Previously on Old Man Young, in the Empire State…
Darker sat next to his nephew, Corey’s bed as he ate the meal the nurse had brought him. He was looking much better and the doctors planned to release him the following day. Darker was happy that the boy was alright and he enjoyed just watching him, which made Corey nervous at times.
“Don’t just sit there, unk, let’s talk business or something.” Corey said.
It bothered Darker that Corey had been dragged into his business and that being shot was just a hazard of the profession.
“I don’t think it should be your business anymore.” Darker said.
“It’s in my blood, unk.” Corey said laughing like Darker had told a joke. “You want me to go to college or some shit?”
“That would be nice,” Darker said. “But college aint for everybody. I just don’t want you ending up like this ever again. This is not the life that I want for you nephew. Some dirty shit had to go down after you got shot. A lot of people have died and I’ve been losing money over it. But I’m going to put a stop to it myself.”
“What are you gonna do?” Corey asked. He had heard the speech from his uncle before about turning his life around and as long as he didn’t fight him on it, eventually the man would forget it because he liked having Corey, who he trusted with his life, around to help him.
“I’m going back to TN. God I hate the south.” Darker said as he stood to leave.
This week, in Knoxville, TN
Detective Young enters the Knoxville Police Department with a frown on his face. He is mad, he is frustrated and it has been a very long time since he has been able to close a case. All of the officers in his department are scrambling to gather as much information about the numerous recent murders in the city, and all of the evidence that he sees points to a biker gang that operates out of Memphis.
The first thing he does when he goes to his desk is to call the Memphis police.
“I need y’all to bring someone in for questioning.” He says firmly. He would drive out to Memphis to question the head of the biker gang himself and demanded that the man be apprehended as quick as possible. He hung up the phone forcefully and went to find Ivan who was in a cell in the department.
“We’re still holding him?” Young asked the guard.
“We’re still processing evidence sir.” The guard said. “We have the eye witness statement but…”
“I’m paying his bond.” Young interrupts. “Call the court and make sure he’s scheduled for a bond today.”
Next, Young goes to talk with Detective Colston from narcotics.
“I’m getting to the bottom of this today.” He says. “I’m gonna confirm the biker connection to Yuri and his uncle, and I’m pinning someone to the wall for going after Ivan. I need everything you got related to those scumbags.”
Young goes back to his desk with arms full file related to the criminal enterprise of the man known as Fire. He flips through it all and it is nothing new, nothing actionable and he curses at the papers.
As he is sitting with his head in his hands, Sonny shows up.
“Hey detective. How’s Ivan?” He asks.
“I’m getting him out today.” Young says without looking up. “Have a seat, young man.”
Sonny sits across from Young who finally leans back in his chair and makes eye contact.
“So give it to me straight,” Young says, “why are you here?”
Sonny looks confused. “I told you why I was here.”
“You told me some stuff,” Young says, “but I don’t know if I believe it. Be honest, you’re trying to kill this Fire guy aren’t you?”
Sonny laughs. “Man, you try to help the police and they try to lock you up. Fuck this, I’m outta here.” He stands.
“I wouldn’t leave so fast,” Young says, smiling the smile the annoys criminals. “I’m the only thing that’s keeping you from getting shipped back to Winston Salem about the body you left out there.”
Sonny turns and looks Young in the eyes. “You know about that?”
“You must be desperate to find this Fire character if you came all the way here and into my police department.” Young says. “Now sit down and tell me everything from the beginning.”
And in Memphis…
Fire was headed to Memphis to drop off payment in person for the services he’d contracted from the biker gang, when he got a call that made him stop fast and almost caused an accident.
It was Detective Colston, Fire’s man on the inside warning him that Young was on the rampage.
Fire considered turning back, but he pushed on and headed to the bar where he had met the head biker.
Inside, Fire sits on a stool and tries to wait patiently. He is there for a couple minutes before a bartender tells him that the man he had come to see was with the police. Fire curses loudly and leaves the bar.
PRL Serials 