Hank glanced at the truck and sighed. “They shot the radiator.”
Trevor shrugged. “Sucks to be you.”
“Hey, come on man. I gave you a ride here. The least you can do is give me a ride back.”
Trevor shook his head. “Actually, the least I could do is just leave you.” He cocked his head to the side. “OR…shoot you and leave you for the Ragers.”
Hank paused and gave him a stern stare. “That would be a pretty shitty thing to do.”
Trevor nodded. “Yeah. So, I guess it’s not so bad you have to walk.” He stepped back into the camper and slammed the door.
Hank walked up to the door and tapped on the glass. “You don’t think maybe Wally’ll have some questions when you show up and I’m not with you?”
Trevor hung his head. “Fuck.”
“Look man, just give me a ride back. We can take the dozer home from there.”
Trevor shot him a confused look. “That’s a pretty long drive on a tractor.”
Hank shook his head. “Not really. We’re set up just a few blocks from there.” He gave him a toothy grin. “I told you we relocated. Hot and cold running water, electric lights, the works.”
Trevor sighed and hit the unlock button for the other door. “Just to the tractor, then you go on your way and forget you ever saw us.”
Hank nodded. “Deal.”
He walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. “I guess you’re lucky they never saw you over here.”
“What makes you think they never saw me?”
Hank pointed to the camper. “Not a scratch on her. And, you got a pretty good shot in on Simon.”
Trevor put the camper into gear and pulled through the back of the lot. “How do you know Simon?”
“We had him for a short bit.” Hank sighed and leaned his head back. “Asshole got away.”
“Too bad you didn’t kill him when you had the chance.”
“I’m beginning to agree with that idea.” Hank suddenly perked up. “How’s your girl?” He leaned across the seat and stared back into the camper. “You okay back there?”
“Mind your business.” Trevor barked. “She’s fine.”
Hank gave him a questioning stare. “You know, we have a nurse. She could take a look at her.”
“Nope.” Trevor turned the camper and pressed the accelerator harder, hoping to put as much distance as he could between him and where he last saw Simon.
“I’m sure it couldn’t hurt just to give her the once over. Vicky’s a really good nurse and—”
Trevor slammed on the brakes and Hank nearly hit the dashboard. He turned and looked at the man and Trevor had a finger in his face. “I said no.” He glared at Hank until he felt the message was made. “I’m not saying it again.”
Hank nodded and pushed himself back into the seat. “Okay man. Whatever.” He pulled the seatbelt around and buckled it. “I was just trying to make up for the—”
“Stop.” Trevor pressed the accelerator again and stared through the windshield. “Just leave it be.”
Hank nodded slowly and turn to look out the window. “Sorry.”
From the corner of his eye he saw something move and turned back toward Trevor. Patricia stood next to him, the hoodie pulled back from her face. She reached out and tugged his arm. “Dahh!”
Trevor spun and stared at her, his eyes wide. He glanced to Hank and there was fear painted on both men’s faces.
Chapter 8
Buck leaned against the doorjamb of Hatcher’s office. “You know, there’s a difference between being a leader and being an asshole.”
Hatcher looked up, his eyes stern. “Don’t push your luck, kid. I’m sober now.” Daniel pulled the pistol closer and scrubbed at it with a small toothbrush.
“I’m just saying.” Buck sauntered into the room and kept the desk between him and the older man. “Don’t get me wrong, if this is your attempt at bringing back the old you, I’m all for it. But barking at people who just want to help?” He shrugged slightly. “That’s just being an asshole.”
Hatcher blew his breath out hard and set the brush down gently. “Fine. Go ahead, speak your piece.” He leaned back and raised a brow at Buck. “Then get the hell out of my office.”
Buck nodded slowly. “I get it, okay. I might have been a bit disrespectful when we…talked. But it was a kick in the pants you needed to get back on track. You want to be pissed? Be pissed at me. Just don’t be taking it out on the others.”
Hatcher shook his head. “What are you talking about?”
“Earlier. You were barking at people, throwing your weight, bossing folks around.” Buck leaned against the file cabinet and gave him a knowing look. “They don’t deserve to be yelled at.”
Hatcher pushed the pistol away that he had been cleaning and crossed his arms. “Kid, I’m just doing my job. If I tell somebody that something needs doing, I expect them to do it.”
“What about Roger?” He pushed off the file cabinet. “He asks you a simple question and instead of telling him what’s on your mind, you snap, ‘it ain’t a request.’ That’s a dick move, Hatch.”
Hatcher blew his breath out hard and slowly came to his feet. “You can call me names if it makes you feel grown up.” He folded the towel over the broken down pistol then planted his hands on his hips. “And believe it or not, Roger is a big boy. If he has an issue with me, he knows he can come and talk to me. Like a grown up.” He stepped out from behind the desk and Buck moved toward the center of the room. “Everybody has made it clear that they want the old Hatcher back so guess what? He's back. If you don’t like the old me any better, there’s the door. Don’t let it hit ya on the way out.”
Buck shook his head and turned for the door. “I came here hoping to reach you but
