Previously on Old Man Young…
The man known as Darker rarely ever lifts a hand. He has spent much of his life ensuring that he would sit atop a criminal empire that would be a steady source of income for himself and for his family. In order to avoid possible implication in illegal activities, Darker has trusted men and women who make sure that his business is a finely tuned machine, whatever that means.
Now that his feud with the man Fire has started to impact his income, Darker is trying to decide the best next course of action. Sure, he could send any number of men and women into the south ready for war, but increased violence and murder would only make his job more difficult because of the attention of law enforcement the activity would attract.
No, the situation with Fire required a deft hand and he paces his study turning the situation over in his mind. His nephew Corey would be out of the hospital soon and he would be eager for revenge. Maybe the two of them could go south for a parlay with the man who had started the whole ordeal.
This week in Knoxville, TN…
There is no time to panic. Ivan shoots a man dead at his apartment building and he and Sonny watch him take his last breath. It isn’t long before police sirens are heard ringing through the night and Sonny can’t help himself but panic. He taps Ivan on the shoulder.
“We should get outta here man.” Sonny looks around, very much on edge.
“No, this was self defense. We gonna wait for police.”
Sonny curses under his breath then says, “Man, fuck, you gonna get me arrested.”
Ivan looks at Sonny sternly. “Don’t worry about that. I pulled the trigger. And you witnesses him attack me.”
The police arrive and both Sonny and Ivan go back to the police station. Detective Young happens to still be there talking with the Detective Colston of narcotics. When he sees Ivan being led in with handcuffs, he excuses himself.
“What is going on here?” He asks.
“Self defense detective.” Ivan answers as he is taken away.
Sonny is not far behind and he fills Young in on the incident.
“What is up with these bikers?!” Young yells.
“Calm down detective.” Detective Colston says. “Emotions are high. Go home, I’ll make sure Ivan is comfortable.”
Young leaves begrudgingly. As he leaves, Colston introduces himself to Sonny.
“You from TN?” Colston asks.
“No, I’m from Winston Salem.”
“Oh really? You don’t really have the accent. Sound like you from up north somewhere.”
“I live in NY now.” Sonny says.
“Oh really?” Colston asks curiously. “What brought you down here?”
“Business,” Sonny says.
“And what kind of business you in?”
Sonny shakes his head. “Little bit of everything.”
“You gonna wait for your friend?” Colston asks.
“I’m gonna get a hotel room. I’ll come back tomorrow. Give him my number for me?” Sonny asks as he turns to leave.
“Will do.” Colston smiles but it is a nefarious smile.
Elsewhere in Knoxville…
Fire doesn’t pace. He doesn’t worry or fret. Fire gets shit done and he never breaks a sweat. And he has little to be worried about anyway. News of his enemy trying to move in on his business had reached him in plenty of time to plan for it and he has been wildly successful in his secret war.
Tonight, Darker is relaxing in his movie room with his feet up when his phone rings.
“Yeah,” Fire says absently.
“It’s me. Those northern boys just keep coming. There’s one at the station now doing his best to get you locked up.”
Fire is only briefly concerned. “Take care of his man. Don’t let em walk outta that police station. Thanks for looking out.” He is smiling when he hangs up. If definitely paid to have dirty cops on the payroll.
Meanwhile, at the home of Old Man Young…
When Young makes it home, he is greeted by Sandra who is still sleeping on his couch. The two are very friendly, and Sandra is happy when he comes home. Young mostly looks exhausted after work and she is happy to feed him and give him some relief. He has been a source of comfort to her since the death of her son and she is happy to do for the man anything that she can to relieve the stress from his job.
“One of my boys killed someone tonight.” Young says as he eats the food Sandra puts out in front of him.
“That’s what police do.” Sandra says. “Was it justified?”
“It wasn’t police.” Young says. “This young guy from the morgue office. You met Ivan.”
“That is a good man. What happened?”
Young signs and grabs his chin with his hand. “Self defense. He was asking some questions for me cause the officers I send out are getting iced out. These bikers. They’re doing all of the killing and now it seems like they’re gunning for me. But why?”
“Yuri’s uncle is a smart man detective. Don’t underestimate him.” Sandra warns. She sits with him and watches him eat slowly.
“You think he has bikers doing all this to throw me off?”
“You don’t wanna believe it right? To me that’s all the evidence you need that he’s behind it. The man’s got money and all criminals are the same. You give them enough money, they’ll do what you want. Follow the bikers, you should find Yuri right?”
“I guess so.” Young says. He eats in silence and then he thinks to ask Sandra about the other young man he had met that night. “Name is Sonny, said he came down here cause Fire had his friend shot. Wants to do what he can to help me out. I don’t mean to sound suspicious or whatever, but the boy could be part of a rival drug gang from the north.”
“Hope that he is.” Sandra said. “If Fire shot his friend, he’s out for revenge and he’s trying to use you to get at him. Keep an eye on him, I bet he’ll take you right to Fire’s doorstep.”
Young nods thoughtfully.
PRL Serials 