The Forsaken

Jason closed his eyes. He touched Hank Stillwell’s shoulder, who was shuddering and crying. More fireworks exploded as Chains throttled his big engine.

They met before dawn in the parking lot of the sheriff’s office with a plan for arresting Chains LeDoux. With Jason Colson’s eyewitness account, they had enough to pick him up and charge him with the murder of the nameless wanderer. The tough part, as Qui

“And he admitted to it?” Ke

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s some fine police work,” Ke

“All it took was for my momma to shame him.”

“Whatever works,” Ke

Qui

As Qui

“They can fuck us up pretty good,” Lillie said.

“Then we plan for that.”

Qui

“You almost feel sorry for Stagg?” Lillie said. “Lying up in that hospital bed, unable to move, looking nearly a hundred years old?”

“Nope,” Qui

“Me neither,” Lillie said. “Just wanted to know if you’d gone soft.”

“I think if we go in hard and quick, LeDoux won’t have his pants on yet,” Qui

“Or he’d know we’re coming and wait in the woods.”

“LeDoux’s too arrogant,” Qui

“We knock or we enter.”

“We got an arrest warrant,” Qui

“I’m not real fond of busting in a trailer,” Lillie said. “Up close isn’t my specialty.”

“Just like we practice in the shoot house,” Qui

“Almost sounds simple.”

“Yep,” Qui

Lillie nodded. The radio squawked and Qui

•   •   •

“You want LeDoux to make it to jail?” the Trooper asked Stagg.

They were alone in the hospital room. The only light shining from the bathroom, spread out on the floor, where they spoke in whispers.

“I’d like him to face what he’s done,” Stagg said, licking his dry lips. “That was always my goal.”

“I hate what they did to you, Joh

“Got pretty close,” Stagg said. “Thank the Lord for Mr. Ringold.”

“We got a problem with those same folks in Vardaman shaking down the sweet-potato workers,” the Trooper said. “MS-13 with all those crazy jailhouse tattoos and enough guns to take over the state. This ain’t the world me and you were born into.”

“No, sir,” Stagg said.

The hospital was very quiet at this hour, the Trooper sneaking in a few moments before, taking a seat by Stagg’s bedside and telling him what he’d heard about LeDoux’s arrest. “Colson took his goddamn time,” the Trooper said.

“His father is a real piece of work,” Stagg said. “I’m surprised he ma

“But you don’t want us to interfere,” the Trooper said, “right?”

“No, sir,” Stagg said, mouth feeling dry as hell, that cracked, raspy breathing making it tough to talk. “Just let him get what’s coming.”

“And if there’s trouble at their clubhouse?” the Trooper asked.

In the far corner by the hallway door, Ringold was just a shadow leaning against the wall. Staying, but giving the Trooper and Stagg a little space and privacy to talk about those next moves. Stagg wanted some water, needed some water, but felt weak for asking the men. He wanted a woman nurse to bring it to him, with the straw.

“You mean if LeDoux wants to go out in a blaze of glory?” Stagg asked.

“Could happen,” the Trooper said. “Colson wants us to back up their play.”

Ringold shifted a bit on the wall, Stagg not able to see his face, only the outline of his body and head, the muscular, compact form of the man.

Stagg opened his mouth, licking his lips. It hurt to swallow and prep his words. “I wouldn’t get involved,” he said. “I don’t need Colson no more. Let him clean up this shit now.”

Ringold hadn’t moved. The door showed a sliver of light across the floor and up onto the face of the Trooper’s square jaw and gray crew cut. He nodded and stood, dressed in full uniform with shield, gun on hip. Protecting and serving the highways of Mississippi.

He walked away, past Ringold, and out into the hall without a word.

Stagg needed water more than ever but couldn’t move, calling out to Ringold to get him a cup and straw. But when he’d turned back, the man was gone.

•   •   •

Qui