The meeting was arranged at the Arbor Diner.
Al Panchelski didn’t want his brother to think of it as a meeting.
Just a gee, shucks, let’s have late lunch.
Al brought up some property, other side of Walnut Bend Road, where 22 cuts over it.
Hoped Eddie would want to take a look.
Eddie was reluctant, but said ok.
Al felt like Eddie might have known what was up, especially since Al only ate at the Arbor on Fridays when the walleye was fresh.
This was a Thursday. For Al and Eddie it was THE Thursday.
When they pulled off Walnut Bend in Al’s cruiser, Al thought he saw his brother’s forearms sweating. He decided not to even keep up the smokescreen about the property for sale.
Al hoped three things.
One: That no one would see his red bubble and all of a sudden have a need to speak to a LEO.
Two: That Eddie wouldn’t run. 22 was up the embankment, no way Eddie could get up there and throw himself into traffic. He’d have a heart attack first.
Three: That Eddie wouldn’t shoot him.
“My decision all those years ago was wrong, Ed.”
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