The old man stood motionless in the shadow of his yard. He had deliberately left the porch light off. Only moonlight touched the old fence.
The vehicles stopped almost in the same place as before. The engines cut off together. Heavy doors opened, and men began stepping out.
There were more of them this time. Ten, maybe more. Several already had weapons in hand.
They stood by the vehicles, looking over the sleeping town. From the last and most expensive SUV stepped the man who was clearly in charge. He was not the biggest man there.
But the others kept a respectful distance behind him. He was the reason they had all come. His name was Burke, and he was dangerous.
He stood for a moment by his vehicle, looking over the road like a man inspecting property. Then he started forward at an easy pace. He walked like someone used to being obeyed.
The old man watched him from the dark. Burke stopped in the middle of the road. He lifted his head and spotted the silhouette by the gate.
For several long seconds, they simply looked at each other. Then Burke gave a cold, contemptuous smile. “So you’re the one making trouble,” he said.
His voice was quiet, but carried authority. The old man said nothing. Burke took a few more steps toward the fence.
The headlights lit his face clearly now. His eyes were cold, his smile lazy and dismissive. “Eight of my best men,” he said slowly.
He said it as if he were reciting a line item on an invoice. “And two wrecked vehicles.” He stopped several yards from the gate.
“That little stand your town made cost me.” The old man remained silent. Burke tilted his head slightly.
“I hear you warned them before you took them apart.” At last the old man answered. “I did.” Burke gave a short laugh.
“You’ve got nerve, I’ll give you that. Still standing here instead of running.” He glanced back at his armed men. “One old man for this whole town.”
A few of them laughed quietly. Burke raised a hand, and the laughter stopped. Then he looked back at the old man.
“Do you have any idea what you did today?” “Yes,” the old man said evenly. Burke was silent for a second.
Then he asked, almost with curiosity, “And you still stayed?” The old man nodded once. “I live here. This is my home.” Burke looked with contempt toward the sleeping town.
Dark houses. Closed shutters. Frightened people inside. Then he looked back at the old man. “Do you know what happens to people who interfere with my business?”..
