“That’s right.”
The others listened intently. Either this guy was stupid or they had more in common than he realized. “And why would he want to attack us?”
“You killed his dog. I mean, one of you did.” He shrugged.
“And this bothers you?”
Sanchez snorted. “If it did, I wouldn’t be here working for you.” Bill smirked and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Very good. Come, let us talk.” He bellowed at the others to get out there, search every house, every RV, every street for this man, and Sanchez’s father. Bill led him back to an old beat-up truck he’d obtained from an unwilling Gustine neighbor. “Take a seat inside.”
Sanchez hopped in and Bill got in the driver’s side. He offered him a cigarette. Sanchez took it and Bill lit the end, studying him. The tattoos, the confidence. He liked what he saw.
Bill said nothing for a minute or two, chewing over what he’d told him.
“So what is your relationship like with your father?”
“What relationship?” Sanchez replied. “It ended the day they sent me inside.”
“Hmm. He rejected you?”
“That’s right.”
“Did he visit you in prison?”
“Nope.”
“When were you released?”
“A few days ago.”
“And you waited until yesterday to come here and have a heart-to-heart talk with your old man?”
“I had business.”
“Business. Like?”
“Dealing with those who put me inside.”
He grinned. “And those would be?”
“The teachers, and a friend of mine.”
Bill was intrigued by this guy. All the other people who came to him were bums. Nothing but losers looking for handouts. Few showed any signs of potential. Sanchez reminded him of himself and his relationship with his father. Except his father hadn’t rejected him, he thought he could change him. Win him over. Bring him back into the fold like a lost sheep. But that wouldn’t happen. Not when his father had been the one to snitch on him. He couldn’t bring himself to kill his father but he had planned to make his existence a living hell — take what he had, prod, and poke him to get a reaction. That’s what he’d hoped to do when he had his guys take that Colby fella to his field. It was meant to shock him. To let him know that he hadn’t forgotten his betrayal.
“Gilbert Sanchez. I think you and I have a lot in common. Tell me more.”
Five miles from Santa Nella in the small community of Volta, Colby watched as the group of women prepared to continue into the safety of the city of Los Banos. It was the only place they knew where police were still operating in the county. Small towns and cities around had been evacuated to Los Banos because of its size. Instead of police trying to help multiple towns, they could just focus on one. It was easier that way. At least that’s what Hector had said.
After the raid, Colby thought Hector had been shot because they didn’t linger. He’d taken the women and headed across the highway and on to the nearest town of Volta to spend the night there. On their journey in the dead of night, Hector had appeared on the same road, riding like the dickens along Henry Miller Avenue.
“She said her name was Alicia Scott, that she was traveling with you, and your dog — Kane. Heading for a town called Garberville,” Callie said.
It sounded familiar. “What happened?”
“She didn’t elaborate. She said you were separated. I didn’t get to speak with her long as she was taken away.”
“That couple I saw you with. Matthew and Delores. Who were they?”
“I’m not sure. They help Bill. Lure in women in exchange for supplies. They are the ones that took her to Gustine.” She wrapped an arm around her sister tightly.
“Are you sure you can’t come with us?” Eva asked.
“I need to find them. Do you know where they were going in Gustine?”
“Yeah, there’s an auto repair shop just off Yosemite in the southwest of town. Be careful though because they’re not alone. It’s one of the main locations in Gustine.”
He thanked her.
“No, thank you,” Callie said. “I know you took a big risk helping my sister.”
Colby smiled and turned to Hector. “Well, my friend, it’s the end of the road. Thanks for helping me last night.”
“You know I got him.”
“Who?” Colby asked.
“The guy with the dragon tattoo.”
“But it was pitch dark last night.”
“Not through this night scope it isn’t,” he said, lifting his rifle and showing him. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”
“No. Someone needs to keep these women safe. How many miles to the city from here?”
“Another five. I could get them there and meet you in Gustine.”
Colby smiled. He was pleased to see that there were still good people out there. Those who knew right from wrong. Those who wouldn’t stand by idly and let their community go to hell. “You’ve done enough, my friend.”
Hector removed the duffel bag strap from his shoulder. “Here. Take this. Extra ammo. Bulletproof vest. A few other goodies inside. Take it. You’ll need it.”
Colby thanked him.
Hector continued. “I will alert the military and police when we arrive. Hopefully, once they learn what’s happening in Gustine and Santa Nella, they will deal with this asshole. In the meantime, be careful.”
“You too. Safe journey. Keep off the roads.”
“Will do.” It was early morning when he watched them head out on foot. Hector had given him the horse to ride into Gustine. It would save a lot of time and hopefully, he could find Alicia, and she could fill in the missing pieces.
Bill was impressed with his new friend. Not only had he offered up a name for the one responsible for the siege on the hotel, but he’d given him insights into how they could potentially take the gun store in Gustine. It was risky but doable. Up to this point, all attempts were met with extreme force by the owners. That wouldn’t change but now he had an idea.
First things first, he had
