Page 17 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
Spinning in a wild circle, the machine’s engine screamed. The forks, ripping through the space, knocked over bundles, drove into loads and created such havoc that everyone came running, even the three men who’d been closeted in the upstairs office.
With his heart accelerating and his palms damp, Noel took the opportunity to sneak behind the pillar and make his way up the stairs. He went through the open door directly to the computer that sat unprotected on the messy desk.
While the pandemonium continued below, he quickly withdrew the memory stick he’d been carrying since he’d been hired, installed it in the open slot of the PC and began downloading as many files as he could, starting first with the financial documents and working his way through the rest.
He spied a small laptop buried under a pile of folders, snatched it up and stuck it under his shirt in the front of his pants.
Suddenly, the noise below eased off and he knew he only had moments to escape. He couldn’t be found here, not by the killers who would stop at nothing to hide their criminal activities.
A bell started to ring, not the gentle tinkle he’d heard before but louder and louder… a warning. He pulled the memory stick from the side of the computer, shut down the files he’d opened and quickly went to slide through the open doorway.
Too late…
Chapter Twenty-four
“What the hell? Man, what are you doing up here? If they catch you, you’re in deep shit.” Dale grabbed Noel’s arm and hauled him away from the office in the opposite direction. They ran toward a moving set of stairs that Dale must have driven close in order to save Noel from being caught.
They both jumped on to the machine so Dale could wheel it away from danger. They’d managed it just in time as they saw the three angry men running for the office, Bart taking a verbal beating from a very unhappy Duggan.
Spying the situation from his perch above the mess, Noel had to grin. Clarence certainly knew how to make an impression. Before he could leave the platform of the lifter, Dale stared him down. “What the hell were you doing up there, man? You know if they found you, they’d have hurt you. That office is off limits. I warned you.”
“You did. And I appreciate it. But there was something I needed to do, it means the world to a lot of people, and I’d take it as a personal favor if you didn’t tell anyone what just happened.”
Dale leaned in close and spoke softly, “I’ve got your back, bro. I’m FBI, an undercover agent. Lately, I’ve been working with your cousin, and he warned me you might try some heroics like this.” Dale slid his credentials out from his pocket long enough for Noel to see them. “Look, in case you think you’re all alone dealing with these thieving mobsters, it just isn’t true. We’ve been on this for some time now, just never got close enough to get the evidence I figure you got today. Am I right?”
Noel grinned and grabbed the other man’s arm, shook his hand and passed on the memory stick. Then he removed the laptop and held it out. “Here’s an early Christmas present for my cousin. If it holds the proof I’m praying it does, then I have a feeling everyone in the town will be looking forward to a new year of prosperity.”
“You got it, man. A pleasure working with you.”
Noel left the plant then, walked out without giving notice or even speaking to Bart. He felt lighter than he had since the nightmare began.
That was for you, Harry… Dad. We’ll prove to the world that the Bradford’s are good people. Always have been.
Chapter Twenty-five
On his way back to the Home, Noel found Rory outside of his restaurant in a standoff with Ralph and another man he’d never seen before.
Pulling his car over, he quickly approached the trio. Aware that Rory was outnumbered, he had no choice but to step in. “What’s going on?”
“What the hell do you care? It’s none of your business. Just move on.” Ralph gestured at the tall man behind him who stepped in front of Noel.
Noel moved around the dude with attitude and went to stand beside his friend. “What’s up, Rory?”
“Ralph here figures I owe him money. Says if’n I don’t pay up, I might not just lose my business next time. That’s a threat, right?”
“Yep.”
Ralph started laughing, slapping his hand on his knee in a comical parody of an idiot. “You hear that, Josh? They thinkwe’re threatening them. Man, I thought I’d made myself much clearer than that.” His finger shot out and poked Rory in the chest, pushing him hard. It took all of Noel’s strength to stop the young man from swinging. Ralph’s face became serious, the threat obvious. “Man, I’m out and out promising you. Either you pay up or you will be very sorry.”
A figure stepped from the shadow of his stationary squad car onto the street behind Ralph. Wearing a police uniform, holding a gun and displaying a furious face, Deputy Justin Taylor spoke, “Is that right, Ralph? I’ve heard enough. Get up against the car. You’re under arrest.”
Ralph sneered. “You can’t arrest me. The sheriff’s going to have something to say about that.”
“Not anytime soon, he won’t. Poor man had a heart attack this morning. Doc says he’ll be out of commission for a few months, and his wife says he won’t be back. So, it looks like I’m the man now.”
Ralph’s expression soured. “Yeah, well, you need a charge to arrest someone. We were just having a bit of fun here with Rory, messing around.”
“You physically threatened him, and I heard it clearly. And you got pushy. That’s assault. I’m sure Rory will attest to that in court. From now on, folks can’t go around in this town breaking the law without there being consequences.”
