Page 75 of The Last Grift

“Somehow I think that’s a full-time job.”

“No doubt it is. Are you hungry?”

His stomach growled a yes.

Elton winked at him and headed into his kitchen. “I can whip up a couple grilled cheese. Afterward, I’ll drop you back at the marina.”

“Should I worry that you seem to think melted cheese and fried bread is a food group?” Gabriel teased, following him. “Also, not going to turn down a hot meal.”

“When you’re as old as me, you learn to appreciate the basics.”

He watched Elton push the sandwiches around in the pan and thought about how less than a week ago he’d literally run for his life. For the first time, Gabe thought maybe he had a chance of stopping here on Heartstone. With a few detours to Piedras. Maybe.

Perhaps a rainy Monday had been a good a day as any to start a new life. Gabriel knew better though; he had a feeling he didn’t like in his gut.

His new life hadn’t started yet and wasn’t going to until he fully got rid of the old one.

They hadn’t sat down to eat yet when Elton’s phone rang, disrupting the quiet. Could the ring of a phone call be a portent? Gabe suspected so.

“Hello,” said Elton, “one second.” He held the receiver out to Gabriel. “It’s Casey.”

“Did you miss me already?”

“No,” said Ranger Man.

“I love the brutal honesty. Can this wait? Elton and I are just about to have dinner.” Did he sound whiny? He did.

“Someone was just here at the marina, asking about you. A blond guy, about forty? Chinos and loafers? Sound familiar? I told him to fuck off, but I think he’ll be back.”

Gabe shut his eyes forjust a second.

Peter.

Catch upwith Gabriel and Casey in Bait and Switch, coming soon.

Gabriel Karne is back— or rather, still on Heartstone Island and doing his best to lie low. But everything falls apart when Gabe's ex-partner-in-crime shows up and muddies the waters.

However,this is Gabe Karne, after all. Surely some fast talking will make Peter exit stage left.

Or not.