Range - Chapter 33

   Things went slowly and predictably at George's farm property. The group worked more on their shooting ranges. Panic after several days started to recover his shoulder motion. Merry was getting to be a little more like her old self. Merry knew that Panic wanted to talk to her about something really important, but, wasn't 100 over 100 exactly what it was. She was fairly sure it had something to do with him and her, and her living or not living in the city… but, it also had something to do with the situation back in the city. She could gather this much, due to the nature of the manner in which he would start the conversation, then stop, and they would both agree to do it "later".

   Later finally arrived. Merry finally told him she was "okay". She knew she wasn't her complete old self, but, she had no way to be certain she ever would be. She told him as much. Merry wanted to know the gist of what was coming. Was it about him and her? Or, was it more about the situation back in her damned city. Panic sighed, and said it was more or less… "both".

   They finally agreed, that it was time to broach this subject. They agreed they liked or loved being on vacation together, but knew it wasn't forever. Neither one wanted whatever to loom over them until the last minute. So, they went for it. Which was the cue for Panic to begin.

   Panic explained, as gently as he possibly could. The investigation into Merry's "third" ex feeb, and the city cops… would go ahead, and that there was no stopping it. This circus would go on like an avalanche. It could and would destroy anything and anyone in it's path. He got her to understand that the FBI and the city cops both, naturally tried to keep dirty laundry private, but only to a point. And most important, was that this point? Had arrived.

   The time had come for the public airing of the dirty laundry, and both the FBI and the city cops were planning on cleaning house, and rearranging furniture. Time for an overdue spring cleaning.

   When Panic didn't know exactly how to break into whatever he was getting at, Merry told him to just spit it out. Panic somewhat reluctantly went into an explanation of two possible outcomes of the investigation. Merry now would soon stand at a crossroads. The right road, as he put it? Had Merry as a star witness. Her testimony of her abuse at the hands of not only the FBI on behalf of her ex and his corrupt buddy, but of the corrupt city cops as well.

   The right road, had her freely giving testimony. Putting the screws to her third ex feeb, and squeezing the city cops. Had her protected, had her immunized against any and all "system persecution" from either FBI or city malcontents. Panic quieted her, that he knew she couldn't or wouldn't embrace this right fork in the road.

   He then backed up and explained what the avalanche would do to her, if she took the left fork in the road. She was still going to be a witness, but she would then be picked up on a subpoena. Held in custody if need be to ensure her appearance in court. She could refuse to talk in court, but then she would be in all likelihood, held in contempt. Possibly remanded to jail until she decided to testify.

   She asked if her doing that was a "life sentence". IE, if she was held in contempt and remanded to jail, if she refused for life to talk, would they hold her for life?

   Panic admitted he wasn't 100 percent sure of his answer, but he was fairly sure that wouldn't happen. She would eventually be set free. How long though, there was no way to tell. Panic said his best guess was "months", and that was "at least".

   Merry made a sour face. Asked what about her precious rights. In particular? Her right to remain silent. Panic explained that she had that right, naturally… yet, only up until she was granted immunity. At that point, she could not be prosecuted for anything she testified to. Since there would be no possibility of being prosecuted, she would be required to talk, to testify. If she continued to remain silent? Contempt of court. Since she had "problems" with the city cops… and the city cops were so chummy with the county guards… she would in all likelihood be held in federal custody, and separated from the other prisoners. Guards would never be alone with her either, just in case. Zero danger, but the ultimate in boredom.

   Panic shushed her reasons for the time being, and just wanted to concentrate on the outcomes of both roads. He explained the case against the feeb ex and his corrupt buddies. How it centered around times and dates and schedules, how it was a lot of really dry testimony, how it wasn't very exciting for a jury. He even made her laugh with a little "preview" of such lengthy dry testimony, with a demonstration of how it wasn't good for the case against her ex. Or against the horrible city cops. What it did to their case.

   He then explained how the video wasn't enough, her real life testimony was a great break for the prosecution. How it humanized the case, broke up the dryness for the jury. How her explaining the all too true nature and character of her ex was extra damning for him.

