Giving a curt nod, “I’ve never heard of money in the millions and billions talked about so casually,” Sutton admitted.
“That’s why I’m leaving,” Jackson grinned.
As the two stepped outside they parted ways as the silent killer started picking up speed at a lightning pace and more people picked up unwanted guests as James Taylor’s hobby flooded the world.
Chapter Five
A destroyer in the air
April 23
Sitting at the table and eating breakfast, Arthur looked over at Wendy and could tell she was excited about the trip. “You make sure to have fun,” Arthur grinned after finishing his plate.
As Arthur got up, Wendy nodded. “I will and if you need help, you call Starlie and Jack,” she said. Starlie and Jack Wright were their closest neighbors. They were both in their sixties but had an active ranch. To Arthur and Wendy’s envy, they had six kids all grown now with kids of their own. The ranch they owned next to them up the valley used to be a hobby but now, Jack raised cattle full time after retiring from construction.
“Shit, Jack calls me once a week to do something for him, so I know he stays busy,” Arthur said, rinsing his plate off and putting it in the dishwasher. He moved over to the back door and a large touchpad screen mounted on the wall. A list of daily chores was listed on the screen and Arthur started tapping the ones they had done, making them drop off the list. Because he was driving Wendy to the airport today, they had started earlier than they normally did.
“Well, you can always call Rudy,” Wendy laughed out as she got up.
Tapping ‘workout’, Arthur watched it drop off the screen and then turned around as Wendy put her dishes in the dishwasher. “If I call Rudy, it will be to tell his bitch ass to bring back my shit,” Arthur snapped.
Closing the dishwasher, “Do you even know what he has?” Wendy chuckled.
“Log splitter, chainsaw, riding mower, half inch electric drill, jig saw, shovel, and posthole diggers,” Arthur answered, counting them off on his fingers.
Walking over and wrapping her arms around Arthur, “Yeah, he brings one thing back but borrows two other items,” Wendy smiled. “I thought he was going to cry last week when you told him he couldn’t borrow anything else until he brought everything back.”
“Cocksucker tried to load the wheelbarrow up he’d brought back because I wouldn’t let him use the plumbing snake,” Arthur snapped. “If I didn’t have duplicates of what he’s borrowed, I’d go to his shack and stomp his ass.”
Holding her arms around Arthur’s waist, Wendy looked up at his face. “You wait till I get back if you do that, I want to watch this beat down.”
“You going to help hide the body?”
“Oh, hell yeah,” Wendy laughed, letting Arthur go. “Remember to take the two pies in the refrigerator to church on Sunday for the raffle.”
Scoffing, “They might get one,” Arthur mumbled. “I spent over a hundred hours building that fellowship hall and they are raffling stuff to pay for it.”
“Arthur,” Wendy snapped. “It’s to buy the stuff they are putting in it, you know that.”
Looking at Wendy with a grin, “Yeah, I know,” he said. “Just like rousing your dander at times.”
Laughing as she headed to the den where her luggage sat by the stairs, “Will you take the BMW?” she asked.
Letting out a long groan, “Oh, come on,” Arthur whined. “Can’t we take my truck?”
Turning around, Wendy stomped her foot. “I don’t like riding for over an hour in your truck,” she moaned. “My car rides a thousand times better.”
“Fine,” Arthur said, walking over and grabbing two suitcases. “I’ll look like a fucking yuppie.”
Grabbing the large rolling suitcase, “Hun, nobody would ever think you were a yuppie,” Wendy told him. “You’re wearing jeans, boots, and a long plaid shirt.”
Heading for the front door, Arthur looked down at the thin blue plaid shirt. “I have to wear something to conceal my pistol,” he said, setting down the suitcase in his right hand.
“Yes, and we all know the only shirts that do that are plaid,” Wendy laughed out as Arthur opened the door and picked the suitcase back up.
“Just for that, I’m not feeding your damn silkworms,” Arthur snarled jokingly.
“Fine, I have more in the fridge,” Wendy shrugged as the dogs ran over. She stopped in the door and stood the rolling suitcase up as she leaned over loving on the dogs. “You four better leave the cats alone.”
“Babe, they haven’t chased Mickey or Minnie since they were puppies,” Arthur said, walking off the porch and heading for the garage He stopped, looking at the two open doors. The first held Wendy’s light gray BMW. The next held his 1984 Blazer. Parked outside the garage next to the house was his truck. A 1986 quad cab Chevy diesel that was jacked up six inches with monster forty-inch tires.
“I don’t want to ride in that,” Wendy sang out, seeing Arthur looking at the truck.
Letting out a long sigh, Arthur carried the suitcases to the BMW. “I like my big truck,” Arthur mumbled, opening the trunk and putting the cases in.
“Oh, I like it, but not riding for long periods,” Wendy said. “If you want, we can take the Blazer, it doesn’t beat me to death as bad.”
“Nah, my girl likes her Kraut car,” Arthur sang out, turning around and grabbing the rolling suitcase to put it in the trunk.
As Arthur closed the trunk, Wendy leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m so spoiled,” she whispered.
“Yeah, but you’re worth it,” Arthur laughed.
They climbed in and Arthur backed out, hitting the remote to close the garage
