Page 119 of Lawton

She frowned. "How would he know where they live?"

"Driver's license."

"Oh." She paused. "So what's he gonna do? Drive them home and just leave?"

I dodged the question. "Hard to say."

"You're at least gonnaopenthe trunk before you leave 'em someplace. Right?"

It struck me again that she seemed awfully concerned for their welfare. Why was that?

I glanced toward the trunk. "I dunno. Maybe." I returned my gaze to her. "Except it won't bemedoing anything, becauseI'mstaying here with you."

She gave the car a long, worried look. "You've done this before, haven't you?"

I'd done a lot of things before. A lot of those things weren't pretty. I stalled. "Done what before?"

"I don't know." She glanced around the front yard. "Stuff like this."

From the driveway, I heard a sudden burst of muffled thumps and angry voices. It was nothing I hadn't heard before.

"See?" I told her. "Second guy woke up. He's fine. Just like I said."

Chloe was still looking at the car. She bit her lip. "They're trying to get out."

"Maybe," I said. "Either that, or they turned on each other." I shrugged. "It happens."

She turned to stare up at me. "It happens? How would you know?"

From the driveway, Bishop rolled down the window and called out, "You comin' or what?"

"No," I said.

"Yes, he is," Chloe called back.

"No," I said through clenched teeth. "I'm not."

Bishop looked at us, his eyes flat and his tone bored. "I'm leaving in five seconds. In or out. Your choice."

"Go ahead," I told him. "I'll see you at the house."

A moment later, Bishop was on his way. Together, Chloe and I watched as the car reversed out of the long driveway, and then pulled slowly out onto the quiet street.

When I turned back to Chloe, she blurted out, "You should've gone with him."

"Why?"

"Because I can't have guests over."

Oh for fuck's sake. Enough was enough. "Baby, who's in the house?"

"No one."

I crossed my arms. "Uh-huh."

She gave me a pleading look. "Can't we just go to your place?"

I felt my jaw tighten. "Sure. After I check things out here."