Ladarius grinned and nodded, agreeing with his girl. TJ knew that if things got real rough, no one was better for a little smash and grab at a house or a fancy car along the way, maybe trading up from that old minivan for something that the police wouldn’t recognize. Even though she and Ladarius were as different as different could be, a hard-ass redneck and smooth black kid from down in Sugar Ditch, they were survivors. If they had to steal, the Lord would most certainly understand.

“Come on now, y’all,” Domino said, standing by the apartment door. “Y’all need to get your shit and get gone. Sorry, cuz. But please don’t make no trouble for me.”

TJ helped John Wesley to his feet and told him to use the bathroom before they hit the road. The boy did as he was told as Holly gathered up their stuff. Domino hugged Ladarius as he headed out the door but blocked the way with her big ass as TJ tried to follow.

“You better not be lying to me, girly,” she said.

“I don’t lie.”

“Looks like you already pussy-whipped my favorite cousin,” Domino said, hands back on her hips. “You must be laying down some sweet stuff to drive that boy straight into the gates of hell.”

“I love him.”

“Yeah?” Domino said. “Looks like you already fucked up his mind. Just don’t go and fuck up that boy’s life. Ladarius is a good kid with a good heart. I don’t want to see his ass down in Parchman anytime soon.”

“We didn’t do it,” she said.

“Mm-hmm.”

John Wesley walked out and TJ helped her little brother into his coat. Domino cleared the doorway and let them pass out the door and back out into the cold. Rain fell across the parking lot in the grayish morning light.

“Better not be lying,” Domino said as TJ turned and headed down the steps. “Cops ain’t shit compared to an angry black woman on your narrow ass.”

*   *   *

Kenny was parked along the sloped dirt road to the trailer, looking nervous and apologetic as Quinn got out of the Big Green Machine and into the rain. As one of Quinn’s oldest deputies, Kenny was well aware he’d screwed up. Quinn didn’t have to berate him for letting TJ Byrd sneak out sometime last night, as Kenny was beating himself up plenty. He told Quinn that he hadn’t seen a vehicle come or go on the county road where he’d parked. They both knew the girl, her little brother, and two friends must’ve snuck out and rendezvoused a decent distance away.

“Shit, Quinn,” Kenny said. “I don’t know what to say.”