Accountable

Chief Fred Jones is sitting on his ass. He’s been here all morning. Just sitting. Laraby should have checked in an hour ago. It would appear not everything improves with age. He checks his watch. (Again) He is going to have Laraby’s ass in a sling for this. The phone sits silent, and Chief Jones sits brooding. Staying ahead of Benjamin Thomas was not just important, it was their only chance at survival.

Therefore, the Chief gets up from his desk and begins pacing the floor. This isn’t his first pacing. In fact, the throw rug in front of his desk has a thread-worn path down its center. In all his many years in this position, he’s never been able to catch his biggest fish; Benjamin Thomas.

Now, Benjamin Thomas passed on. However, that didn’t mean Chief Fred Jones was done. No sir. Not by a long-shot. In fact, he wasn’t paid yet. In fact,that was a sticking point from the start. No one screws with Chief Fred Jones, and gets off without paying. Moreover he is going to get what he is owed from Benjamin Thomas. And, if not him, anyone he left behind.

The newly framed house sits dark. Furthermore, back behind the structure, is the detached garage. It is ablaze with light. And the couple has been home for hours. Laraby can’t understand it. What gives? How can they live in that little garage apartment when they could rent something while they build? Indeed, it made no sense.

In fact, the more Laraby thought about it, the more convinced he became that they must be up to something no good. Who else would live like that? Who else but criminal low life would hide out in a garage apartment, while building a new house? Especially one that came from some shipping crates.

It was too odd to just dismiss. Laraby knew the Chief was less than scrupulous. However, he learned the three no’s a long time ago. See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. Therefore, he paid no attention to the Chief’s business. Laraby followed orders. And he stayed alive that way.

The Retrieval of Jupiter’s Heart – Accountable

Nevertheless, he knows the Chief waits for a report daily. And as he quietly eases along the back wall of the garage apartment, he decides that will be next. First, however, he wants to know what they have hidden in this garage. Likewise, he has been watching them for weeks now. And they are always in the garage apartment. Or involved in the building of the new house.

In other words, there’s been no chance to investigate anything. Unobserved. Therefore, the late night prowler approach, is his best option. With this in mind, he gets closer each evening. Although there are no outside security cameras, he still exercises caution. They wanted to catch them in the act, not tip them off.

Laraby turns the corner of the garage. As he presses his back against the wall, he listens. All is quiet. Therefore, they must be out for the evening. All he needs is a few pictures. And once he reaches the nearest window, he carefully peeks into the lower part of the frame. Then, something hard connects with the back of his head. Laraby slumps over. He’s out cold.

Thank you for reading! Like, follow and share The Frog Journal on X @1finja1 – and on The Frog Journal Facebook page click here. Subscribe to the free newsletter to stay up to date on new content and updates.