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“Who do you owe?” I ask. “The only reason I can figure you’re so desperate for this money is that you owe it to someone dangerous. Just tell me who and I won’t ask you for anything else.”
Dell hesitates only a moment. “I don’t owe anyone anything. I need the two hundred grand to get in on a deal.” He turns to me with a pleading look, like I’m going to understand. “We’re going to rob this house out in the country. The old lady who lives there is loaded, and she goes to church every Sunday so she won’t even be home. It’s too easy, but I’m only going to get in on it if I can contribute two hundred grand.”
I bite back a laugh. “What do they need the two hundred grand for? A safe cracking kit? Some high-level surveillance equipment?”
Dell points at me. “Exactly. I knew you’d understand. I’m the new guy on the crew and I need to prove I’m all in. I’m going to cover the cost of the equipment, then I’ll get all that money back and more after we rob the old lady.”
“Sounds like a con to me,” Clover says.
“That’s because it is a con.” I cross my arms over my chest, finally letting go of the pepper spray. “One of the oldest ones on the books. I told you about that con, didn’t I, Dell?”
His eyes go wide. “No. No way. These people are legit. I just have to get them the money by the end of the month, and they’re going to cut me in. They said…” He frowns. “It can’t be a con.”
“Dell.” I try to break the news to him as gently as possible. “Nobody needs two hundred grand to get safe cracking and surveillance equipment. It doesn’t cost that much and no small-time thief worth her salt needs that stuff to get the job done.”
“That’s it,” Dell says hopefully. “They aren’t small time. You should see these people, Honey. They’re dressed head-to-toe in designer shit. They travel the world robbing people.”
“Probably just like they’re about to rob you,” Dani says. “Listen to Honey. She knows what she’s talking about.”
Dell shakes his head, then drops it into his hands and groans. “I’m an idiot.”
“Which is why you should give up your life of crime,” Clover says.
He looks up, scowling. “You’re supposed to tell me I’m not an idiot.”
She shrugs. “I’m not a liar.”
He looks at me, clearly hoping for me to tell him she’s wrong. “Listen to my sister. Get a real job, get your shit together, and be an uncle to Maya’s kids. Maya misses you and her kids deserve to get to know you.”
His face pales. “You want me to go straight?”
“Yep. It’s a hell of a lot safer and more stable than a life of crime. And you’re a terrible criminal. You can’t possibly be a worse nine-to-five day job kind of guy. You’re good with cars. Maybe you should make that lie you were selling me a reality and open your own shop.”
He sighs heavily. “I’m never going to get rich working on cars.”
“Yeah, ‘cause being a criminal has worked out so well for you.”
“Fuck you.” Dell scowls, but there’s no venom in his words.
“We can—” I’m about to offer him help getting back on his feet when a snuffling sound comes from the dark hole in the far corner.
Dell backs toward the entrance of the cave. “What is that? Did y’all bring one of your farm animals with you?”
“No.” I move toward him and give him a little push. “We should get out of here.”
But Dell isn’t looking at me. He’s gone white as a sheet, and he’s staring at the dark hole with wide eyes. “What the fuck is that?”
No way in hell am I looking back. I shove him harder. “Snap out of it and move, Dell. We have to get out of here.”
Whatever the monster is behind me, it makes some weird hissing, growling sound, and Dell screams like a small child. He’s gone limp enough that I’m able to shove past him and crawl out of the cave.
I pop up to a stand and freeze, because I’m surrounded by absolute darkness. There’s not even a full moon to offer any light. If I run, how will I be sure I’m not running right into another monster?
Behind me, Dell is still screaming, and my whole body starts to shake. “No. No. No. No.”
“You forgot your phone.” Clover appears next to me, bathed in the light of both our phones, while she balances on one leg.
“I tried to tell him it was just a little old opossum.” Dani inserts herself under Clover’s arm to help her stand. “He won’t stop screaming long enough to listen.”
