Three Sides of the Tracks Page 15

“Stop thinking, Sweet Cheeks. Take it as it comes and you’ll be a lot better off. But you happen to be right. Grab that loaf of bread. Did you see any Cokes in there?”

  “No, but I didn’t think to look.” Caroline checked the pantry again and saw several twelve packs of canned soft drinks. She grabbed a twelve-pack of Coca-Cola and one of Dr. Pepper.

  “Okay, I’ve got two 12 packs. Can we please go now? I hate being here. I’d rather be in the car.”

  Slink looked at her with an odd expression. “You’re a tough one, Sweet Cheeks. Yes, sir, a tough one,” he said and banged the refrigerator door shut.

  Caroline started out the door, but Slink jerked her back inside, forced her against the wall, and kissed her hard on the lips.

  Caroline twisted her head but Slink gripped her face with one hand while his other pressed heavily on her chest.

  He let her go as suddenly as he had jerked her inside.

  “You’ll have to excuse me, Sweet Cheeks, but your butt looked so fine walking through that door I just don’t know what came over me.” He grinned devilishly and winked.

  Her head spinning, Caroline picked up the plastic bag and kept her back to the wall as she slid toward the doorway.

  Slink laughed.

  Caroline was almost at the outer door when Slink yanked her back.

  “Hold it. Let’s see what’s under that tarp.”

  He grabbed one end and pulled up the tarp to expose a gleaming black 2000 Buick Lacrosse. “Damn.”

  Slink stared at the car for what seemed an eternity then tried the passenger door. It was locked. He walked around to the driver’s side, and it opened. He looked in the glove box, the console, and under both sun visors for keys then smacked the dash with his fist. He stopped when he heard metal clink against metal. Two keys on a simple metal ring swung gently while another fit snugly in the ignition switch. “I’ll just be damned,” he said and cranked the car, noticing that the gas gauge read full. “Change of plans, Sweet Cheeks. Throw that stuff in the trunk.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.” Slink opened the glove box and popped the trunk lid up. “Shit,” he muttered at the expression on Caroline’s face.

  He snatched the plastic bag from her hand. “Don’t pretend you don’t understand. You’re just thinkin’ how much harder it’ll be to catch us now, huh?”

  Caroline blushed.

  “Uh huh. Get in.”

  Slink had barely cleared the driveway when he threw the car in reverse and backed up. “Pop that trunk lid,” he said then hopped out of the car, folded the cloth tarp and put it in the trunk.

  He slammed the trunk and slid behind the wheel, looked up the road to see whether there was anyone to observe them leaving, then sped from the carport. They passed only one house before reaching the dirt road leading to their hideout.

  “Old lady must be sentimental. Kept her husband’s car after he died.”

  That brought Caroline from her stupor. “How do you know that?”

  “Old lady smell in the house. Reminds me of my mother’s. By the way this car drives and the way it looks, I’ll bet she drives it ’bout twice a year. Takes it to the dealer to be serviced, and they rip her off for doing nothin’ cause it don’t need nothin’, and she’s just happy as a lark, thinking she’s doing something for her dearly departed. Ha, what a bunch’a crap.”

  Caroline turned her head to keep Slink from seeing her eyes roll, but she had to admit that the house did smell of perfumed powder and staleness.

  Slink drove around the barn and up the trail into the woods. He stopped and put the car in park then turned his eyes on her. “Don’t pretend you’re not attracted to me,” he said with a smirk.

  Caroline’s stomach knotted and she lowered her eyes, afraid of what he might see.

  His scent filled her mind.

  Then he was next to her. He cupped her chin in one hand and lifted her face then kissed her tenderly.

  Caroline trembled. These were her lips touching someone . . . something so evil. Her belly fluttered and every fiber quivered. Thrill and shame fought for control. And the thrill was overtaking her. She despised him yet was powerless to do anything. The urge was too strong and she didn’t understand. She felt like she was in a dream in which strong hands held her down while she was tortured. She wrenched her face away before she lost whatever restraint she still possessed. Guilt and shame overtook her, and the evil she felt helpless against twisted into a fear that threatened her very self. Her stomach rolled. Caroline flung open the door and retched. She half stepped, half fell out of the car, and, on her hands and knees, retched until there was nothing but bile.

