Every station checked had the same annoying static feeding through the jeep’s speakers.
I turned the volume down, lessening the white noise, but kept the radio on in case a broadcast came through. “We’re pretty fortunate to have survived. Though, my aching bones and muscles would probably disagree with me considering how much they hurt at the moment.”
“No time for pain, right?” Jackal said, removing his hand from the back of his neck.
“Is there ever?” I replied.
“You know, I think we should renegotiate our contract for this job. I know I’ve mentioned this already, but I think we should consider doing it,” Jackal said, looking over at me.
I glanced his way and shook my head. “That’s not the way we do business. You know as well as I do, we go back to Mr. Coleman and try to pull more money from his pocket after we’ve agreed on a price, it’s going to damage our credibility and put us sideways with one of the more powerful crime bosses in the country. That’s bad for business and our general well-being.”
“Are you that afraid of him?” Jackal asked with a raised brow as we tore down the dirt road. “I know his pockets are deep, and he’s got a stock of mercs at his disposal, but we’ve faced greater threats and prevailed. We’re no slouches ourselves and can handle anything that comes our way. From him or anyone else.”
“Not afraid, just want to play this smart is all.” I kept a tight grip on the muzzle of the rifle. “The last thing we need is to have to look over our shoulders. That’s a distraction that keeps us from focusing on our jobs. His pockets are deep and the amount of heat he could rain down upon us would strangle our business and even cut ties with clients.”
“Listen, I get the not wanting to ruin our street cred or having to look over our shoulders, but look at all of the crap we’re going through for this payday. We’ve been through tsunamis, earthquakes, gangs, planes crashing, and now whatever this shit is outside. I mean, we’re in the desert for Christ’s sake. I’m just saying the parameters of the job have changed, and with the challenges we’ve faced and are encountering, renegotiating doesn’t seem like an unreasonable thing to do,” Jackal shot back, unwilling to drop the matter. Being equal partners had its advantages and disadvantages at times.
I let go of the rifle and held up my hand. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s just focus on finishing the job. Once we have Lawson in our custody and take him back to New York, then we’ll go from there. Sound good?”
Jackal nodded. “Yeah. Just think about it is all I’m saying.”
The winding dirt road came to an end, giving way to a two-lane paved road that spanned for miles in either direction. The pinging of rocks and dirt pelting the undercarriage subsided as the tires gripped the asphalt.
Jackal slammed the brakes, bringing the jeep to a skidding halt. The engine grumbled as we idled on the side of the paved highway. “I’m thinking we go left here. That’s the direction the plane was heading, wasn’t it? I’m kind of turned around right now.”
I rubbed my chin, scanning both long stretches of road for a sign, or lights in the distance, but spotted nothing within the dull murk that hung over us like a cloak. “Yeah. Seems like our best bet to me. It’s as good as any place to start.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
CORY
The SUV tore down the highway at full tilt, hugging the winding roads that snaked through the mountains and valleys of trees. I checked the mirrors every few seconds, looking for the brown truck or headlights in the falling ashfall, but spotted nothing in our wake.
“You might want to ease off the gas some before you send us off the road and head first into a tree,” Anna said, holding onto the driver and passenger seats through each hard turn. “I’d like to make it to Salt Lake City in one piece if it’s all the same to you.”
“Yeah. Sorry. Just making sure we put enough distance between us and whoever they are,” I replied.
The ash thickened. I adjusted the speed of the windshield wipers to combat it. Parts of the highway had patches of silver that blanketed the asphalt.
“Leave it to you to find trouble in the middle of nowhere.” Anna shook her head. “I think you’re cursed.”
“Seems that way.” I eased my foot off the gas.
Cindy slouched in her seat, head resting against the passenger side window. Her arms folded across her chest. A distant looked filled her shiny, red eyes as a river of tears streamed down her face. She didn’t bother wiping them away.
“Hey,” I said in a soft manner, touching the end of her elbow. She flinched, then gasped, pulling away. “It’s okay. You’re safe. They can’t harm you now.”
She looked at me, then Anna. Naked fear lurked in her eyes. She ran her fingers across her face, wiping away the tears.
“I’m not sure how safe I am.” Cindy sniffled. She wiped the back of her hand under her nose and cleared her throat. “I can’t believe he’s gone. That they killed him.”
“Who are they?” I asked, looking at her, then back to the road ahead.
Cindy shrugged. “To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve never seen them before a day or so ago. They barged into my home, covered my head, then dragged me out to this SUV. Anytime I spoke or demanded answers,
