Going Dark(74)

He’d had hopes for Nicole. Even pictured a future. Not long term, not growing old together or any of that dizzy horseshit. But a month at least, two months, three. Maybe make it to Christmas.

Magnuson rubbed his lips some more.

“They were here Friday late afternoon when my guy did the flyover,” Frank said. “Could be a coincidence they abandoned ship the day we raid.”

“It’s no coincidence.”

“Which means we have a leak. In your group or mine.”

Magnuson lowered his hand and gave Sheffield a solemn look. “It appears we do.”





THIRTY





“DO YOU HAVE A HANDGUN, Thorn? Or any other weapons?”

It was shortly before sunrise, Monday morning, the darkness easing; a reddish glow had appeared in the east as if a single bloodshot eye were peeking above the horizon. Thorn was standing on his own dock again, along with Flynn, Cameron, Leslie, and the Chee brothers. Should’ve felt good, being home, but he was a long way south of good.

Hours earlier, during their long journey across Card Sound, the squall line had passed by, thrashing the bay into a heavy, dangerous sea, but now there were only the ragged remains, occasional bursts of rain and heavy gusts that creaked the big limbs, ripped away leaves. Then just as abruptly as they came, the winds died and there was stillness.

Thorn’s skiff was back in its berth, towed from Prince Key behind Leslie’s Whipray. The big wooden box they’d constructed on Friday was crammed onto the deck of Thorn’s boat, and inside one of its two compartments the monster python was coiled, the same one Thorn had battled. Two deep gashes, one near its head, the other halfway down its length.

The trip from Prince Key to Key Largo should’ve taken less than an hour but required most of the night. With a boat in tow through such rough seas they’d been forced to slog along just above idle speed. Then there was all the ducking into protected coves and creeks to recover from the pounding.

Pauly moved into Thorn’s line of sight, reached out, and placed a hand on Thorn’s shoulder. An almost-smile on his lips. “Pay attention. The lady asked you a question. Do you have weapons?”

His .357 was in a jewelry box Dr. Bill had fashioned out of native lignum vitae, stashed on a shelf at the back of the guest-room closet. This bunch might miss it if they searched, but after Thorn took a quick look at Flynn’s grim set of jaw, the glaze of anxiety in his eyes as he stared at Thorn, the decision was made.

“I’ll show you,” Thorn said.

Pauly stepped away.

“I don’t like this place,” Wally said. “Where the fuck are we?”

“This is Thorn’s house,” Prince said. “Three acres.”

“Five.”

“And your closest neighbor?” Prince pointed south, then north.

“North is a nature preserve,” Thorn said. “And south is the Morrison place. They go away summers. Won’t be back until November.”

“And he has no friends,” Cameron said, eyes on Thorn.

Prince was back to his pompous self. Limping and bruised, but no longer sulking about the beating he’d taken from Pauly. Probably chalked that up to being blindsided. Mirror-lovers such as Prince were so used to being the fairest of them all, not much could shake their arrogance.

“Thorn has friends,” Leslie said. “Where does Sugarman think you’ve been for the last few days?”

“I didn’t tell him anything before I left.”

“He stops in, right? On a regular basis.”

“Off and on. He’s a busy man.”

“Everyone take note,” Leslie said. “Sugarman is a tall African-American. He’s a private detective, a former deputy sheriff. So if you encounter him, come to me and let me know he’s here. Don’t try to take him on alone.”

“I can handle Sugar,” Thorn said.

“No,” Leslie said. “If he drops by, don’t go near him. Is that clear?”

Thorn eyed her for a moment, then nodded.

“This is fucked,” Wally said. “It’s not safe here. Pauly, we should split. Deep-six these losers and move on. Find another project.”

Pauly looked off at the water and didn’t reply. Considering it.

“It’ll be fine here,” Cameron said. “This is better than the island. We’re on the mainland now. Easier to come and go. By boat or car.”

“All right, if everyone’s satisfied,” said Leslie. “Same rules apply. Keep your buddy in sight at all times. One change. Cameron, you’re with Wally now. I’ll watch out for Flynn.”

Flynn swallowed, eyes darting from face to face as if expecting an objection or wiseass remark.