Cajun Justice(35)

“Yeah,” Brandon said proudly. “But mine is going to be green like the Incredible Hulk’s.”

“That’s cool,” Cain said.

“Can I sit on it?” he asked.

“Brandon, don’t bother Mr. Cain,” said Elise.

“Oh, no. It’s no bother,” Cain said. “Anyone who likes my motorcycle is a friend.” He winked at Elise.

“Okay, then,” she said. “Mr. Cain said it’s fine.”

Cain helped Brandon onto the bike and showed him some of the dials, levers, and instruments. “This is your speedometer.”

“What’s the fastest you’ve gone on this motorcycle?” Brandon asked.

“Fast as the bike can go. My face nearly blew off.”

“That is so awesome,” Brandon said. “Can we start it?”

“Sure. This green N light means the bike is in neutral. But to be safe, we still apply the brakes. Put your hand on the brake lever and squeeze it. Hold it. And now flip this switch.”

The bike roared to life and rumbled. Brandon clenched his fists to hang on to the rattling handlebars.

“Slowly release the brake,” Cain instructed. “It’s okay. The bike’s in neutral. Now roll back the throttle a little bit. Let the bike talk to you.”

Brandon rolled the throttle and the bike gyrated more and rumbled louder. The ten-year-old boy’s entire body shook. “This is so cool!” he shouted over the noise of the modified pipes.

“Oh, God!” Elise exclaimed loud enough for Cain to hear. He turned and saw her looking over at a nearby pickup.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“It’s Scottie,” she said. “He kept texting me, but I ignored him. Now he’s pulling up over there. We better go. I don’t want any trouble.”

“I’m not going to let him ruin my day,” Cain said.

“He’s been drinking again,” Elise explained. “I can tell from his texts. He gets angry when he’s drunk.”

“I can identify,” Cain said. “I’ve been angry for a while—even when I’m sober.”

“This is different, Cain. He gets irrational—unpredictable.”

Scottie slammed his truck door and marched toward them.

“Get away from my family!” he yelled at Cain. “Get off that motorcycle, Brandon!” he yelled again. “Get off that thing now!”

Elise ran toward Scottie to stop his advancement. Cain couldn’t hear what she was saying, but it was clear that she was pleading with him to go away.

Scottie pushed her aside with his arm and moved toward Brandon. “I told you to get off that bike!”

“Cool it, man,” Cain said. “Brandon couldn’t hear you over the pipes.”

“You don’t tell me to cool it. And don’t tell me what my son can and cannot hear.” Scottie reached out and snatched Brandon’s collar to rip him from the bike.

Cain saw red. He grabbed Scottie’s shirt with both hands and shoved him to the ground. The impact of hitting the ground knocked the air out of Scottie’s lungs. “You better cool it, Scottie, or I’m going to put you to sleep right here!”

Elise ran over to Cain and tried to pull him away from Scottie. Brandon pleaded with him. “Mr. Cain, please stop. You’re hurting my dad.”

When Cain heard Brandon’s words, he released his grip. He couldn’t believe how enraged he had gotten. Professionally, he was used to being in control of his actions. The navy and the Secret Service had once trusted him with the most important missions. But with his firing from the Secret Service, his personal life continued to spiral. He was like a wild dog without a pack.

Scottie coughed and gasped for air. “You think you can come into town and steal my family?”

“I’m not stealing anybody’s family.”

“You’re drinking with my wife!”

“Ex-wife!” Elise interjected.

“And my son is on your motorcycle.”

“I’m not stealing anything, cochon. I’m moving to Japan.”

“Japan?” Elise asked. She looked disappointed. “I guess you’ve made up your mind. And it’s all my fault again, you running off to Bonnie. Please stay.”

“Let him leave, Elise,” Scottie said, clearly embarrassed and still regaining his breath.

“Thanks for the picnic, Elise.” Cain looked at Brandon. “You’re a good kid. Listen to your momma.” He turned to Scottie. “If you hurt either one of them, I’ll come back and deal with you myself.”

“You threatening me? I’ll call the sheriff.”

“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.” Cain swung his leg over his Harley and fired it up. He stomped on the gear and took off.

During the ride back to the family farm, Cain struggled to make sense of how things had gone down at the picnic. Why did I say I was going to Japan? I don’t even know if I want to go all the way over there. I’m finally back home, and I’m enjoying it, and then this shit happens. I thought I might be able to come back home and settle in. But it never works out for me.

When he arrived home, Cain headed straight to the rotary phone on the kitchen wall. He dialed zero and an operator answered.