Gunslinger [ON HOLD INDEFINITELY]

Chapter 2

Resettling myself, I turned just so, so I could see all of the guys perfectly. “Now, if I’m supposed to go on tour with you, I will need a full list of dates and times. I will need pretty much as exact of a schedule as possible. I will need a list of any and all threats, the evidence as well. I need to know everything. The more I know, the easier it will be to put two and two together, so to speak. If you hide anything, it may be the one piece I need to figure everything out. Understand?”

“I assure you, you will have all of the documentation you need, Ms. Payne. Everyone here takes this incredibly seriously. Someone is out to hurt these men, and we want it stopped.” Larry pulled out his cell phone, pulling up a number and pushing the ‘call’ button. “Yes, Jennifer, it’s me. I need you to make sure that all of the information on the crimes against the guys. Yeah, by tomorrow. Alright, thanks, Jen.” Hanging up, he gave me a satisfactory smile.

I returned his smile. “Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Now, I will need to know, when does the tour officially start?”

“The guys board the bus and head up to Washington state in two weeks. The tour is nationwide and will last about four months. I will get you a copy of the itinerary tomorrow, along with all documentation of the crimes. I will give you my cell phone number. Call me with anything and everything you need.” Larry started scribbling his number down on a spare piece of paper and slid it across the table at me. I folded it up and slid it into my bag.

Turning to the band, I said, “It may be a good idea for us to exchange numbers as well. If anything new was to happen, I want to be one of the first to know, now that I am charged with protecting your lives. Actually, cell phones, home phones, home addresses…  This would all be useful information.” I bent down and pulled out a legal pad I carried with me. Turning to a fresh page, I looked back up. “Also, introductions would be lovely, since I don’t listen to your style of music, I’m afraid.”

The tall guy, Matt, huffed. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Arin. You just hired a little girl as our body guard, and she doesn’t even like our music.”

I was just about sick of this guy’s attitude. “Well, mister high and mighty, why don’t I start with you. Name, address, phone numbers, and names of everyone living in your house that could possibly be at risk.” I gave him my ice cold stare.

His jaw moved around angrily, but he decided he needed to cooperate. “Matthew Charles Sanders, or M. Shadows. 2335 South 1st Street. 714-555-2398. I don’t have a home phone number any longer, and the only one living in my house with me is my wife, Val.” He watched me as I wrote everything down, then took the business card I handed him, sliding it in his back pocket.

I looked to the next guy, who was about the same height as Matt, and just a little less buff. He was gorgeous, to say the least. I noticed that he had been in awe of me, so I gave him a smile. “You’re next, hottie.”

He grinned back, and I could tell the ladies would love him. “Brian Elwin Haner, Junior. 2649 South 2nd Avenue. 714-555-6941. No home phone, too much hassle. I also only live with my wife, Michelle, who is the twin to Matt’s wife.” I scribbled everything down, handing him my card. It was a shame that he was married, really.

The next guy was about the same height as Brian, but a little chubbier. He had the greenest eyes I had ever seen, and short black hair. He had a sweet, sincere smile. Beating me to it, he said, “Zachary James Baker. 2566 South 1st Street. 714-555-9903. No home phone, live with my wife, Gena.” I was hurrying to keep up with the flow of information, but I managed and handed him my card.

The next guy was the shortest, and had a Mohawk. I don’t think I had ever seen one in person, so I couldn’t help but stare a little. He had a nose ring, and soft eyes. He was handsome in a rugged way. “Jonathan Lewis Seward, living at 1287 South 1st Street. 714-555-8779 is where you can reach me, and I live at home with my girlfriend, Lacey.” He winked as I wrote everything down and put my card in a front shirt pocket.

That left one, Arin, the one who was most in danger it sounded. He was definitely different races mixed together, but in a cute way. He had a sweet smile, and passionate eyes. His hair was so curly it looked like he had a halo over his head. He was definitely the youngest. “Richard Arin Ilejay, but please call me Arin. I’m staying at the Ritz hotel at the moment, in the top floor suite. My cell is 714-555-0809. I’m all by myself, so no one else important. My girlfriend and I just broke up, so… do you need her information?” He looked relieved when I shook my head no, and happily took my card.

I looked over everyone’s information and I thought I had everything I needed for now. I closed my pad and put it back into my bag safely. Looking at each of the guys, I said, “Well, I think I have all I need for right now. You each have my card, and I want you to use it. If anything suspicious happens, you call me. Don’t mess with anything, because you could mess up valuable information. Understood?” When everyone had agreed, I stood up and took my leave.

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As I drove home, I couldn’t help but wonder about the way that my life was going. I had set out to do bounty hunting to get scum off of the street, to prevent any more tragedies for innocent families. Now I was babysitting a rock band, essentially. Apparently they paid well, or I couldn’t see Greg putting me on this job. In a way, I was excited. I never got to do much travelling, and now I would be seeing the country. Granted, there wouldn’t be much in the way of sight-seeing when there were five men to guard, but I would try to enjoy it as much as I could.

Unlocking my door, I was met by my cat, Voodoo. He was about three years old, and black as sin. Which is funny, because he is always creating trouble for me. After putting my bag down and my keys on their hook, I bent down and picked him up. He rubbed underneath my chin, purring. Scratching his head, I started telling him of my day, like I did every day. I would have to figure out what to do with him while I was on tour. The thought of not seeing him every day made me sad.

I went into the kitchen to feed him, and to call my sister. She lived about two hours away, and she loved cats. She and Voodoo got along great. I was hoping she would take him in for the four months I was away. I waited for her to answer the phone, and I went over all of the information that was given to me so far, which wasn’t much. This was certainly going to be an interesting assignment…