Over here, Fiske, Dellasandro said. Fiske did his best to look shocked. Wheres Harms? Dellasandro said. Fiske made a show of rubbing his cheek. He had a change of heart. Didnt want to go to the cops. Hit me and took off.

And left you the car? I dont think so. Give me the answer I want or your girlfriend gets a chunk of lead in her brain.

Im telling you the truth. You know hes been in prison all these years. He didnt take the car because he cant even drive.

Dellasandro considered this for a moment. Come over here. I want your hands way, way up in the air.

Fiske slipped the pistol in the back of his waistband and put his hands up in the air. He stepped slowly around the car and walked toward them. When he got close enough, he saw the ugly bruise on Saras cheek. Are you all right, Sara?

She nodded. Im sorry, John.

Right, right look, just shut up, Dellasandro said. Exactly where did Harms get away from you?

When we got off the interstate. We came up Route One.

That was pretty stupid of him to go off like that. Hell never get far.

Well, like they say, you can lead a horse to water . . .

Why dont I believe a word youre saying?

Maybe because youve been a lying sack of shit all your life and you figure everybody is the same way.

Dellasandro pointed his gun at Fiskes head. Its gonna be so much fun blowing you away.

Kind of hard disposing of a couple bodies.

Dellasandro glanced toward the river. Not when youve got the best of Mother Nature to help you.

And you dont think Chandler will suspect anything?

Whats to suspect? The cops think you killed your brother for the insurance money. The chick here got fired today because of you and your dumb brother. Her whole career ruined. You two meet up, things get violent. Maybe you kill her and then pop yourself. Maybe its the other way around. Who cares? Theyll find her car, and a few days or weeks later, theyll find your bodies floating somewhere whats left of them, anyway. Case closed.

Actually, thats a good plan. And since I know theres no way you could have thought of it, where are your partners?

What are you talking about?

The other two guys in the stockade that night.

Perkins is one, Sara blurted out. Hes here too.

Shut up! Dellasandro yelled.

I actually knew that one. I think I can guess who the other one is.

Run your theories by the fish. Lets go.

They all started to move toward the riverbank. Fiske glanced back at Dellasandro. Dont even think about it, Fiske. I could blow you away from fifty yards, much less two feet. And if your plan is to have that stupid lummox jump me from the trees, well, then just bring him on.

Since that was their plan, Fiskes heart sank. Then a bullet hit the dirt next to Dellasandros leg. He shouted and moved the pistol away from Saras head. Fiske hit him hard in the belly, doubling him over, and then clocked him in the head with his fist. Before Dellasandro could recover, Rufus exploded from behind a tree and hit him with the force of a runaway tank. The man sailed down the bank and into the water from the impact. Fiske pulled his gun. Rufus was about to go after Dellasandro when more shots zipped past them and everybody hit the ground. Fiske had one protective arm over Sara. You see anything, Rufus?

Yeah, but you aint going to like it. I think those shots came from two different places.

Great, both his backups are here. Shit! He clenched his pistol. Look, Rufus, heres the plan. Well fire two shots each and draw their fire in return so we can see where the muzzle flashes are coming from. Then Ill cover you and you take Sara and get the hell out of here. Make it to her car and go. Before Sara could say anything, he added, Somebodys got to go get Chandler.

Rufus said, I can stay behind. I owe these suckers a lot more than you.

I think youve carried the ball long enough. Fiske aimed his gun. You fire left and check left, one-two-three, now! Sara covered her ears as the shots rang out. A few seconds later their fire was returned. Fiske and Rufus quickly analyzed the muzzle flashes. Fiske said, One of thems aiming wild. Maybe we hit him. Okay, Im going to fire in both directions. Keep your gun ready, but dont shoot. Im going to move to my right about ten yards. Ill draw the fire my way. Give me to the count of twenty and then when you hear the first round go, hit it.

Fiske started to move away, but Sara clutched at his hand, unwilling to let him go. Fiske wanted to say something confident, cocky even, to her, to show he wasnt scared. But he was. I know what Im doing, Sara. And I guess fifty years of living is better than nothing.

She stared at him as he crawled off, convinced it would be the last time she would see him alive. A minute later the shots began. Rufus half carried Sara as they raced for the car. They made it and Rufus threw open the door and pushed Sara inside before climbing in. Fiske moved slowly through the underbrush, the smell of hot metal and flamed gunpowder clinging to him. His spirits had faded to nothing. He had counted his shots carefully, but, unknown to him, his clip had not been full to begin with; he had no more ammo. As he heard the car crank up, he smiled grimly. With his thoughts distracted for a moment, his ears still ringing from the shots he had fired, he didnt hear the sound behind him until it was too late. Dellasandro, dripping filthy river water, pointed the gun at him. Fiske couldnt speak, his mouth too dry. He also couldnt breathe, as though his lungs had sized up the situation and decided to stop working a few seconds before the slug would force them to. Two bullet holes in him, the third would do the trick. Darnell Jackson had been facing Fiskes gun, had been off balance after killing Fiskes partner; Dellasandro would have no such problems. Fiske looked in the direction of the river. A week in that water and not even his father would be able to identify him. He looked back at Leo Dellasandro: his last image before death. When the shot came, Fiske watched in stunned silence as Leo Dellasandro pitched forward and lay still. Fiske looked up. What he saw made him wish Dellasandro had been able to get off his own round. McKenna looked down at him. Fiske could only shake his head. Why couldnt it have been Chandler? Why couldnt he catch a damn break just this once? And then he saw Dellasandros pistol where it had landed very near to him.

Dont try it, Fiske, McKenna said sharply.

You sonofabitch!

Actually, I thought youd want to thank me.

Why? For killing your accomplice before you kill me?

In response, McKenna pulled another pistol from his pocket. Heres your pistol. I just happened to find it.

Right. Some way, someday youre going to get whats coming to you.

McKenna glanced at Dellasandro. Actually, in a way, I just did.

The mans next actions absolutely astonished Fiske. McKenna flipped the gun around and handed it to him, grip first. Now dont go and shoot me. He put a hand out and helped Fiske up. Chandlers on his way. I managed to catch him at Evanss house. I got there just as Perkins and Dellasandro were leaving with Sara. I figured they were trying to use her to set you up. I followed along as your unofficial backup. A little better than the last one you had. Ineverlet my guard down.

Fiske just stared at him, unable to speak.

Perkins took off. He was the other guy firing. I tried to hit him, but he was too far off. I also fired the shot to distract Leo. I figured Rufus was around here somewhere.

I thought you were one of the guys in the stockade that night, said Fiske.

I was.

Then what are you doing? Clearing your conscience? If you are, youre the only one of the five to do it.

I wasnt one of the five.

But you just said you were in the stockade that night.

There weresixmen there that night other than Rufus.