   How having her dragged into the courtroom in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit? Was the worst possible thing for the case against the FBI and the city cops. With such dry testimony and case material, now with the star witness in jail and refusing to talk in court, was simply the worst possible thing at the worst possible moment. How it opened the door to someone on that jury? To not convict. Because witnesses in orange jumpsuits, escorted around by guards in handcuffs… did not appear trustworthy to jurors.

   Panic used the example of questioning a child. If you snatched up a child you know saw something, and they would not talk. Then you threatened and punished them, and made them talk… did you really trust what they said? Now, he had her imagine a child that once again saw something. The child was assured they were not in any trouble. That anything that came out, they were promised they would not be in any trouble for it. You could now give the child milk and cookies, sit down with them, and better trust the story.

   Panic told her he understood her reasons for silence, and for refusing to work with the police or the FBI. How personally after what they had done to her, it made sense. How in practical terms, it also made sense. She had been a biker girl, and… her personal safety was an issue on those grounds. Finally? That everyone respected the fact that she had taken help from the bikers, and that it was noble she would honor her silence pledge.

   Instead of arguing and yelling, they both just kept talking and going over, eventually, all the same ground over and again. Panic ended up using his considerable sarcasm humor, during a break they took during this. Pointed out the hilarity in this situation. Her following the rules and codes of her biker friends? Was actually going to land her in jail, and jeopardize the case against the FBI and the city cops.

   "Honestly, you know… you would think the bikers would like the idea of fucking over a dirty feeb and dirty city cops. This is… just like when they raise money for a crippled kid that needs something important. This would make them look good, and make the FBI agent and the city cops? Look horrible. Their own rules, are preventing, the best thing in the world in their own best interests…"

   Merry suddenly poked her head up. A glow and a smile came over her face.

   "Panic? I'm on excellent terms with them all. You yourself saw how well they treat me. Right?"

   "Yeah. Sure."

   "Panic? They have rules. Just like cops have rules. It's organized. There's a hierarchy. They… actually have their own kind of… well, you'd think of it as a court or something similar."

   "What are you getting at?"

   "You just made me realize? I wouldn't be so much as testifying for the FBI and the cops. I would be… testifying against them. The more I think about it? They might actually go for that. But…"

   "But what?"

   "I… would have to ask permission. I can't make a decision like that on my own. Someone, somewhere… would get the wrong idea, and… I don't wanna think about that. Nope… I have to make a case."

   "What? Where? How?"

   "Well. Typically, any issue has to get brought up at a local chapter meeting. If it isn't clear there, with the chapter president's decision? The decision goes to the national president of the club."

   "Can you do that? I don't know about this… it sounds… dangerous. Iffy."

   "Of course it sounds like a bad idea to you. You're an outsider. To me? It's the perfect thing. I can't think of a single member I'm on bad terms with. They all either liked me, or, never met me. The more I think about it? I'm actually trying to help them, in a way. They hate the FBI, and the chance to put the screws to the FBI and the city cops? Its a rare opportunity. An opportunity they might not want to pass up."

   Merry explained that about half of her reluctance to testify? Was simple fear at the face of things. But, that the other half? Was also out of a desire to not spit in the face of the only people that had helped her and made her feel safe, when she had needed it the most. When the FBI and the local police had fucked her over royally? These people had been in her corner, and she both could not and would not forsake that.

   Then Merry surprised Panic again. She wanted him to go with her, to see about trying to do it. Panic didn't know if that was such a bright idea, but Merry pointed things out.

   "Panic, I know you didn't exactly feel the love in the room when you met them? That's just the boys acting like the boys do. They thought you were okay, I could tell. For Christ's sake… you went to school and played high school sports with a former chapter president. You were… whatever the hell you were, down in Central America with him later on. You grew up with a friend, that's related to a member. They made calls to check you out. You passed with flying colors. Honestly? If there had been any hint of a problem of any kind? We would have found out right then and there."

   "If this is the only way to get you to testify? Openly? With gusto? Then… it's what we have to do. If you want me for… emotional support? Fine. I'll go with you, stand by you. I mean, I'm sure as hell not sending you alone."

   "Panic?"

   "Merry."

   "Honey? For such a smart guy, you can be awful dense once in a while…"

   "What do you mean?"

