Bab 276: 264: Rae sees through Clement Atkins_1

On a Sunday noon, Rae Bennett received a phone call.

"Hello."

The other side introduced themselves: "Clement Atkins."

Wyatt Wright was in Willow Lane, he had filmed a documentary for the funeral home last week, and there were some post-production work to handle.

In the afternoon, Rae Bennett took a boat alone to Noressee Isle.

The cramped rental was packed with people, sunlight couldn't reach the half-basement, damp and dim, Matthew James curled up on the ground holding his head while four men surrounded him, beating and kicking.

He spat out a mouthful of bloody spittle, grinning in pain: "Stop hitting me."

The men ignored him, continuing to brutally kick his stomach.

He desperately grabbed one man's leg: "Please stop, Brother Howard, I'll definitely pay back the money."

Brother Howard was a thug in Noressee Isle, specializing in lending money. Matthew James had borrowed several sums over the last couple of weeks, all blown at the gambling house.