[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.“Whoa! Hold the firepower,” Smith yelled.“I’m out anyhow,” I muttered.He spun around; searching for more would be undead assassins then checked the four bodies were no longer moving.“Looks all clear.I think these other three guys were Sammy and his buddies’ relief shift.Something went to rat shit here.”“Look, who gives a fuck, Smith? Let’s just go get the others and get the fuck out of here,” I bawled.I didn’t want to spend another minute longer than we needed to in New Orleans.It was probably a great city in the past but right now, I’d had a gutful of the place.Smith strolled around in tight circles, checking the dock and the Navy boat deck.“All right, go get the others and we’ll skedaddle,” he said.Smith seemed a bit distant, as though the breach of the city’s defenses was still bothering him.“You all right, Smith?” I asked, with genuine concern.“Sure,” he muttered.I knew the whole Louisiana debacle had got us all a little riled but we still needed to be on the ball to and focused to get the fuck out of the docks.We needed Smith to be fully alert to steer a path along the river, whichever way we were headed.“I’ll go get Batfish and the rest of the crew, then?” I pointed back towards the street.“Yeah, go right ahead.”I ran the distance back to the GMC truck and tapped on the window.Headlong was snoozing and jolted awake.“Okay, it’s all good, man.We’re out of here,” I chimed enthusiastically.Headlong whooped in cowboy style and Batfish slid open the side door.She encouraged the two Cajun girls from the back of the truck and scooped up Spot in her arms.“Smith is down on that Navy boat ready and waiting for us to go,” I said.I walked beside Batfish, not wanting to let her out of my sight now that we’d got her back.The Cajun girls followed with Headlong trailing at the rear.We ambled alongside the Navy boat and I was disappointed that Smith hadn’t yet started the engines.He was still stood on the dock facing the river, staring out into the night.“Come on, Smith.We got to go, man,” I bleated and slapped his shoulder.He seemed to stir from his temporary trance.“Yeah, right.Let’s go.” He followed the three girls onto the Navy boat deck.“You fire up the engines and I’ll slip the ropes?” I suggested.“Just don’t head off without me.”Smith smiled and turned to move to the control cabin.Headlong stepped onboard and drew his hand gun.He aimed at Smith and I felt a sudden shockwave pulse through my body.Headlong called out in a loud, authoritative tone.“Sorry folks, there is now a change of plan.”Chapter Sixty-Five“What the fuck are you doing, man?” I hissed.“I thought we were all on the same team now?”Headlong turned his head and gave me strange look that said I was a fool to believe that.Smith stopped in his tracks, the Cajun girls huddled together and Batfish cuddled Spot close.I couldn’t believe what was happening.“We’re not taking this boat.We’re going to sail out of the city in style.We’re taking the paddle steamer.”“You got to be shitting me,” I muttered.Headlong smiled and flashed me a wink.“Nope.From what you guys told me, that steamer has all the guns, dope and food I need to set up somewhere else.I’d take the boat myself but I haven’t got a damn clue how to start or steer the thing.” He turned back to Smith.“So you are going to be my helmsman, Smith.”Smith turned to face Headlong.“What makes you think I have any idea how to get that thing going? I’ve never even been on a paddle steamer until we went on there yesterday, let alone crewed one.”“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.Now, everybody off this floating piece of shit and make your way onto the steamer.We’re going for a little cruise”“You’re totally crazy,” Batfish spat.“These guys have helped you and got you out of some deep shit.”“Sorry, honey.It’s a dog eat dog world,” Headlong said, with a facetious smirk on his face.“We’re not doing it,” Smith insisted.“Don’t you think I haven’t thought about taking the steamer? It’s too old and slow and another thing, I don’t have a clue how to run it.Forget it, we’re not using it.Now, you can put that gun down and we can forget all about this little dilemma and you can come with us or you can turn around and go your own way.”The sarcastic smile slipped from Headlong’s face.“I’m giving the orders, Smith.And I say we’re taking the steamer.I’m the one holding the gun on you.”I thought about going for my Smith & Wesson inside my waistband.The problem I had was the magazine was empty and I wouldn’t have time to reload.“Wilde is the only other one who is armed here,” Headlong continued.“If he goes for his gun, I’ll shoot you.But I know he won’t.He won’t risk your life, Smith.You are too important to him.”“How about if I go for my gun?” Smith asked.“What will you do?”Headlong’s sarcastic smile returned.“I’ll have no choice but to shoot you, Smith.But I know you ‘aint that dumb
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]