Billy Summers

‘We’ll go anyway and I’ll find a way in.’

‘We will,’ Alice says. ‘You’re not leaving me behind in a motel this time.’

Billy doesn’t reply. He thinks it’s a decision he’ll make when and if the time comes. Then he thinks of what Alice has been through, and what Klerke has done to girls even younger than this one, and realizes it might not be his decision to make.

8

That night he calls Nick for the last time. ‘You still owe a million-two.’

‘I know and you’ll get it. Our friend paid off. As far as he knows, you’re dead.’

‘Add another two hundred thousand. Call it a bonus for the shit you put me through. And send it to Marge.’

‘Frank’s mother? Are you serious?’

‘Yes. Tell her it’s from me. Tell her to put it toward Frank’s care. Tell her I did what I had to, but I’m sorry.’

‘I don’t think your apology will cut much ice. Marge is …’ He sighs. ‘Marge is Marge.’

‘You could also tell her that what happened to him ultimately comes back to you, not me, but I don’t really expect that.’

There’s silence for a few seconds and then Nick asks about the rest of what Billy’s owed. Billy tells him exactly how he wants it handled. After some discussion Nick agrees. Does that mean he’ll actually do it if Billy isn’t around to make sure? Billy has his doubts, because he has no idea how long Nick’s gratitude at being spared will last. But he intends to make sure his wishes are carried out, because he has no intention of dying in New York. It’s Roger Klerke who’s going to do the dying.

‘Good luck,’ Nick says. ‘I mean that.’

‘Uh-huh. Just see that Frank is taken care of. And the other thing.’

‘Billy, I just want to tell you—’

Billy ends the call. He has no interest in what Nick wants to tell him. The books are balanced. He and Nick are done.

9

Billy is ready to go early the next morning, but Bucky asks him to wait until ten o’clock because he has an errand to run. While he does it, Billy visits the summerhouse one final time. He takes the picture of the hedge animals off the wall and carries it to the end of the path. He looks out over the gorge for a minute or two, across to the place where the reputedly haunted hotel once stood. Alice thought she saw it, but Billy sees only a few charred remnants. Maybe, he thinks, the site is still haunted. Maybe that’s why no one’s rebuilt on it, although the location looks prime.

He throws the picture over the edge. He peers over the lip of the drop and sees it caught in the top of a pine tree about a hundred feet down. Let it rot there, he thinks, and goes back to the house. Alice has put their little bits of luggage in the Mitsubishi. There’s no reason not to drive it east. It’s a good vehicle, it can’t be tracked, and Reggie won’t miss it.

‘Where did you go?’ Alice asks.

‘Just for a walk. Wanted to stretch my legs.’

They are sitting in the rockers on the porch when Bucky comes back. ‘I saw a friend and bought you a little going-away present,’ he says, and hands Alice a pistol. ‘Sig Sauer P320 Subcompact. Ten in the mag plus one in the pipe. Small enough to carry in your purse. It’s loaded, so be careful how you grab it if you have to take it out.’

Alice looks at it, fascinated. ‘I’ve never fired a gun before.’

‘It’s simple enough, just point and shoot. Unless you’re standing close, you’ll probably miss your target anyway, but you might scare someone off.’ He looks at Billy. ‘If you have a problem with her carrying, speak up.’

Billy shakes his head.

‘One thing, Alice. If you need to use it, use it. Promise me.’

Alice promises.

‘Okay, now give me a hug.’

She hugs him and starts to cry. Billy thinks that’s good, actually. She’s feeling her feelings, as they say in the self-help groups.

It’s a long, strong hug. Bucky lets loose after thirty seconds or so and turns to Billy. ‘Now you.’

Little as he cares for man-hugs, he does it. For years Bucky has just been a business associate, but over the last month or so he’s become a friend. He gave them shelter when they needed it, and he’s on board with what lies ahead. More important than those things, he’s been good to Alice.

Billy gets behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi. Bucky walks around to the passenger side, looking very Colorado in his jeans and flannel shirt. He makes a cranking gesture and Alice powers down the window. Bucky leans in and kisses her on the temple. ‘I want to see you again. Make sure I do.’

‘I will,’ Alice says. She’s crying again. ‘I sure will.’

‘Okay.’ Bucky straightens and stands back. ‘Now go get that son of a bitch.’

10

Billy stops at the Walmart Supercenter in Longmont, getting as close to the building as possible to improve the WiFi connection. Using his personal laptop, which is VPN-equipped, he sends the pictures of Alice to Giorgio and asks him to post them on to Klerke ASAP.