Page 12 of Gideon

“Precisely.”

“Your mechanical workshop.”

“Did I stutter?”

Gideon closed his eyes as dread seeped in. “Dad, please don’t tell me you’re selling something illegal.”

“Some may say I’m doing the wrong thing, but we’ve been oppressed long enough.”

“Dad.”

“What?”

“Is it guns?”

“I own a mechanic’s workshop, not an armory. Old what’s-his-name, uh, Gunther something-or-other. He’s the one that owns the gun shop. Perfectly legal.”

“Then is it drugs?”

“It’s not a pharmacy either. Engines, son. Did you get knocked on the head when they messed up your leg? I own a workshop.”

“Grease and brake fluid aren’t illegal.”

“Never said they were.”

“Dad, come on. What’s going on?”

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” Joey’s smile was full of unadulterated glee.

Gideon’s frown deepened. “Dad.”

“Why’ve you always got to be so serious? I sell the same stuff I’ve always sold. I just don’t tell anyone who doesn’t need to know.”

“Why?”

“Because Mayor Fairfax likes to take from the poor to give to the rich. And by rich, I mean himself.”

“You mean like the new ‘clean act’ or whatever it is he’s added to the markets?”

“Exactly. If he gets wind you have anything, he swoops in and takes it. Or he taxes it. Whichever is easiest.”

“Is that what’s really going on around here? Why doesn’t anyone do anything about it? There must be someone you can tell who can put a stop to it.”

“We’ve tried. I mean, I haven’t personally. I handlemy affairs in other ways, like running my business the old-fashioned way.”

“How is hiding your business old-fashioned?”

“You’ve heard of the old speakeasies? Those guys knew how to stick it to the man.”

“Yeah, okay. You’re a real rebel, Dad. But what about others?”

“Don’t know. The people who could leave have left and never looked back. The ones who stay either think that the gods will intercede, or they’re like me and they’re plain stubborn and wily.”

“You’re serious?”

“Oh, who knows? Small towns like to gossip.”

“What about the totem poles? You said some are looking to the gods.”

---