Page 67 of Outlaws' Single Mom
A tiny nod.
I watch Dillard through the corner of my eye. And then it's his chance. “I love you. Go!”
Logan zips down the hallway, carrying his helmet like it really is a football. For a little guy, he's definitely gotten faster, and while I can hear his footsteps, Dillard isn’t paying attention. Things sound like they're going bad for him. Good.
I stay huddled in hopes that he doesn't notice that I'm not hugging anyone anymore when he walks back. It works for one cycle, but then he hangs up. His dark eyes scan the room quickly. “Where the fuck is the brat?”
“He just needed to run his legs a little. They were hurting.”
“Fucking… Whatever, he can’t even get the door open. I'll find him later. Not luring me away like that. If there's anyone here I don't trust it's you.” He gestures with his gun, and for a moment I'm terrified that he's going to use it. “If I see you fucking move, there's not going to be enough left of you to bury.”
I don't know if I should be relieved or wetting myself in terror.
38
JACKAL
We're just gettingto the bottom of the parking garage to meet up with Sinner, Priest and Riot when my phone rings. Dakota?
I yank it out of my pocket. Not Dakota. Logan. Fuck. I answer right away. “Hey, buddy. What's going on?”
“Auntie Georgia.” His voice is so quiet I can barely hear him. Fuck, fuck, fuck, this is bad.
“Okay, Logan. You're doing good calling me. I'm proud of you, kid. Is Mommy there with you?”
“No.”
“Is she nearby?”
He has tothink about it. “Uh huh.”
Thank fuck.
“Is anybody else with you, bud?”
“The angry man.” Motherfucker.
“Well that’s no fun, is it? Can you tell me where you are?” I'm asking against all odds, because there's no fucking way a four-year-old is going to give me a damn address.
He's quiet for a second. Did he understand? I'm about to try a different question when he responds, “Mommy said near Auntie Georgia's house.”
Near, or in? At least we have a part of town. Just then Detective Chen walks by. I raise a hand to flag her down. “Logan, just hold on the phone a sec, okay?”
“Okay,” he whispers.
“Can you trace a phone call?” I ask Chen.
By now, Lash and Stiff realize it’s Logan and are crowding close, but they're gonna have to wait. “Like right now?”
She eyes me curiously, but then she nods, pulling out her phone and dialing someone quick. “Show me the number.” I hold up my phone and shedictates it to whoever's on the other end. While she waits for it, I get back to Logan. “You okay, buddy?”
Silence. He still there?
“Being brave is scary.” He sounds uncertain, but not hurt, which is the most important.
“You’re right, man, it is. Even I get scared sometimes.” Like right fucking now. “You're doing great, Logan. Trust me. There's a lady here who's helping me find out where you are, and then we're going to come get you and Mommy. I promise.”
“He has a gun.” Logan's voice quavers. “But he doesn’t follow the rules. You’re supposed to follow the rules.”