   "You. Jesus Christ, I'll just say it. Everything else aside? You shot and killed a dirty FBI agent in a gunfight. You took a bullet through your shoulder protecting me. I'm… former property of an enforcer. I emphasize the 'former' part, but still. I honestly don't think the boys not liking you is much of a problem… they'll probably want to buy you a pitcher of beer. Just… let them like you."

   "How do we go about this?"

   "Well. Normally? I would go to the DC chapter, on meeting night. I'm allowed to go, and ask for a hearing. A member I would call could take me. I… just don't think us going to DC right now is the wisest thing, right?"

   "Nope. They're rounding up the rest of the assholes. They got a couple of stragglers on the run."

   "Right. You? Go and do… something. Anything. I need to make a few private phone calls. My best guess? One of my DC friends, will come up here and introduce me to… whatever is the most local chapter here. I'll make my case. My best guess then? It will go to the national president. It'll be his call. I'm guessing, of course, but… I doubt any chapter president will take this decision on himself. When in doubt? You kick it upstairs, right?"

   "I guess so. I'll be down at the clubhouse hanging out with the boys. Do your thing."

   About two hours later, Merry came and found Panic. After a number of phone calls and texts, and waiting for responses and call backs, she had set things in motion.

   Merry explained that the boys were actually surprised to hear from her. No one had known what had happened. Her apartment had police tape all over it, and police out the ass around it for a couple days. One of the boys had worn street clothes, and walked by pretending to be a neighbor wondering what had happened. They wouldn't tell him anything, but he had glimpsed a chalk outline in the apartment over the guy's shoulder, and feared the worst.

   When they couldn't find her at the steakhouse, and no one there knew anything other than she was missing? They again were fearing the worst. The first one she called was delighted she was alive, and happier still she wasn't in trouble for creating the chalk outline.

   Merry reminded Panic that in all the excitement? They had forgotten the Gamma eyedrop bottles. Panic cussed and jumped up and down, that was not good. Merry calmed him down and explained what she had going on.

   Merry said she had lived there a while, and had called the front office and gotten a hold of a younger guy that day managed the office. Being a young man, he was naturally on good terms with Merry, a fairly attractive young woman that lived there.

   The day manager had agreed to do her a favor. Which was, to let one of her biker friends into her apartment. Without letting anyone know about it. She explained that one of her "friends" had left "something" in her apartment? And that he wanted and needed it back, and what it was, was not important. Would he help her when she sent one of her "friends" to retrieve whatever from her apartment, and forget about it. He said he would.

   When Panic asked how in the hell she could trust he would keep his mouth shut? Merry explained. Sometimes? Young men around her were… "helpful". Panic understood this line of reasoning. Not hurting the situation any? Was the fact that over the years, most people knew she was or had been a "biker girl" as far as anyone else knew. The young man, in addition to seeking to help the girl he knew? Was likely not going to be hard to convince to keep his mouth shut, on account of most people didn't particularly want to be on the bad side of any of her biker buddies.

   So, the day manager was going to get a copy of her room key. Agreed to meet one of her "friends" late at night. Let him into her room to get whatever wasn't any of his business to worry about. Also, the day manager was in a great position to know when no cops were there; the police always came to the office before going to the room.

   The fact that Merry had sold the kid the occasional bag of pot here and there? Didn't hurt her relationship with him any either. Her "friend" had been instructed to burn a fat one with the kid. He was a "lightweight" as she put it. All high-ed up and nervous, big giant biker with colors on, well… it didn't take a genius to figure out he would listen to polite instructions to forget this ever happened.

   Merry explained that the two small bottles of Gamma wasn't the main objective, her friend was going to swipe her T shirt for her. She explained she had a T shirt that had "property of…" and the biker's official logo on it. The shirt had been signed to make it "official" that she was recognized as "property" of the biker gang.

   Panic shot her a look…

   She politely explained to Panic? That was a lot more kinky sounding than what it really meant. If she ever felt threatened or nervous about anything? Wearing the shirt silently told the whole world… do… not… touch. Or else. Merry explained that when she was single, she would every once in a while, wear the shirt around. To jog people's memories. It ensured that no cop or feeb would so much as talk to her… which suited her purposes fine. It also, was preventive maintenance living in the city and walking the streets late at night.

