Pamela’s voice sounded scornful. “Don’t bother. Let them rot. I’ll call you later. Out.”
I looked at Dane. “Where’s your vehicle?” He motioned to the road and I could see two trucks parked out of sight in the trees.
The other cars pulled up and I could see questions in Sarah’s eyes. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Dane and I went over to explain the situation to her. She gasped and looked back at Jake, her fury starting to build.
“Sarah, look at me,” I said, trying to get her to refocus as Tommy and John pushed the two cars out of the way. Lisa, Jason’s wife, climbed out and gathered the weapons of the attackers, passing them out equally among the cars.
Sarah’s eyes calmed down enough for me to talk to her. “I will take care of this right now. Hand me the radio.” Sarah took a deep breath then handed me the small two-way. I kissed her cheek and patted her arm. “It will be okay.” I stepped away from the vehicles and made the call. I spoke with Duncan for a minute, then I let Charlie and Tommy talk to him as well. I could hear the pain in his voice as he took in the information, and then it turned to anger. I cautioned him not to do anything until I got there.
I went over to where Charlie and Dane were. “Get up, we’re going.” I said to Dane. I pushed him ahead of me and motioned Charlie over. “Head into town and get things set up. I’ll meet you in a bit.”
Charlie nodded. “Watch your ass.”
I shook my head. “Crazy shit, hey?” I moved Dane to the vehicle and made him get in the driver’s seat.
“I’m riding behind you, and my gun is in your back. Do what you’re told and you might live.” I was not kind as I threw him into the vehicle, a Nissan Xterra with a flatbed. Say what you want about Dane, he did pick nice vehicles. I slid behind him and showed him my SIG. “Let’s go.”
We passed the convoy and headed back to the complex. I could almost see Dane’s brain trying to figure a way out of this. I didn’t say a word, I just let the thought of my child being murdered fuel the cold fire of rage that had started when I heard the news.
I spoke when we approached the complex. “There’s Pamela. Honk your horn.” Dane complied and I could see Pamela’s head whip around. Her eyes got huge when she saw who was driving. She couldn’t see me yet, because I had crouched down. Dane pulled into the lot and parked under the building, next to the second pillar at my direction. Pamela came running over and spoke heatedly to Dane.
“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed at Dane. “You weren’t supposed to come back here yet! That wasn’t part of the plan!”
I popped out of the backseat and leveled my SIG at Pamela’s head. “What plan?” I asked. “Was it the one where you have men kill me and my son, not to mention my friends? That plan?” I spat the question at her through gritted teeth.
Pamela’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head when I stepped out of the car. But she recovered her composure well enough. “You can’t prove anything, and even if it is true, are you an executioner? Who would follow you after that? All you have is the word of this man. Where are your witnesses that he and I had any contact?”
I kept the gun on her but lowered it slightly. “Charlie heard you talking to Dane here, same as I did. You’re finished here.”
Pamela laughed. “You think Duncan is going to get rid of me? You’re a bigger fool than I thought. That idiot will do anything for me.”
Duncan stepped out from behind the pillar that had hidden him. “Yesterday, I would have. Today? Not so much.” Duncan stepped closer as he spoke. “I should have known how you felt when you kept talking about John and how he needed to be gone. This would explain those frequent trips to the adult center. You were communicating with Blake. You’re right, I was an idiot, but not any longer.”
Pamela laughed in his face. “What are you going to do? You haven’t the guts to kill me, and I wasn’t with the ones pulling the triggers on the convoy.”
Duncan’s eyes went cold and I knew what was going to happen. I stepped aside as he swiftly drew his Glock and shot Dane in the head, dropping him on the pavement. “The stooge is dead. Now all that remains is the mastermind.” Duncan said, turning towards Pamela.
Pamela backed up, looking at Dane’s body with a mixture of horror and disbelief. Her eyes drifted to Duncan who looked at her with sorrow and anger. As he raised his weapon, I spoke up.
“Wait.” I said. They both looked at me, Duncan with surprise and Pamela with relief. “This shouldn’t be an execution.” I looked at Pamela and holstered my SIG. I waved Duncan down and stepped away from the Xterra.
I continued speaking. “You tried to have me and my son killed. Your life is forfeit around here. You have two choices. Grab your gear and get away right now, or face me one on one.” I placed my hand on my SIG for her to realize what I meant.
Pamela spat at me. “Duncan will kill me if I win. No deal.”
“Duncan will let you go. My orders.” I said calmly.
Pamela seemed to be weighing the options. Her hand hovered near her gun, and I was waiting intently for her to make a play. Time stretched and I became aware of subtle noises around me, the slight breeze playing in the grass.
Finally Pamela’s head sagged and she slumped, realizing she had lost. Duncan moved swiftly and took her weapons away from her. She actually seemed smaller, but I had no pity whatsoever. “You have five minutes to get whatever is dear to you and get away. You will have no gun, no vehicle, and you will head north. If I ever see you again I will kill you on sight. No explanation, no warning, just death.”
Pamela shook as if my words were physical things hitting her and I could see anger building again in her eyes. I stepped closer and just said, “Move.”
Pamela ran to the building and grabbed what she could and was out again in four minutes. Duncan searched her to make sure she hadn’t stolen anything important, then pointed North. Pamela flipped us both off and ran down the street. I considered sending a shot down her way to speed her along, but figured it would be a waste of a bullet. I looked back at Duncan who was watching her run.
“She’ll try to kill you again, if she gets the chance. You know that.” Duncan said.
“Yeah, well, I’ll just add it to the list of things I need to keep an eye out for.” I went back to the vehicle and dragged Dane’s body out. As I bent over a shot whipped over me, ricocheting off the car and impacting into the roof of the parking lot. I dropped to one knee and drew my SIG, pivoting towards the threat, a second bullet whipping past my ear and putting a hole in the seat. I fired three times and watched Pamela’s body jerk with the impact. She screamed her rage at me and Duncan and crumpled to the ground, a dark stain spreading out over her chest. I kept my gun on her as I went closer and found she was still alive. She was drooling blood, and by the look of things, she wasn’t going to make it.
“Fuck you and die, Talon,” was all she said, dropping her head back and coughing blood.
I kicked her gun away, a small snub-nosed revolver. I looked her over then moved so she could see me. I bent down and quietly said, “You first.” I stood up and walked away, Pamela breathing her rattling last breath.
Duncan just shook his head as I got into the car and fired it up. “She must have circled back through the pines. These kids today,” was all he said.
I leaned out the window and shook his hand. “It’s the new math. It just messes with their heads.”
Duncan waved ruefully as I pulled away. Looking in the rearview mirror I saw Duncan dragging Pamela’s body over to the burn area, and Dane’s body still on the blacktop. I shook my head at the whole thing and thanked God once again for Charlie’s instincts. I drove down the road towards my new home.
When I got to the school, Sarah had a question in her eyes. I summed it up simply. “Duncan shot Blake, I shot Pamela.” Sarah just nodded. Gotta love a woman that understands.
2
The first week in Leport was an adjustment, as we went from comfortable condos to classrooms again, but it was necessary in order to finish the defenses for the town. Tommy and Charlie had tinkered with the backhoe and bulldozer for three days before they managed to get them running. Once they did, they dug a six foot wide, six foot deep trench around the perimeter of our town. That actually took a shorter amount of time than I expected.
