While Alonzo and his gang were voting on what to do, Pete Hershel was eyeing the man with a gun in his hand holding him prisoner. How, he wondered, had his life gotten to this point? He chewed on the stem of his pipe, wondering what if anything he could do to the evil man standing over him. He was too old to fight, his bones too brittle. The surgery on his rotator cuff wouldn’t allow him to pick up something and throw it at the man’s head. Pure and simple, he was stuck. He turned away and stared out his front window, wishing he was sitting on his front porch. He hated being cooped up indoors with canned air. He’d rather sit outside and sweat.

What would Dolly do if she were here with him? He felt a pang in his heart at the thought of his deceased wife. Dolly was never that physical, but she was a whizbang with words. In the end, she’d probably whisper in his ear to just wait it out. Like he had any other choice.

Zack Meadows ended his call, a scowl on his face. “Looks like we’re going to be together for a while longer. Make us some food.”

Hershel looked at the man standing over him like some wicked giant and snorted. “You want something to eat, you’re on your own. I don’t cook, never did, and don’t plan to start now. I eat out or order in. You said you were leaving. I want you out of here.”

“Like I give a good rat’s behind what you want, old man. I can’t walk out of here in broad daylight. I’m waiting for an escort once it gets dark. I’m just waiting for confirmation. Call someone and order a pizza with the works on it. Everything from soup to nuts, and don’t tell me you don’t eat pizza or you don’t have a number to call. It’s right here on the refrigerator, so do it, old man. Order two large pies.”

Hershel knew he had no choice, so he did Meadows’s bidding. But first he said, “I only ever order a small cheese pizza. They’re going to wonder why I just ordered two large ones. Someone somewhere is going to put two and two together. If you care to step up to the window, you can see all manner of strangers milling about this place. They’re looking for someone or something. Your name comes to mind, Mr. Meadows.”

“Just call and order the damn pizzas already, will you? I’m hungry.” Hershel shrugged and called Tony’s Pizza Parlor and gave his order. “You have my credit card on file. Add a ten-dollar tip and we’re good. How long? Twenty minutes is good. Thanks.”