What was Weed waiting for? Why was he hesitating to gun down Gowdy and Hannahlee?
At first, Dunne couldn't figure it out. Weed could have pulled the trigger moments ago. Was he enjoying torturing Dunne so much that he wanted to make it last? Was he afraid that shooting Gowdy and Hannahlee would push Dunne over the edge and make him shoot?
No. It was something else.
Weed's gaze flicked for just an instant to a point behind Dunne—and that was all the clue Dunne needed. He finally knew why Weed was waiting.
It was because someone was back there.
So now Dunne's time really was up, and he had to make a move. Had to save his mother and father and himself, breaking decades of chickenshit failure.
Or give up and let them all be killed.
That was what it boiled down to. No longer a matter of fear, because fear would not change the outcome. What he faced was a simple question.
Was he ready to die?
If so, giving up without firing a shot was the perfect, no-fuss option. But if not...
If not, Dunne knew what he had to do.
His heart pounded in his ears. He stood for a moment that felt like a year, well aware that the future pivoted upon him.
Weed laughed at Gowdy and Hannahlee. His gun arms stiffened.
Dunne sensed the presence of whoever was sneaking up behind him. He or she was getting closer, ever closer.
The last second of time dribbled away. The last possible second of indecision.
And it was in that second that Dunne finally decided what to do.