The Conflict (The Eliminator Series Book 9) Read online

It was two or three minutes later when a few more cars arrived. Upon coming through the gates, they pulled up to the front, stopping a little before the cars that were already there. Now a couple men from the new convoy that came got out. Jacobs looked through the sniper scope but didn’t recognize anybody.

  A few seconds later, another of the car doors opened from the first group that got there. Jacobs honed in on the face, immediately recognizing it. It was Ames. Jacobs took another glance at his weapon and made sure it was ready to fire. He waited a few more seconds, wanting to see who Ames was meeting. The car door to the new group that had arrived opened. Jacobs was a little surprised to see that it was Butch who got out. He didn’t think the two would be doing business again anytime soon. But he assumed, like most things, if the price was right, or the deal was big enough, most people would put their differences aside if it benefited them enough. This was probably no different.

  As Jacobs continued looking through the scope, he saw Ames and Butch meet in the middle of the two groups. It looked like they were discussing something. Jacobs wished he had a listening device planted there so he could hear what the big commotion was all about.

  “Man, what I wouldn’t give to know what they’re talking about,” Jacobs said, looking at his trusty friend.

  Gunner let out a low growl.

  Whatever they were discussing, it looked to be getting animated. Though they appeared to start calmly, it quickly escalated, with both men waving their hands and arms around, and looking like they were starting to yell.

  “This is getting interesting.”

  Jacobs kept waiting for them to exchange something. Packages, money, boxes, something. Nobody made that kind of move, though. Maybe this meeting wasn’t about any kind of deal or exchange. At least not the kind where physical items were involved. Maybe this was just about two emerging players who were continuing to try to carve out more territory and power for themselves, possibly by buying or scaring the other one off. Judging by their actions, it didn’t seem to be working.

  Suddenly, a shot was fired. Jacobs didn’t see who it was, but quickly moved the scope around to figure out who had taken that shot. It didn’t matter now, though, because he wasn’t going to find that person. Everyone was scattering, going back to their respective cars as the shots were being furiously fired. It looked like a war zone was about to break out. The two sides were volleying shots back and forth. Jacobs quickly tried to get a fix on Ames again, but he didn’t get eyes on him until he saw the top of his head ducking into his car, presumably taking cover on the floor.

  Jacobs then tried to get a line on Butch, but he was nowhere to be seen. He’d probably done the same as his adversary and got back in his car. Jacobs did notice a couple of bodies on the ground, but neither was the leader of the respective groups. Then the car that Ames was in suddenly took off, the driver putting the pedal to the floor as it tried to zoom out of the fracas. Several of Butch’s men took aim at the car, putting a few bullet holes in it, but they were unsuccessful in stopping the car before it was able to get out of the area and into safety.

  Then a car from Butch’s side did the same. Jacobs assumed it was the one with their leader in it. Shots kept firing from the remaining men, though that now started dwindling too, as a few more men got in their cars and took off. Slowly, the remaining men also lost interest in fighting and fled. Now there was nobody left but the four dead bodies. Presumably two on each side. Jacobs looked through the scope, observing the carnage that was left behind and making sure there was nobody living left. There wasn’t. He took the scope away from his face and looked at his dog.

  “Man, what just happened? That certainly wasn’t how I expected this to go.”

  Gunner let out a rather long-winded type of growl. There was a brief silence before he made another vocal expression.

  “I don’t know why I didn’t shoot. I could’ve. I guess… they just seemed like they were intent on killing each other, I guess I felt like I didn’t need to get involved.”

  Gunner growled again.

  “Yeah, I know I could’ve got more of them, but then they would’ve known I was here and possibly shot in this direction. I dunno. A few of them are gone. I suppose we can still chalk it up as a win, huh?”

  Gunner let out a short growl, followed by a longer one.

  “Yeah. Maybe next time.”

  Gunner continued talking.

  “You said it, buddy. There’ll definitely be a next time. Let’s wrap this up and go home for the night, huh?”

