A reason to kill, p.51
A Reason To Kill, page 51
Jason nodded a rapid no. A second then a third glassful followed. The soap was softening from the hot water—a fourth—a fifth—
Bitter suds filled Jason’s throat and he gagged allowing more liquid into his throat.
“Apologize.”
Jason’s head was swinging side to side, he was gagging so violently now that the movement was involuntary. A sixth glass of hot water poured, as the bubbles swelled from his mouth to run down his chest; turning to liquid on his belly they dripped between his bent knees. “Apologize!” a seventh. The soap was reacting like a laxative and gas pains cramped his belly making the noise from the thrashing body grow desperate.
“For Christ sake!” Brian howled and the senior restraining him added his own concerned, “Let up Caine!”
“Apologize.” was a soft command now as the glass began to tip again. The water splashed on Jason’s head as he obediently moved it up and down. Randy Johnson let him loose and he spun around to puke in the sink.
As the back of Jason’s hand wiped the vomit from his lips, Caine’s fingers dug into his nearly naked scalp forcing him to turn on his knees. A slow easy grin on the senior’s mouth was followed with, “Apologize.”
Jason gagged “I apol-agize.” The fingers twisting in his short hair brought the yelped, “SIR!”
Caine patted Jason’s cheek and said, “Now, our little prince is going to show us a royal asshole. On your feet Connors.”
With the cramping in his gut, Jason didn’t dare hesitate, having already lost his towel, he simply staggered to his feet and bent double. Caine slapped him lightly on the butt cheek and sneered. “That’s all there was to it.”
Unable to control the loud noise coming from his insides, Jason grabbed up the towel and clutching it fled for the nearest toilet stall.
~~~
As the seniors vacated the shower room, Randy Johnson accused, “Phil, you’re turning into a psycho.” His tone rose with distance. “Christ, Matt, you see this ape’s face? He was enjoying himself.”
“Suppose you weren’t. The kid’s reaction was fascinating.” Philip Caine didn’t deny the accusation. “Can’t figure it? Was it guts or just plain fear that made him hold out?”
Matthew Reed drew his fingers through slightly fuller than regulation cut blond hair. His blue eyes darkened in anger as he said, “The soap was one thing, but where in hell did you come up with the Chinese water torture? Even when I told you the knob had enough you weren’t gonna stop. The kid could have the shits for a week.”
Johnson, aware they had stepped outside, quickly retrieved his hat from his belt and jammed it on his head “It could be our butts if the knob gets too sick—if he squawks…”
“Hell.” Caine’s evil smile spread. “That little fucker? Him squeal? Not a chance. He’s macho,” was followed with a nasty laugh.
The mention of illness deepened Reed’s concern. Ashamed of his own part in the game, he was still young enough to cast blame. “Damn it, Phil, you forced enough crap into his belly. Randy’s right, he could get damn sick. Christ, he was covered with bubbles from his chin to his prick, how much you think he swallowed?”
“Forget the stupid knob.” Caine adjusted his cap on the rich chestnut hair. “We got a free afternoon, let’s head for—”
“You two go,” Reed interrupted. “I’ve got some things to take care of.”
Caine’s shorter stride forced him into a trot to catch up with his friend. As his hand fell on Reed’s shoulder he demanded, “You got a problem with me?”
The blond youth jerked away with, “Just let it rest. I’ll catch you later.”
~~~
Temporarily safe in the quickly vacated room, Brian Fitzgerald stood outside the stall as his cousin suffered within. Abruptly he exploded. “God damn you! You’re fucking stupid.” He was so angry the words were running together. “Play a long, Mark taught us how, show your fucking ass, big deal! A big nothing that’s what. But you had to be a tough honcho! Those guys are going to be riding our tails till spring.”
As Jason gave one final flush and stepped out, Brian’s tirade dissolved into a concerned mumbled. “You okay?”
“I’ll live.” Jason moved to the sink and splashed cold water over his flushed face.
“Jas, you gotta watch your mouth. You know that. We talked it all out. Damn, you didn’t bring one son-of-a-bitch down on us, hell no, you bring three.”
