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“It isn’t often that vengeance and a righteous fight coincide so completely. But it’s not over. We both have work ahead.”
“You’re right there.”
I rub the knot on the back of my head.
“You take care of those Wormwood pig fuckers back home,” says Bill. “Send ’em down to me. I’ll handle them from there.”
“I might have to come back and help you with that.”
“I wouldn’t object. Just don’t let thoughts of revenge blind you to your responsibilities to those you love.”
“Don’t worry about Candy. She’ll be right with me when she finds out what happened.”
Bill looks under the counter for another bottle. Looks frustrated when he comes up with nothing.
“Send me some souls soon. Bereft is not my natural state. I fear I’ll go a little mad without a useful task to occupy me.”
“It won’t be long, Bill. I promise.”
He gets a rag and wipes off the top of the bar. It doesn’t matter that there will probably never be another customer in here; nervous energy has to go somewhere. Even the smallest things can help.
“Any chance there’s more Wormwoods down here that we missed? If there’s tracking to be done, I’m ready,” he says.
I blow on the blister. Watch it bloom on my skin.
“I think we got them all for now.”
“Pity,” he says.
“Yeah.”
“Maybe it’s time for me to get out of this hovel,” he says. “I was a lawman once. Maybe I could make myself useful down here.”
I set the Glock on the bar, along with all the ammo left for it and the Colt.
“Keep both guns. I have more.”
“The Colt was a gift.”
I stack the bullets in rows.
“Candy will understand. She likes you—she’d want you to have it.” I think for a moment. “We should go back up the hill to Quay’s place. Pick up some of those rifles and whatever ammo is left.”
He puffs the Malediction. In the candlelight he looks older than his Earthly years.
“That’s a good thought. But later. It will give me something to do after you leave.”
“Let me show you how the Glock works.”
He picks it up. Weighs it in his hand and gives it to me.
“I never thought this would be the time or place I’d modernify myself.”
“Life is funny.”
“And death is riotous. So, show me how your toy pistol works.”
I pop the clip and take out the bullets. Show him how to load the gun and rack in a shot. Playing teacher feels good. Gets me out of my head for a few minutes.
