The Boy and the Bookstore

Chapter 13 - Is the End Near

Sam scouted out a coffee place nearby the cop station where he knew the two cops worked. He sat outside in his car waiting to see any undercover cop cars or guys in uniform but he didn’t see any. Sam gave up looking by 1 o’clock in the afternoon and decided he had to call Mr. Serrasi. He knew before he called Mr. Serrasi he needed to stop by the garage and talk to the guys to see if anyone had stopped by. He also realized he needed their help.

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Sam walked into the car garage and walked past most of the guys into the main office. An older guy in his 40’s with thinning red hair sat behind the desk with his glasses on reading a piece of paper. Sam sat down at the chair opposite of him. The man’s name was Neal Lindstrom but everybody around there called him “Old Red.” He was the boss and owner of the garage. Sam had gotten to know Neal pretty well. Neal was really close friends with Andy. Neal took off his glasses and looked at Sam.

“Red I need to tell you something and you’re not going to like it.”

“Okay go ahead son.”

“I wish I didn’t have to tell you this but then again it’s going to be a weight lifted off my shoulder.” Sam paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “My name isn’t Marcus. My real name is Sam Thomas.” Sam gave Neal a moment to take in the information and get his emotions out but he didn’t seem to have any. When Neal didn’t say anything Sam asked “You’re okay with that? That I lied to you about my name and you don’t have anything to say?” Neal smiled.

“Sam I’ve known your name isn’t Marcus for a while now. After Andy got sick we had talks about what he was going to do and how he wanted his funeral and will and everything to be taken care of. We’d known each other for years and years and when I told him I wanted to stop working like a con man and take a chance at running a legit business he didn’t pressure me to stay. He let me go and when I didn’t have enough money to get this shop off the ground he invested money in me. He said this place would be great and he wouldn’t cause me any trouble.”

“Yeah until I came around and use your storage as a hideout for stuff and use it for a few illegal car transactions.”

“I didn’t have a problem with that. You’re a smart kid.”

“I promise I won’t bring you anymore trouble.”

“I know you won’t.”

“Actually that’s a lie. I need your help.”

“What kind of help?”

“The place I was staying got broken into by two new cops. I don’t really know what for but I need to find out why they did it. I need to know if a storms coming my way and what ammunition I need to bring. I have an idea though but I need your help and maybe a couple of your friends.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“It’s risky but here goes. I have this cop friend, if you can call him a friend, who I made a deal with that helped him gain a promotion. His last name is Serrasi. I need to contact him away from the police station and away from any crowded place where he can bring backup. I need you to cover me in case things go bad and he has the place scouted and they try to arrest me. I don’t know how bad it is for me but it’s better to know than to be picked up one day and not have a clue what I’m facing. I think it’ll be better this way. I don’t want him to trace any phone calls or emails.”

“So what do you need me to do?”

“I know you’re good with guns. All I need is protection if things go wrong. At worst I just need you to scare him and make sure I can get away.” Sam reached into his pocket and unfolded a piece of paper. “This is where we are going to meet and if you flip it over this is the places I want you to be. Do you think you can help me?” Neal looked over the map and then sat back in his chair and thought for a few moments.