To: 
From: "Jay  P Hailey" 
Reply-To: trekcreative{at}yahoogroups.com


Title: Long Arms
Author: Jay P. Hailey (jayphailey{at}tic1.net) and K.A. Strickland Series:
Vista City/Four Corners
Part: 04/13
Rating [PG] (Some Violence)

 Karla went into the living room where she found her brother lounging on the
couch.  Danny was next to him, lounged in a similar position.  Karla smiled
and held in a chuckle.  She could have done worse for a male role model for
Danny than her brother.  She knew that she was up for a long stint as
Jake's nanny once he found the right woman and settled down.  Karla didn't
mind. Jake had come through for her like a champ.  It would probably take
the rest of her life to pay him back for that.

 "I really don't like the idea of you going off on this thing alone."  Jake
Morgan said.  He had a very deep voice. James Earl Jones deep.  He used his
deep voice to good effect whenever possible. He was the DJ for the local
radio station.

 "If you follow this whole train of thought to its logical conclusion you
wind up with Four Corners moving in on Vista City.  That would be fun to
try and organize."  Karla said.  She sounded gruff.

 "Danny, why don't you give me and your mom a few minutes of privacy,
okay?"
Jake said.

 Danny made a big show of rolling his eyes before stomping out of the room
and up the stairs to his room. He banged the door to his room open and then
shut.  Then the overly loud sound of "The Family Mark" came
blasting downstairs.  Danny only once tried to get revenge on Karla and
Jake for having private business by playing a CD they hated too loud.  Even
Danny in full snit couldn't stand Marilyn Manson for that long.  So he
compromised by blasting music he liked better than any other.

 "If the shorts killed Marlene, what makes you think they'll stop with
her?"
Jake said challengingly.

 "If they killed Marlene and are bent on killing me, what makes you think
having another target is going to make any difference? And you know I hate
that term."  Karla came back.

 "They're shorts.  Get over it." Jake said bitterly.

 "Sure thing, Boy." Karla said just as angrily.  "Would you
like me to bring
you back some fried chicken and some water melon?"

 "Goddam it, Karla that's not fair!"

 "It's just as fair as calling people you don't even know shorts!" Karla
yelled.

 "They're all short two arms." Jake said, rationalizing.

 "And our skin is a deep, dark brown, and the root word in Negro is Spanish
for black.  That still doesn't make it right!"

 "And killing Marlene is right!"

 "I'm going to get the son of a bitch that got Marlene, you can bet on
that." Karla growled.

 "If they'll let you."  Jake sneered.

 "How about we find out if anyone else if having this fight before we go to
war?"  Karla said.

 "What the hell does that mean?" Jake sounded confused.

 "It means that we should make certain that the outside is really out to get
us before we turn turtle."

 "I think that Danny is good proof.  Did you forget what they did to us when
the news broke?  Don't you remember Mayor Conners?" Jake challenged.

 "Either way.  Risking one person is smarter than risking two. Or three.  Or
twelve."  Karla said.

 "Except when it's my sister you're talking about risking."  Jake said
quietly.

 "Thank you.  At last we're getting to the truth."

 "I don't want to have to tell Danny that you're not coming back.  I don't
want to have to go it alone." Jake said.

 "You're not alone.  You have mom, dad, Danny, and Elizabeth."
Karla counted
off. "I can't even tell you how many others will chip in if you needed
help. But you won't need it because I am coming back."

 "I don't know how serious Elizabeth really is. " Jake
temporized.  "And
that doesn't matter.  I just don't want to lose you."

 "Jake, hello!  I'm your sister!  You're dangerously close to making an ugly
stereotype about Georgia seem true."  Karla laughed.

 "Well yeah," Jake smirked.  "Except that I can still outrun
you."

 Karla punched Jake in the shoulder fairly hard.  He laughed and rubbed at
his shoulder.

 "Okay, so I'm a little weird about it.  I have a stable, happy setup here.
I'm afraid some damned short is going to take you away from me and
Danny." Jake admitted.

 "While I'm gone I want you to discuss this with Elizabeth.  I bet the
reason she's holding back is because you and I act more like a married
couple than brother and sister.  I bet she doesn't know exactly where you
and I stand and doesn't want to step on our toes."

 "And you'd be just as happy..." Jake started.