“Whatever?” Jason grunted through toothpaste. He scrubbed away at his teeth and mouth; but even a triple dose of mouthwash couldn’t rid him of the nauseating effects of the soap and vomit. “Feel worse than a POW.” He groaned and headed for a shower stall.
Standing under the pouring water trying to ease the ache in his young body, Jason Connors thought again, I’m not going to make this scene. Why the hell should I try? It’s not worth the hassle. I’m scared, hell. He grimaced. Scared shitless. Big shot, they made me squawk like a baby. Fuck ‘em! Bri’s right, I’m a dumb bastard!
He advanced to cursing the sons-of-bitches instead of himself but after a time, he decided, I was only the butt of a harmless joke, if I’d kept my trap shut, went along, I could have laughed with the rest. So engrossed was the youth in his inner agony, he didn’t feel the changing temperature as the hot water ran out. He didn’t feel his flesh growing numb. What an asshole! Then he laughed out loud, “A royal asshole.” His lips were turning a sickly blue.
Suddenly the tap was shut off. Hands grabbed him and yanked him from the stall. The instant change from the icy water to the extremely warm air caused a violent shivering. The chattering of his teeth prevented any uttered complaint as Matthew Reed wrapped him in toweling and began to vigorously rub at his frozen flesh.
“What in hell did you think you were doing?” Concern put a bite in Reed’s voice as he worked rapidly.
Bitter bile leaked from Jason’s mouth and quickly gave way to dry heaves. Forced to concentrate on the action of his stomach, he sucked in deep gulps of warm air. Only when the violent reaction of his insides subsided could he attempt to escape the rough massage.
“Stay put,” Reed shoved the struggling body against the wall and backed up to breath in relief as he saw a trace of normal color returning to the youth’s flesh. “You Okay?” He demanded.
Cautiously, Jason nodded a delicate yes, for his head throbbed in pain.
“I sent Fitzgerald to report you as ill. Suit up and head back to your bunk. What in hell were you doing anyway? That water was like ice.” He shook his own wet sleeves in disgust.
A vile grin creased the teenager’s mouth as Jason Connors answered. “I like cold showers, sir!”
“Tough bastard.” The senior said sharply. “Real tough.”
Chapter 94
South Carolina, 1984
Brian swept his cap away as he came through the door. “You alone?” He asked though it was apparent the tiny cubicle could hold no mystery.
“Yah, the prick’s out.” Jason grunted in reference to his roommate. “Shut the damn door! Must be a hundred and five out there.”
Brian clipped the door with his heel. “Anderson seems okay.”
“You’re not stuck rooming with the ass.” Lying on his bunk in his under shorts, Jason’s skin showed an unhealthy flush. He squirmed in discomfort. “You get a hold of Dee?”
“I reached her. She can’t bring it herself.”
“What?”
“Don’t flip out. She’ll get someone to drive it down. She thinks you’re nuts.”
“You didn’t tell her what happened?”
“Not all of it. How’s the medicine working?” Brian spotted the nearly full bottle on the desk and accused, “You haven’t been taking it?” Jason swung his legs off the bed and made a grab for the telltale evidence. Anger clouded Brian’s face, as he demanded, “Why?”
Jason barely managing to sit up. He slumped forward, his aching forehead braced by his palms. “You think I’m going to let those bastards have another go at me? Right now, this play has got them nervous.” He wiped sweat trickling into his eyes. “I’m gonna stay sick. Hanging right in here. My wheels come, I’m gone.” He attempted to get to his feet.
Brian moved quickly to prevent his cousin’s collapse. As Jason wilted against him, he said, “Now what?”
“Gotta fix this.” Jason was struggling with the medicine cap. “So no one else guesses.”
“Give me it.”
Brian eased Jason back down, then went and dumped half the medicine in the small sink. “Where in hell you think you’re going like that? The shape you’re in you can’t drive.”
“I’ll make it. My wheels should be here in about eighteen hours; I’ll start taking the medicine in twelve.”
“Why do you got to make a big scene? Just call your dad.”
