Inspiration 28

http://goo.gl/1eLv66

We need to take a step back tonight for our inspiration since last night was all over the book.

Proverbs 31:10-11

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

The musical, Camelot, asks how to handle a woman? King Arthur sings, "Love her."

But how do you get that woman? Here's step one for Scott who was warned not to even look at the women! And it's not pretty.

"I'm happy," said King, "but I only got $750,000. Dellaine is a shyster too. She took a quarter."

A ripple of laughter made Derrick throw his gavel at King.

Nobody knows about the Jenna video. Scott looked around. Why?

Scott spoke up. "Thibodeaux is not a member of the family. Just because Justin is dating Cherie means very little. Dr. Reynolds doesn't even like him." He grinned. "His little weekly newspaper needs to go, as does his kid." He shrugged with his palms toward the ceiling. "Hey, I want the girl. Besides, he did nothing with the photos of LaFontaine."

"She's a Reynolds!" shouted Derrick.

"That Reynolds can be broken one way or another, just like a wild mustang."

Derrick cracked up. "You're a selfish little prick, Ball. I like you. What do you suggest?"

"Burn him out—business and home."

"Hell, boy! You're meaner than I am."

"Whatever it takes."

"You lead the group on the paper. Darren, you get the house. Do we need to vote on it?"

"Do we really want to burn the man's house?" asked a man about forty. "Do we want to endanger his family?"

"Do it when they're out," said Scott. "Justin's an only child, right?"

"Yeah," answered Derrick

"He'll be at school on Monday. We have finals. Does Mrs. Thibodeaux work?"

"Yeah, at the paper with him." Derrick leaned on the podium.

"What time do they get there?"

"They see Justin off, and then they leave."

"Any pets?"

"Who cares?" Derrick looked as if he wanted to laugh again.

Scott gave him a lopsided smirk. "I like animals."

"I don't know."

"I can find out. Give me the house. Let Darren take the business."

Derrick observed, "You seem extra angry tonight. What's up?"

"Anniversary of my mom's death. Dad's offshore. It's harder when you're alone."

"Shotz, you got a problem with the plan?"

"Not if the people are safe."

Derrick snorted. "Do you really care, Shotz?"

"No, but murder will make Reynolds work harder. We don't need him getting any closer than he is."

"I hear you." Derrick returned to Scott. "Who do you want with you, Ball?"

"Nobody. I work better alone." Shotz! The name rattled Scott's brain...

A quick walk through of the house showed no pets, and Scott, wearing surgical gloves, gathered photos and placed them in the center of the back yard.

Back in the house, he pulled two wires in the air conditioning system in the attic. There was a spark, and a couple of rags smoked.

Scott jumped the back fence and got on his Chief on the street behind the house. He looked at his watch. "Twenty minutes," he said to himself. I'll be in the middle of my algebra II final. Okay, Darren, whatcha got? He looked at the house. Sorry, guys. Maybe this will flush him out, and Cherie's family has been through enough...

Felix and Karen Thibodeaux parked just as the small paper they published exploded. They were showered with debris and glass.

"Oh, my God!" shouted Felix. "What happened?"

Acrid, black smoke billowed into the air. Other business owners turned out to watch as fire engines raced to the scene. With the business district having its own fire station, only minutes passed before the truck arrived and firefighters went to work unrolling hoses and dousing the flames.

The building was a total loss. As they watched their life's work disappear, Felix's phone rang. "Hello," he said still in shock.

The voice on the other end of the call belonged to Thibodeaux's neighbor. She informed Felix his house was on fire...

The business and the house. Why were we targeted?"

"Your editorials and your employees. They went after Kyle because of his past. Then, it was Christopher because he champions the little man. Few know, but they also contrived a pornographic video of Jenna because of her former job. Now, you." He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I shudder to think who will be next. What's worse, I think some cops are involved. I just don't know who for sure."

"Well, Ray, I can't stay here. Even though I have insurance, I just can't put my family in danger like this. We'll be leaving. Do you think Larkin can waive Justin's last two finals? He won't be able to concentrate after this."

"I'll talk to her. Where will you go?"

"Hammond. Karen's family is there."

"We'll miss y'all. I'm sure Cherie will really miss Justin."

"We'll miss y'all, too. I'm not sure about Justin and Cherie. I think that has fizzled out."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm afraid Justin thinks she's a bit high-strung for him."

"Oh, well, they're just kids anyway." Inside, Ray smiled. Larkin will be happy to hear that. Outwardly, he said, "When will you leave?"

"When Justin gets home. There's nothing to take with us. We're closed for business. 

Cover by Christopher Chambers.

The bad boys win this round against Felix.