Page 61 of Property of Bones

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“Don’t shoot until he sees me,” Skip says through the earpiece.

We’re staked out near the old meat-packing farm. Billy’s little backwoods hideout. Isolated, decaying, and quiet enough for a rifle shot to disappear into the air like a whisper.

“I know Spike said to drop him without a word,” Skip continues, adjusting his vest as he walks toward the building. “But I want him to see us. I want him toknowexactly who’s here to end his sorry little traitor life.”

Billy showed up about an hour ago, but the bastard stayed inside, no clear line of fire. Now we wait. He has to come out eventually.

“I’m just gonna knock,” Skip says cheerfully. “If there’s a camera, Foster’ll scrub it. Easy peasy.”

There aren’t any cameras.

“You haven’t said a word, man,” he continues, tone teasing. “You good up there? Blink twice if you’re still with me.”

I don’t respond.

“You’re up there being all dark and broody, aren’t you? Thinking grim thoughts. Probably carving skulls into your scope while you wait for your moment.”

Still nothing.

Skip lets out a dramatic sigh. “Seriously, how does Sunnydo it? I mean, you’re such a ray of fucking sunshine. Just sparkles and unicorns all day long.”

I adjust the scope. Breath steady. Skip knocks on the door.

“Oh! Maybe she’s into the whole ‘emotionally unavailable but secretly romantic’ vibe. You do grunt a lot. That’s practically flirting for you.”

He talks too fucking much.

Movement.

I can see Skip smile from my scope, his voice quieter now. “He’s coming out. I’m in position. Don’t shoot me.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I growl.

“Oh, he speaks.”

The door creaks.

Billy steps outside, squinting into the light, muttering to himself.

He sees Skip.

“Thanks for the cookies,” Skip says cheerfully.

Recognition hits. Fear.

And before Billy can say a single fucking word…

I pull the trigger.

Chapter Eighteen

Sunny

I can finally breathe without pain shooting through my body.

I mean, sure, it still hurts. But I can actually yawn without crying. I can almost raise my arms above my head.

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