chapter 30
A WILLIE NELSON CD was playing as Levi drove and Moon Pie fooled around with his new iPad. They were excited about the meeting and the prospects of making a significant amount of money through this new venture.
Moon Pie constantly checked the mirror for tails. About a half hour into the trip, he had Levi turn around and backtrack a few miles. Their vehicle was loaded with all manner of weapons, loaded spare magazines, and several hundred rounds of ammunition, all of which would be difficult to explain to the police if they were pulled over.
“I like Willie,” Levi said for no particular reason other than to break the silence.
“He’s a classic,” Moon Pie replied without looking up from his iPad.
“I like John Denver too. Great lyrics.”
Moon Pie made a snorting sound, expressing his total lack of agreement.
Levi adjusted the steering wheel and squirmed in the seat. He tried to think of anything to start a conversation. “Did you know that during the Michael Jackson song ‘Beat It’ you can hear somebody knocking on the studio door?”
Moon Pie looked up. “What?”
“Yeah, at about the two forty-five mark you can hear a knockin’ sound. It’s a tech who was tryin’ to get in the studio.”
“You’re full of shit.”
“I’m serious.”
“Where did you hear this?”
“On a radio program.”
“One of those shows that asks listeners if they prefer Ginger or Mary Ann?”
“Yeah, exactly. I like those discussions,” Levi said.
“Mary Ann for me. Give me a country girl. Ginger would have been way too high maintenance.”
“I liked Ginger. But see, that’s why they do it…nobody agrees, everybody calls, and it’s interesting.”
“I don’t call.”
Levi gave the rearview a quick glance. “I do sometimes. It gets pretty borin’ sometimes makin’ river runs. Thank goodness for satellite radio.”
“You are so lame, listening to that shit.”
Moon Pie turned back to his new iPad to search the Internet for a free version of “Beat It.”
Levi was aggravated with Moon Pie, but at least they were talking. He’d been trying his best to develop a better relationship with Moon Pie so that he would give him more responsibilities within the business.
“I hate that Bailey’s at the shop without one of us there.”
“She’s fine. She knows how to buy. I left her five grand to work with and told her to close up if she bought more than that.”
“I’m sure that’ll cover it.”
“It’ll have to. I sure ain’t givin’ her the code to the safe.”
“I think you can trust her with that much cash or gold.”
“I ain’t got much choice on this one. But no, I don’t trust anyone with my money. Money’s got a way of changin’ folks. You’ll see firsthand one day. Hey, don’t forget to watch the rearview for a tail.” Moon Pie never looked up as he tried unsuccessfully to play the song he had illegally downloaded.
“We’re clean. I’ve been watching.”
“Good. The cemetery’s ’bout ten more miles. Don’t stop when you get there. Drive by so we can check it out first.”
“I’ve heard the name Coon Dog Cemetery but don’t really know nothin’ ’bout it,” Levi lied to engage Moon Pie.
Moon Pie slid his iPad into its sleeve and sat up straight. “Well, years ago—like, in the thirties, maybe—this local guy had a coon hound called Troop that was legendary. He was the best anybody had ever seen, and trust me, coon huntin’ used to be a big deal back before the deer and turkeys made a comeback. Back then, most everybody coon hunted, but not everybody had a dog, especially a good one like Troop. Anyways, a bunch of local coon hunters all used this hilltop as a meetin’ spot on nights they hunted. When old Troop died, his owner wanted to do something special, so he decided to bury Troop there and even carved him a monument. Then other hunters started buryin’ their coon dogs there, and before you know it, it’s the coon dog cemetery. There’s only one in the world.”
“Man’s best friend.”
“A good huntin’ dog’s like a soul mate.”
“Unconditional love and an undyin’ desire to please,” Levi said with a smile.
“Exactly right. Now, I’m done talkin’ ’bout it. It’s makin’ me want a puppy, and I ain’t got time to raise you and a dog.”
Levi smiled at Moon Pie’s comments.
“Slow down, here it is. But don’t stop. We’re lookin’ for a black van.”
“Like, minivan?” Levi asked as he spotted a family-looking minivan parked in the far corner.
Before Moon Pie saw the vehicle, he responded, “No, fool.” Then he recanted with, “Well, maybe,” when he too saw the minivan.