“My cousin, fourteen, cute, brown hair.” I took time to look at each of the other assholes. Couch Potato Man wouldn’t meet my eyes. The other man said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but she needs help. Now.”

“So do I.”

Then I thought of a way to make them talk.

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

I knew Natty would never look at me the same way again, but we had to get some answers. I got his attention and said, “Come on, let’s drag them all outside.”

“Outside? Are you crazy? It’s freezing out there.”

“Exactly.”

The snow was still coming down hard and the wind had picked up. None of them had coats on. They weren’t ready to be stuck outside. That made me realize the couple with the guns had come to the shack from somewhere close.

Natty was silent as we dragged them out the front door. I pulled the two men about twenty feet from the shack, then tightened the cord tied around their ankles so they couldn’t get loose or walk. Natty was careful with the woman as he eased her onto the snow a few feet from the men.

Couch Potato Man rolled so he could face me. He had a hitch in his voice when he said, “You can’t do this.”

“Apparently I can.” I calmly took Natty by the arm and led him back into the shack. The door was open so they could clearly see inside. A little psyops, just like the military would use.

Once inside I stoked the fire, found a turkey sub in the refrigerator, and gave half to Natty, then had him plop down on the couch within view of our hosts.

I said in a low voice, “Let them see you eating.”

I poked around the shack. Aside from Bailey Mae’s coffee cake, there was nothing of any interest. The laptop Couch Potato Man was working on was a high-end model with a tough outer body, and the screen was secured by a password.

When I was done, I grabbed my half of the sub and sat down next to Natty. Both of the men stared at me from outside. I toasted their discomfort with my sub and gave them a smile.

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Natty surprised me with his compassion. I didn’t realize drug dealers were so concerned with other people’s needs.

He said, “We can’t let that woman die out there.”

“She knows how to save herself.”

Things were quiet outside. It looked like the woman had passed out. Even though I wouldn’t admit it out loud, I was worried, too. After another minute I stood up and casually strolled outside. Even in my coat I felt the bite of the wind. The guy who seemed to be in charge, the one who surprised us with the woman, spoke directly to me.

“You’re in way over your head, Mr. Mitchum.”