  As they walked back to their car, Gunner let out a few more growls.

  “I’ll tell Eddie about it tomorrow. He doesn’t need an update the second everything happens.”

  Gunner growled again.

  “He’d better not be at the house still. He’s got his own place to go.”

  Gunner responded with a little whimper.

  “Oh, don’t you start on me about that date tomorrow too. I don’t wanna hear about it. I’ll just go and be nice and that’ll be the end of it. I probably won’t see her again after that.”

  Gunner growled.

  “I won’t.”

  Gunner responded with a prolonged whine.

  “Oh, fine, I’ll keep my options open, OK? Does that make you happy?”

  Gunner briefly growled.

  “I’ll keep my options open.”

  4

  It was just about time for Jacobs to get ready to leave for his date. He kept looking out the window, waiting for Franks to get there. He then looked at Gunner, who was sitting on the couch looking at him.

  “Sorry, buddy, if Eddie doesn’t get here soon, I’ll have to leave you by yourself for a little while.”

  Gunner whined and lay down.

  “I know. But I won’t be too long. Just a couple hours. You’ve been by yourself longer than that.”

  Jacobs went into the bedroom to get his keys and wallet when he heard a knock on the door. He hurried back into the living room and checked out the window. It was Franks. Jacobs opened the door, allowing his friend in.

  “Hey, what’s up, big guy?” Franks asked, looking at the dog. Franks had a small shopping bag with him. “Look what I brought for you?” He opened the bag and removed a big mammoth bone and dropped it on the floor.

  Gunner immediately lunged for it.

  “You couldn’t have just walked over and handed it to him?” Jacobs asked.

  “Well, that’s a big bone there. I didn’t want him to get so excited about it that he took the rest of my arm with it or something, you know?”

  Jacobs rolled his eyes. “Uh huh. Hate to break it to you, Eddie, but if he was going to take your arm off, he would’ve done it by now.”

  “Oh. You mean he could really do that still?”

  Jacobs tapped Franks on the back of the shoulder. “You never know.” Jacobs then continued getting ready.

  Franks put his nose in the air and started sniffing. “Ahh ahh, something smells good. Must be some special potion that our date boy is wearing tonight to impress somebody.” Franks rubbed his hands together. “Looking good too, my man, looking good too.”

  Jacobs stopped and glared at him. “It’s just pants and a polo shirt. Really nothing fancy.”

  Franks nodded, grinned, and pointed to his nose. “The eyes say one thing, but the nose says something else.”

  “What?”

  “Intuition, man, intuition. You’re feeling it tonight, I can tell.”

  “Feeling what?”

  “The mood, man, the vibes. You’re getting into it.”

  “It’s just one small little outing.”

  “It’s a date. Call it what it is, man. Don’t sugarfoot your way around it. It’s a date. You. On a date. With a woman. Man, I never thought I’d see the day.”

  Jacobs scrunched his eyebrows together, assuming Franks forgot about the previous encounter with another woman. “I guess you’re forgetting about…”

  “No, I’m not forgetting about that wench. I’m ch
oosing to pretend it didn’t happen. Besides, it was all under false pretenses. It wasn’t genuine. She was just using you and was a plant. This time it’s different.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Yeah, man! Listen, nobody’s planting a school teacher to get to you. That just wouldn’t make sense.”

  “And you’re the guy who could sniff out things that don’t make sense.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Yeah. Well, I guess I should be going.”

  “Picking her up at her place?”

  “No, I’m gonna meet her somewhere.”

  “What?! You’re not even gonna pick her up? Man, what’s wrong with you?! Have you forgotten all your dating etiquette?”

  “There’s an etiquette now?”

  “Oh, man, do I have to go on this thing with you to make sure you know all the right moves?”

  “Uh, that would be a little too close for comfort.”

