The Old Man(74)

Nobody answered.

Derrick waited. “Isn’t she?”

“Yes,” said his friend. “She’s hot. Can you please just keep an eye on the road?”

“I wasn’t asking you,” Derrick said. “I was asking him.”

“Me?” said Hank.

“Yeah, you.”

“Then yes,” he said. “She’s my wife.”

“Your wife?” Derrick said. “You and her? You must be really rich.”

“Jesus, Derrick,” said his friend.

“Jesus, Kyle,” said Derrick.

Kyle’s voice was tense now, high and whiny. “Just cut it out.”

“We’re just talking to pass the time. It’s a long, long way down that dark, freezing road before we get to San Bernardino, and talking helps keep me awake. My bro back there probably goes to sleep early every night, given his age, so I’m helping him out too.”

“Stop it,” Kyle said. “This isn’t funny.”

Derrick persisted. “So bro. I know this doesn’t bother you because you’re a good sport. Is your wife a good sport too?”

“Not particularly,” Marcia answered.

“That’s okay,” Derrick said. “I don’t blame you for feeling that way. You’re married to an older man. He can’t possibly keep you happy. Not by himself, anyway.”

Hank said, “Your friend Kyle is right. This stuff isn’t funny, and it’s offensive. So stop.”

Derrick shrugged and laughed. He drove on in silence for the next half hour. From time to time he would look to his right at Kyle. Then Derrick’s eyes would flick up to the rearview mirror, verify that Hank was still watching him, and then settle on the road ahead.

They continued down the dark highway. There was steady traffic going down out of the mountains at this hour, but fewer cars coming up. It was mildly reassuring to Hank, because if Derrick abruptly became unable to control the car, they would be less likely to have a head-on crash. Each minute was taking them another mile away from the squad that was hunting for them and closer to a warm, safe place somewhere. He dreaded what might happen soon, hoping to put it off as long as he could.

“I should apologize,” said Derrick. “I didn’t mean to offend anybody.”

“Fine,” said Hank.

“I was just trying to be friendly. I’ve heard that a lot of guys your age have trouble, you know, performing. That’s the term. And the little woman cries herself to sleep every night. A lot of them would love to be with a younger guy. Or even two of them.”

“Please stop this,” said Marcia.

“Are you sure, though?” said Derrick. “There are three of us and only one of you. Maybe your husband would like to watch you get really satisfied.”

“No.”

“Well, keep it in mind while we drive. There’s plenty of time to think. It’s a long way to San Berdoo.”

“That’s enough,” said Hank.

“If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to leave. You can get out and walk.”

“You’re right. Pull over and let us out.”

The two men in the front seats leaned closer and exchanged a few words, and then Derrick began to slow down. When he reached a wide shoulder, he stopped. Kyle got out to remove the skis from the roof. “Okay,” Derrick said. “Last stop. Don’t forget to tip the driver.”

Hank opened his door. When Marcia tried to do the same, Derrick hit the lock button and her door locked. Kyle gave Hank a push, intending to push him to the ground so they could drive off with Marcia. But Hank had been prepared, and he shrugged off the push. He brought his Colt Commander out of the backpack and swung it across Kyle’s head. It hit his forehead and blood instantly began to flow down his face into his eyes.

Marcia dived across the backseat and scrambled out Hank’s door.

Derrick was paralyzed for a moment, not sure what to do. He wanted to drive off, but Kyle was outside the vehicle, apparently hurt.

Hank aimed the gun through the open door at Derrick’s face. He said, “If you try to move that car you’re dead. Get out.”

Derrick got out, but kept the big vehicle between him and Hank. “Hey, dude,” Derrick said. “What’s that for? We didn’t mean anything. We weren’t really going to take her. It was just to scare you a little.”

“Come around to join your friend Kyle.”

“Now, just think about what you’re doing,” Derrick said.

“Or I’ll kill you where you stand,” Hank added.

When Derrick and Kyle were together by the side of the road, Hank said, “Now toss me your cell phones.”

Kyle tossed his, which landed at Hank’s feet. Derrick said, “I don’t have mine.”

“Then I’ll shoot Kyle first, then you.”

Kyle scrambled to his feet, reached into Derrick’s pocket, and threw a phone that landed at Hank’s feet beside his. Marcia picked them both up and put them in her jacket pocket.

Derrick sounded more angry than frightened. “Look, we didn’t do anything. We were just joking.”

Hank said, “You found two strangers you thought were helpless, and decided to do us harm. You’re going to die for it. Take a second to say your prayers or whatever you do.” He aimed the Colt Commander at Derrick’s head and moved his finger onto the trigger.