A Necessary Evil(37)

“Not a word.”

Frankie strode over to Collin, pulled out a chair, turned it backward, and sat facing him. Someone, presumably Bruno, had tended to the man’s gunshot wound by wrapping gauze around the oozing hole in his shoulder.

Frankie cleared his throat and pulled the rolled-up bandana out of his mouth. “So, Collin. Let me tell you what’s going to happen next. I’m sure you’re dying to know. Am I right?”

The psychopath just stared at Frankie without one iota of emotion on his face. He didn’t even blink.

Fine. If that’s how he wants to play it. “See, Collin…the way I see it, I have two options. I could turn you over to my detective buddy and let him lock you up and throw away the key. But if I do that, odds are you’ll hire some scumbag defense attorney who’ll get you a reduced sentence at some cushy five-star resort rather than the death penalty, which is what you deserve. The other option is for me to handle you myself. That way, we don’t waste the taxpayers’ hard-earned money and government resources on some lowlife murderer who doesn’t deserve it.” Frankie straightened his back and rubbed his chin. “Unfortunately for you, I’ve decided I like option two best.”

Collin smirked. “What are you going to do? Kill me?”

“Oh, no, son. It’s not going to be that simple for you. The way I see things, you and I have one thing in common. We fall on the wrong side of the law. We don’t follow the rules, or recognize government authority. We handle things ourselves.”

Collin said nothing. He worked his jaw as if he were chewing on what Frankie was feeding him.

“Yeah, I’m right. When we were in that bunker of yours, I was just about to blow your brains all over the cement wall. But then an idea came to me. And you’re going to want to listen. It’s a brilliant idea.” Frankie chuckled softly. “You’re still going to have a trial. But instead of a jury of twelve upstanding, law-abiding citizens who don’t know anything about this world of ours, I’m going to gather up some of the best criminals I know—your peers, so to speak—and they will decide your fate. It’s a stroke of genius, don’t you think?”

Collin smiled in a way that disturbed Frankie. “If you’re going to kill me anyway, why drag it out? Don’t forget…my father killed your precious Addie. And I took your precious granddaughter right out from under your nose.”

Frankie knew Collin was baiting him. He likely knew Frankie intended to kill him slowly and hoped that by reminding him of Addie’s murder, he’d take him out swiftly and painlessly. But Frankie was more patient than Collin gave him credit for.

Frankie lifted his chin and tried to keep his breathing steady. “Nice try. As I was saying, your peers will hear the evidence against you—you’ll have to represent yourself, unfortunately—and if you are found guilty, I will let the jury decide the appropriate punishment. It’s all very democratic. Do you have any questions?”

Collin scoffed. “And I assume you’ll be the judge?”

“How did you guess? Of course, I’ll be the judge.” Frankie’s cell phone rang in his pocket. He motioned for Bruno to place the gag back in Collin’s mouth. “Excuse me.” He held the phone to his ear. “Hello?’

“Damn it, Frankie. Where the hell are they?”

“Who?”

“Don’t screw around with me, Frankie. You know exactly who I’m talking about. I’m out on Collin McAllister’s farm, standing outside the bunker.”

“Wow,” Frankie said with a chuckle. “Who’s your cell phone provider? You’ve got a great signal all the way out there.”

There was a beat of silence, and Frankie took pleasure in imagining Kurt ready to hurl his phone into the forest. “Is Mollie okay?” Kurt asked finally.

“She’s fine. A little bumped and bruised, but she’s at home with Kitty, resting.”

“Thank God for that,” Kurt said.

“Yes. Thank God for that.”

“I swear, Frankie. If you hurt one hair on that sick bastard’s head, I’ll bring the full weight of the law down on you so fast you won’t know what hit you.”

Frankie looked at Collin. Though he was affecting stoicism, he saw a flicker of fear in his pale green eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Detective.”

“Don’t play coy with me. And don’t forget who you’re talking to. I know what you did to Julian McAllister. I looked the other way back then, but I’m not doing it this time. I won’t let you get away with murder. Not again.”

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken.” Frankie was careful, as always, never to admit to any crimes over the phone. “I’ve never killed anyone in my life. And I don’t know who you think I’m going to kill now, but I assure you, I’m just a regular, taxpaying, law-abiding citizen who—”

“Cut the crap, Frankie! You’re not fooling me. I know you found Mollie, and I’m glad she’s safe, don’t get me wrong. But I can’t let you handle this on your own. You have to bring Collin McAllister in. Let me take care of things this time. The right way.”

“The right way? You mean let you arrest him, throw him in some jail where he’ll get to watch cable TV, work out, and get a college education on the government’s dime? Let you put him through some bullshit trial where some sleazebag lawyer will work out a sweetheart deal, or even worse, get him off on a technicality?”