<br><br><center>*I think I'm just scared that if I show the world my belly, it will devour me. So I wear my armour of cynicism, hide behind great walls of irony, and only glimpse beauty with my back turned to it, by occasional glimpses through blades of long feather grass.* ― John Green <br><br></center> <br><br><center>  *Ella* <br><br></center> <br><br>I think I'm still back on that ridge feeling my skin crawl, knowing I'm sitting in someone's rifle sights. I want to confess I feel vulnerable and totally unequal to this task―but who would I tell―Neil? He'd understand, of course, but would pull me off the case. Ella would empathize but she'd feel everything I'm feeling now and I don't want to put her through that. Bad enough I have to endure it. No, better to stand tall and carry on until life eventually bends me―which it will. Until I'm an embryo again and I'm planted. Yeah, the circle of life―I fight it, but it's greater than me. <br><br>It bugs me having to let Neil know where I'm going―*thanks, Sarah!*―I think she enjoys this. I head to the detachment but the dispatch officer tells me Neil's out somewhere, so I head to the general store for a quick coffee with Ella before heading out to West Harbour to follow up the lead on Brock Ferguson. When I enter the store I run into Neil on his way out. I suppose he was doing the same thing―early morning coffee with Ella. Guess we all need cheering. <br><br>"Hey Neil, I was looking for you. Just wanted to let you know I'll be driving out to West Harbour to follow up on a lead." He looks uncomfortable as I do with this arrangement but nods, smiles and claps me on the shoulder for encouragement. Then suddenly, has a change of heart and turns back to face me. "I know this is hard, Scott―hated being cramped myself, but when you were targeted, I phoned Jason Trent at the Brantford detachment and asked for the best he had available. These two are ex-military, special forces and top notch. In my opinion, we're lucky to get them." <br><br>"It's all good, Neil, really. We're all cops and hate being watched―but you've got my back and I appreciate it." Ella has come over and is waiting patiently on the periphery. She's overheard everything and I just want to downplay it. I think Neil reads my intention and gives me a thumbs up as he leaves. "So, you're driving out to West Harbour―want some company?" <br><br>She's caught me off guard and I can't think of an excuse that won't make her suspicious. "Who's going to mind the store?" "That's why I have staff," she laughs, "I'm often away for purchasing. They're quite capable, you know―I know how to pick them." She gives me a mischievous smile and I get her meaning. She *picked* me. She knew what I did when she chose me and she's telegraphing her support for me. "Well then, make two tall coffees for the road and let's blow this pop stand." <br><br>I have mixed feelings taking her along when there's already a target on my back, but refusing would worry her more. I decide to keep my enquiries on the down-low and try to observe Ferguson from a distance. If he's my guy, I'll know―it just may take a few visits. In the meanwhile, having Ella along might serve to keep Sarah at a distance. It would tone down her sarcasm but strangely, I think I'd miss it. Weird...a classic case of approach-avoidance. <br><br> <center>To be continued…</center> <br><center>© 2021, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center> <br><center>[Photo](https://images.app.goo.gl/6VpAz1tJR7mfb1Du8)</center> <br><br>
| author | johnjgeddes |
|---|---|
| permlink | land-part-45-awkward-arrangement |
| category | writing |
| json_metadata | {"tags":["story","fiction","love","life"],"image":["https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaCauo56L1Jhxh5fVnzD8Dc3RMivA9MdYrWRe3GNsVKNb/original.png"],"links":["https://images.app.goo.gl/6VpAz1tJR7mfb1Du8"],"app":"hiveblog/0.1","format":"markdown"} |
| created | 2021-07-27 13:42:18 |
| last_update | 2021-07-27 13:45:18 |
| depth | 0 |
| children | 0 |
| last_payout | 2021-08-03 13:42:18 |
| cashout_time | 1969-12-31 23:59:59 |
| total_payout_value | 10.098 HBD |
| curator_payout_value | 10.078 HBD |
| pending_payout_value | 0.000 HBD |
| promoted | 0.000 HBD |
| body_length | 3,660 |
| author_reputation | 791,549,105,604,533 |
| root_title | "Land ...Part 45 ...Awkward Arrangement" |
| beneficiaries | [] |
| max_accepted_payout | 1,000,000.000 HBD |
| percent_hbd | 10,000 |
| post_id | 105,151,475 |
| net_rshares | 31,168,730,549,465 |
| author_curate_reward | "" |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| rocky1 | 0 | 24,237,943,477,191 | 24% | ||
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| yogacoach | 0 | 3,843,476,577 | 4.09% | ||
| dougbudlong | 0 | 14,824,888,162 | 100% | ||
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| rockofages | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| jackwagon | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| dreamery | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| dreammacres | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| revengeporn | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| ridex | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| mytechtrail | 0 | 8,519,540,188 | 2.4% | ||
| publicdomain | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
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| kneegrow | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
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| harassination | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
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| rebelution | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
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| daybeforethat | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| furballs | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
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| gaborockstar | 0 | 799,580,455 | 0.68% | ||
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| shaklmzappldap | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| adventuroussoul | 0 | 27,524,129,666 | 10% | ||
