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“That’s my theory. He found out Jake had been with his girl and he lost it. He couldn’t control his anger. I’m not making an excuse for what he did. I’m just saying I think that’s what happened.”
I pull into the parking lot of an abandoned building.
“We’re never going to find him just driving around,” I say.
“So what do you want to do?”
“I need you to call him. See if you can get him to meet you somewhere.”
“He won’t do it. He’ll think it’s a setup.”
“Not if you pretend you’re on his side. Sympathize with him. Play to his ego. Tell him he had every right to do this to Jake. Say Jake deserved it for being with Tara. Say whatever you think he needs to hear and then offer to help him. Ask him what he needs. Offer him food. Money. And whatever else he asks for. Then tell him you’ll meet him somewhere to give it to him.”
“He might go for that. So then what happens?”
“I’ll go with you to meet him. I’ll hide out until he sees that it’s not a setup. That there aren’t cops there to arrest him.”
“We’re not involving the cops?”
“We will once I’ve got him.”
“You’re going to hold on to him until the cops get there? What if he gets away?”
“Look at me.” I point to myself. “I’m at least three times bigger than Troy. And at least ten times stronger. You really think he’s getting away?”
Sean smiles. “Let’s do it.”
32
DEAN
The plan worked.Troy agreed to meet with Sean. He must be getting desperate. It’s Friday, which means he’s been hiding out for almost a week. By now, he’s probably cold, hungry, and out of money. I doubt he’s slept much, which means he’s not thinking straight. If he was, he wouldn’t be doing this. It’s too risky.
“He’s gonna see you,” Sean says.
“I’ll hide when we get closer.”
We’re in Sean’s car, heading to the area we were at the other day. Sean was right about Troy going back there, but he wasn’t staying in that shack we went to. He’s been hiding out at an old abandoned gas station. The front of it has a lot of windows, all broken, so Troy couldn’t hide in there without being seen. Instead, he’s been hiding in the bathroom, which is around the back, the kind you access from the outside. It’s actually perfect for a meetup. Sean can go in first and talk to Troy, then I’ll show up and grab him.
“Okay, we’re here,” Sean says, coming to a stop. I’m crouched down in the back seat, which is hard to do when you’re as big as I am.
“Do you see him?” I ask.
“Yeah, he just came out. He’s looking around for cops.”
“Get out of the car. Show him the bags.”
Sean grabs the grocery sacks we brought, filled with food and cash. I hear the door shut and Sean talking to Troy.
“You look like shit,” Sean says.
“What’d you think I was going to look like? I haven’t showered in a week. You bring the stuff?”
“It’s in the sacks. I can bring you more later, but this should be enough to last you a few days.” Sean pauses. “Stop looking for cops. It’s just me.”
“Does anyone know you came here?”
“No. I didn’t even tell Leo.”