“You’re kidding. What would I tell him that wouldn’t have him laughing his ass off at me? Besides he’s got bigger problems I don’t need to add to them.”
“You haven’t eaten in three days.”
“You can sneak me something.”
“Cut the crap! They’ve been bringing you food.”
“If I eat what they bring, they’ll catch on I’m faking.”
Brian took the few steps necessary to reach the postage size window. He stared down at the cadets moving across the quadrangle. His older brother, his father, his grandfather, had each done their stint. Marching to the pipes and drums makes a man out of a boy, his gramps had told him. You step lively lad, and you’ll end up at the head of the ranks, calling the shots.
Dad’s gonna have a coronary, he thought, but I got Jas into this.
“I’m going with you,” he said.
“Forget it. This is your family scene. I should have listened to my brother not yours. RJ, nearly cracked up when I told him I was coming here. My dad told me once I went through that front gate, I stayed until I marched out in four years or they carried me out. I’m headed for deep cover, wouldn’t be fair to take you with me.”
Brian grinned. “Don’t worry about me. One you’ll owe me. My family’s old alumni; I won’t get drummed out.” Abruptly the door swung open and Brian immediately braced.
~~~
“This your bunk, Beanhead?”
“NOSIR!”
“Then vacate it.”
“YESSIR!” accompanied the speed of Brian’s moving legs.
Matthew Reed suspiciously eyed the remaining youth. He’d become an expert in spotting the fuckups, and Connors didn’t appear the type.
“Standup!” Instantly Jason sprung upright. Light-headed from his days of self-imposed starvation, as his feet touched the floor, his legs gave way and he started to crumble. The senior grabbed the freshman and settled him back on his bunk. The clamminess of the boy’s flesh, the gas causing loud contraction in the empty stomach turned suspicion into concern. “You going to puke?”
“Nothing to puke.”
Reed wet a towel with cold water and dropped it on Jason’s chest as he ordered, “You have to eat something.”
But as he held the towel to his aching head, Jason moaned. “Nothing stays down. It comes out one end or the other.”
They were taking an awful chance, not having the kid medically treated. Still, Matthew’s friends had convinced him, they would be required to tell the doctor the truth about what happened. They could be in deep shit themselves. “You drinking Coke?”
“A little, about the only thing I don’t puke up.”
“Poor thing. You got a case of the shits. You keep taking the Kaopectate, it’ll stop.”
~~~
As Reed closed the door on him, Connors sneered, “Yessir,” and fought a grin.
~~~
Stepping away from the wall, Philip Caine fell in beside Matthew Reed. “Connors still fucking off?” It was more a statement then a question. “I was headed in there to toss his butt out, when I heard you inside.”
“I tried that. He can barely stand up.”
“Says who? Him?”
“Look.” Reed didn’t attempt to hide his disgust. “I’m not an ass. I made the kid get on his feet. I’m the one who put him back to bed. It’s not all an act. He’s sick.”
“Something else is the matter with him then. A little soap never killed anyone. My old lady use to feed it to me daily.”
“With a mouth like yours, no wonder. Too bad it didn’t work.” Reed was forced to duck a halfhearted blow. “I don’t know,” his grin was replaced with a worried frown. “Maybe we should report it? The additives they put in soap today?”
“Stop it. You’ll make me cry.” Caine grumbled as he jumped lightly from the final step announcing, “Come morning, the fucker leaves that cell on his own or with the toe of my shoe up his ass.”
Reed watched his friend’s disappearing back. If Connors was play-acting what could he hope to gain by it? The boy could either face up to the academy or pack his bags. But not once had Connors squealed to go home, begged to call his parents, done what most fuckups did.
You have to give the kid credit, he decided, he hasn’t even asked for a doctor. He hadn’t threatened them in anyway and it’s not because he’s scared or some poor kid who’s in on scholarship. This kid’s got balls and we’ll give him another twenty-four hours.
