Chapter 155: Illegals and News Whores

"Is that true?" I asked. As an answer he rattled off several words in Spanish. I was about to try to communicate with him when Lois came to the gate.

"I called you while he was just hanging around. I called 911 when he tried to follow Sarah inside," Lois said. She had brought a long heavy coat for Sarah to wear while we waited for the police.

"Good for you," I said. I almost meant it. Yes it was a high security building, but he just didn't look like a threat. He actually looked to be a couple of steps up from homeless. He tried to reach into his pocket but I stopped him. I did it by showing him my .38 S&W.

I shook my head no, as I pointed it at him. He got the message quickly enough. The business end of a revolver has a universal language all it's own. I reached into his pocket. There scrawled on the back of a His Laboring Few card was my name and address.

I took out my cell phone. Dialing the number with only one hand was easy, since it was part of my speed dial program. "Preacher what hell are you doing sending people here who don't speak English. He is lucky to be alive." I said winking at Sarah and Lois.

"Max he isn't supposed to be there alone. I'm sorry. If you remember we renovated in the dead of winter. We need to do something to your courtyard. You promised we could do something in the spring, well it's spring."

"Why are you sending me someone who doesn't speak English?" I asked.

"He hasn't had time to learn English yet. He should have been with a foreman who speaks Spanish, as well as English. I'll get someone out there," he promised.

"Too late, the cops are on the way. Actually I hear them now. I hope this guy has his papers, because if not, I'm going to have him charged with trespass, and ship his ass back to wherever he came from."

"Don't do that Max please. I'll be right over." the preacher said.

"Go to the county lockup, if you want him back. I should have them arrest you for conspiracy as well,"

"Come on Max things are bad where he is from," the preacher said.

"And if we keep this up, things well be just as bad here. I'm sorry preacher, but

I'm doing the right thing here, as I see it. I know that you are doing what you think is right as well, but you are dead wrong."

"We will have to agree to disagree," he said.

"Yes, and if The Laboring Few is outsourcing their work force now, count me out as a customer." I meant it as well. "I'll dig my own holes and put down plants. I can manage the grass. There is hardly any here."

"Our guys did some design work, which we were hoping to show you. Edwardo there was supposed to wait outside for the foreman. Come on Max give us a chance. You know that no one can do the work at our prices."

"Sorry preacher, but if you are using illegals to do your work, then I'm going to be shopping for someone else," I said.

"You buy clothes made in Malaysia, you buy guns made in Europe, but you can't give a poor refugee a job?" he asked.

"A refugee is here legally preacher, so get a grip. I'll be looking for someone else to do my courtyard." I said.

"It's gonna cost a lot more," He suggested.

"Then I will do the work myself," I replied.

"Officers," I said as the young men left their cruiser. "There has been a mistake, but we also have a problem. This man, who speaks no English, was trying to force his way inside our compound."

"Ms Stone, we know all about this compound. So what was Hector here doing?"

"Do you know the group called His Laboring Few?" I asked.

"Yeah a bunch of reformed drunks and drug users," he said.

"Yes, well they did the remodel on this compound. It looks as thought they have branched out and now take in illegal aliens. I'm not sure what this one's immigration status is. He somehow wandered here and probably didn't realize that he couldn't just bull his way inside."

"I see, so what do you want to do?" the older of the two asked.

"I don't care, we can just move past it, or you could take him in for being an illegal. I have no idea what the current administration will do about it."

"They won't do anything. If you want us to charge him with trespass we will. If you just want him to stay away, I think you have made your point."

"Let's go with, 'I'll give you ten minutes to get out of town'" I suggested.

"Works for me," the older cop said in agreement.

"If you speak Spanish, give him my message. Next time I'm going to send him home to wherever home is." I said.

"Can do," One of the cops began saying words I didn't recognize, but in the end Hector couldn't wait to turn tail and run for it.

"Thanks guys, You want to come in for some ice tea?" I asked

"Wish we could Ms Stone, but we have to be out on patrol. The bosses can track us now. The days of calling 10-8 from the restaurant, and staying to finish our coffee are gone."

"I guess that means no more midnight watermelon parties behind the school." I said smiling.

"Not as long as we are at work. Midnight we are usually just leaving the station, so sometimes we still do that, But you are right, it ain't like it used to be."

"Hell, in my case it never was the way I remember it," I said with a laugh.

"You might have a point," he agreed.

After they had gone I asked Sarah, "Don't you need to get inside and get dressed?"

"Now that you mention it, I am getting cold even with Lois's coat. By the way thanks for taking over for me. I would not have known what to do." Sarah said.