“Are you paying attention?” I didn’t even bother to use Gerry’s name as I tightened my grip on the handle. “I offered to help Twig bury you in the backyard at Christmas. The only reason you’re still here is because of Sabre, and that generosity has officially run out.” I squeezed the trigger on the nozzle, spraying Gerry in the face.
His reaction didn’t disappoint. He shook his head back and forth, trying to escape the spray as if he were drowning. It was one quick burst, and if this was a sign of how things were going to go, he was going to fold like a wet blanket.
“I still want to know if he killed his wife,” Grizz said, swinging his legs.
“See, I’ve been thinking about that night.” Pretty slapped his hand against Grizz’s knee. “I think Gerry here wanted to fuck El Sombra Roja, and he got pissed when the big man chose Aunt E instead.”
“How did you come up with that?” Grizz was seriously interested in Pretty’s theory. I thought it was full of shit, but I said nothing as I aimed a few more blows of water at Gerry.
“I told you. I’m good with weird shit.” Pretty shot Wreck a look before he continued. “There’s something intoxicating about breaking a man who denies his own urges.” There was a collective groan. “You’re the bottom, Gerry?”
I shot the water directly at Gerry again before I ripped the tape from lips.
“Motherfucker! Ow!”
“Shut the fuck up. If this makes you holler, you’re going to have a rough night.” I put the piece of tape back over his mouth, rubbed it so that it would stick, and pulled it again.
“What? Afraid a younger man could beat your ass?” he sneered in my direction.
I shot a stream of water into his face, watching him cough. “I was a Marine, and then when I retired from the Corps, I found my way here and prospected. There’s no fucking way in hell I’m afraid of you when I’d square up to any brother in this place.”
“Except Count,” someone helped.
Gerry looked past me at Grizz. “I already told you I didn’t kill my wife.”
“Doesn’t mean I believe you.” Grizz shifted on the table, causing the whole thing to squeak. He leaned over, checking to make sure it wouldn’t collapse, before he crossed his arms over his chest and sat up straight.
“I didn’t. She died in the accident, leaving me with two kids.”
“Do I detect some hostility? Don’t tell me you were a deadbeat husband.” Pretty shook his head, a dejected look on his face.
“He let Liz do everything, and this is the thanks she got.” I squeezed the trigger on the nozzle, letting the water hit him full force. He wiggled in the chair, but the enforcers had strapped him down. There was nowhere to go.
“Did you sell her, fucknuts?” I asked, stopping long enough for him to answer, but when he didn’t, I let the water hit him again. “Just nod when you’re ready to answer. I’ll stand here all night. I don’t give a fuck.”
“Time this shit,” Wreck said to Pint.
“Oh, can we bet on it?” Pretty’s face lit up. “I’m a sucker for a lost cause. $10 says he doesn’t make it two minutes.”
“You already lost,” Pint chuckled, checking his watch. “It’s already been two and a half.”
“Fuck.”
I heard them, but I let their bullshit go in one ear and out the other. My blood simmered into a raging boil the longer Gerry took. “Are you ready to talk?” I asked him.
“It’s been five minutes. Damn, I didn’t think he’d go that long.”
He nodded, and when I turned the pressure down, he sputtered, spitting water out of his mouth and down his shirt, letting it run into the drain at his feet.
“I didn’t sell her.”
“So, what did you do?” I doubted that was the truth. Gerry always had a reason.
“He approached me.”
I made a show of turning the pressure back up to full force, and he quickly stuttered, trying to get his thoughts together.
“He visited me. In the facility. Walked in one night, like he fucking owned the place. Probably did.”
