Buck nodded.
“Good.” He lowered the weapon. “Let’s all have a seat.”
They gathered around the dining room table. Dalton placed the Glock on its surface, pointed in Buck’s direction. He laid it all out. Backup was coming. Should be around nine. One of those guys, Dennie, and Buck would take the SUV and run for Memphis.
“What about us?” Jessie asked.
“We got business to tend to.”
“What?”
Dalton stared at him. “You want me to tell you right here in front of the doc?”
“I guess not.”
“All the doc needs to know is that Dennie’s got to be ready to travel by nine, ten at the latest.” Buck started to say that wasn’t smart but Dalton waved him to silence. “That’s a hard deadline and it isn’t up for debate. Clear?”
Anger flashed in Dalton’s eyes. Dark, threatening. Buck wanted to argue, to buy more time, but sensed that flaming Dalton’s ire could prove dangerous. He simply nodded. “Crystal.”
“Then get in there and get things ready.”
Buck pulled the door closed behind him but paused near the vent.
“Who’s coming?” Jessie asked.
“Three guys. The boss’s sending them.”
“They’ll never find this place.”
“I’ll head back down the hill and call them at nine. I’ll hook up with them and lead them back here. Then, we’ll get Dennie on the road to Memphis and the rest of us can clean up this mess.”
Buck walked to the window and pulled back the curtain. Rain streaked the glass. Open the two twist latches, raise the window, and run. Those were his first thoughts. But then what? Nothing nearby as far as he could tell. When they had arrived—when was that?—he had lost track of time—he had seen nothing for at least a mile. Of course, it was dark and his attention had been on Dennie, but surely he would have seen another house or store or something if it had been there.
If he ran, where would he go? Which direction? To what? They’d be on him in no time. And Dalton would kill him. He had no doubt about that now. If he killed a cop, Buck would get no quarter.
But, Dalton said he had to call them. Whoever they were. To do that, he’d have to head out again. What had he said? A couple of miles? That would leave Buck here, alone with Jessie. That would be his only reasonable opportunity. Not a great one, but a better one.
Fortunately, he had planned for that possibility. Of course, he had assumed he’d have to deal with both men but with only Jessie it would be easier. Except for the rapidly ticking clock. How long would Dalton be gone? Would he have to wait for the others or would they be nearby already? Would he have fifteen minutes, an hour, longer?
He turned from the window and looked at Dennie. Maybe he had another option. Maybe Dennie could buy him time.
He touched Dennie’s arm. The young man stirred, his eyes flitted open, and he blinked. Finally, his wavering gaze found Buck.
“What’s going on?” Dennie asked. His voice raspy, tongue thick. Still sedated.
“I need to get you ready to travel.”
Dennie smacked his lips. Buck picked up the plastic cup of water from the bedside table and tilted it toward Dennie’s lips. “Small sip. Don’t try to swallow. Just wet your mouth.”
Dennie, of course, swallowed, causing him to choke and cough. He clutched his stomach, moaning.
“I told you. Small sips and let it sit a few seconds.”
This time Dennie did. He took a few more sips. “That’s better.”
Buck used a towel to wipe Dennie’s chin.
“Where’re we going?” His gaze was now sharper, his voice less raspy. “To the hospital?”
“No. Dalton said to Memphis, I think.”
Dennie glanced toward the door. “I thought you said that’d be dangerous.”
Buck shrugged. “It’s not ideal for sure. But, it’s not my decision.”
“Get him in here.”
So far, so good. If Dennie could buy time, one more day even, who knew? Maybe the calvary would arrive. Of course, that might mean a shootout or worse, but at least then Buck might have a reasonable chance of surviving this. On his own, he had his doubts.
Buck found Dalton and Jessie still sitting at the kitchen table. They fell silent when he entered.
“Dennie’s awake. He wants to talk with you,” Buck said to Dalton.
Dalton headed that way. Buck followed.
“How’re you doing, brother?” Dalton asked.
“Hurting like a bitch.”
“The doc says you’re doing okay.” Dalton glanced at Buck. “Ain’t that right, Doc?”
Buck shrugged. “Not too bad all things considered, but definitely not out of the woods.”
“What’s this about getting out of here?” Dennie asked.
“Yep. We got to roll.”
“I ain’t ready to move,” Dennie said. “Doc, tell him.”
Before Buck could respond, Dalton did.
“We don’t have much choice. Things have changed. We’ve got to hit the road.”
“What happened?”
Dalton glanced at Buck, back to Dennie. “Can’t say. All you need to know right now is that we’re leaving.”
“Jesus, Dalton, are you trying to kill me or something?”
“You’ll be fine.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You ain’t the one that got gut shot.”
Dalton balled his fists at his sides, twisted his head to one side as if working out a kink. “Listen to me. Come nightfall the boss is sending some guys. You’ll be back in the SUV and headed out of here. The back way. The doc here will be with you and he’ll get you back home so our doc can see you.”
“The one that took that bullet out of my arm last year?”
Dalton nodded.
“Jesus Christ. This ain’t no flesh wound. He’s not even a real doctor. He’s a fucking vet.”
“But he’s discrete and he can handle this now. The doc here did all the hard part.” Dalton shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll gladly stay around and take care of you until you’re up and moving.”
Translation: Buck would be headed to Memphis as a captive, and he’d never leave Memphis alive. No way he could crawl in that SUV, leave
