Drew pressed the Glock into the base of Max’s head. He laid a hand on his shoulder, firmly. He hoped the guy wouldn’t try to be heroic. He really didn’t want to have to hurt him. “We can’t leave him out back to be found and it’s not like I’m going to put his body on the Harley and drive it all around town.”
Sam grimaced. “You know blood’s hard to get out of the carpet in the trunk.”
“I’ll use a tarp. I think there was one outside,” Drew improvised.
“I got a better idea. He must have come in a car or something. Why not use his?” Sam asked. “You got keys demo dude?”
Max answered cautiously. “I have keys. There’s a truck outside. Really, though, I can pretend that I didn’t see anything. You guys move everything out by end of day today and we can say this whole meeting never happened.”
“We’ll use your truck,” Drew said. “Start walking.”
“You need any help with him?” Knuckles asked.
“Nah, I got this,” Drew pushed on the gun hard into Max’s shoulder making him stumble forward.
“I think I’ll join you. You’re going to need help putting him in that truck,” Red invited himself.
Drew wished he wouldn’t come but it wasn’t like he could refuse his help without it looking suspicious.
“Keep walking,” Drew kept up the pressure on Max.
“Look, there is no reason for anyone to go to prison over this. You really don’t want to be up on murder charges, do you?” Max asked, rattled.
“Been to prison, not a big deal,” Drew replied. He kept his voice casual and calm. Drew hoped it would keep Max calm as well. He hoped Max wouldn’t try to fight or run. If he did, then Drew would have no choice but to shoot him. He would try to make sure it wasn’t a lethal shot but at this close of range, if he missed he’d look stupid to Red. Drew needed to maintain his cover. “Open the door.”
Max slowly complied, trying to buy time. “We look so much alike. Funny, right? I mean, I could be your cousin or something. You wouldn’t want to kill your cousin, now would you?”
“Fine by me,” Drew poked him again. “Keep walking.”
They were in the side parking lot. There was a grassy area that was tucked behind the buildings. Hopefully no one could see them as they walked towards it.
“Have you ever heard of Ramesly Pharmaceuticals or Ramesly Insurance? Big business. My family owns them. They are rich. You could ransom me,” Max threw out the idea. “I’d be worth a lot of money.”
“We’re in the drug business,” Drew said dryly. “What’s sitting in the basement of this building is worth more than you.”
“Look, I have my cell in my pocket. I’d like to record a last message for my wife and sons,” Max pleaded. “I promise, I’m not trying anything. I just want to let them know how much I love them.”
“As if I believe you wouldn’t try something.”Please don’t try anything, Drew thought a little desperately.
“Please, I’d just like to leave a message for my wife,” Max persisted. He was starting to panic a little at the thought that he might not make it out of this alive. “Surely you can understand that.”
“Just shut up,” Drew hissed. They were at the grass. There was a puddle and muddy area. It would have to do. He looked back to see Red standing near the building, having a smoke. He stepped in close to Max and could feel the man’s muscles tighten. “Don’t do anything stupid if you want to stay alive.”
Max stilled, listening intently.
“I’m going to shoot the gun. You stiffen, you fall down in the mud. Roll over once so that you’re wet on both sides. Hopefully you’ll be so dirty, Red will never know there’s no blood or bullet hole. You don’t move, you don’t twitch, you don’t so much as breath when we roll you up in that tarp over there. Stay relaxed, not stiff. You go stiff, you give the game away. After we load you in the truck, Red goes to help the boys pack up. If not, I’ll try to convince him of a decent place to dump you where you won’t die. After that, you’re on your own.”
“Why are you doing this?” Max whispered. “Not that I’m not grateful.”
“Just do him already!” Red shouted from beside the building as he started to walk their way.
“I’m giving him his last rites!” Drew yelled back. “My ma raised me Catholic!”
They could hear Red curse and suddenly there was a gunshot. Max stiffened in surprised terror but didn’t feel any pain.
“Fall you idiot!” Drew hissed in desperation.
Max fell face forward into the mud. He rolled over onto his back. He jumped in surprise as another gunshot went off, but played dead, not even opening an eye. His very life depended on it.
