Ch 1 Burning
Mark McCormick stood in the parking lot of the motel staring at the fire that was consuming the money he had won. He could feel the heat on his face, and he could feel a coldness that began in his mind and engulfed his chest. He felt like he should do something, but what? He couldn't seem to move.
Hardcastle watched his friend from behind, noting the body language. He could tell that McCormick was in shock. Melissa's rantings just a few moments ago had jangled Hardcastle's nerves too. She was a real nut case, a real piece of work. That she thought McCormick would try to save her from prosecution was almost too much to understand.
That, and the pain of the gunshot wound, and the fever, not to mention the shock of losing all the money he'd won were enough to wear anyone down, he thought.
Finally, Milt walked up and stood beside McCormick for a moment before he put his hand on his good shoulder.
"Let's go back to the hotel so you can lie down," he said quietly.
McCormick continued staring at the flames and didn't answer.
"Hey," the judge began, "kiddo, it's time to leave," and he reached for Mark's good arm and turned him around and headed him in the direction of the Coyote.
As they walked, he pointed to the deputy and barked out "I need to file a report, you know where I'll be."
