Rob walks down the street a few blocks and walks into Jim’s Pawnshop. The pawnshop is filled with items other people had to sell or didn’t need anymore. Jim is a sixty-year-old man with a full head of gray hair, standing five feet, eleven inches tall, weighing 210 pounds, with brown eyes. Jim looks at Rob as he walks through the front door of the pawnshop and puts his hands on the glass counter, waiting for Rob to speak.

Rob looks directly into the eyes of Jim and says with a voice of directness, "Jim, I need a rifle to hunt in the marsh tomorrow. I need a good gun that can kill a deer four hundred yards away