 "Yes!  I'd be just as happy getting you out of my hair for a while.
Between being the Sheriff and living with you it's like I'm wearing a huge
'unavailable' sign on my back.  I'd like to get rid of that before we have
to worry about who Danny's dating, too." Karla said.

 "Okay.  I'll talk to her about it." Jake said.

 "If you don't work something out with somebody, then I'm going to have to
kick you out of here.  Once you wander around town with a dejected look and
chef boyardee spilled down your t-shirt, women will get the message that
you're not involved with anyone."  Karla threatened.

 "Is that how you women tell?" Jake asked with a concerned look.

 "Oh, please!" Karla laughed.  "You men think you're so slick."

 "You can't kick me out anyway."  Jake smugly said.  "This
is my house."

 "We'll just see about that when I get back."  Karla said
dangerously.  "But
I am going.  Someone has to do it, and I'm the Sheriff."

 "Maybe we can see about that when you get back, too." Jake grumbled.

 "Probably not.  I'm doing what I want to do." Karla said.

 Jake sighed.  This was an old discussion.  "You're going, and there's
nothing I can do to talk you out of it, right?"

 "Who said I got all the brains in the family?" Karla grinned.

 Jake shrugged.  "Okay.  Just take care of yourself.  Danny and I need you,
right?"

 Karla rolled her eyes. "I only had one kid!  Hell, you're older than
I am!"

 "Just promise me you'll be careful." Jake said seriously.

 Karla nodded.  "I promise.  I have no intention of leaving Danny to be
poisoned by your ways."

 "Good!"  Jake said.

 "Now I have to go and say good bye to Danny."  Karla said.

-*-

 Scott hung up the phone and looked around the SIS squad room to see who was
available.  There was Terry Parkinson, Crystal McNamara and Rebecca Stevens.

 "Rebecca.  How do you feel about a road trip?"  Scott asked.

 "I thought you were married, Scott."  Rebecca replied sounding surprised.

 "Ha ha.." Scott laughed, "Not like that.  I need to drive into San
Francisco to pick up a VIP.  Would you like to accompany me?"

 "Oh.  You want me along to protect you and the VIP from the consequences of
your actions?" Rebecca said.

 Scott smiled a faint smile.  "Something like that."

 Rebecca rose and grabbed her coat.  "Okay.  Can we stop at Mr. Kumikura's
on the way out of town?"

 Scott shrugged.  "I thought we'd find someplace in the city."

 "Oh.  Have it your way."  Rebecca said.

 "Terry, you have the desk until change of shift.  Crystal?"

 "Yes, oh, mighty boss man?"

 "Behave!" Scott said.  Crystal was just over 25 but seemed somewhat
younger.  It was the result of a finely tuned sense of priorities that
rated almost nothing as worth getting worked up over.

 "I have to!"  She harumphed. "Terry's a married man too!"

-*-

 The address for Freddie Rios led to the southern section of Vista City.  It
was an older residential neighborhood.  As Angelo and Sonja drove through,
they could hear occasional snatches of loud Hispanic music, and smell
things cooking.

 As they approached the listed address they could see a green 1977 Monte
Carlo looking forlorn on the street in front of a wood framed house.

 They parked and got out.  They could smell more cooking coming from inside
the house.  It smelled interesting to Sonja but Angelo's mouth was almost watering.

 They walked up to the house, and noted dozens of small details to the house
that spoke of someone living there for years.  From the lawn turning brown
in the sun to the way the porch was arranged for sitting and visiting, this
was a comfortable and well lived in house.

 Angelo knocked on the door.

 Soon the door was opened by a middle aged Hispanic woman who was almost as
broad as the door. "Can I help you?" she said with a thick accent.

 "I am Angelo Mancuso and this is Sonja Traveler. We're from the Vista City
Police Department." Angelo introduced.  On cue both Angelo and Sonja
flashed their badges.  They were unaware of their timing.  They had been
practicing for a couple of years at that point.

 "Oh."  The woman seemed crestfallen. "What is this about?"

 "Is Frederick J. Rios here?  We'd like to ask him a few questions."

 "[Freddie!] The woman screamed back into the house in Spanish. [Get your
ass out here!  You have some explaining to do!]

 "What?  What is it?"  They could hear Freddie yell from inside.

 "Policia!" Mrs. Rios yelled.

