He moaned again. “Frank told me Bob killed them. I tried to shoot Bob, but he ... he got me.”
Cassidy reached for Lyle’s hand, squeezing hard. “So sorry, Lyle.”
Sapphire heaved a breath. “Christ.” She touched his arm. “I promise you I will get him for this.”
Lyle shook his head. “No, you won’t. He’s untouchable.”
Sapphire’s jaw clenched. She leaned closer. “He’s not untouchable. He’s a coward. Cowards run, and runners get caught. I’m going to make damn sure of it. But I need your help to take him down, so you hang in there. Got it?”
Lyle didn’t answer. Another tear spilled down his cheek.
Sapphire wiped it away with her thumb. “I need you, Lyle.”
Lyle nodded. “Okay.”
“Hey, Lyle, press your hand on here, mate.” Mitch grabbed Lyle’s hand and pressed it onto the wound.
Lyle moaned.
“That’s it, mate, keep pressing. You’re gonna be just fine.” Mitch stood, met my gaze, and shook his head. Lyle was not fine at all.
“I’ve done what I can for him,” Mitch said. “We need to check on Frank.”
“Right.” Sapphire stood, too, and glared at me. “You good?”
I knew what she was asking. Can I control my anger?
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m good.”
The four of us moved deeper into the cave to where Frank lay face-down in the dirt.
His breathing was a raspy rattle. Cassidy crouched a few feet from him, her eyes on his face, but her hand stayed on her gun as if she didn’t trust him.
“Frank.” Sapphire’s voice was flat. “Can you hear us?”
“I hear ya. Now fuckin’ put a bullet in me, will ya?”
“Shut up, Frank.” Mitch knelt on Frank’s other side, opening his field kit again. He ran his hand down Frank’s leg and squeezed the calf hard. “You feel that?”
“Feel what? I got so much pain in me I’m feelin’ everythin’,” Frank said.
“Your damn leg, you stupid prick.” Mitch dug his thumb into the back of Frank’s knee.
“I don’t feel nothin’. Just kill me already.”
“He might be paralyzed,” Mitch said, making sure Frank could hear.
“I hope he fucking is,” I said.
“So, end me. That’s what you want, ain’t it?”
“No, you stupid bastard.” Cassidy crouched lower so Frank could see her face. “We want you to suffer.”
Frank groaned. “I’ve been sufferin’ for months. I’m dyin’ a cancer.”
“We don’t give a shit,” I said, getting closer.
Sapphire raised her hands, telling us to back off.