  Slink slid across the seat and leaned toward her. “I can wait, Sweet Cheeks. Whenever you’re ready, and I spect that won’t be long now. I know you. Know how your mind works. You can’t help yourself, can you? You hate me, but you want me. Don’t make sense, does it, but there you are. We can’t choose who we’re attracted to. We just are.” Slink chuckled as he walked off. “Crazy world, I’ll say.”

  Caroline knelt on the forest floor. She had never felt so helpless, so confused, and so overwhelmed with shame. The dead pine straw turned dark with tears. Then a guttural scream for help and hope came from deep in her chest. “Dannnnny, Dannnnny,” she screamed between sobs, having no more idea why than she did for letting Slink’s lips linger on hers for so long.

  22

  Backup

  Jessie closed the door in Iggy and Deadhead’s face then went back to his room. He dropped a couple of small ice cubes into his glass and filled the rest with Crown Royal. The tiny spoon overflowed with the three-quarter cocaine, one-quarter speed concoction. He dumped it on the mirror and began cutting it finer with the razor blade. He pressed a finger against one nostril then sucked the entire line of white powder deep into his other nostril.

  The line made him dizzy, so he leaned back until it passed and the euphoria took over. His eyes fell on the open address book with all his telephone numbers. Iggy and Deadhead, idiots.

  Feet propped on the desk, he slid the book over with the toe of his shoe so he could pick it up with a minimum of effort. Didn’t want to disturb his “high.” The number he wanted was under the “D’s” for “deliveries.” Just a number, no name, and the number he looked at was itself a code for the real number.

  Jessie dialed. The phone rang then stopped. No one spoke but he heard breathing. “Same place. Same time,” Jessie said and waited. Two seconds later the line went dead.

  Jessie smiled, hung up the phone, reached for his little spoon again and poured another glass of whiskey but held off drinking it to enjoy the taste of the white powder as its remnants ran down his throat. He caught his reflection in the glass panels of the gun case, brushed back his hair, lifted his chin, and rubbed his jaw line. “I look damn good for 50 years old. Ain’t no son of a bitch in Georgia gonna outdo me.”

  23

  Tricky

  Bart Phillips’ car turned in Danny’s driveway just as Danny walked into the yard from Bernard’s. Their eyes met and Bart looked busy turning off the car when he saw Danny scowl.

  Bart slammed the car door. “Didn’t come to cause trouble, Danny.”

  Danny stopped walking. “That would be a first then. Every time the police come here there’s trouble.”

  “I’m not police. Maybe you don’t know that.”

  “Put people in jail don’t you?” Danny said, although he was beginning to feel like he might be the one who was wrong. It was obvious by his manner and tone that Phillips was trying to be polite.

  “You’re not in jail, are you?” Bart said, defiance on his face now.

  Sympathy fled. “Does my face look normal to you, Mr. Phillips?”

  Bart took out a cigarette and held the pack out to Danny, who declined. “Let’s start over. I told the others you weren’t likely to be involved in the robbery. I never heard of you being mixed up in anything of that nature, or that gang either. But you were with them at some po
int yesterday, weren’t you?”

  “Yeah, earlier, but not of my choice. I mean, they didn’t kidnap me or anything, but, well, they, or the one who’s kinda the leader, Slink, he’s hard to say no to. I was next door at his uncle’s and he came by and just kept on and on that I go with them, so I went. We drank some beer then I came home. That’s all I know about any of it; I swear.”

  “I don’t doubt it. Hmm, now that you mention it, Bernard is Slink’s mother’s brother. I’ll be darned. I hadn’t even thought of that. Bernard lives there, doesn’t he?” Bart said pointing to Bernard’s house.

  “Yep.”

