The Invisible Hand - A crime novel

Chapter 95

        

Red's the faster draw. Aims his Colt Anaconda at Beth's chest.

"Don't lie to me. Where is he?" Red says.

Beth gauges the distance between them. It's less than 21 feet. Her training reminds her that she might still get the drop on Red. It's called the Tueller Drill.

But the Tueller Drill doesn't consider someone who already has the revolver up. It has to be holstered. That's not the case here.

No, she can't get the drop on Red.

"Red, listen to me. I don't know. Jane knows. She said if I keep you here, she'll let me know. That's it. End of story," Beth says.

She offers to unholster her pistol and place it on the ground. Red agrees. Beth shows him her palms after setting the firearm down.

"I don't have a reason to lie," Beth says.

Red waits. Listens for movement in the park.

Nothing.

"That's what Jane said, huh? I have to stay here. Then you find out," Red says. "Fine. I'll stay. But only on one condition."

"Name it," Beth says.

"You're staying with me. Or rather, I'm staying with you," Red says.

"What?"

"You're going to get in my truck. I'll drive you to wherever you're staying. When Jane calls you with the information, you'll let me know what's up. That clear?" Red says.

Beth shakes her head. Thinks about the cell phone in her pocket. How it didn't connect before. How Jane likes putting people on a particular goat path. Give them the illusion of choice.

"I don't think Jane works like that. She expects things to go a certain way," Beth says. Thinks back to Tom in the motel. "I wouldn't want to test her on that."

"I really don't give a damn at this point," Red says. Nods to the pistol on the ground. "For every step I take forward, you take one step back. That clear? None of this kicking the gun toward me Hollywood crap."

Beth follows Red's orders. He walks forward as she retreats.

"Now get in the truck. You're driving," Red says after picking up Beth's Glock.

It's a short drive from the park to the Betrug Motel. Red keeps his revolver trained on Beth the whole time.

Beth scans the parking lot for Tom. No sign of him. Bastard. Splitting up is always a bad idea.

Red watches her eyes.

"Pretty shitty partner you've got," Red says. Walks toward a motel room door facing the parking lot. "I can relate. Gus was just as worthless when I needed him most, too."

He motions for Beth to open the motel door.

Beth works the lock. Holds her breath. Prays Tom doesn't let her down once again.

Red pushes her to the side. Slips inside the room in two steps. Pivots into a corner so his back isn't exposed to Beth.

Beth exhales. There's Tom, inside the motel room. Finally.

Except her breath doesn't come out naturally. It makes the words, "Holy shit."

Red stumbles backward out of the room. Bumps up against Beth. She ignores it. Hard to focus on anything except the sight in front of them.

Tom is naked and hog-tied on the bed. The belt from his pants is coiled around his neck so tight it nearly meets in the center of his throat.

A fresh sandwich sits on a beige plate atop the nightstand. Propped against it is a note. It reads, "Don't hold your breath" in bold typeface.

Red starts to say something. The ringing from the room phone cuts him off.

*** PLEASE SUPPORT MY WRITING! ***

This story will only be posted on Wattpad for a limited time. If you'd like the full version, head to your favorite online e-book/book retailer and pick up your own digital/print copy. Search for "Invisible Hand Sobieck." Or leave a review of the book on Amazon once you're finished reading on Wattpad. Thank you. ~Ben