Page 338 of Devil’s Disciples

Considering my plan, soothing was good.

“It’s fine, for now,” I said. “Until something shitty starts playing.”

He gave a slight nod. “Whenever you’re ready.”

I reached into my back pocket and removed a photocopy of Ghost’s letter. “Ghost left a letter with his attorney. I went by and picked it up yesterday. I want to read it to you.”

“What kind of letter?” he asked. “Like a will?”

“He left a will, and he left a letter,” I explained. “Abby left Ghost a letter, and receiving that letter prompted him to write one. That’s all according to the attorney.”

He reached over the desk. “I can read it.”

“I know you can read it, but I’m going to read the son-of-a-bitch to you. You can read it when I’m done.”

He crossed his arms. “Alright.”

“Brother Goose. If you’re reading this, I’ve moved on. Kinda weird thinking about it, but probably not as weird as you’re thinking it is—”

“Hold on a minute,” Baker interrupted. “He wrote it to you?”

I lowered the sheet of paper. “Out of respect to him, and to me, will you let me finish it?”

He exhaled a long breath. “Fine.”

“Brother Goose,

If you’re reading this, I’ve moved on. Kinda weird thinking about it, but probably not as weird as you’re thinking it is.

Believe it or not, I’m pretty fucking comfortable with the thought of death. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking forward to it or anything.

But, I know I’ll be okay when the time comes.

I’m writing this wondering how old you’re going to be when you’re reading it. Forty? Fifty? Seventy? Hell, who knows. Guess it doesn’t matter. Just one of those things I’ll wonder about until the day comes.

On to the shit that matters.

I didn’t leave each of the fellas a letter because I felt like it’d make this one less meaningful.

I thought about it for some time and came up with this logic: Tito’s got his mother, Reno’s got his family in Texas, Baker’s got Andy, Cash has got Kim, and you’ve got no one.

I always looked at you as the club’s voice of reason, and if I never made myself clear, I’d like to do so now.

I appreciate you, Brother. I appreciate all the fellas, but when times were tough for me, you guided me through them. You did it for everyone in the club. It’s a debt I can never repay, but I’ll do my best while I remain forever grateful.

Tito’s got his little shack, and he loves that place. Baker and Andy have the three-story office building, and I can’t ever see them leaving. Cash has got his place in Point Loma with Kim, and Reno has his place in National City.

I know you love that place of yours, but I’m leaving you the house on the beach. Make use of it and have your cook-outs there. I know the fellas will enjoy hanging out there, and when they do, there’ll always be a part of me right there with all of you.

Abby was a neat freak, and she’d die (again) if that place became a mess. I know your anal-retentive ass won’t let that happen. Abby and I shared our best of times in that home. I hope whoever’s left of the group can create some new memories there.

Flower pots on that roof deck will really set it off, and you’ll get all day sun up there. You can plant your flowers that need afternoon shade out on the back lot. The yard’s not as deep as the one you’ve got, but it’ll surely suit you well. The sunsets on the beach will make up for the shortcomings in yard space.

If you don’t like the place, I guess that’s tough shit, Brother. Selling it isn’t an option. The paperwork the silver-haired fella has for you will explain all of that.

I thought about what to do with my money for a long time. I want to make sure it’s enjoyed. I decided if I left it to Tito, he would sit on it until he died, and it would just go to whoever he married or his kids. Cash would blow it, because that’s what he does with money. Reno doesn’t have an ounce of common sense. We’ve all seen the news stories about the hillbillies that win the lottery and end up broke and strung out on dope in twelve months. Well, that’s Brother Reno. His gambling problem doesn’t help matters, either.

I was left with Baker and you. Baker would give it all away, because that’s what Baker does with his money.