Page 93 of Through The Woods

I had two bodies on my property—one was a guy I’d known since we were kids and the other had an expired driver’s license that identified him as Clint Scott. When I pulled that string, it led me to a list of priors. I also found a news article about a house fire in California—a fire in which Jim and Stacy White perished, but their daughter, Neve, was pulled to safety. And who should’ve pulled her out, but the same guy that was now lying dead out behind my clubhouse.

I struggled to find a connection between Blade and Clint, outside of drugs, but kept hitting dead ends. Just as I was ready to call it a bust, Blade decided to speak up; confirming what I’d already started to suspect—she had something they wanted. I opened and closed my right hand, noting my split knuckles with a smile.

Unlike the two of them, I’d known exactly where to find what they’d been looking for.

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked to Twitch and Gunner. “We’ll finish it together.”

Blade came to and lifted his head up, looking around as if he had no idea where he was. Blood ran from his scalp down to his chin and he began struggling against his bindings when he saw me. “Charm…I can explain.”

I grabbed what I needed from the shelf on the wall behind me and took immense pleasure in watching his eyes widen as I lit up my cigarette with it. I took a couple of puffs before asking, “You familiar with blowtorches, Blade?”

Gunner pulled a length of chain down from the ceiling and, with only a little resistance, he and Twitch strung him up.

“Charm,” Blade panted. “We could fund the town for years with what she has. She’ll tell you where she’s hiding it. She trusts you.”

I clenched my jaw, while Twitch gave Blade my answer in the form of his fists. “Let’s see how good of a dancer you are, Blade.”

A quick death was beneath him.

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