Page 119 of Blood Moon

“Figures.” Then, “Get out of the car, Mr. DEA. Real slow.”

John angled his head back and said, “No, Mitch. Not until they send Molly out.”

Barker said, “She stays with us until you surrender yourself.”

John raised his hands higher. “I already have.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?”

“You wouldn’t come unarmed.”

“I wouldn’t risk Molly’s safety.”

“Right, right. Let’s see under your jacket. Easy like. And, uh, regarding Molly’s safety, Frank’s got the bore of his pistol tucked up tight under her chin. If you or your crony so much as fart, her head is red mist.”

John wanted to barge toward the house, leap over the front steps, grab Barker by the throat, and squeeze until his eyeballs burst. His desire to do that was so extreme, he actually swayed forward and back.

Barker laughed. “I can tell you’re just itching to do something valorous, but what good would it do you? You and thegirl would be dead. Neither of you would be around to bask in the glow of your heroism.” He sighed. “So what would be the point, huh?”

“How do I know you haven’t already killed her?”

“You don’t trust me?” Barker asked in a mocking voice.

“Let me see her.”

“She’s alive.”

“I want a guarantee.”

“The only guarantee you’re getting from me is that if you’re trying to buy time, drag this out with all this chatter, we’ll end it now. Frank kills her, I kill you. What’s it going to be?”

“I’m not going to do anything that would jeopardize Molly’s life. Mitch’s either.”

“See how easy that was?” Barker said. “We understand each other; we’re all playing by the same rules. Now, lift your jacket.”

“What?”

“I’m not going to ask again.”

John raised his jacket, revealing nothing except his belt buckle.

“Now the back.” When John hesitated, Barker said in a measured and malicious tone. “Turn around and lift your jacket.”

Reluctantly, John did as told.

Barker laughed. “See? Told you so. You wouldn’t come unarmed. Pinch the hilt between your thumb and finger, take the gun out slowly, and toss it. Don’t cheat on the distance, either. Keep in mind that Frank has a twitchy trigger finger, and, to tell the truth, that girl’s whimpering is getting on my nerves.”

Swearing, John did as asked. He tossed the pistol far out of his reach.

“Now,” Barker said, “if you and your sidekick continue to behave, we can make this swap peaceably. He leaves with the girl. I arrest you.”

“That’s bullshit, Barker,” John said. “You’re not going to arrest me. There’s no way in hell you’re going to let me leave here alive. But I want to see Molly driving away with Mitch.”

“Aww, that’s touching. You’re a saint. I don’t know that I would sacrifice myself for one of my kids.”

“I know you wouldn’t,” John said. “But you and I struck a deal. Molly for me.”

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