28

Out on the road, Ralph Angel rolled down his window. The night was cold, the air stung his face. He turned on the radio and settled back into his seat. A two-hour drive to New Orleans. They’d lie low for a couple nights and then what—Orlando? Miami? Maybe they’d try Atlantic City. He looked over his shoulder. Blue was stretched out on the backseat, where he’d cried himself to sleep.

Ralph Angel blew past the Indian casino, all bright and glowing, and for a moment he thought about Amber, wondered if she ever got that cherry-red pickup. He had just passed the turnoff where she lived when a car pulled out and sped to catch up with him. Another second and the icy blue and white lights flashed. Ralph Angel slowed, pulled onto the shoulder, cruised to a stop.

“License and registration, please.”

Ralph Angel recognized the voice. His heart drummed.

One Mississippi.

“Good evening, Officer. I’ve got my license right here.” His hands started to sweat.

Two Mississippi. Three.

The beam of the officer’s flashlight swept over Ralph Angel’s face, swept over the dashboard, swept across his shoulder, and hovered for a few extra seconds above the passenger seat.

“Step out of the car, please.” The officer’s voice was tense. Tenser than it had been before.

Ralph Angel squinted into the harsh light. He shielded his eyes. “Is there a problem?”

Four Mississippi.

“I said, step out of the car, please.”

“If it’s about the rental, I can explain.” Ralph Angel laughed nervously. “You see, I was going to turn it in. I got the contract in here, somewhere. I’ll pay what I owe. I swear.” His thoughts shifted to The Cane Cutter. After he took it from Charley’s dresser, he wrapped it in a towel, put it in the trunk. In the end, he hadn’t given it away; couldn’t bring himself to do it. He’d just wanted to give Charley a good scare. Hold on to it for a couple days then give it back.

“I said, step out of the car. Now.”

Five Mississippi.

Ralph Angel saw the trooper pull his gun from its holster and take a measured step to the side. He listened as the trooper called for backup on his walkie-talkie, and it seemed like only seconds before he heard sirens in the distance. Ralph Angel reached down, slowly, to unbuckle his seat belt and saw what the trooper saw: John’s gun on the passenger seat where he’d tossed it. He heard a click as the trooper released his gun’s safety.

“I won’t tell you again, sir. Step out of the car. Do it now. Right. Now.”

Six Mississippi.

“Please, Officer. It ain’t how it looks. I got my kid with me, see? Just give me a second. Jesus. It’s not what you think. I swear to God.” Without thinking, Ralph Angel reached out his hand. “Please. I can explain.” And then he heard the trooper’s gun fire.