text: His name was Arthur Syracuse but, most people called him John. Nobody could say why exactly and he wouldn't look at you if you asked. The same shroud of uncertainty surrounded his presence at the Kansas City courthouse on that April afternoon. He was there, in the perfect spot when the gun shot rang out, standing directly in front of a congressman. He took the bullet square in the shoulder saving the congressman's life. A few months later, a stout and bureaucratic looking man stood on a porch. He was seeking shade from the oppressive heat and asking if anyone had seen Mr. Syracuse. Naturally, nobody dared recognize him by that name so, none could be of service until a voice came from the neighboring shade. "What can I do you for?" John said in a threateningly calm voice. "Yes, sir. I've been sent at the request of..." the fellow started before being interrupted. "Cut to the chase, fat boy. I got a busy day ahead of me and unless you're ready to be knee deep in cow shit, I suggest you move it along". John looked like he meant it but, an uproarious laughter came from inside the house. "He ain't got shit to do today. Don't let him lie to you." a beautiful woman came bouncing to John's side, dressed in a man's oversized shirt. She slapped John on the ass before reaching her arm up to his shoulder. "Come on babe. If you were gonna kill him he'd be dead already. Let him speak." John sighed, "You heard the lady. Speak your piece." The sweating man hurried down the neighbor's porch and onto John's. He began "Here-" "Excuse me." John interrupted, "Did you introduce yourself to the lady?" She dug her knuckles into John's side. "Stop fucking with the man. I can introduce myself but, I don't think we need to know each other's names. Do we, Sir?" "No, Maam. Now, I'm here on official business from -" he started again but John turned back inside. "Sir, ten thousand dollars!". John turned back to face the man who was wearing a slightly too small suit. "For what?" The man motioned inside and John nodded. They sat down at the table as Mrs. Syracuse, presumably, filled a glass of water for the rapidly evaporating gentleman. "So. The congressman is eternally grateful for your saving of his life. He wants to reward you with a job. As you know, he doesn't believe in hand outs. He believes you've given him an opportunity to do great things but, he still has to do them. So in turn, he will give you the opportunity to do great things as well." "I hear a lot of persuasion and not much substance. What is the job?" John impatiently asked. "Right. The man in this sketch. He's wanted for a litany of felonies. Some despicable acts. Truly heinous-" "Hey!" John said sternly. "Enough with the dressing." "Sorry", the gentleman continued "Force of habit. His name isn't known but, he's been referred to as the reaper in some towns, the ghost in others. The sketch is poor, as you can see. It also came from an unknown source but, it's what we've got. The man is considered armed and dangerous. He usually works alone but, occasionally works with others. Those others typically end up dead. He's smart. He was last seen near Amarillo and believed to be headed south." "10 thousand isn't enough" John said. Mrs. Syracuse sat down at the table and leaned forward just a bit. "Now, Sir. You didn't come all this way to get a No, did you? Do we seem like patient people? I'll give you one chance. How much is he really willing to pay?" The man took a drink of his water as sweat continued to pour down his face. "$100,000 and a paid, ceremonial position as Lawman of the West, provided he wins his bid for president". "President?" John shook his head. "Yes! And can you imagine the headlines when someone from his own district goes and cleans up the district of another?" the man smiled at the brilliance before quickly realizing he was the only one enjoying the thought. "Alright, half upfront, half when either the job is done or, when I or we die trying. Either way, I get my money. I've got mouths to feed." John said. "Of course." the gentleman pulled out an envelope with keys to a safe box. He handed them to John before hurrying out of the house and into the scorching sun. "Well, Suzy. I hope you're ready to ride." John smiled. Suzy looked at John as she fell onto the bed before asking "Worried you wore me out last night?" John looked up at his muse biting her slip. "Sorry, love. We've got to go. I know a guy down there who knows the lay of the land. The sooner we get there, the better." Suzy rolled over and unbuttoned the top of the shirt. "Come on, baby". John got up and walked over to his calling siren. He leaned down and kissed her deeply before pulling back. "We don't have time for loving." Suzy let go, falling back onto the bed, lightly annoyed at the failure of her seduction "Pretty sure we have two minutes. Any more would be a record" she said with a grin. John slapped her exposed ass and started to pack for the trip. Suzy walked up behind him. She leaned in and kissed him on the back of his neck. She whispered in his ear, "Share my pain" and bit her teeth into his earlobe. "Feel better?" John asked. Suzy licked the little drop of blood on her teeth "Yeah. Let's go get this son of a bitch".