I hold my breath. Don’t kill him, I silently say to Hangman hoping he’s a bit psychic. At least until we find Henri and Oscar.
The expression on Hangman’s face flickers from anger, fury, and rage before settling on a disturbing grin as he decides to let the ‘old man’ reference go. “Not here to trade insults, Renfrew. You got a couple of kids that belong to the Jury. You give them back and we got no problem.”
Sadie snorts, then opens his eyes. They’re glassy, unfocused, staring across the room at nothing. He struggles to get up, but his knees buckle and he drops back into his chair. “I gotta go home,” he slurs.
“Get the fuck out of here, then,” Renfrew says as he glances at the Blackbeard.
Sadie rises again, staggers towards us, then literally falls into Hangman. Hangman doesn’t even twitch as Sadie slides off his chest and falls on the floor.
Groaning, he flips to his back and looks up at Hangman. He doesn’t recognize his enemy. “Give me a hand up, pal.” He reaches towards Hangman.
“Fuck that, you stupid sonofabitch.” Hangman rears back and viciously kicks Sadie in the ribs.
“Fuck!!!!!!” Sadie screams as he hugs his stomach and turtles. Then vomits.
“Jesus,” I say as I wrinkle my nose. I don’t much like Sadie either, but I don’t think he deserves being kicked to death. I try to divert Hangman’s attention. “Save that shit for later. We’re here for the kids, not to satisfy your bloodlust.”
“Shut your fuckin’ mouth, woman,” Hangman growls in a tone that would make me wet my pants if Eight wasn’t with me. But he is, and my anger at Hangman boils over
“You shut you’re fucking mouth, man!” I reply.
Eight grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me. “Don’t forget why we’re here.”
“I haven’t forgotten! That’s the point!”
“Then let this play out.” Eight’s voice is too calm, too steady.
“Fuck off!” I snap as I try to shrug out of his grip.
Eight’s face and eyes blank as he squeezes my shoulders hard enough to bruise them, but whatever he’s thinking, he doesn’t share.
Unfortunately, Hangman’s kick brings Sadie out of his stupor and my squabble with Eight draws me to his attention. “I know you!” he mumbles, not smart enough to roll out of Hangman’s range. “You’re the bitch that?—”
Hangman kicks him again.
“Back off, Hangman,” Renfrew says. “You’re on my turf. Show some respect.”
Hangman looks around the room. “What’re you gonna do, asshole?”
Renfrew shrugs. “Nothing.” He pauses. “Not now. Some other day.”
Hangman reaches for his gun, but Joker says, “Don’t. We’ll deal with his shit later.”
Hangman nods subtly then balls his fist. “We came for the kids.”
Renfrew ignores him. “Finish what you were saying, Sadie.”
“Fuck that!” Hangman bellows. “Where are the fucking kids?”
Sadie points a shaky finger at me. “That bitch is a fuckin’ bounty hunter. A shit one, picked me up and then couldn’t get me into the police station.”
I momentarily forget my purpose for being here as my ego kicks in. “Yeah, you pussy. Because your friends showed up and rescued your ass.”
“You Selkie Fleming?” Renfrew asks casually.
“Yeah. What’s it to you?”
“Would you shut up!” Eight snaps at me.
