Note: If you are new to this story, you may want to start at the first chapter by clicking HERE.

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CHAPTER 20 : THE SITUATION ESCALATES

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An elderly gentleman with an armload of books walks out from behind the van. Ray almost faints.

Ray’s nerves are wrecked, and he is having extreme difficulty dealing with the situation. A vigilante detective who’s probably ready to kill his suspects is apparently hot on their trail, attempting to right a perceived wrong from over a decade ago.

Gary clasps Ray’s shoulder, bows his head, and begins to pray as the old man shuffles by and continues towards the library.

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Clear across town, Cromwell is heading towards his vehicle.

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His “Bible research” has given him a good amount of ammunition to use against the pair, and he’s ready to unload. He just has to find them first.

The Bible search site that Kyle showed Detective has really paid off, and it's given him a new angle to come at Gary from.

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One way, or another, he’ll be getting his man, once again.

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There is already no doubt in the detective’s mind that Gary had something to do with the death of his wife, and it won’t take much to convince a jury of the same.

It seems the jury always wants justice to be done, and a “GUILTY” verdict seems to be the only way to get the job done. A smug smile spans Cromwell’s face and he rounds the corner, looking up the street to a familiar alley.

He slides his car casually between the buildings and parallel parks between two large dumpsters. It’s an all too familiar maneuver for the detective, and he executes it effortlessly.

Before locking his vehicle, he grabs his spare pistol out of the glove box and slides it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. In a neighborhood like this, he’d rather not risk it.

Though “normal” customers use the main entrance on the other side of the building, Cromwell has made a habit of sneaking in the rear door in an attempt to keep a low profile. Though the bar is only lit by random Christmas lights and neon beer signs, the detective keeps his shades on, and pulls up a stool.

He orders his regular drink, and waits for the barkeep to hand it over. A slight sweat has already broken out on his brow from the anticipation. There’s still enough work to get done left for him today, but a drink will ease his mind. After the bout with the captain earlier, Cromwell could use a little relaxing before he attempts to locate Gary and Ray.

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Soon enough, that plan has proven itself to be no longer an option.

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Cromwell is more than half in the bag, and is contemplating getting involved in a dispute at a table nearby. There appears to be a difference of opinions about how to treat a woman going on, and the “discussion” is getting louder in volume.

The women are at least pretending that they’ll be leaving the guys by themselves soon, if the preferred terms of the men to refer to the ladies does not change immediately. Everything in Cromwell wants to step in and “save the day,” but he’s knows that’s not how it really works.

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Nobody wants anything to do with “the nice guy.”

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The rougher, cruder, and more disrespectful a man is, the better his chances are in a place like this. The giggling in-between the protesting of the women testifies to this fact. Somehow insults mixed with crude groping and grabbing have become not only commonplace, but effective.

Despite all of his shortcomings, and there are a lot, Cromwell still has a different opinion about this type of behavior. He finishes his drink and orders another.

While he waits, he moves the extra pistol from his inner pocket to one of the outside ones, but he keeps his grip, and leaves his hand in the pocket. He repeatedly clicks the safety on and off as he fantasizes.

Regardless of public opinion, he knows what a true hero is.

Now he’s just got to convince everyone else who the real villains are.

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THE END OF CHAPTER 20

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TO READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS, CLICK BELOW:

• CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

• CHAPTER 2: THE FUNERAL

• CHAPTER 3: MONDAY, & FREEDOM

• CHAPTER 4: TUESDAY

• CHAPTER 5: INTERROGATION

• CHAPTER 6: PROBATION

• CHAPTER 7: RAY’S TURN

• CHAPTER 8: ICE CREAM

• CHAPTER 9: LATE NIGHT

• CHAPTER 10: WRESTLING

• CHAPTER 11: THURSDAY: MORE QUESTIONS

• CHAPTER 12: WHAT HAPPENED?

• CHAPTER 13: PHONE CALLS

• CHAPTER 14: GAME OVER

• CHAPTER 15: DRINKING & DARKNESS

• CHAPTER 16: GOOD MORNING

• CHAPTER 17: FRIDAY - THE CAPTAIN

• CHAPTER 18: THE LIBRARY

• CHAPTER 19: GUN, AND A PARKING LOT

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MY NAME IN PEPPERS

(I didn't have any lights....)

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Thank you, and stay tuned for LOVE, LIKE HIS : Chapter 21 - Coming soon to a steemit near you!

Also, if you enjoyed this chapter, let me know by leaving a comment! Thanks!

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Awesome Handcrafted @papa-pepper logo kindly donated by @vlad - Thank you!