Page 69 of Johnny Gun

He dropped his phone into his pocket, shoved his SIG in his pants, and wrapped the sheet around her. Lifting her into his arms, he strode toward the front room. He snatched his keys and her purse and ran to the truck. Later, they’d figure out how to recover the rest of their things.

Johnny stretched her on the back seat, jumped behind the wheel, put his gun into the side console, and tore off onto Route 136, lifting dust and loose pebbles. Now he was glad he always listened to his training. He kept his tank full at all times, which meant he wouldn’t have to stop for gas until he got closer to the Georgia border.

However, he’d left like a bat out of hell and would have to stop before the border to regroup and figure out his next destination. Fifteen minutes later, road signs announced Jasper’s proximity. This was a good place to stop and catch his breath.

Slowing his speed, he called Barron one-handed.

“I hope you’re on the road,” Barron said quickly.

“I’m outside of Jasper. Fifteen minutes north of White Springs. What happened?”

“We found Gomez badly wounded and unconscious. On the way to the ER, he mumbled that you’d been discovered.”

“Is it bad? Will he make it?”

Johnny wasn’t crazy about Gomez. Still, he didn’t wish the guy any harm.

“It’s touch and go at the moment,” Barron replied. “Blade and Captain Weaver hope he’ll pull through. He knows the spy’s identity.”

“Now what?”

“Blade wants you to drive straight to the clubhouse with minimum stops and no deviation. You’ll be safe here.”

“On my way.”

Ending the call, he drove on, making a prelim mental plan. He’d come down from Acworth on I-75. Now he had to head east toward Savannah and Garden City. He’d program the GPS once he stopped. He glanced once more through the rearview mirror. So far, luck was on their side. No one followed them, and he was good at detecting tails.

“Daddy?” A still-sleepy Isolde popped up in between seats.

“Yes, baby?”

“I’m confused.”

“I’m sure you are, sweetheart. We had to get out in a hurry.”

“Why?”

“Barron called. Someone discovered our location, and we had to leave. I don’t have all the details yet.”

“Oh. That’s not good. Do you think the snitch found us?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m wearing pajamas, and I have a sheet around me.”

“I put the sheet there. This was an emergency, and I couldn’t wait for you to wake up. I also didn’t want you to be cold.”

“What do we do now?”

“I spoke to Barron. Blade wants us in Garden City. Just so you know, your father is staying at the clubhouse.”

“He is?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

“What if I have to go to the ladies’? I’m in my jammies.”

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