Chapter 26
Eddy plowed her shoulder into Timpany’s belly. He fell backward with her on top. The pistol flew from his hands. She snatched it up, rolled sideways and jolted to her feet, aim dead-center on his chest.
He jerked to his knees then rose more slowly, gaze steady on hers.
“Superman,” she rasped. Her voice was shaky, but he didn’t look so solid himself. “I guess I didn’t recognize you.”
He licked his lips. He’d raised his hands near his shoulders. His fingers were spread. His white vest had a streak of green near the waist. He’d lost a button. “Well, I don’t...” He swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing. “I don’t have my cape.”
“You’re a jerk,” she said and steadied the weapon.
“No, I’m not.” Somehow, he managed to sound honestly affronted. “You didn’t think I was serious about that stuff did you?”
“What stuff is that? The stuff where you were going to give me to drug runners to be raped and murdered? Or the part where you were going to shoot me first?”
“Both. I was just joking,” he said and attempted a smile.
“I gotta tell you…” She was breathing hard and her knees felt noodly. “I don’t think you’re going to make it in stand-up.” She motioned toward the jungle. “Get going.”
Sweat had appeared on his forehead but he turned away, walking stiffly. “What are you going to do to me?”
She didn’t answer. They’d just entered the edge of the trees. “Turn left.”
“This is all just a big misunderstanding. We’re going to laugh about it later.”
“So you weren’t really planning to have me killed?”
“Killed?” He chuckled. “No! I—” He stopped abruptly when he saw Durrand stretched out beneath the shiny leaves of a corkwood. “Jesus!” His tone was squeaky. “Is that your friend?”
She was almost tempted to ask him how many wounded men could be strewn along the side of Highway 78, but she didn’t have the energy required.
“Pick him up,” she insisted.
“Are you kidding me?” He turned jerkily toward Durrand. “He weighs like…twice as much as I do.”
“Luckily, you’re a superhero. Be careful of his wound.” She nodded back toward the aqua colored vehicle. “Put him in the backseat.”
He opened his mouth as if to argue, but she tightened her fingers on the pistol’s grip and widened her stance.
“If you don’t quit whining, I’m going to shoot you in the leg.”
“I won’t be able to carry him if you do that.”
She tightened her lips. “It’d be worth it just for the satisfaction. Pick him up.”
Squatting, Timpany shoved his arms under Durrand and struggled to rise, but his legs were shaking before his burden had cleared the ground. He settled the lax body back down, already puffing. “I can’t do it.
Eddy scowled, worry scratching at her soul. Time was running out. “Grab his arm,” she said.
“What?” He was still panting.
She repeated the order.
He complied.
Keeping the pistol pointed at Timpany, she picked up Durrand’s opposite arm. It was shockingly heavy.
“Okay, we’re going to drag him to your car.”
“For real?”
“Pull.”
Even with the two of them, it was not a simple task. But at least it was downhill. By the time they reached the Thunderbird, Eddy’s legs felt shaky. “Open the door.”
He glared at her. “If he gets blood on my seat you’re going to wish you’d never met me.”
“If I shoot you in the leg, you’re not going to feel so great about our relationship either.”
He opened the door, looking sullen.
“Get him inside.”
“Can’t do it alone.”
“Swear to God, I’m going to pop you just for the fun of it.”
In the end, Timpany managed to do as ordered. Durrand lay on his back, legs bent, feet on the floor.
“Okay.” Eddy fidgeted, motioning with the handgun. “Now, get out of here.”
“Get out of here? Are you kidding?” Timpany shook his head. “I can’t leave the Bird. Cesar will kill me if I leave the Bird.”
“Who’s—”
“My boss!” He looked upset enough to burst into tears. “He owns the auto dealership.”
“I thought the car was yours.”
“Yeah, well I didn’t think you were going to pull a gun on me and make me drag your big ass boyfriend around like a sack of…” He shook his head then set his jaw. “That car isn’t going anywhere without me.”
“I’m not going to hurt it.”
“Are you nuts?” He swung one miserable hand toward the vehicle. “Your oversized friend is leaking like a sieve. And what if he dies in there? I’ll never get that stink out.”
She stared at him. “Are you serious? You’re worried about the smell?”
“I mean…” For a second, he tried to look empathetic. He barely even managed human. “It’d be the shits if he died.” He cocked his head, gazed at Durrand for a second, then raised his brows and examined her. “What is he to you anyway?”
“I’ll leave the car where you can find it,” she said.
“You two an item or what?” he asked and stepped toward her.
“Stay where you are.”
“Listen, I’m not sure how much you know about Colombia, but it’s basically a backwater swamp where macho men have pissing wars. It’s not safe for a woman alone here. If he dies—”
“He’s not going to die!”
“Sure. I know. But if he does, things could get rough. Hey, I’ll give you my cell phone number.” He was pulling a stack of cards from his vest pocket. “Call me if you need to buy a car or something.”
“Didn’t you threaten to sell me about five minutes ago?”
“I told you I was just kidding,” he said and stretching his arm out as far as he could, handed her his card.
She took it for lack of anything better to do then backed away.
“Thank you.”
“Yeah. Just… Just be careful with the Bird.”
She glanced through the window. A pair of keys hung from the ignition. A topless hula girl danced on the dash. “I’ll be—” She began. Just then something stung her eye. She stumbled back as business cards fluttered past, but he was already wrenching the pistol from her hand.
She swung toward the car without thinking. Yanking the door open, she dove inside. A bullet skimmed her arm. She shrieked, slammed down her lock, and turned the key. The engine roared to life as the gun’s chambers clicked repeatedly.
“Empty? It’s fucking empty! Are you kidding me?” Timpany shrieked, but she was already peeling away, gravel flying in her wake.