Couch Potato Man kept his head down with his hands shielding his face. “Please don’t hit me,” he whined as he scooted away from me, toward the couch. He sat up with his back against the couch but kept his hands up like he was terrified. Was this some kind of act? Was he buying time? I didn’t care. I needed answers.

Couch Potato Man said, “I didn’t do anything to anyone. I don’t know anyone named Bailey Mae. I’m basically camping here. Squatting.”

I noticed his eyes shift to the right, looking past me. About the same time I caught a movement outside the window. Before I could turn, the door burst open.

Natty squawked like a bird.

I spun and found a gun in my face. My eyes ran up the barrel to the owner. It was the woman from Mabel’s photo.

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The man standing next to her said, “Put the gun on the ground. Do it now.”

That was a command from someone who had either military or police experience. I slowly bent down to place the gun on the floor, but I kept my eyes on the couple who’d stepped inside the shack. The man was also from the photo. He was lean and in good shape, with close-cropped hair. The woman was about five foot ten and had straight black hair that hung to her neck, with very little styling. She had sharp lines to her face and didn’t look like she took much shit.

I didn’t make any sudden movements and did nothing to cause alarm or force them to shoot. But as I stood back up, I felt a strong emotion—and it wasn’t fear. It was anger. These people thought they could do whatever they wanted in my town. They probably took Bailey Mae, and now they were pointing guns at my brother and me.

Natty could never keep his mouth shut. As a kid he was fearless, even though he didn’t have the muscle to back it up. Sure enough, he said, “Just who the hell are you guys?”

Now Couch Potato Man was standing up behind us, no doubt looking forward to some payback. But like the other two, Couch Potato Man was now focused on Natty.

Natty continued. “I sold this slacker some weed. He didn’t seem so bad. What the hell is your problem?” He jabbed his finger at the couple.

While the armed couple focused their attention on my idiot brother, I eased my right hand into my front pocket. No one even noticed. My brother could hold people’s attention.

He said, “If you assholes think you can move in on my territory, I got news for you.”