They tore into the street at a dead run. Jack looked back toward the alley but saw nothing. What direction to go? He slid on a patch of ice and fell, pulling Matty down with him. “Get up,” he said. “Run.”

Matty lay sprawled on the snow, terrified. Jack clutched his hand and pulled him up. Pain burst from his side, and he turned to look back. Coming toward him was Red—ten feet away. They both froze.

He unfolded the knife and held it pointed at Red. A heavy feeling in his body. This was the moment. The moment.

Red stood in the street. He looked at the knife.

“Don’t move,” Jack said. “You come a step closer and I’ll put this knife in your throat.”

Red didn’t move. His head was bare, and his eyes ran into Jack’s like a snake down a hole. He stood without moving. Snowflakes floated down, landed to melt on his scarred head.

With his free hand, Jack removed the motel key from his pocket. He slipped it into Matty’s hand. “Go back to where we were, Matty. Wait for her. Do you understand?”

Matty nodded.

“No,” Red said fervently. “You both stay here.”

Matty just stood there, face pale. Looking at Jack.

Jack stepped in front of Matty and said to Red, “What do you want?”

“To help. That’s all.”

“Oh really?”

“I mean that, Jack. I done wrong, and I’m sorry.”

“What do you want with us?”

“I got somethin’ for you.”

“I don’t want nothin’ from you.”

Red looked at Matty.

“Don’t look at him.”

His gaze moved to Jack. He said nothing.

“Are those other men with you?”

“No. They been watchin’ me. Thinkin’ you might come back. But they left, Jack. I swear it.”

“Where did they go?”

“Back to wherever they come from.”

“I’ll bet.”

“They ain’t comin’ back. I broke ties with ’em. For good.”

Jack almost laughed.

“I know I done wrong, Jack. But I’m tryin’ to make it right.” Red put a hand to his coat.

“You keep your hands at your sides. Don’t you take a step.”

Red’s hand dropped. “I don’t know where you been, but I think you ought to leave here. It’s not safe for you no more.”

Jack tightened his grip on the knife.

“It ain’t me you got to fear, Jack. I ain’t gonna hurt you. You got no need to go flashin’ that knife.”

Jack glanced at Matty. He was standing with his hands covering his face, looking out between his fingers. When Jack looked up, Red had taken a step.

“You get back.”

“They won’t stop lookin’ for you now.”

Jack almost laughed. “Yeah. I know.”

Red didn’t move. He looked up the street. “Think, Jack. Anybody can see you out here holdin’ that knife.”

“You think I won’t kill you, but you’re wrong.”