Page 15 of Demise

He takes a peek and then nods. “All right, help me carry him,” he says.

Once inside the warmth of the shop, we drop Miles into a deep tub, and I step back, looking around a bit when I notice Charles eyeing me expectantly.

I lift a brow. “Right,” I mutter, grabbing the envelope from inside my coat.

He places it inside a drawer and grabs his tools.

“Not going to count it?” I ask.

He looks back at me. “It’s usually all there.”

“Hmm.” I nod in agreement then pull at the lapels of my coat. “Well, I’ll let you get to it then.”

He waves me away and I head out, tapping my boots off before climbing into the car. I hurry back to the hospital.

Rule of thumb: Always have cash on you and a loaded gun. You never know when you might have to pay someone off, and you never know when you might have to off someone.

Chapter Thirteen

Sweep

“Where have you been?” Trig asks as I approach the hospital doors.

“Had to take care of something.”

“Miles?”

I look around. “Something. What’s with the head?” I ask.

“Miles knocked my ass out this morning. I told you he stole my truck.”

I narrow my eyes as he touches his head slightly. It’s bandaged, but blood shows through.

He inhales his smoke. “Bones is out of surgery. He’s going to be all right.”

“Hmm,” I say. “Good.” I bunch my shoulders together, putting my hands into my pockets. “Didn’t you say your dad had a cabin?”

“Yeah,” he replies, exhaling smoke. “North side of the Barrens. Just a little place.”

“Funny. Bones and Bexley were being kept in a cabin out in the Pine Barrens.”

He looks at me as I look at him. Neither of us says anything. He’s the first to look down, acting like he just wants another drag.

But I see it.

Thelie.

He tilts his head. “What are you implying here, Sweep?”

“Coincidental is all.”

“I agree. What side did you say they were on?”

“I didn’t.”

He narrows his eyes.

I lift my collar and settle my hands into my pockets again. My voice is low. “I’m not sure if you had anything to do with this…” I lean in. “But if you did.” I place my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “Well, I hope you didn’t, old friend.”

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