Part 70 (1/2)

Annja eyed him. ”Not even going to attempt to lie to me about the possibility of getting out of this with my life, are you?”

”Nope. Call it a sign of respect. You don't buy my bulls.h.i.+t, anyway. No sense in pretending about tonight's outcome.”

Annja nodded. ”I suppose I should thank you for that.”

”Yeah, why's that?”

Annja smiled. ”It just makes everything that much clearer. That's all.”

Tom nodded toward the pine trees. ”You've still got a lot of carrying to do. Let's get back.”

”How will you know where to meet these people that you do business with?”

Tom patted his s.h.i.+rt pocket. ”Got the map and directions right here. It's just a short skip down the old interstate. It's always nice driving into the city, anyway. We do the drop and then Sheila and I continue on to our new home.”

”So you say.” Annja started walking away from the truck. She stumbled once on some loose rock.

She heard Tom snicker behind her. ”Careful there. Wouldn't want you to get hurt and have to struggle through the pain.”

Annja closed her eyes and saw the sword hanging there, ready to draw out at a moment's notice. She wanted to wrap her hands around it right now, but the time wasn't right.

Not yet.

She continued walking down the trail. The rain had increased and now the steady shower coated everything. The ground grew muddy underfoot. Annja would have to remember to watch her footing or she'd risk a fall in the mud.

”I'm going to miss this place,” Tom said suddenly from behind her.

”So why don't you stay and turn yourself in?”

He laughed. ”Prison's not an option for me.”

Annja nodded. ”Yeah, I think that way about death, too.”

”Death's inevitable,” Tom said. ”The only question is when we're all going to go.”

”Don't tell me you're philosophical about the murders you commit.”

”Whatever helps keep the demons at bay,” Tom said.

”I suppose you're right,” Annja said. ”It is all just a big question of when, isn't it?”

”Yep.”

She glanced back at him. ”And if we knew the when of it all, I wonder if we'd live our lives any differently than we have to this point?”

Tom shook his head. ”I wouldn't. I'm pretty happy with how things have turned out so far.”

”You should see it from my perspective,” Annja said.