“It’s what cops do. Ask the same shitty questions over and over. Like the answers will be different.” He stepped near her. “So, if you need anything else, now would be a good time. I’ve got to drop by my place and empty things out before I stroll into the police station.”
She still had a couple of rides left. But what if things went badly with Cassie? What if Jason was arrested? “Yeah,” she said. “I could use some more.”
“You got any money?”
“Thirty.”
“Tell you what, I have a bit more than that on hand but I’ll let you have it for the thirty.”
“What’s the catch?”
“Not that.” He smiled. “Unless you want to.”
She glared at him.
“It’ll save me a trip by home. So, you want it? Bargain price?”
She nodded.
“Okay. Follow me.”
They slipped between two stores and entered the alley behind Tish Sabbatini’s dress shop. How many nights had she spent in this very spot? Huddled in the shrubbery or beneath the steps or behind the trash bin of one of the businesses that lined Main Street? This alley had been where she bought drugs, shot up, sold her body, and had been her home until Reverend John gave her a place with a roof, a heater, and a real bed.
“Let’s have it,” Jason said, his head swiveling back and forth, making sure no one was coming.
She handed him the thirty and he passed her two small plastic bags. He stuffed the bills in his pocket.
“Got to bounce,” he said. “I’ll see you later. Maybe in the park.”
Marla entered Reverend John’s, hoping to get up to her room for a taste of the meth. Maybe get some of the smack up inside and slide away into that wonderful oblivion. But when she walked through the front door, she saw John. His brow furrowed as he looked at her.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“You look like you saw a ghost.”
“It’s nothing.”
He offered her a paternal smile. “Marla, you know you can’t bullshit an old bullshitter. What’s the problem?”
“Tommy Finley and his family.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe it.”
John took a step forward. “Was he your supplier?”
“I don’t do that stuff anymore.”
“Marla, what am I going to do with you? You’ve bombed out of rehab, what, three times now? And as a former addict, I know what folks look and act like when they’re using. So, was Tommy your dealer?”
She didn’t respond because she didn’t really know what to say. Her mind was locked on getting upstairs. Getting well.
“Okay,” John said. “You don’t have to tell me. Just don’t bring any of that shit in here. You know the rules.”
She nodded.
He sighed and massaged one temple. “City seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. Five folks murdered, a doctor missing. Did you talk with Luke Towry?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“Looks like I might have a job,” she lied. “As soon as my arm’s better.”
“Good.”
She nodded and headed for the stairs. A job? She didn’t see that happening. She hated lying to Reverend John, but really, was it a lie? She hadn’t told Towry no. Not totally. Not yet.
CHAPTER 40
Buck saw the Navigator roll past the window and into the backyard, wipers churning against the increased rainfall. A minute later, Dalton came through the kitchen door and into the living/dining area, his jacket dripping on the hardwood floor. He looked at Buck, then Jessie, where he held his gaze for an extra beat. Back to Buck.
“How’s my brother?” Dalton asked.
“Same as before. Sleeping right now.”
Dalton jerked his head toward the bedroom. “Go check on him.”
“I just did.”
Dalton’s eyes narrowed. “Do it again.”
Buck raised his hands defensively. “No problem.”
Inside the room, he saw Dennie, still asleep. He heard the door close behind him.
What was up? Dalton’s face, his stance, his ushering Buck into this room, suggested that something had changed. Drastically so. But, what? Had he been seen in town? Recognized? Were the police on the way? If so, would this turn into a shootout, or a standoff? Either way Buck could become a hostage. But then, wasn’t he already?
Buck positioned himself beneath the vent again. He could easily hear the rumble of Dalton’s voice.
Jessie: “What are you saying? You shot a cop?”
Buck recoiled with a sharp intake of breath. He closed a hand over his mouth, fearing they had heard his gasp. Sound would travel both ways though the ducts. Apparently neither had as the conversation continued.
Dalton: “I had no choice. I think he made me. Or at least suspected the Navigator might be the SUV they’re looking for. He was going to run my plates and I couldn’t let that happen.”
Jessie: “Jesus. Where’d this take place?”
Dalton: “Just down the hill a couple of miles.”
Jessie: “When they find him they’ll be all over this area.”
Dalton: “They won’t. At least not for a while. I dumped his car into a ravine so it’s completely out of sight.”
Jessie: “But they’ll know where he was searching and start looking around here.”
Dalton: “Probably.”
Jessie: “Don’t those cars have GPS stuff in them?”
Dalton: “Taken care of. His cell phone, too.”
Jessie: “What are we going to do?”
Dalton: “As soon as it gets dark, we’re out of here.”
Buck felt his heart tick up a notch. If they were leaving, he was done. They’d kill him for sure. He looked toward the bedroom window. Was it time to run?
Footsteps approached. Buck stepped toward the bed, facing Dennie. The door opened.
“Get your ass out here,” Dalton said.
Buck followed him. Dalton closed the door again.
“We got a problem,” Dalton said, “and the solution is we’re leaving tonight.”
“I told you…” Buck began.
“Yeah, I know what you’ve been saying but I’m telling you how it is. Get my brother ready to move. Tonight.”
“It’s not safe,” Buck said. “Not yet.”
“It’ll have to be. Do whatever you need to do but we’re out of here.”
“Okay,” Buck said. “What about this? You guys go and leave me here with Dennie. I’ll make sure he gets the care he needs.”
Dalton’s stare