  “What I know or remember of Bernard, I’m surprised he has anything to do with Slink.”

  “He doesn’t really. Slink mooches off him. That’s why he came by yesterday. For what, I don’t know. He had money.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, when we stopped to get beer, Slink had a lot more money than Bernard let him have. He just wanted more. Greedy.”

  Bart nodded.

  “Danny, do you have any idea where they went? Anything at all might help. I hear you’re close to one of the girls.”

  “We’ve been best friends since we were kids. I believe I’d kill Slink if he was standing where you are.”

  “Understandable, but,” Bart smiled, “you’re not supposed to say stuff like that in front of me. It’s against the law.”

  “I don’t care. If I . . .” Danny stopped.

  “If you what?”

  “Nothing. You said it was against the law to say stuff like that, so I won’t say it.” Danny managed a slight grin and subconsciously raised his hand to cover his disfigured lip.

  Bart looked away, pretending not to notice. “Your mother home?”

  “She was a little while ago. I don’t see the car though, so she’s gone somewhere.”

  “I was going to say hi. Haven’t seen her in a while. We were all friends, close friends at one time, you know.”

  “Yes, sir, I’ve heard. Heard a lot of things lately I never knew.”

  Bart thought about Martin coming to get Danny last night. “I reckon you have. Some good. Some bad, I suppose. Life has a lot of surprises, Danny. Make the best of them is all I can tell you.” He remembered how Danny had covered his disfigured lip a moment ago and felt a rush of compassion.

  “You mentioned that I put people in jail a moment ago, and you’re right. I have put a lot of folks in jail. A person gets a feel for people when he does that because he’s taking a part or maybe all of their life away from them. Of course, the ones who broke the law did it to themselves, not me, but, still, I’m the one who brings them before the judge and pretty much tells the judge what to do. It might surprise you to know that I haven’t seen one yet who didn’t have a rough childhood.”

  Danny stared wide eyed.

  “That’s why I’d bet my life you didn’t have anything to do with that mess.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know you had to have been picked on an awful lot when you were growing up, and I can tell you’re a little self-conscious about it, which is why I know you’re not one of the mean ones.”

  Danny’s face began to flush.

  “Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Just wanted to let you know I think you’re all right. And one more thing. Some cops have a little surprise for them come Monday morning for that beating they gave you. You can go to bed with a smile on your face because the worst ones are going to lose their jobs, the rest busted down to patrol cops.

  “Also, some detectives will be coming to interview you—”

  Danny tensed. “I already told you all I know.”

  “I know. I know, but these aren’t local. GBI and FBI are taking charge since it’s also a kidnapping. It won’t be the idiots from last night and might help us find your friend.”

  Danny fought hard against squirming. “When?”

  “The sooner the better. I’d guess later this afternoon. Early tomorrow morning.”

  Phillips waited for some response, but Danny just stared.

  “Okay, then, good talking to you,” Phillips said and got back in his car. He waved as he backed out of the driveway.

  Danny came out of his trance just in time to notice and wave back. Damn, what will they do if I’m already gone?

  Neither noticed the dark blue Chevrolet Impala that had pulled into the warehouse parking lot on the side street adjacent Danny’s back yard. The driver watched the last of the conversation between Phillips and Danny through a Bushnell monocular. The style of Phillips’ car and the special antennae on the rear panel screamed law enforcement, but that didn’t impress the man behind the wheel. He’d kill them too, if they interfered with his contract.

  24

  Getaway

  Belinda touched the mute button as Danny interrupted the movie for the third time in the last hour. “What’s on your mind, Danny?”

  “Why? What do you mean? Just thought I might watch the movie with you.”

  “When did you start liking Woody Allen?”

  “Oh crap, is that what’s on? Guess I will pass.”

  “Go ahead and tell me what’s bothering you. I know something is.”

  Danny plopped down on the couch beside her. “Mr. Phillips said the FBI might be coming out to talk to me. I told him all I knew and that it would be a waste of time, but I think they’re coming anyway.”