  “You’re supposed to pick the girl up at her house, then go on the date, then bring her back to her place and maybe get a little lucky with a goodnight smooch or two if everything goes right.”

  “I guess that’s the difference between us. I’m not looking to get a little lucky with anything.”

  Franks hung his head and sighed. “Man, you got so much work to do. So much work. I hope this woman knows what she’s getting herself in for.”

  “That would indicate a long-term thing, and I’ve already told you that’s not happening because…”

  “When do you think you’ll introduce me?”

  “Introduce you?”

  “Yeah, you know, I mean, since I am your best buddy now. I mean, usually you introduce those closest to you first and all. I’d want a little bit of a heads-up first though, so I can look my best.”

  “I don’t think she’d be ready for you if we were together after a year.”

  Franks’ eyes lit up. “Be still my beating heart. Did you just admit there’s a possibility of you being with this girl in another year?!”

  “No, what I was doing…”

  Franks excitedly slapped his friend on the arm. “My man! Already looking at the future! Good for you, brother, good for you! I hope this goes where you want it to, I really do.”

  “I don’t want…”

  “But don’t worry about that now. Just take it one date at a time. And eventually, you’ll get there.”

  “I only said that as a…”

  “Forget all that. Just worry about impressing her tonight. Then again the next time. Then the time after that. Then everything will just take care of itself.”

  Jacobs lowered his head and ran his hand over his hair. “I’m gonna go.”

  “Well, go on then, what are you still doing waiting around here talking your head off. Don’t be nervous. Just head on out there and hit a home run.”

  Jacobs opened his mouth to say something, but decided it was better not to. He just shook his head and walked past his friend and went out the door.

  Jacobs and Tiffany walked out of the movie theater, both smiling as they discussed the film they just saw.

  “Thanks for being a good soldier and agreeing to see it with me.”

  “No, it was fine,” Jacobs said. “It looked like something I wanted to see anyway.”

  “Really? You wanted to see a mushy love story?”

  “Uh, well, it looked like a good… plot.”

  Tiffany laughed. “You put on a good face. You’re a good guy for not resisting when I mentioned it.”

  Jacobs smiled. “I was really OK with it.”

  “Well, not all guys would have agreed to that. I tell you what, the next time we come, I agree to watch one of those blow-them-up action movies that basically have no plot other than blowing things up.”

  Jacobs laughed. “It’s a deal.”

  They walked out of the movie theater and went back to their cars, which were parked next to each other.

  “I guess, uh, dinner?” Jacobs asked.

  Tiffany smiled. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

  “So, uh, I guess… should we decide on where and meet there or…”

  “Umm, yeah, we could do that. Unless… you know, you think it’d be easier to just go together? And then maybe you could just drop me back off here when we’re done? Unless you think that’s too much of a problem or a hassle or something.”

  “Uh, no, no, that’s fine. Yeah, no hassle at all.” Jacobs gulped as he unlocked his doors. Tiffany walked over to his car and was about to get in when Jacobs started coming around.

  “You don’t have to open the door for me,” Tiffany said. “I don’t mind doing it myself. Thank you for the thought, though.”

  “Sure.”

  They both got in and Jacobs started driving. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments. Tiffany turned her head.

  “You know, I almost want to keep looking around for your dog. He made quite an impression the last time I saw him.”

  “Oh, yeah. He’s really something.”

  “He’s a beautiful dog, though.”

  “He’s everything you could want. Smart, loyal, trusting, couldn’t ask for anything more.”

  Tiffany looked at him and smiled. She could tell how fond he was of the dog just by hearing him talk about him. “Where did you get him? A breeder?”

  Jacobs coughed. “Uh, no, I actually found him on… one of the cases I was working on. He was just a puppy, making six or eight weeks old. His owner was not what you would call an upstanding citizen, and actually wound up getting killed, and I found the dog, and he just kind of stuck to me. And we’ve been sticking together ever since.”

  “That’s nice. Nice that you would keep him. Not everyone would.”