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| hotovdagrilla | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
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| dongetmowfee | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| investyourvote | 0 | 4,934,759,926 | 10% | ||
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| dumpchipumtme | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| expornsavihodl | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| lapchance | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| howsfaqtairy | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| rowmanaquafuzy | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| doterwetasnailz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| shegromadilly | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| deymadmedoitoo | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| ibuyuglyfaces | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| sexondsubwufr | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| shivrmenipplez | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| knowkidding | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| rollsovdatungz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| drpootaasplitz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| hodl4pawz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| knuearmedribl | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| rolzovnodont | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| kinqrookie | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| facekrookie | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| face4me2siton | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| elifarel | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| guillotine | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| pryovdatoilip | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| failr2cumunik8 | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| rugrublkin | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| sexiturburglr | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| pherolmongurl | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| hogtiehotline | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| ivankabootybar | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| tonysayers33 | 0 | 13,236,330,334 | 33% | ||
| ericburgoyne | 0 | 1,071,795,381 | 2.4% | ||
| ransumnumberz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| pamzkukispray | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| pixiesplitz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| knowmyass | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| dogfreetoepawz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| etfonehomeowch | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| elementofprize | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| pinkslips | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| freebeeluva | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| gamorlovqidont | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| handoutapocket | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| diksfuqndying | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| dohn8 | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| ladysalsa | 0 | 735,128,358 | 4.09% | ||
| videoaddiction | 0 | 13,398,162,584 | 75% | ||
| gabbyg86 | 0 | 18,750,456,396 | 35% | ||
| reazuliqbal | 0 | 23,623,159,273 | 4.09% | ||
| bestboom | 0 | 1,033,973,805 | 4.09% | ||
| flaxz | 0 | 8,168,100,570 | 6% | ||
| freddio | 0 | 41,491,700,824 | 15% | ||
| hafizullah | 0 | 6,043,566,578 | 12% | ||
| pladozero | 0 | 28,316,342,010 | 10% | ||
| nateaguila | 0 | 313,598,310,972 | 8% | ||
| onelovedtube | 0 | 1,257,098,919 | 1.37% | ||
| knowmcmouse | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| pornstareyes | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| hotpotatoeyes | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| linco | 0 | 1,994,241,976 | 0.96% | ||
| swisswitness | 0 | 2,466,191,995 | 4.09% | ||
| literaturkritik | 0 | 875,561,437 | 24% | ||
| city-of-dresden | 0 | 901,695,581 | 2.4% | ||
| emsonic | 0 | 1,207,638,466 | 2.04% | ||
| dlike | 0 | 27,067,962,621 | 4.09% | ||
| cubapl | 0 | 1,071,575,546 | 12% | ||
| berthold | 0 | 1,846,922,057 | 6% | ||
| priyanarc | 0 | 68,298,839,941 | 60% | ||
| deepsouthpiddlin | 0 | 3,779,218,054 | 20% | ||
| followjohngalt | 0 | 13,035,051,751 | 3.68% | ||
| cakemonster | 0 | 2,503,216,835 | 2.04% | ||
| regrusoft | 0 | 4,777,193,204 | 24% | ||
| permaculturedude | 0 | 1,717,494,666 | 4.09% | ||
| instagram-models | 0 | 96,842,639,922 | 12% | ||
| mfblack | 0 | 2,027,158,413 | 3.88% | ||
| drseuss | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| drugwarz | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| gangstalking | 0 | 73,157,950 | 5% | ||
| havanasyndrome | 0 | 0 | 5% | ||
| milu-the-dog | 0 | 1,835,031,449 | 4.09% | ||
| triplea.bot | 0 | 1,136,885,741 | 4.09% | ||
| steem.leo | 0 | 26,638,597,200 | 4.09% | ||
| valerianis | 0 | 1,165,351,348 | 9.6% | ||
| mapxv | 0 | 4,072,633,495 | 100% | ||
| maddogmike | 0 | 2,546,803,001 | 3.84% | ||
| iamraincrystal | 0 | 4,239,746,310 | 2.4% | ||
| bradleyarrow | 0 | 14,400,809,881 | 4.8% | ||
| gerbo | 0 | 977,896 | 4.09% | ||
| crimianales | 0 | 2,933,625,194 | 41.57% | ||
| ribary | 0 | 1,374,059,960 | 2.04% | ||
| mice-k | 0 | 1,076,579,241 | 4.09% | ||
| hive-134220 | 0 | 1,858,970 | 1.37% | ||
| hive-151070 | 0 | 23,042,118,219 | 2.4% | ||
| dpend.active | 0 | 844,236,487 | 0.81% | ||
| waivio.match | 0 | 1,236,100,417,392 | 16.8% | ||
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| holoferncro | 0 | 4,426,970,806 | 5% | ||
| hivelist | 0 | 1,235,176,024 | 0.4% | ||
| hivecur | 0 | 7,632,327,435 | 4.09% | ||
| ajaycapital | 0 | 10,559,117,656 | 24% | ||
| hivecoffee | 0 | 2,442,844,329 | 24% | ||
| aslehansen | 0 | 701,661,799 | 4.8% | ||
| sevenoh-fiveoh | 0 | 653,988,735 | 5% | ||
| hivechat | 0 | 602,945,844 | 2.04% | ||
| dcrops | 0 | 4,880,289,409 | 2.04% | ||
| zedcell | 0 | 257,378,415,033 | 100% |
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