Page 54 of Better off Dead

I hit the switch and made my way slowly through the darkness until my foot found the side of my mattress. I lay down and put my head on the pillow but didn’t take off my shoes. I wanted to be ready for whatever might be in store before morning. I didn’t trust Dendoncker one inch. And I could easily imagine Mansour and his buddies hatching some dumb scheme with me in their crosshairs.

A moment later Fenton sat down. I heard her crutch rattle against the floor. I felt her stretch out. She was still for a moment, then she wriggled across onto my half of the makeshift bed. She snuggled in close. Her breath was warm on my neck. Then she was twisted like she was having some sort of convulsion. Something landed on my head. It was rough against my cheek. And it stank. Like a mixture of diesel fuel and mildew. It was her blanket. Judging by the weight, she’d folded it multiple times. To muffle the sound.

She whispered, “Where are we?”

“You don’t know?” I whispered back.

“They threw a hood over my head. Made me go down a ladder. Felt like maybe through a tunnel. There were stairs at the far end.”

“We’re in Mexico. The tunnel is actually a drain. It goes right under the border.”

“How did you know?”

“I’m good at finding people, remember?”

“You said you were good at catching people. Seems to me we’re the ones who’ve been caught.”

“Don’t worry. It’s a temporary situation.”

“Why did you come?”

“I heard you were in trouble. Figured you’d do the same for me.”

“You came to help?”

“And to deal with Dendoncker.”

Fenton sighed. “It’s just, I was hoping…No. Forget it. I’m being stupid.”

“About what?”

“I was hoping you were bringing news. About Michael. That he was alive.”

I said nothing.

“So,” Fenton said after a moment. “What happens next?”

“Dendoncker lets me go in the morning. I come back for you.”

“Think he’ll let me live long enough?”

“I guarantee he will.”

“Why would he?”

“He thinks he has to. In order to get what he wants.”

“Just what kind of deal did you make?”

“One that won’t turn out the way he thinks it will.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m going to cheat.”

Fenton didn’t reply. She rested her head on my shoulder but I knew she wasn’t about to sleep. I could feel the tension in her.

“Reacher?” She lifted her head. “Will you really come back?”

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