Vengeance

58 WOODMORE, MARYLAND

A heavy rain was drenching the countryside as Lonnie Mixell sat at a small table in the barn behind the house. In the short time since he had rented the property, the contents of the house and barn had remained largely unchanged aside from the additional items stored inside the barn. One of the crates of C-4 was empty and the second one was open, with several blocks of the explosive stacked neatly on the table before Mixell. Illuminated by the lamp clamped to the table, the X-Acto knife in his hand moved slowly, carefully carving the C-4 into the desired shape.

As the steady rain pattered the barn roof, Mixell’s mind wandered to a popular saying his mother used to utter each spring: April showers bring May flowers. If Mixell’s plot executed according to plan, there would be many people who would experience April showers, but not live to see May flowers.

One of them, unfortunately, was the homeowner who had rented the property to him, the woman who had stumbled across the barn’s new contents. Mixell had disposed of her body and car, leaving no trace of her visit to the property on the day she was killed.

Mixell’s cell phone in his pocket beeped, indicating an encrypted text message had been received. After placing the C-4 and knife on the table, he retrieved his phone and launched the app. Mixell recognized the encoded address of the sender — Brenda Verbeck.

What is the status of your task? she asked.

“It’s progressing.”

I’ve paid you a lot of money. I’d like more details.

“You don’t need to know the details. However, everything is set, aside from a few things I’ll finish by tomorrow.”

His eyes went to the remaining blocks of C-4, along with several items he had purchased from a paint store.

When will you execute your task?

“In two days.”

Will it be dramatic?

“Very.”

Mixell smiled at the thought. He figured Brenda did as well.