Page 37 of His Virgin Vessel

"Turn the sound up," I said, pointing at the TV.

The woman said nothing, but did as I asked, once again deciding not to ask questions about my interest in these events.

As I listened, a horrible story outlined itself. The media might not have all the pieces yet, they just knew the events, but I could fill in the blanks. My being in jail had clearly given the local Mafia some ideas. They had been watching, they had noted my distraction, and they had moved. They were not as much of presence way out here, as they were really more of a big city organization, but if there was money to be made, then they moved in. War Cry had kept them down for years, making sure that whatever profit they might make was never worth the blood it would cost them to make it. Now, War Cry was weakened by my absence. However strong my boys were, they needed a leader. The Mafia had known this, had seen an opening, and they had pounced.

Of course, my first instinct was to get myself back to town as soon as possible. I would end up in jail again, for sure, as soon as Dugas knew I was back. But by then I could put the Mafia back in their box with such extreme force that they wouldn't trouble the town again for a long time. But then a more terrible thought struck me. They had to know that my absence was temporary. They had to know that I would be heading back in a fighting mood, so they would want to make my absence permanent. If they had been watching me, then they might well know where I was now, and if they couldn't kill me, they would be looking for ways to control me. Ways like Corinne.

I was heading back towards the phone to tell Brian Dugas the latest development when I realized that was futile. He would already be on his way. But there was no way that Corinne could stay here. With or without me, she was in danger, so with me was better. Then, at least, I could protect her. I could only imagine how angry Dugas would be when he arrived to find his daughter gone. He would assume that I had lied to him again and that I had just phoned to screw with him. He was going to tear me apart if he ever found me.

For a fleeting moment, as I was hurrying back to room 21, I wondered about just waiting here for Dugas and letting him take me. But, with the Mafia out there, that didn't seem a good option. I had to keep moving, and I had to keep Corinne moving. I wasn't convinced she would be safe at home now.

I wasn't proud of it, but, for an instant, I felt a pang of delight at these events. I had been handed a legitimate excuse to keep Corinne with me. I could honestly say that I was doing what was best for her, and not losing her was the collateral result. Thank God for the Mafia.

I shook the thought clear from my head as soon as it entered, but it lingered there a while, so I was almost grinning when I went in to shake Corinne awake.

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