Ch. 5
9:46 PM
"Looks like it's just you and me now."
He offered her what looked like a sincere smile.
"You know you have to let me go at some point, right?"
His smile faded.
"How about a little gratitude?"
"Gratitude. For holding me hostage?"
Vic couldn't even disguise the incredulity in her.
"I let your friends leave. Shouldn't that count for something."
Vic walked over to a table and sat down.
"What would count for something is you putting that gun down and walking outside to give up."
"You want me to go to jail?"
"I want you to live."
He eyed her.
"Do you really?"
"Yes. I've seen a lot of death the past couple of years. It wears on you after a while."
"I've seen a lot of death too. More than anyone should ever see. I want to tell you, though, I've never killed anyone."
Vic nodded.
"I know that."
"How?"
"Trust me. It's obvious."
He sat in silence for a minute.
"I do trust you, Vic."
He paused.
"I wish we'd met before all this. I think you would like me."
x
"Dad, are you okay?"
Cady all but ran to Walt as he relinquished Henry to a pair of paramedics. He looked back at the Red Pony.
"Yeah, Vic is still inside. He would only let me bring Henry."
"It's only one?"
"Yeah. One guy."
"I called in back up and they're wanting to make a move."
Walt shook his head.
"Not with Vic still inside."
x
"Are you in love with him?"
Vic nodded.
"Yes."
He sighed deeply.
"I had me a girl once but she wasn't faithful. Not as pretty as you either."
Vic offered him a consoling smile.
"Greg, why don't you hand me both guns and let's walk out of here together."
"I lied earlier. I am afraid of dying."
"They won't kill you if you do it right. Give me the guns. Both of them and we'll walk out together. I'll make sure they know you're not armed."
He swallowed.
"I didn't think it would be this hard. I figured you waved a gun, got money, and left. I've heard other guys brag about how easy it is."
Tentatively, she reached out and touched his forearm. He looked down at her hand and then back at her face. He placed his own rough hand over hers. His eyes shifted back to their joined hands. He ran his thumb lightly over her skin and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Vic. For all this."
He slid the gun into her hand and pulled the other from his waistband. He offered her that one. Once she had them both she stood up and held out her hand to him.
'Come on."
He took her hand and followed her to the door. She sensed his hesitation and turned to him.
"Are you sure? It'll be okay?"
"Yeah. They'll have you get down on the ground and they will arrest you. As long as you do what you're told, you'll be all right."
He nodded. His eyes had a slightly glazed look to them. The cool air was a shock after the warmth of the bar for so long. It had gotten dark. Several marked and unmarked cars sat in the parking lot, which had long been cleared of unofficial vehicles. The light from headlights hit them almost immediately. He hesitated again and Vic tugged at his arm. Vic scanned the faces. She immediately saw Cady, Ferg, Zach. Walt was slightly behind Cady. State police were also there. Cady must have called them for backup. Almost instantly, she could hear an unfamiliar voice start barking orders.
"Show us you hands."
Greg started to extend his arms but stopped. He took one step forward and then one step back.
"I can't."
He stopped. Vic turned.
"Don't."
She heard the pleading tone in her own voice. He took another step back. The voice again demanded he get down.
"Greg."
He cast a woeful look at her and started to back away.
"I can't."
He moved his hands toward his jacket. Again the disembodied voice.
"Don't move!"
Vic turned away from him.
"He's not armed! He's not armed!"
"Don't move!"
He hands continued towards his jacket and a single shot rang out.