   Panic realized, that a cop's wife/girlfriend/family/friend… used a license plate or car sticker or T shirt… much the same exact way. If a restaurant had trouble with the Friday night bar crowd late at night? Having a uniformed cop just happen to spend some late night time there, ensured things settled down quick. Having a few big guys flying outlaw biker colors coming in on late bar crowd night? Same effect. Probably even better.

   Panic asked if her friends were coming here. Merry said of course. Panic explained, that there were a lot of cops and ex cops here at any given time. Merry laughed and explained she had told them to "play nice" and not come in flying colors. She assured him, the boys knew how to fly under radar. They would likely be on loud bikes, but no colors. They knew how to "play citizen" and be polite to everyone.

   Merry added, that the boys were on board with her plan, they approved of her idea. The boys would take Panic and her on a 90 minute ride, to a local chapter clubhouse. She wasn't a real member, and even she had to wait outside while the real members were inside conducting club business. Then, when official business was concluded? Merry would go in and do her thing. Panic would have to wait outside, until either she came back out and they left, or perhaps they would have him in after everything was over.

   The boys had already been briefed, they were not to mention Panic's "incident", as no one here knew anything about it. Merry also had the boys stopping quietly by her place of work, to explain that she was alive, but unable to come to work. Everyone would by now know that her apartment was festooned with police crime scene tape, after her absence from work.

   Panic suddenly said the idea seemed nice, but had a flaw. These bikers were a security risk, no one was supposed to know where she was. Merry countered, that these were the people that had protected her all along. That she trusted them, the same way he trusted the men in this camp. Panic had to agree, that her logic was sound.

   Panic hugged her and kissed her on the forehead, then went back to sitting in the folding camping chair next to her at their little cabin.

   "Well? What was that for."

   "If this works out, you're doing the right thing, honey."

   "Do… you mean the right thing, as in, I'm helping everyone else out? Or… the right thing, as in, it's my best choice, all things considered. For myself."

   Panic took the hand-rolled cigarette off of her as she handed it to him. Inhaled, held it, then exhaled slowly. Handed it back.

   "Both, honey. Sometimes? It's both."

   "Are… you going to be mad, if this doesn't work out the way we think it will?"

   "No. You're trying. That's what matters."

   When they were done, they just sat there. They just sat quietly. Holding hands. Looking around at the woods around them. Merry asked if it was late enough in the day for them to share a glass of Skykid's wine. Panic agreed that it was.

   Merry kissed him a few sips, then they shared the remainder normally. They were sitting there quietly, when Panic looked around to see who was coming. Merry heard the footfalls a second after Panic heard it. Panic smiled at her, and she smiled back. As long as they were here, they were safe and didn't have to jump and worry who was approaching.

   It was Rob.

   "Little Robbie!"

   "Hey Rob…"

   "What are you two kids up to?"

   "We just shared one big glass of Skykid's private reserve. Kinda just sitting here, admiring the peace and quiet, and nature's majesty. Pull up a chair…"

   "If you two don't mind being disturbed. It ain't real hard to notice. You two didn't hang out much the first week or so you were here."

   Panic smiled.

   "It's obvious?"

   "To me it is. You? You can be quiet and moody once in a while, it ain't really much of a thing. But… Pocahantas? First time you brought her up here, she was all smiles and fun all week long. This time around? You two are both way too quiet. You? You won't tell anyone what happened to your shoulder. You both keep to yourselves. Don't show up for breakfast or lunch. You guys just go into town and keep to yourselves. Ain't normal."

   "We started coming to the evening campfires, Rob."

   "Yeah. After a week or ten days of hiding out back here, like groundhogs in a den. Not to mention? The way she's babying you and your shoulder, always hovering over you. Caring for you. I know something's going on."

   "Rob? When it's all over, I'll tell you what went on. I can't yet."

   "Well, that's fair. I just came up to see if you two wanted lunch. Elk steak, and, elk burgers. Skykid made side dishes out of the leftover veggies from the moose ass roast."

   "Merry? Shall we?"

   "Sure. After the moose roast, I'll try anything. Are we gonna walk up with Robbie?"

   "I suppose so."

   Merry went in the cabin, and grabbed a little something for the three of them to enjoy on the slow walk back to lunch.