Going Dark(80)

Leslie walked toward the VW, waving the .38 at Cameron, directing him to pull in behind Sugar’s Honda. Holding both hands up to measure the distance between bumpers until Cameron tapped Thorn’s car against Sugar’s, blocking him in. Tree in front, Thorn’s Beetle behind.

The four of them piled out, Wally gawking at Leslie, coming closer. “Not bad. Little puny in the tit department, but all in all…”

Pauly told him to shut up.

Leslie went over to the driver’s window of Sugar’s Honda, reached in and grabbed the ignition keys, slung them toward the lagoon, where they splashed. Then she turned back to the gathering.

“This is Sugarman,” Leslie announced. “The man I told you about.”

Flynn was staring at Thorn, small, outraged shakes of his head.

Leslie handed the pistol to Cameron.

“Take him inside, make him comfortable while we get dressed.”

“That’s it?” Flynn said. “No explanation?” He waved at her nudity.

“It’s what it appears to be. Why? Is that a problem?”

Thorn watched his son absorbing this. Eyes flinching as if he’d taken one blow and was waiting for the next.

“When do I get my turn?” Wally said.

“Everybody inside,” Leslie said. “Put the groceries away, it’s time we discussed the plan.”

“And him?” Pauly nodded at Sugarman.

“He’ll be staying. Our guest. Cameron will watch over him.”

“And afterwards, when it’s done? What then?”

“We’ll see,” she said. “When it’s done, we’ll see.”

Sugar shot Thorn a look. Man, oh, man. What the ever-loving shit had Thorn done now?

Thorn said, “We’re shutting down Turkey Point nuke plant.”

Sugarman nodded as if such a thing were completely routine.

Flynn stripped off his T-shirt and handed it to Leslie, and she slipped it over her head and tugged it to cover herself. A minidress.

She said, “We’re not going to harm anyone or do any permanent damage. It’s a publicity stunt to draw attention to the environmental dangers of nuclear power.”

“You’ll be breaking the law though,” Sugarman said.

“Wrong answer,” Wally said.

Leslie came forward and stood in front of Sugarman. “It’s an act of civil disobedience. We’ve tried repeatedly to make our voices heard through all the normal means—public petitions, demonstrations, education seminars, speeches at commission meetings. We’ve tried to use the political process, but the entrenched power is too strong. No one listens, no one is responding. So now we’re stepping outside the law. Yes, it’s true. We’re putting ourselves at risk for what we consider a greater good.”

Sugarman nodded. Thorn knew that Sugar had stepped outside the law once or twice, put his life on the line for one greater good or another. “And you’re in this, Thorn?”

“A hundred percent.” His lie spoken as resolutely as he could.

“Risk all this?” Sugarman motioned at the house, Thorn’s life.

“I think it’ll work,” Thorn said. “Our intentions are pure.”

“And me?”

“We’re sorry you’ve walked into this,” Leslie said. “We only ask that you don’t try to interfere or escape. Friday, we’ll be done, and we’ll be on our way, then you’re free to go to the authorities or do whatever you feel you must.”

“You try to escape,” Wally said. “We’ll cut your fucking throat.”

“That’s not true,” Leslie said. “Our group is nonviolent.”

“What group?” Sugarman said.

Leslie eye-checked with the others, getting no dissent. She told Sugarman. Earth Liberation Front.

“Yeah, I’ve read about you guys.” Sounding neutral, as if he were making up his mind. Thorn thinking this was the moment they might have to make a break. Picking his path to the woods, yank Flynn by the arm, drag him along.

“You form an opinion from your reading?” Prince asked.

Sugarman drew a breath and smiled at Thorn. “You’re not altogether bad. Well-intentioned.”

“He’s lying,” Pauly said. “He’s saying what we want to hear.”

“I believe him,” Leslie said.

“Can’t allow this,” Pauly said. “Another guy walking in, a lawman.” He edged a step toward Sugar.

“Pauly. Relax. We’ll work this out. It changes nothing.”

“No. Makes it too messy.”

Pauly moved so swiftly Sugar didn’t have time to flinch. Pauly’s roundhouse kick snapped into the side of Sugar’s right knee and crumpled him where he stood. Before Thorn could move, Sugarman was sprawled on the gravel, the right leg bent beneath him at a savage angle.