DELBERT BRIGGS 24

jackson pulled into his parking spot at the bank. he grabbed his brief case and stepped out of the high end car he drove and started toward the bank. two men were seated on a concrete bench to one side of the bank door. as he approached they stood up, straightning their suits one stepped up and asked if he was jackson. " thats me, come inside and we can discusse your business."jackson tryed to walk around them but they stood firm. " just so you know we bought your paper from the cartel.it probably saved your life, or gave you a bit longer to live any way." the tallest man said with a smile. the blood drained from jacksons face. he didnt know what to say. " your first payment is due in 60 days. you make it there wont be any intrest. you miss it the clock starts ticking at 6 per cent." the man pulled a business card from his pocket. " call anytime day or night. you wont hear from us again unless you miss that payment." stepping past jackson the two men went to the parking lot and got in a suv. jackson stood rooted to the sidewalk. the three had spread out and was driveing the cattle toward the headquarters corrals. delbert knew they had missed some and some had gotten back. but he still had a sizeable herd in fron of him. one of which stood half again taller than any animal in the drive. as they neared the corrals bob and norma started pushing the outside flanks to the center of the main drive. the cattle were slowing and some were even trying to turn back and break out. but every where they turned there was a horse man on a good cow pony . all three had their ropes down with loops built. as the leaders drew close to the gate they could smell the hay left scattered for them. a few old cows pushed to the led and went in the gate. followed by the younger cows and calves. the big bull ambled in and pushed the cows aside and began munching on the hay. as the last animal went through the gate delbert fell off his horse and swung the gate shut. bob and norma rode up and looked over the fence as delbert tied the gate shut. none believed their luck, at least a total of forty cattle stood in the corral and they all three knew cattle went back. there seemed to be no end to them. with the cattle in the holding pasture and these delbert knew he had more than a semi truck load. there was lots of unbranded stock. a few with brands he didnt know who they belonged to. twenty fiv baby calves to brand and their mothers were slick as well. the big bull was branded. when delbert saw that he breathed a sigh of relief.he had no intention of ropeing that bull. he had to weigh in at 2200 pounds. bob guessed he was a charolias cross. they headed to the house for lunch. .