“That’s all fine and good, I don’t give a shit so long as Arden is safe.” He started walking again. “You can either stay here or come with me but I’m leavingnow.”
“Fuck,” she mumbled behind him. “Ihateriding bitch.”
Eighteen
As Arden splinted and wrapped up Ellie’s ankle, she listened to the snowmobile speed away with Kyle and Camo. She sent up a prayer that Kyle and Camo would find Walter quickly and without Rick.
But if Rick the Dick is there, then please God, let Kyle’s aim be true. It might have been a sin to send up that particular prayer on Christmas, but she hoped God would understand. In the meantime, Ellie had gone quiet and her shivering had turned to shaking. Arden was afraid her friend was going into shock along with hypothermia. She needed to get her inside and warmed up even if it meant risking more injury to her ankle. She’d already given Ellie some ibuprofen and hoped it would kick in soon.
“Okay, Ellie, let’s get you up and back to the house. On three, I’m going to support you while you try to stand.” Abandoning the first aid kit, Arden planted her feet solidly, counted to three, and helped Ellie up. The woman bit off a groan of pain.
“You okay?”
She waved off Arden’s words. “I’m okay. Let’s just get my sorry ass back into the house.”
Arden supported Ellie as they carefully navigated back through the trees and into the yard. The light coming from Ellie’s back porch light and kitchen window glittered through the branches and gave them a point to aim for. They made it to the back door sooner even than Arden had hoped. She was thankful for her friend’s grit and determination—but wished Ellie had shown a little less of it earlier and called them before going after Walter on her own.
As Arden helped her up the steps to the back door, she felt her phone in her pocket buzz with a text. God, she hoped that was Kyle with good news. She’d check as soon as they got in.
“I think Kyle just texted me,” she told Ellie.
“Please, God, let Dad be all right,” Ellie said as they stepped into the kitchen.
Arden turned and pulled the door shut behind them, locking it. Ellie gasped and swore. Turning back, Arden said, “We’ll get you settled and that foot up. As soon as—Oh, fuck!”
Rick stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the front room, pointing a revolver at Ellie. The woman started for her pocket where she had her .38 special but Arden grabbed her arm. She didn’t think Ellie could draw it quick enough and stay standing.
Rick looked like pure hell. Bloodshot eyes, pupils dilated until his eyes looked black, Stetson hat pulled low to shade them. Yup, he’d definitely done a few bumps waiting for them. Arden had always suspected he did cocaine and it looked like he was going for broke tonight.
“No sudden moves,” Rick said. “Hands where I can see them. Put them up. Put thembothup!”
“She needs to hang onto to something, her ankle’s hurt,” Arden said as she put her hands up while Ellie clutched the back of a kitchen chair and raised her other hand.
“Shut up, whore.” Rick wiped his nose. “I want both of you in the front room and on the couch now.” He waved the gun at them. “Come, on,move.”
“I’m going to help her walk; that all right with you, Rick?” Arden asked.
“Fuck, I don’t care if she crawls, just get the hell in there, both of you.” He lowered his gun, using it to motion for them to go past him. Arden started to reach for the .38 in Ellie’s pocket but then he was pointing the revolver at her again.
Be patientArden told herself.Stay sharp and in the meantime, buy time for Kyle or the sergeant to get here.
“On the couch,” Rick said behind them.
Arden settled Ellie on the couch and sat to her left, the same side with the .38. As they were sitting down, Arden felt her phone buzz again.That’s right, Kyle, something’s up if I can’t get to my phone, right? So get your smokin’ ass back here.
Rick paced back and forth in front of the couch but kept his gun aimed in their direction. “I gotta think. I gotta fuckingthink. Those motherfuckers.”
“What did you do with my dad?” Ellie asked.
Rick stopped pacing. “Quit worrying about your dad. He’s probably already fucking dead by now.”
Ellie’s eyes went wide and her face paled. Arden reached across her body and gripped Ellie’s hand with her left hand and squeezed, willing Ellie to stay with it. She slipped her right hand into Ellie’s pocket. The tips of her fingers grazed the pistol grip.
Rick waved the gun again. “Sit apart from each other. I want one cushion between you.”Fuck. So close. Arden scooted away.How can I get to Ellie’s .38 and shoot Rick?
“Rick, I’m sure we can talk this out,” Arden said.
“I told you to shut up, whore. I just need tothink.”
