Chapter 10 Heaters and Handcuffs (Pony's Point of View)
"That's the one." I say certainly, watching Buck as he flipped off the engine of the car and relaxed in his seat. He's still drunk, which is why his nerves are buzzed, and I wish suddenly that I had gotten drunk as well. I look over at Johnny in the back seat, who's looking as scared as I'm feeling.
"You sure this is it?" Buck asks, opening the car door without waiting for a response.
"Yep, this is it." I mutter to myself more than him. We're at Anderson's house, and as we walk up the brick stairs, I feel a sickening rush of déjà vu. Johnny strolls behind me, looking over his shoulder self-consciously, as Buck stomps right up the stairs and pounds on the door.
"Easy Buck!" Johnny hisses. I can understand why he's paranoid. I mean, showing up in a city where he's supposed to be dead. I'm not sure how many people Tulsa can stand to see come back to life.
"Where is the bastard? I know he's here!" Buck yells, twisting the doorknob. It opens easy, and he walks in like him and Anderson are best friends. Now I'm glad I'm not drunk.
"Well, are you guys coming?" Buck asks, looking at us like we're the ones that are drunk and trespassing.
"Uh, I don't know. Maybe we should come back-" Johnny says nervously. I shake my head and grab his arm.
"It has to be now." I answer, pulling him through the door after Buck. I shut the door behind us, and chase after Buck who's opening Anderson's refrigerator.
"No beer. Damn this guy." Buck curses. I slam the door shut and glare at him.
"We didn't come here to rob him of alcohol." I hiss.
"No? And what did you boys come here for?" Anderson asks, causing all three of us to jump. I look at him like a kid caught lying and think of all the possible answers I could have.
"Well, Johnny seems to have come home. Come you three, to my office, I think you probably have some questions need answerin'." Anderson says, walking downstairs before we can answer him. We follow after him to an office at the back of the basement.
"Have a seat boys." Anderson says, sitting down behind a wooden desk. We obey and watch him, not saying anything.
"You know, I thought I'd see you again. Yes, you're too smart of a kid not to come back. Too smart not to find my last piece of evidence and bring him back to me. Tim said you was smart. That's why it had to be you." Anderson says taunting, drawing out a heater from his desk drawer. Buck stands up, and Johnny lets out a gasp and clutches the chair's armrests.
"I-" I begin, not sure of what to say. I don't have to time to say anything anyways though, because Anderson keeps going.
"You had us worried for a while there, didn't he Tim?" Anderson asks, standing up from his desk, and looking at the two standing figures behind us.
"Sure did Andy. Curly and I almost gave up hope. Thought the kid had hightailed it to Cali or some shit." Tim answers from behind us. Curly nods from beside him, enjoying the excitement around him. I can hardly breathe. I'm trying so hard to register what is going on.
"So, you learned the truth huh?" Anderson asks me. I look at him, and suddenly see everything. It all makes sense.
"If by that you mean, you leering Dally home so you could have him killed, then yes." I answer angrily. I silently curse myself for not getting it before.
"Yes well, I have to admit that I had always thought of Dally as smarter than that. He should have known that I couldn't leave any witnesses. When he didn't bring Johnny along, I began to worry. But then Curly and Tim told me about you and well…things worked out in the end." He answers, a smile creeping along his face. I clutch the side of my chair and stare at Johnny helplessly. I can't believe how stupid I was, bringing Johnny to his own execution.
"So…that stuff about Winder…" I ask.
"Winder was a druggie that knew too much. I couldn't have him spreading around rumors." Anderson replies harshly.
"You mean spreading around the truth!" Johnny snaps.
"Well, if you want to get technical…" Anderson says.
"So, you and Winder got involved with Tim and Curly, but things started getting out of hand. The chief started investigating the drug scam, and you wussed out. Decided to get Dally to figure it all out, knowing no one would believe him, then blame things on Winder to get rid of him. But then you got worried. Thought Winder might offer Dally and Johnny some money for the truth, so you brought them here to be killed. You knew Tim and Curly would be automatic suspects, so you dragged in Soda and Steve. Got witnesses to say they saw them." I tell him, getting everything straight in my mind. "And you actually thought you could get away with this."
Anderson laughed like a madman.
"Oh we will get away with it. As soon as we get rid of the three of you." He answers, pointing the gun at Johnny and pulling the trigger. I yank the gun out of my jacket and shoot Anderson, as Johnny falls to the floor screaming. Anderson cries out in surprise and pain, crumpling to the floor. Tim jumps on me, knocking the gun out of my hands. Curly goes to grab it, when a click from behind him stops him dead.
"Don't move, I will shoot." The deep voice warns. Winder moves into the office, with a gun in one hand, and handcuffs in the other.
"Tim and Curly Shepard, you are both under arrest for the murder of Dallas Winston."