  “Well, turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He’s probably saved my life a few times over now.”

  “Your work’s that dangerous, huh?”

  Jacobs coughed again. “Well, I mean, not always. It has its moments from time to time, I guess. Probably not as bad as you’d think.”

  “What exactly do you do? I know you said it’s security work, but…”

  “Actually, I can’t really get into specifics. Most of the stuff I do is under strict non-disclosure agreements, so…”

  “Oh. Sounds secretive and… scary.”

  “It’s not really. It’s just… you know. Nothing really to worry about.” They drove for another minute or two. “Hey, I guess we should agree on a place to eat.”

  Tiffany laughed. “Yeah, I forgot about that.”

  They quickly agreed on a restaurant that was nearby and headed for it. Once they got there, they luckily didn’t have to wait to be seated. They ordered their food and talked while they were waiting for it. They mostly talked about food and music, since that was really what Jacobs was well-versed in these days. He didn’t have much time for anything else.

  “So where do you see yourself in ten years?” Tiffany asked. “Still doing the security work?”

  Jacobs looked down for a second. It was a loaded question that could have a lot of answers. The one that popped into his head first, though, was that he didn’t think he’d even be around in ten years. Not with the way he’d been feeling lately.

  “Uh, you know, I don’t really know. I haven’t given it much thought. I usually just try to get through the day and let the future take care of itself when it gets here. What about you?”

  Tiffany smiled. “Still teaching. I’d like to eventually have a family of my own, you know, with kids and all. But obviously that would depend on my partner and all and what he wanted. Assuming I was married by then, which is a… I dunno. I guess we’ll see.”

  Their food came, and they instantly started digging in. As they ate, Jacobs stared at his date for a few moments while she looked down and concentrated on her food. She reminded him of Valerie. They weren’t similar in facial structure or anything, but they were both pretty and had that sweet, innocent type of look to them. And they both talked sof
tly. He was trying not to compare them, though, since that wasn’t fair to Tiffany, but it was hard not to. She looked up and saw him staring at her. She touched her face.

  “Did I get food on my face?” she said with a laugh. “‘Cause that would be so embarrassing.”

  Jacobs smiled. “No. You look… good. Sorry for staring, I was just…” Jacobs uncomfortably searched for the words. “You look… pretty.”

  Tiffany couldn’t help but burst out a wide smile. “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”

  They continued eating and making small talk, though it was mostly Tiffany thinking of the topics. After they were done, they got back in the car and drove to the movie theater parking lot so Jacobs could bring Tiffany back to her car. They both got out and walked over to the driver’s side door of Tiffany’s car. They both stood there for a few moments, each of them looking uncomfortable, wondering what to do next.

  “Umm, well, thank you,” Tiffany said. “I had a really great time. It was great seeing you again.”

  “Yeah, it was nice. I enjoyed it.”

  “OK, well, maybe we’ll see each other again?”

  “Uh, yeah, maybe.”

  Tiffany smiled and wanted to reach over and give him a hug, and maybe a kiss, but didn’t want to be the one to make the first move in case he wasn’t ready for it or wanted it. She could tell, although he was a nice guy, that there was something inside him that seemed… broken. He was missing something. That much was obvious.

  “OK, um, guess we’ll talk soon maybe?”

  Jacobs moved forward, thinking he should give her a hug or something, but looked very robotic and uncomfortable in doing so. “Yeah.” He tried to ease the uneasiness with a smile, which Tiffany returned. “You know, you have a really nice smile. It lights up a room.”

  Tiffany couldn’t help but show it off again, appreciating the compliment. “Thank you. Do you think it could melt hearts too?”

  Jacobs looked at her for a few seconds, not sure of the answer. He hoped it could, though. “Maybe. With time… and effort… maybe.”

  Tiffany grinned, then reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Maybe that will help.” She then put her hand on his face for a second where she had just kissed him. “I really hope to see you again.”