  “You don’t have to talk to them. I won’t let them in the house if it bothers you that much.”

  Danny took out his pocket knife and snapped it open and closed several times with a flick of his wrist. “Mr. Phillips was pretty nice. He said talking to them might help find Caroline.”

  Belinda waited a few minutes for him to finally tell her what was really bothering him, but he stared blankly at the TV screen. She thought about what he’d said.

  “Is it just the FBI, or do you not want to talk with anyone?”

  “Well, . . . I . . . I mean, the FBI.”

  Belinda laid a hand on his arm. “They’re no different than anyone else. Probably be a lot like Mr. Phillips or your . . . your father. Do you want me to call him and have him with you when you talk to them?”

  Danny almost jumped off the sofa. “No, Mom, he’s done enough. For now anyhow.”

  “You are nervous about it, aren’t you? I suppose they can be pretty imposing.”

  “Just wished they’d come on if they’re coming, so I could get it over with.”

  “I’ll call Bart if you like. He could probably come with them. Would that make it less frightening?”

  “I didn’t say I was frightened,” Danny snapped.

  “I know. I didn’t mean it that way.” Belinda stood up. “I’m going to call Bart and see what I can do,” she said and walked toward the phone.

  She looked up the number and was almost through dialing when Danny walked over and said in a conspiratorial tone. “Tell him I’m afraid I’ll forget something by tomorrow.”

  Belinda raised her eyebrows accompanied with a piercing look but nodded.

  Danny fidgeted on the couch as Belinda navigated the police station to reach Bart Phillips.

  “Seems the kidnappers made a mistake,” Belinda said after hanging up.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Bart said the FBI man and some others went to Atlanta looking for Caroline. Her credit card was used at a convenience store somewhere up there. He didn’t say exactly where. I think the FBI man had left by the time Bart came back from talking to you.”

  Danny’s shoulders sagged and he slumped farther down on the couch.

  “You’re not happy? I thought you’d be glad they had a clue.”

  “Mom, if they’re looking for Caroline in Atlanta, they’re looking in the wrong place. More likely to be in Macon than Atlanta.”

  Belinda’s expression showed her confusion.

  “Don’t you see, Mom? That’s what those guys want the cops to think. They rob a church and have plen
ty of money and then they go and do something as stupid as using Caroline’s credit card. Come on. I thought the FBI was smarter than that.”

  “Hmmm. Does sound rather dumb, but these boys were probably in a hurry to get away and didn’t want to be seen, so they sent Caroline—”

  “Mom, they’re not ‘boys,’ and the one guy, Slink, is anything but dumb. I know how he thinks and using that card was just a way to get the cops thinking they are headed north,” Danny said, and as he talked his tone gradually changed from irritated to sympathetic as he contemplated what he would say next.

  “I’ve got to try to find her, Mom. Slink is smarter than any of these stupid cops, and I can’t stand the thought of Caroline being with that bunch. They’re nothing but animals. And I mean animals.”

  “You’ll do no such thing. They’ve already shot I don’t know how many people.”

  “I know. I know. I don’t mean I’d try to get her away from them. I’m not that crazy. I mean try to find her and then call the police.”

  “If you think I’m going to let you go after those people, you’ve got another think coming, young man. If you know something that would help the police, then tell them and let them do their jobs. I know you and Caroline are close but this is way beyond . . . Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “No, ma’am. Like I said, I know how that guy Slink thinks, so I thought I might—”

  “Might what? What could you possibly do, Danny, if you don’t know where they went? Where they might hide out?”

  Danny slumped back down. “Yeah, I know. Guess I got carried away hearing about the credit card.”

  “Carried away is putting it mildly. Lost your mind is more like it,” Belinda said, her expression softening. She sidled next to him on the couch. “I’m really very sorry about Caroline.”

  Danny squeezed her hand. “I love Caroline, Mom. We’ve been friends since the third grade. But don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid.” He hoped she’d remember this tomorrow when she discovered him gone and realize that the entire discussion was his way of explaining why he had to find Caroline.