“Huh. Shit. He pulls up a chair, sits, and wipes his brow. Now I’m retired, my wife handles most of the wet work. This is your fault. If she goes to prison, I have to cover. A man works hard his whole life, he should have a few years to kick off his shoes and relax. Youz guyz ruined my golden years.”
Sam nods sympathetically. “I totally understand. We’re really sorry.”
“Yeah. You should be. And keep those hands up.” He waves his gun and as I reach for the ceiling, he lets out a heavy sigh. “If I can’t kill you here, I could take you for a drive, kill you in the woods, and make sure your bodies are never found.”
My partner tosses her pretty blond locks. “Hmm. No. I don’t think that’ll fly either. You were the last person seen with us. Maybe you should go home and plan this out better. I can put you in touch with Frankie. He’s got a lot more experience than we do in matters such as these.”
“No. This is something I gotta do. I know. I’ll kill the guy in the office, first.”
“And don’t forget to erase his video.” Sam pipes up. “And if it’s connected to the web, that’s really dangerous. You’ll need to find someone to erase it from the cloud.”
“Cloud? What the fuck is a cloud? Shit. Offing people is not like it was ten, twenty years ago. I guess I’ll have to take my chances. After I kill the manager, we’ll get in my car, we’ll drive deep into the woods, and I’ll have you dig your own graves. I got a shovel in the trunk.”
“Good idea, but the ground is frozen solid.” I high-five myself for my remarkable insight.
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Gallo stands and waves his gun around in the air. “Go outside. Both of youz. I’m tired of talking.”
Chapter 29
Sam
If I hadn’t wanted a big wedding so badly, we’d be safe at home and Mr. Gallo would never have caught us so unawares.
“What if someone finds the manager and calls the state police? They could put out an APB and nab you on the thruway. I catch Sebastian’s eye, hoping he has a plan as I stop with my hand on the doorknob.
“Huh.” Mr. Gallo stands and scratches his head. “Why you being so helpful?”
“Obviously, I plan on kicking your ass as soon as we get into the woods. Do you mind if I put my coat on? It’s really cold out.”
“Sure but make it quick.” He steps back and waves the barrel of his gun at Suds. “You. Stand next to her.”
Confident we’re far enough away to be no threat, our murderer smiles. “And how would you kick my ass, so to speak?”
“One karate chop to the hand and you’ll drop your gun. Game over.” My stomach churns as I bend over to pick up my jacket but Suds, with his back to the gunman, winks.
Gallo chuckles as he scratches his head. “You’re two are too much. This is the most fun I’ve had in years. I’m almost sorry I have to kill you. But, you’re right. I’ll off the guy in the office last. Then, I’ll drive down to Albany and catch a flight back to paradise.”
He motions to the door. “Outside, move it.”
Single file, we exit. In front of me Suds raises his hands higher in the air. Holy shit, my partner’s got a gun tucked into his waistband.
An idea forms as Gallo points toward a small break in the pine trees. “There. Boyfriend first. You next. And buddy, if you try anything, she dies.”
Sebastian grunts and slows his walk until I’m almost on top of him. Then, with the cold barrel of the mobster’s gun pressed into my side, we cross the open space.
In the woods, I wait for a sign from Suds and when it doesn’t come, I figure it’s up to me. I stumble on a root, and as I fall forward, grab my partner’s gun.
On the ground, I turn and shoot.
Mr. Gallo’s eyes go wide as he falls back staring at a blossoming red stain in his chest. Then he aims his gun and fires.
Strangely calm, I wait for a shining staircase to descend or my shimmering grandmother to point the way to heaven but no one comes.
I’m so screwed.
“Sam. Are you okay?” Squatting beside me, Suds unzips my coat, searching for the deadly wound.”
“Suds, you’re dead, too?” At least I won’t be alone for eternity.
