Mark

I was cold when I woke up. When I moved to curl into myself, I bumped an elbow on the side of the bathtub and hissed through my teeth. My first thought was that I was going to wake Clyde.

My second thought came almost as quickly as the first. He’s not here. Yesterday’s argument came back to me in a flood of dread and guilt. I remembered Clyde’s desperation and his insistence that he had to do the heist. That he couldn’t leave his mother to rot in prison.

I threw myself out of the bathtub and yanked a shirt on over my head. My mind was spinning but the only thing I knew was that I didn’t have much time. There was only one day until Clyde had proposed we hit the mansion, and before then, I wouldn’t be able to shake him. If Clyde was already awake, I would lose my chance.

When I emerged from the bathroom, I found Clyde sleeping under the staircase. He seemed peaceful there. Sleep always made him look softer, I noticed—as if all the stress and worry he carried during the day simply fled when he closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. My chest already felt twisted with the knowledge of what I was about to do. But I had to do it—if I didn’t, there was a good chance I could lose Clyde.

I ran down to the basement as quietly as I could. It was early morning, but Link was awake, settled behind his desk as if he’d never moved. The only difference was the gas station coffee at his elbow. “You’re up early,” he said, surprised. “Got big plans for the day?”

“Clyde isn’t going to listen.”

Link sighed. He looked tired when he rubbed a hand over his forehead. “I know he’s difficult—”

“This isn’t just him being stubborn,” I interrupted hurriedly. “It’s his mother. She’s in prison and she got hurt. He’s not doing it for anyone but her.”

I saw the comprehension in Link’s eyes. He closed them for a minute; I wondered if he was picturing Clyde’s mother, injured, pleading. The way Clyde would have looked into her eyes and said I’ll make it right.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Absolutely. He’s going to wait until the guy is out of the mansion and trip the back alarm. He’ll go in the front then, take what he can, and get into the woods. He already has a spot to stash things if he has to ditch and come back.”

“I told him it was a bad idea,” Link said, almost speaking to himself.

Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure about what I’d done. Is Link going to kick him out? I knew that was practical, in a sense. It would send an example. But Link cared about us. Or at least, I hoped he cared that much.

“Look—it’s going to cost you respect if he goes behind your back.” I eased into the first thought that came to mind. I have to get him on Clyde’s side. There’s no way to do the opposite. “Why don’t you go along with it? It could work, with help. Or if you don’t, at least talk him out of it. Now that you know. Maybe you have a better idea.”

Link was quiet for a long minute. I worried that he was going to say no—that he would tell me Clyde was out. I was prepared to do whatever I needed to, to stop that. I’ll give my place, if I have to. Say it was my idea. Clyde needs this more than I do.

Finally, Link stood from his chair. “How do you know he’d listen, if I had a different plan? So far, his listening skills are pretty damn poor.”

“He wants to do it. Doesn’t matter how,” I said quickly. I fought a wince at the way that sounded. Hopefully Link overlooks it. “So long as he can make the money he needs for a new attorney, it won’t matter. He’ll be glad to have help.”

“New attorney,” Link muttered, shaking his head. “Where was the mansion, again?”

“Uptown. By the neighborhoods and the shopping plaza. It’s just past a hill, by the woods.”

“All right. Guess I’m going on a trip this morning.” Link shook his head again, already reaching for the jacket that hung on his chair. He paused before he started for the door and fixed me with a stare. “But we’re doing this my way. My rules. No stupid decisions.”

“Yes. Yeah, I get it,” I agreed quickly.

Link shook his head again, but he didn’t say anything as he made his way upstairs. Once he was gone, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

It’s really that simple. I wanted to cry and cheer out of sheer relief. I settled for going back upstairs to where Clyde was, hidden away behind a piece of cardboard propped up against the edge of the staircase. He was still fast asleep.

I wondered what he’d say when he woke up. If he would be just as relieved as I was. Will he thank me for taking care of it? Or will he scold me for doing it alone? I smiled to myself as I imagined Clyde telling me not to face Link alone. As right as he would be, I didn’t regret my choice.

Things were going to be just fine—and most importantly, Clyde would be safe.