The Silver Lake Murder by Gregg Matthews (read novel full txt) 📗

The second workstation has a piece of paper on top of the table, the word, Cocaine.Each piece of paper packaging the drug has the words Jackal Cocaine stamped on them.

The third workstation has a piece of paper on top of the table, the word, Marijuana.Each plastic bag packaging the drug has the words Jackal Marijuana written on them.

There are two more workstations. They have a large number of pharmaceutical pills, and bottles on top of the table. bottles to a cardboard box on the table. Each box has a different kind of pill in it. Oxycodone.

Stopping the recording on the smartphone. He takes a couple of pictures of the different areas in the Punchbowl. He tucks the smartphone deeper into his right front pocket.

He looks at Lester, waving the empty orange backpack. He quickly fills the backpack with as much of the drugs from each workstation as he can. The backpack is full, and he can see Lester is halfway up the flight of stairs.

Stepping out of the barn cautiously, he and Lester go their separate ways. He takes the orange backpack full of drugs and puts it into the trunk of his car. Evidence.

Walking back slowly, he goes inside the tattoo shop for the night. He gets as much rest as he can before the new day begins.

CHAPTER 17

The next day, Blake, Billy, and Lester walk across the front porch towards the water’s edge. As he passes the K-9 Academy, Blake knocks loudly on the front door and keeps walking. Billy and Lester look at him surprised but keep walking with him. As he gets to the lake water, he sits at a picnic table. Billy and Lester do the same.

“I came back to Silver Lake to find my girlfriend, Rose,” Blake says.

“I know,” Billy says to the ground.

“I know,” Lester says, looking Blake in the eyes.

“Instead of finding Rose, I find my childhood friend dead in the streets. I have to know if you are in or out, Billy. Are you going to help me take Luke down?” Blake says intently.

“I am in, Blake. I will do whatever you ask me to do,” Billy says, partially looking at Blake and partially looking at the ground.

“Lester, what about you?”

“Cindy was a friend to me at work. I am in Blake,” Lester says, staring Blake in the eyes.

Sitting on the picnic table looking out over the lake water with the slightly warm summer breeze blowing across his body. He still can’t believe the beauty of this place. He thinks back on what it was like growing up here. The good memories quickly turn violent at the thought of seeing Cindy lying dead in the street.

“Hey!” someone shouts from behind him.

“Hey!” Blake turns his head and shouts back.

Billy and Lester are both surprised at the sight of Kevin, the owner of K-9 Academy. Blake is happy they are paying attention to the details of what is going on. Pulling out a large rolled-up piece of paper from his back pocket, he puts it on the picnic table.

“Hey, look, Billy, it’s a map of Silver Lake,” Lester says enthusiastically.

“Hey, cool,” Billy says, looking closer.

Putting a rock on each corner of the paper to hold it in place, he starts to talk.

“You all know Kevin,” Blake says.

“Hey guys,” Kevin says.

“Hey Kevin,” Billy and Lester say simultaneously.

Running his index finger to the middle of the paper, he points out Little Rock Island. He makes a larger circular motion pointing out Silver Lake.

“One hundred acres, fifty feet deep,” Blake says.

His index finger moves across the paper and stops at the top righthand corner pointing out the Starlight Trailer Park.

“Kevin, this is where you come in. There are several guard dogs within this compound. Can you show me how to neutralize them?” Blake says intently.

“I will set you up and show you how to take the dogs out. There is going to be a cost associated with my work on this,” Kevin says.

“Right, do you want a flat fee or a piece of the job?” Blake says.

“Ah, a piece of the job,” Kevin says, smiling.

“Okay.”

His index finger moves across, Backside Lane dirt road and Cripple Cove.

“We will meet here at Cripple Cove,” Blake says, pointing to Cripple Cove on the map.

“Roger that,” Kevin says, reminding everyone at the table of his military experience.

“This is where I will set you up with the equipment and show you how to use it.

“Right,” Blake says.

His index finger moves across the paper to the large barn and the commercial buildings housing the Lakeview Lounge, Sun Luck, K-9 Academy, and Rivers Tattoo shop. He moves his finger around the front of the lake, pointing out the Welcome to Silver Lake sign. He points out Fitzgerald’s Funeral Parlor on the other side of Route 38, and across the street, he points to the Silver Lake Cemetery completing the circle around the lake.

“Hey Blake, tomorrow night is the biggest party of the summer. The party is on Little Rock Island. There is going to be a large bonfire and some leftover fireworks from the July 4th celebration. All the local people from Silver Lake will be there. The Lakeview Lounge will be empty. Luke never goes to the party; he stays in The Devil's Den. Luke hates the party because it takes away from his business but knows there is nothing, he can do about it.” Lester says, breathing heavily.

“Tomorrow night, we take Luke down!” Blake says, staring Billy in the eyes.

“Yes,” Billy says to the ground again.

“I need you to look me in the eyes, Billy. This is your sister,” Blake says angrily.

“Yes,” Billy says, looking up at Blake awkwardly.

“OK, we are on for tomorrow night,” Blake says.

Watching closely as Billy, Lester, and Kevin all nod their head in approval. He is still not confident all three are in. He has no choice—tomorrow night is going to happen with or without any help. He has made up his mind.

The meeting ends, and everyone goes in different directions. Kevin walks towards