Page 85 of Slashes in the Snow
He wasn’t kidding when he said the cabin was remote and hidden in dense trees. The dirt pathway through the forest slows us down considerably. Four-wheel drive would have been a much better choice.
Once we see the little structure come into view, we fall back to a crawl.
“Tempest, Vet, head around the back, canvas it, then catch up,” my father instructs.
Like nothing has changed, they immediately do as he says.
We roll up to the light grey front deck where a muddy Ford pickup is parked off to the side. All four bikes completely surround the wooden structure.
The environment is so peaceful, so quiet. A true picture of nature, with the smell of pine potent in the air, and the sound of birds chirping in the trees.
“This just seems too easy,” Hawk shares his concerns as we all dismount our bikes.
“My thoughts exactly.” My dad surveys the woods.
“Let’s just get this over with.” I pull the gun from the back of my waistband. “Deacon! Show your fucking face! Let’s see how tough you are now!”
Nothing. No response, not even a peep.
“He’s inside,” Bone rumbles, staring straight through the glass front door. I look harder, and sure enough, there he is, sitting right in front of us in a chair.
“This is some whacked-out shit. Anyone else think this is whacked-out shit?” Breaker asks.
“Deacon always was a little odd.” My Pops steps up onto the deck, and we all follow.
Our guard raised for anything, he slowly opens the door.
“Don’t be such a fucking pussy, Gambit. Walk the fuck in,” Deacon snaps.
My father steps inside first, and my heart palpitates. I’m suddenly feeling as protective over him as I do over Kira.
“Been a long time, old man,” Deacon address my father as all five of us invade the small living room. He doesn’t move a muscle in his chair, a 9mm resting on his knee.
“You ain’t kiddin’. You look like shit.”
“Cancer will do that to you.” He breaks out into a long fit of dry coughs.
Time feels like it’s in fast forward. I need to know where Kira is, and I need to know right now.
“Sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but where the fuck is Kira?” I point my gun right at him.
“I wouldn’t be so rash. Shoot me, and you’ll never find her.”
“What is this all about, Deacon? Revenge? Are you just so petty and miserable, you need to get back at me?”
“You took everything from me, Gerard. I just wanted to return the favor. One last, friendly gesture.”
“Friendly gesture, huh? Stalking, stealing, and kidnapping is not usually how I treat my friends. Ky asked you once, I’ll ask you a second time. There won’t be a third chance. Where the fuck is my stepdaughter?”
Deacon smiles perversely. “She’s gone.”
Something in my stomach twists in nauseating knots from his response.
“Search the place,” I order, and Hawk, Fender, and Breaker tear through the house as Bone, my father, and I keep Deacon company.
“Look all you like; she isn’t here.” He clears his phlegmy throat.
“Then where the fuck is she?” I tighten my grip on the gun pointed right at Deacon’s head.
