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She shrugged. “Fine. I’m lying. Drop the gun, Corey.”
He took a few steps forward. Sorensen didn’t move. She didn’t shoot him. He didn’t think she would. “How ’bout you drop yours?”
“You won’t shoot me,” she said. “Cardozo won’t trade anything for me if I’m dead.”
She was right about that. But she wasn’t simply leverage anymore. With Cardozo on his tail, she was his ticket to freedom. He started walking again, making it to the end of the dock. She hadn’t shot him yet.
She wasn’t going to.
He made it to the edge of the grass. She hadn’t moved. The gun was shaking a little more now. He was almost close enough to grab it.
“Stop,” a male voice said at the same time that the barrel of a gun shoved up against the back of his head.
“Cardozo,” Corey snarled.
“Drop your gun, Corey,” Cardozo demanded.
“Okay, okay,” Corey snapped. Like hell I will. He twisted out of the way, still aiming at the blonde as he pulled the trigger.
Lake Cataouatche, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 5:02 P.M.
Don’t look for Val. Don’t look. Kaj leapt from the boat as soon as Oscar touched the dock, running to stop Corey. Stay focused on Corey. Because Corey was pointing a gun at Val.
She’s all right. She was standing with a massive revolver in her hands.
I’m not too late.
Holding his breath, he crept up to Corey and shoved his pistol against Corey’s head. “Stop,” Kaj ordered, almost hoping Corey would fight back.
Just try me, motherfucker. I want to shoot you. But he also wanted Corey Gates to stand trial for his crimes. Kaj believed in the justice system. However, he also believed in not giving a bad guy the chance to kill you.
“Cardozo,” Corey snarled.
Kaj’s stomach churned and his mind raced because while he’d never actually shot a live person before, he’d do it. For Val. “Drop your gun, Corey.”
“Okay, okay,” Corey snapped, but he twisted his body to duck away from Kaj’s weapon.
Kaj had fully expected Corey to lie just before making his move. Adjusting his aim to where Corey’s temple now was, Kaj pulled the trigger.
But instead of a normal gunshot, a ground-shaking boom filled the air.
Corey flew backward, landing on his back in the grass.
As did Val, except she quickly sat up, the gun still aimed in Corey’s direction, her face expressionless. Like she was no longer there.
Phin rushed up from behind, Oscar’s rifle in his hand. “What the hell?” he shouted, but Kaj barely heard, his ears ringing from the blasts.
Kaj spared a look for Corey. He had a neat hole in his temple.
He also had a giant hole in his chest.
Both Kaj and Phin stared at Val. She lowered the huge gun to her lap and closed her eyes.
Kaj approached on trembling legs. “Val? Honey?” He dropped to his knees beside her, barely conscious of Phin scooping up the huge gun.
Kaj put his arms around her, but she didn’t move. Didn’t react. Not for long, long seconds that felt like years.
