AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Never did. Never would. Simon had seen to that with years of laying groundwork, of gathering the right evidence, of building contacts. He ran guns and weapons and whatever else militia groups needed. He supplied and planted the seeds to spread discontent. He caused the battles, then supplied the weapons to fight them.
It was quite a lucrative business, and a place like New Foundations, with the endless supply of bodies and shooters, had proven to be the perfect place to launch the operation. The freeloaders and communal types were long gone. He’d rushed the last ones out and taken care of the ones who refused to go. The leftovers were believers and he was their leader.
“You think you run the town?” The deputy spit out the words in what looked like a last bit of adrenaline-fueled strength. “Half the people don’t know who you are and the other half think you’re a cult leader.”
Now that he had his say, wrong as it was, Simon would have his. “I am the person who gets things done. To do that I make deals, like the one I’ve had with your father for years.”
“What are you talking about?”
Amazing what a well-placed bit of factual history could do to suck the life out of a man. Simon could actually see the deputy deflate as his shoulders fell. “Your father has been a very helpful silent partner in this venture. He understands that sometimes you need to look outside the law to get things done.”
“That’s not true.”
Simon had no trouble lying, but he wasn’t this time. The senior Frank Carver was very much involved with the New Foundations operation. The real business, not the retreat. He’d financially benefitted over the years. And a few times when he needed evidence planted or someone to go away, Frank handled that, as well.
It was a mutually advantageous arrangement, one that would have gone on had the sheriff not gotten sick. With a bit of a leadership vacuum, Simon stepped in on his own. But the Carver family’s responsibilities to the partnership had not ended. “With him sidelined, his partnership duties fall to you. I told him to tell you. Since it’s obvious he has not done so yet, I am.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Of course he didn’t. One of the things that made Frank Sr. such a great partner was his ability to hold a secret. His life walking on the dark side appeared to be one of them. Until now.
But Simon had bigger concerns than an ill man working his way through rehab. “It’s time for Lindsey Pike to meet with me.”
The deputy’s eyes were wide and wild with confusion. “Then ask her.”
“She won’t come on her own. She needs an...incentive.” Killing Hank in front of her might do it, but Simon wanted to keep that man around for a while. Test him out. See if he was a better choice than Todd as an assistant.
The deputy moved and Todd grabbed his arm, holding him in place. Frank Jr. swallowed as he got the words out. “What do you plan to do to her?”
“Reason with her.” And by that Simon meant make her remember.
“About?” The confusion was obvious in the younger man’s voice.
“Not your concern.” This was between him and Lindsey. No one else. She had set the terms for the battle. She just didn’t know it yet.
The deputy’s eyes narrowed. “And if she won’t listen?”
Simon’s patience for the deputy and his questions expired.
“She’ll have something in common with poor Grant.” When Frank Jr. flinched and looked ready to bolt, Simon held up his hand. “Nuh-uh. Stay still.”
The deputy’s chest rose and fell on hard breaths. “Why would I help you?”
That was simple. Simon would not give him a choice. “Because your family is in this. I have taken special care to make sure all the paperwork about the weapons leads back to your father, and by connection, you.”
“Weapons.” The deputy repeated the word two more times.
Todd laughed. “You are behind, aren’t you?”
“You’re insane.” The deputy tried to look around, but Todd held him in place. “Both of you.”
“Determined.” Since he was done with this conversation and this man, Simon stood up. “Now you’ll go with Todd here and fetch Ms. Pike.”
“I won’t do it.”
And Simon would not play this game. “Then you will die where you stand. You have ten seconds to decide.”
Because he had new prey to play with, and one way or another she would be here soon.
Chapter Fourteen
Lindsey stepped out onto the porch a few hours later. She needed a rest from the questions and the tactics-and-strategy discussion between Shane and Holt. If she heard one more scenario where Simon tried to hold Holt and how he could break free, her head would explode.
