Page 68 of Bullseye
Looking over my shoulder at my bike, I plan my exit strategy. I don’t know where the hell I’m going to go, but it has to be away from here. This isn’t safe for Johnny. Hopping on, firing up the engine, and taking off is sure to attract attention—so I’ll have to wait it out a while longer and then sneak off during his next lull in business. Which is probably lunchtime.
Damn. Considering I raced in here before sunup, lunchtime is a long time away—
“Seneca? Kiddo, is that you?” Johnny comes over to my bush, unrolling a hose as he walks. Standing over my bush, he turns the water on and it sprinkles down over me.
“Johnny? What the fuck, man?” Holding my hands over my head, I try to keep the water from soaking me as I whisper as loud as I can. “You trying to drown me? It just snowed! It’s freaking cold out here.”
Chuckling, he moves the hose to the opposite side of the bush. “I thought that was you. Didn’t I tell you to stay put? It’s bad news for you here.”
“It’s bad news everywhere. And I can’t just sit there any longer and leave Matt here.”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a tall, dark member of the Steel Knights, would it?”
“How do you know?”
“Seneca.” He sounds like a parent. Or, like a parent should sound if they gave a damn.
“He’s not safe with me, Johnny. And what was I supposed to do? Sit and wait for Mikey and Tony to show up and kill everyone I care about?” I wince when I realize what I’ve said. “I mean, you know how much I care about you…”
“Yes, Sen, I understand what you’re saying. Just like I understand that waiting around has never been your strong suit. So? What’s your plan?”
“To find out if you know anything more. Since Mikey and Tony are out, they must be talking.”
Sighing, he puts down the hose and smacks snow off the branches.
“Seriously?” I ask.
“If anyone sees me, it has to look like I have a reason to be here.”
“As long as you don’t take a leak on me.”
Stifling another chuckle, he works on his story. “I’m cleaning the bush of snow because… Oh, who the hell knows. I’ll think of something. Now, shut up and listen.”
I do.
“There’s been talk that Mikey and Tony were acting on their own. That Don Bordono didn’t send them. Seems the hit that Matt was framed for wasn’t just some lowlife junkie. He was a significant dealer, and he was starting to import his goods from another family.”
“So, Tony and Mikey were trying to impress Ironclad?”
“Correct.”
“But this doesn’t make any sense. Don Bordono would never let someone go. Especially a dealer. He must have been planning his own hit.”
“That’s what I thought. And it seems we’re correct. Don Bordono knew the junkie dealer was good. Had strong connections. He could be groomed to be the next Ironclad.”
My legs are cramping from holding the position, so I shift down onto my knees. The snow and water soak through the denim, and immediately, I regret it. Squatting again, I concentrate. “So, Ironclad sent Mikey and Tony.”
“Yes. And rumor is, they interrupted what was supposed to be a warning from Don Bordono.”
“Wait.” Staying crouched in the bush, I lift myself higher, until I’m nearly standing. “But if Don Bordono didn’t send them…”
“That means he sent someone else.”
“So, there was someone else there?” Adrenaline mixed with hope courses through my veins and it’s all I can do to stay here and stay hidden. “If there was someone else, was he the shooter?”
“Nah. It’s pretty solid that Mikey and Tony both pulled their triggers and shot the bastard. But along with poor Matt, someone else was there, Sen.”
“Someone who could ID Mikey and Tony as the killers. And his testimony could free Matt.” Anger starts churning in my gut. Why didn’t he speak up when he had the chance?
