My thanks to all who commented on the subject of whether or not this story should be written. Your responses have convinced me that I have to write it. There is no violence or TG in this chapter, but there will be in future chapters. The keywords and categories cover the entire story but are not germane in every chapter.

Sara's Story. Justice or Vengeance. Chapter 2

The scene: A nondescript hotel room.

The players: A large man, obscured in the shadows of the room, and an ordinary looking man dressed in normal, mostly clean clothing.

“So Brett, what do you think? Is this Cathilynn going to go for our solution?” Asked the concealed man.

“I'm not sure, number 1. She seems to be a very moral person, but she is almost obsessed with hatred for the SSB. Knowing what was done to the girl, I'm anxious to deal some justice to those sons of bitches. Besides, they have been getting into running drugs and other more serious crimes. They need to be taken down, and taken down hard.”

“You understand, Brett, that if we take this contract, we can't allow any of the gang to escape. That could get very messy, very quickly.”

Brett sighed and said, “I know. I'm also not certain if we are going to get paid for this job. In truth, having seen what they are, and what they've done, I'd almost be willing to do it for free. The cops seem handcuffed. They can't make any inroads trying to get some real, hard evidence against the gang. It's said they've tried getting someone inside the gang, but have never gotten any closer than one meet with a member... then, nothing.

“That's true, Brett. I've had some feelers out and, while I know what they're doing, I can't get any info either... at least any that I could take to the cops.” Changing the subject, “number 1 then asked. “What more do we know about this Cathilynn?”

“Well sir, we know that she won a huge lottery jackpot and almost built that home of hers by hand, fighting the city council and public opinion all the way. She's doing good, much needed work, but she's always very cautious about anything that would reflect badly on herself or the home. She has some very talented and committed people working there and they seem very loyal to her and the home. She is not hurting for money and could probably easily pay a large fee for what we can do, but I think charging her would be a bad move on our part.”

”Oh? What makes you think that Brett?”

“With all due respect, sir... any large amount of money withdrawn form her account might point the authorities straight back to us, and her. If we do this pro bono, so to speak, then there's no cash trail to follow and she, her home, and thus us, would be in the clear as far as the authorities would be able to tell.”

“What about the “other” way of payment then? Could this Cathilynn or her home be useful to us in the future?” Number 1 asked.

“I think that is a distinct possibility, sir. Her contacts, as well as the home itself could be a way to funnel people we come across who would need a place like that home. I know of at least two who we have helped who have no way to repay us, but who accepted the “Favor” that we might ask of them in the future, and are in need of a place to go where they would be out of the public eye and helped.”

“Hmmm. Those are good thoughts Brett. Sort of killing two birds and all that. We certainly aren't in any desperate need of ready money, and we can always use another person who owes us a favor if we need it. Let me think about it for a day or two. Contact Sonya and David and have them ready to go if we need them. If we get this contract, it'll be more of task than you can accomplish all by yourself.”

“I agree sir, and there's no one other than those two I'd want at my back on a job like this one. Sonya's martial arts and weapons training and David's electronic wizardry are perfect for a job this size. We also have to remember.... this Cathilynn is one tough gal. What she went through during the incident with Sara could easily have put her in the hospital with a stroke or worse. That lawyer friend of hers is no pushover either. He's smart and totally loyal to Cathilynn. Apparently they were best friends in school and he stuck by her during her transition and has, ever since. He's reported to be a real bulldog in court and has several judges who seem to be his friends and who listen to him.”

“That could be a problem, Brett. Do you think he'll stay out of this job, with the exception of protecting Cathilynn and the home?”

“I can't say for sure sir, but I do know that he is very protective about her and the home, so he could become a stumbling block if we get caught doing what we're probably going to have to do to bring this gang down. We'll have to keep a close eye on him throughout our operation. I do think, however, that his loyalty to Cathilynn will cause him to...shall we say, close one eye to most, if not everything we'll have to do.”

“You and your team will be prepared to do whatever is necessary to make certain this gang will never again be a threat...including disposals, Brett?”

“Don't worry sir. We've dealt with much worse threats than this gang of wannabe bad guys. Most of them have records anyway, although none of them have ever been formally charged of arrested. They won't be missed when and if they suddenly come up... missing.”

“All right, Brett. The details are up to you and your team. If we do take this job, I know you and they will be as professional as you have always been. Please don't make me have to get any of you out of jail or worse?”

“Don't worry sir. We've dealt with worse before. I'm not being egotistic or overconfident that this will be a cakewalk, but with Sonya and David backing any play I make. I can see no problems with getting out cleanly and with no more than a minor fuss arising after we're done.”

“Okay Brett. We'll set up a meet with this Cathilynn person and hammer out details. I think it's a good thing we'll be doing. One of my friends has a daughter who used to be his son and I know what he and his kid went through. It would have been much easier for them both if a place like this Home That Love Built had been there for them to help. You know,” as he heaved a sigh, “things would be so much better in this world if everyone would just mind their own damn business and let others do the same.”

“I agree, sir. Still, that isn't gonna happen anytime soon, and in the meantime, we still have jobs that have to be done, like them or not.”

Brett left the room and drove to another hotel, where he checked in under a false name, one of many he kept IDs. for. He made contact with the other two he'd chosen for his team and made plans to contact Cathilynn about dispensing justice to a group of more or less worthless so-called human beings who had by their actions, forfeited their breathing privileges. The before action kick he usually got, seemed to be missing and was replaced by the feeling that he was going to be righting some very wrong things and making the world just that much a better place for those who just wanted to live their lives and be safe from persecution and bigotry.

TBC