Chapter 95
South Carolina, 1984
At the start of the trip, as Mathew Reed’s Porsche ate up the miles, Randal Johnson had been griping how they’d dragged him into this. He kept reminding his buddies, he was on scholarship. If he fucked up the final year, he didn’t have funds for a different college—he didn’t have a rich daddy to fall back on—he couldn’t afford to be bounced. He’d done his time and it wasn’t fair…
The other two had finally taken to ignoring his whining so he eventually shut up. He’d tried to doze off, but even though the air-conditioner kept the sports car cool, the small rear seat was uncomfortable.
After the initial complaining and cursing his companions hadn’t done a whole lot of talking. Like Johnson, each was in his own private hell trying to figure a way out.
Now in a changed tone, Johnson said, “Those troopers were sure the dumb fucks are at that motel. They ain’t going anywhere tonight. Let’s grab some eats and a beer?”
Matthew Reed started to slow the car as they neared a flickering roadhouse sign. But Philip Caine barked a hard, “No! We get that little fucker first! The way he screwed us!”
Reed picked up speed.
It was lousy, Reed thought. Connors taking to the hills was one thing; but turning them in—squealing like a runny nosed five-year-old. He’d never figured Connors for that. In his mind he could still hear the commandant. “Who let it get out of hand? Men, destined to be officers, with the lives and sanity of thousands of our young men under your control. You dare stand there and admit you let a disciplinary action get out of hand. You then covered it up. You’ve become a disgrace to your uniform.” Their careers were going to suffer. No matter what happened from now on, this incident would remain a blot on their records. Shit! Reed decided; let Phil do what he wants with the bastard. He doused the lights before he pulled into the parking space beside the gold Alfa.
“They’ll have the door locked. You think they’re gonna open up for us? Do we camp out here all night?” Johnson began to complain again.
Reed dangled two keys in the air for the others to see. “They don’t know anyone will be after them. Kids are careless, they might not even bother with the night latch but we’re covered.”
Johnson said, “That’s why we stopped at the trooper’s barracks? To pickup keys to the motel? Wondered about that. Them squawkers are in for a rude wake-up call.”
~~~
Inside the room Jason Connors had stripped to his shorts and lay across one of the double beds relishing the size after the cramped cot at school. He watched as his cousin carefully folded each piece of his uniform as he removed it. Finally he said, “Toss the damn thing in the trash like I did.”
“Feel like keeping it, does that bother you?”
It did. It made him feel guilty that Brian had come along on the breakout. But Jason didn’t admit it as he rolled on his back to stare up at a soft beige ceiling. He still felt lousy, and although Brian had driven, sitting in the car for endless miles hadn’t helped. Suddenly he remembered. “Dee sent along a couple of joints,” and crawled from the bed to retrieve them from the suitcase. “There’s only two. You want to go the limit or save one?”
“Share an’ share,” Brian said like he was referring to something else. “I bomb on two drags.”
Just as Jason flicked the lighter—the door flew open. “Jesus Christ!” He dropped the lighter as his fist slammed into his mouth and he felt a rush of vomit rising again.
“He ain’t gonna save your ass—douche bag.” Philip Caine slowly drew out his words. “You’all know the way these two hang together you’d think one wore Kotex.” He continued to advance on Jason. “You’all sproutin’ tits Connors? You got the face for ‘em.”
Cowering against the wall the teenager could see no way by the three seniors and waited for the inevitable.
~~~
Face to face with his victim, Caine eased the joint out of Jason’s fingers with the announcement, “Well, well, looks like our birds were about to sing hallelujah.” He tore open the paper and spread the marijuana over his palm. “Seems how the last time I fed you something, Connors, ya got the shits.” He gurgled with his sense of power. “Say What? This time it’s an enema let’s see if you puke!”
“NO!” was a bellow of disgust that ended in a garbled curse as Caine’s shove sent Jason full out across the bed. The muscular Johnson captured the youth’s arms and flipped him on his belly.
“You psycho!” Brian tried to give aid. But Reed’s fist caught him on the chin and he sat down hard on the rug. Still, he instantly came back up to catch a second blow in the mouth. Dazed, he fell against the wall to right himself before he came again at the senior. Reed sidestepped and Brian hit the opposite wall. Now Reed needed to only force the boy’s arms behind his back to put him securely out of action.