 A few moments later, Freddie came into view.  Sonja was immediately
comfortable with Freddie. He reminded her somewhat of her brothers.  He was
a thin man with dark hair and a feeble moustache growing on his upper lip.
"Hey," He said suspiciously. "What's up?"

 "Would you step out here and speak with us, Mr. Rios?" Angelo said.

 "Naw, I'd rather not." Freddie said.

 His mother slapped him firmly across the back of the head.  "[You cooperate
with the Police or I'll beat your eyes out!]" She shrieked "[What
have you done now!?]"

 "Maaaaamaaaa!" Freddie whined.

 She slapped him again.

 Freddie ducked out onto the porch to escape the lighting quick slapping
hand of his mother.  Angelo and Sonja didn't blame him.

 "Where were you at 2 am this morning?" Angelo asked him.

 "Huh?"  Freddie was still watching for a slap from his mother. 
"I was
consulting with my client."

 "[You tell the police the truth!]" Mrs. Rios shrieked.

 "I am telling the truth!" Freddie cried.  "Look, I was at 'The Soul
Attraction'.  It's a night club up on Valley next to the Freeway, right?  I
was there talkin' to Marlene Summers.  She's like one of them four armed
people from down South, you know? Anyway, I am representing her talent to
various venues around the region."  Freddie spoke proudly "You
should hear her sing, man, like an angel!"

 "[What in the hell are you talking about!?]" Mrs. Rios yelled.
"[Explain
this to me!]"

 "[The singing angel I told you about Mama.  The one I am trying to find
singing jobs for.]" Freddie said.

 "[Huh!]" Mrs. Rios said derisively  "[You're no good at
finding work for
yourself, how are you going to find work for this singing angel?]"

 "[You just wait.  She's good. All we need is one break and we're going
places.]"

 "Mr. Rios, I have some bad news."  Angelo said.

 "What?  My parole officer said that it was okay for me to be an agent!  I
cleared it with him first!" Freddie was outraged.

 "I'm sorry Mr. Rios, but Marlene was killed last night, right about the
time you went to see her."  Angelo said.

 Freddie looked at Angelo stunned.  "No shit?"  Then he grew angry.
"Sonofabich!" He stomped back and forth across the porch,
"Sonofabich!  She could a made me a lot of money!  All legit! All
above board!  When I find the Puto that whacked her I'm gonna..."

 Then he caught a clue.  He stared up at Angelo "That's what this is about,
isn't it!?  You're going to burn me for whacking Marlene, aren't you!"

 "[What do you mean? What are you talking about?]" Mrs. Rios had a healthy
shriek.  Sonja was willing to bet she could keep it up all night.

 "[They're going to put me in jail for killing the Angel, Momma.]" Freddie
said bitterly

 "Aiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!"  Mrs. Rios screamed.

 Angelo watched to see if he was going to have to call the paramedics.
Sonja pretended to watch Mrs. Rios, but kept the corner of her eye on
Freddie.  Sure enough as soon as both officers looked committed to Mrs.
Rios, Freddie broke for daylight.

 Sonja casually kicked out behind her and tripped Freddie. As soon as Angelo
caught the motion, he was spinning and whipping out his gun. Freddie
bounced down the steps from the porch and onto the front yard.  He popped
up painfully and was preparing to set a new record for the 500 meters when
Angelo said very quietly.  "Don't make me shoot you, Freddie."

 Mrs. Rios bombed out of the screen door shrieking "Don' shoot my Baby!"
Sonja intercepted her and there was a scuffle.

 Angelo sidled down the stairs keeping Freddie sighted with his pistol.
"Face down Freddie.  You know the drill."

 Freddie, frozen by a moment's hesitation, knew that running was a lost
cause.  He climbed down onto his belly.

 Neighbors came out onto their front yards to watch the commotion.

 Mrs. Rios seemed violently angry with everyone.  She tried to move passed
Sonja to slap Angelo, Freddie, the neighbors and everyone else. She
screamed in a mix of Spanish and English that the police were going to haul
her baby away and kill him, all the while cursing out Freddie for going
back to his old ways and begging God for mercy on her and her family. Some
deep instinct told her that slapping Sonja would get her slapped right back
and so managed to avoid that.

 Arresting Freddie turned into a circus as the neighbors clustered closer
and began to add their own comments to the mess.

 Eventually Angelo and Sonja escaped with Freddie, but without being forced
to arrest Mrs. Rios.


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