Page 60 of Property of Whiskey

Twila’s entire demeanor changes. Deputy and woman at the same time now. “I’m here,” she tells her.

Kaylee’s eyes drift toward the cuffs behind Twila’s back.

Confusion creases her forehead.

Twila notices.

I put a hand at her upper arm.

Her spine stiffens immediately.

“Get in.”

“This doesn’t mean I’m cooperating.”

“Wouldn’t recognize you if you did.”

She climbs inside.

I follow.

Bullet shuts the rear doors before walking around to the driver’s seat.

The van smells like motor oil, old leather, blood, and the cheap air freshener Bullet hangs in every vehicle because Becki says his trucks smell like ass.

Twila sits on the bench opposite Kaylee.

I sit beside her.

She immediately scoots away.

“You kidnapped me.”

“We covered that.”

“I’m going to put you in prison.”

“Get in line.”

“My daddy…”

“Yeah, yeah. Your daddy’s gonna bury me.”

“He is.”

The van starts moving. Twila turns toward the rear window as the old Pearly Gates buildings slide between the trees, gray and rotting behind streaked glass.

Something moves near one of the upper windows.

I catch it. A shadow.

Gone before I can focus. Cold crawls down my spine.

We were seen.

I look toward the front.

Bullet’s eyes meet mine in the mirror.