How do you survive being shot and left for dead in the Chihuahuan Desert? By being found by a beautiful wildlife photographer willing to risk her life to save yours.
A bitter ex-cop fights for his life after he runs to the sound of gunfire on the Ri...
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Character Designs by Dana Nicole Joiner
Their table was as far from the poolroom as you could get. Yvonne waved and called to them as they approached, holding up a fresh drink. "Y'all were gone too long! The waitress brought the drinks we ordered!" She laughed. "Now we have more than enough!"
Amos set the pitcher on the table; his face clouded as Mendocino handed each woman her drink.
"It's going on midnight," Amos said. "We need to let the babysitter go home. Drink up."
Yvonne's mouth draped open as her eyes widened. "Sarah's spending the night. She's not going home. They don't close 'til two, Amos."
"We're going home."
Yvonne fell silent, cutting her gaze at Tillie as she sipped her drink.
Tillie looked as surprised as Yvonne, her head tilted, questioningly. "Bobby again?"
"I thought he left," Mendocino said.
"We did, too." Tillie sneered. "But we saw him and April dancing. Barf." She feigned gagging herself.
That was odd.
"What's going on, Mendocino? You two look like you saw a ghost," she said.
He glanced from Tillie to Amos. No help over there. Amos had his face in his mug.
"We saw a guy," Mendocino said.
Abruptly, Amos slammed his beer mug on the table and stood. "I'll be back."
Mendocino started to stand but Amos stopped him. "No. I need to see a guy."
Mendocino sat back in the chair.
"It's okay," Amos said. "I'll be right back."
He shouldered through the crowd, toward the front door.
"What's gotten into him?" Yvonne beelined her wide eyes at Mendocino. "What happened? Tell me."
"I'm pretty sure I recognized one of the guys who shot me. Shooting pool."
The women froze, Yvonne's mouth open.
"I don't think he recognized me. But there's no way to know."
"Which one is he?" Tillie popped out of her chair. "I'll see if I know him."
Mendocino grabbed her arm. "Sit down. Stay away from him."
He wasn't ready to tell her about Marfa. He had to think it through first. He could confront him. But he had Tillie with him. He wouldn't risk it with her here. It wasn't a smart thought in the first place, just a reaction.
A few minutes later, Amos returned, plopped into his chair, gulping his beer. "Name's Sartain. Colonel Ed Sartain."
