Weldon’s cheek twitched. “Really? I had no idea. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“I don’t think anyone else knows.” Jack ran his fingers lightly along the DeSoto’s right front fender. “Say, would you mind giving me a little ride in this baby?”

Weldon shook his head. “I’d love to, but I’ve got to get straight home.”

Jack opened the door and slipped into the passenger seat. “That’s okay. Just drive me to the front gate and I’ll walk back. I need the exercise.”

Weldon didn’t look happy about it, but Jack hadn’t left him much choice.

The interior was like a furnace. Jack cranked down his window as Weldon fired her up and backed out of his space.

“Smooth ride,” Jack said once they were rolling.

“Torsion-Air suspension.”

Jack watched him closely as he asked the next question. “You ever hear of a woman named Semelee?”

Weldon’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, whitening the knuckles. His right cheek twitched as it had before.

“No, can’t say as I have. Is she one of our residents?”

“Nope. Too young for Gateways. Lives out in the Glades with a bunch of funny looking guys. She’s got this snow white hair. You’d remember her if you ever met her. You sure you don’t know her?”

Weldon looked ready to jump out of his skin and his forehead was beaded with sweat. It was hot in the car, but not that hot.

“Quite sure,” he said.

“You’re sure you’re sure?”

“Yes! How many times do I have to tell you that?” He began to brake. “Well, here’s the gate. I hope you enjoyed—”

“Keep driving.”

“I told you. I have to—”

Jack pulled out the Glock and held it in his lap, pointed in the general direction of Weldon’s gut.

“You’ll be in a world of gut-shot hurt if this happens to go off. Think Reservoir Dogs. So keep driving. We haven’t finished our chat. Smile and wave to the nice guard. That’s right. Now…let’s head out to where my father had his accident.”

“Where’s that?” Now Weldon was really sweating.

“You don’t know? Pemberton and South Road.”

“But there’s nothing out there.”

“I know.”

“This is illegal, this is carjacking, it’s kidnapping, it’s—”

“It’s happening. Relax. Don’t fight it and we’ll have a nice ride.”

“If you want the car, take it.”

“I don’t want the car.”

“Then…then why are you doing this?”

Jack let him stew in his juices for a while before responding.