Page 59 of Married to Murder
I was confused about why he was so focused on Tanner. “Dude, if you just want money, I’ll give you what’s in the till. I should warn you, it’s been a slow day.”
The guy popped his gum and pulled a gun from inside his jacket. “I’m not here to rob you.”
“Then what do you want?” I asked, moving to put myself between the guy and Tanner. But Tanner stopped me, looking angry as he pushed me back.
“You’ll find out in a minute.” The guy looked up at the ceiling, noticing the two security cameras I had. “Those real cameras?”
“Yes.”
He waved his gun at the cameras. “Always wanted to be on TV.”
I wrinkled my brow at his odd behavior.
“How do you know me?” Tanner finally spoke.
The guy chewed his gum for a moment, staring at Tanner. “Your old man kind of put me in a rough spot. In my line of work, if people think they can take advantage of you, they will. I’m not gonna let that happen.”
“What’s your line of work?” Tanner scowled.
A sly smile spread across the guy’s face. “Let’s just say I’m in the business of helping people finance their dreams.”
“I don’t understand what you want,” Tanner said.
The guy sighed and pointed the black gun at Tanner. “This isn’t your fault, but your old man owed me a lot of dough.”
“You’re Crater?” I asked breathlessly.
He flicked his gaze to me. “I see my reputation precedes me.”
“The cops have your texts where you threatened Tanner’s dad.” I tried not to look at the gun, but it was hard not to.
“Yeah, I tried talking, but he was being obstinate. It’s a problem for me when customers don’t pay. He didn’t pay up, and people are starting to think I won’t enforce repayment. I’m here to change their minds.”
My heart banged my ribs as his meaning set in. “You’re going to shoot Tanner because his dad owed you money?”
“Pretty much.”
“If you just want money, take mine,” Gordon said. He’d moved closer to me and Tanner, and he held out his wallet.
The guy frowned. “I ain’t no common thug.”
“You sure about that?” Tanner mumbled. I could tell he was trying not to show fear, but he’d have had to be a robot not to be scared while staring down the barrel of a gun.
“Whatever you’re owed, I can get you that money,” Gordon spoke firmly. “No one has to get hurt.”
“Pfft. You’re missing the point. In my business you don’t pay, you get hurt. That’s how it works. Now Douglas thought he could stall me forever, and because I’m a nice guy, I let it go on way too long. Then he went and got himself killed, and now people are saying I’m weak.”
“Why don’t you just claim you killed him?” I asked. “Then you can still look like a tough guy.”
“Nah, I gotta make people understand: you fuck with me, I fuck with you andeverybodyin your family too. Dying won’t even stop me from coming to take my revenge.”
“Jesus,” Gordon muttered.
“You’re disgusting,” Tanner spat out.
“Don’t be a pussy, kid.” Crater laughed. “You ain’t the first person I’ve ever killed, and you won’t be the last.”
There was no way I was just going to stand there and watch Tanner get murdered in cold blood. But Crater wasn’t close enough for me to grab the gun, not without him getting off a few shots anyway. Panic swirled around in my gut as I tried to think of what I could do.
