Part 69 (1/2)
Behind her, she heard Tom sniff. ”Sorry, we didn't bring any umbrellas with us tonight.”
”Like you'd hold one over me while I did my work, anyway,” Annja said. ”I don't think you would.”
”You're right, but only because I think you're far too dangerous to let out of my sight.”
”What's that supposed to mean?” Annja asked. She had to keep him talking. It might just take his mind off her a little bit and give her the opening she'd need when the time came.
”I saw how you were with Dave back at the hotel. He wasn't a timid guy and yet you handled him like he was easy prey. Broke his wrist even.”
”He had that coming, believe me. The way he acted last night at his place, I was lucky he didn't try to rape me while we were waiting for you to show up and shoot us with your dart gun.”
”Yeah, I always wondered about that. I never could figure out what he saw in my sister, aside from a convenient lay, I suppose.”
”Is that why you killed him? Because he disrespected her?”
”You were closer to the mark before. More money for us. I don't want my sister wanting for anything in life. But she does make some stupid decisions. That's why I've got to call the shots.”
”Even if she doesn't happen to agree with them?”
”Even if,” Tom said. ”You know that old saying that some people don't know what's best for them? My sister fits that bill perfectly.”
Annja shook her head. The rain was increasing. She could hear the drops smacking into the ground as they pa.s.sed through the pine trees again, heading back toward the cave opening.
Jenny was already waiting for Annja. ”Where have you been?”
”These bags are heavy,” Annja said. ”It's not exactly the easiest thing in the world to pull your share of the work.”
”My share? You volunteered!”
”You didn't put up a fight,” Annja said. She winked at Jenny and nodded once. Jenny nodded back. Message received.
”Get the bag and stop your yapping, you two,” Tom said. He looked at Sheila. ”You okay?”
Sheila frowned. ”Why on earth wouldn't I be?”
”I was just checking,” Tom said. ”Relax, okay?”
Sheila shook her head. ”I'm fine and you don't need to keep checking on me. I can handle my end of this without your constant supervision.”
”Fine, fine.” Tom glared at Annja. ”You got that bag yet?”
Annja heaved the sack over her shoulder. ”Yeah, let's go.”
They turned toward the truck and walked down the trail. Annja cleared her throat. She could feel the adrenaline starting to course through her. She'd have to time this just right, hopefully catching Tom before he could fire off a round from the gun and alert Sheila to the possibility of the attack. Annja just hoped that Jenny could do her part; otherwise, Annja would be walking back into a potential ambush.
”Your sister sounds pretty mad at you,” she said.
”She always gets that way when I have to decide on something.”
”Really?”