Slim pulled
up his team at a fork in the road. One trail went east, the other trail turned
west. Toward Arkansas. He was well clear of Taladega County now. He had a major
decision to make. And, he needed to do some thinking. Dolly was getting tired
of riding in this big wagon anyway, so while she cooked up a little food, Slim
would decide.
Slim had sent the other Dudley families
west, with their eventual goal to be near Little Rock. His big wagon carried
nearly all the Clan’s money. He did give each family travel money, with the
understanding that all the Clan’s money would be divided up between them when
they reached, and gathered up again, near Little Rock. Slim was well known for
keeping his promises, so nobody doubted they would eventually get their share,
if they could just get to Little Rock.
Slim sat on a log, with a big chew of Red
Bull, while he smoked a long Cuban cigar. (Oh well, maybe I exaggerated a bit.
Maybe it was just a long cigar.) And,
thought about the situation.
Going east meant Slim and Dolly would get
all that money, and a life of leisure somewhere in the far eastern part of the
country. Maybe as far as Georgia, or North Carolina, places he had heard of but
never visited. He and Dolly would never have to work a day in their lives
again. The easy life.
Going west meant keeping his promise.
Eventually dividing all that money up. Up to this point in his life, keeping his promise had always meant, keeping the the Clan in line, or Intimidating
his enemies.
This
was different. Now, it meant, starting the Clan’s business all over again, in
Arkansas. Ending the lives of a lot of people in Arkansas, like they had in
Alabama.
By the time Dolly had a good lunch of
squirrel soup and cold biscuits ready, Slim had made his decision. West it
would be. Not really because Slim was particularly honorable. Honor was not
even in the equation. It was mostly because Slim just loved this business of
ruining lives and robbing people.
Actually, sharing all that money turned
out to be the most honorable decision Slim had ever made. And, the worst.
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