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raised a little hell, intimidated a couple of the local folk and started bustin' up Vernice's diner. I was washin' dishes in the back at the time. When I heard the ruckus they was raisin' I went out the back door, out to the shed, got myself a crowbar and pried the spokes out of the wheels of their bikes. They didn't like that much and got a little surly about the whole affair, so I used the bar on them." |
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He took time out to enjoy another drag. |
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"Harlan saw the whole thing, and the next thing I know the village council was offerin' me eight hundred and fifty bucks a month to sorta keep the lid on things around here. Up until now it ain't been all that much trouble." |
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Jake shrugged. "What the hell," he groused, "it's a job, and a man's gotta do somethin' with his time. Never have found a substitute for eatin'." |
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The interlude was interrupted by the crackling of the radio. Jake was suddenly alert again. A voice began transmitting without identifying itself. "Just checked with Ben Hart who says his gear's out. Says he ain't seen nothin'." |
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Jake depressed the transmit button on the side of his unit. "Where are you, Phil?" |
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"On Chestnut, down by the stone quarry." |
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