Page 39 of God’s Country

“Did some first responder work in the past,” I said.

Ollie thought about that a moment and then burst out, “A cop! This guy’s a cop.”

Stan said, “Is that true?”

“Long time ago,” I said.

“Well, that’s just perfect,” Ollie said with genuine pleasure. “Always wanted to shoot me a cop.”

“Enough!” Stan said. “Tell us why we need the girl.”

“Because,” I said, then paused for a little dramatic effect. And, as always, to stall a bit more. “Because she’s your ticket to getting that pack.”

CHAPTER 24

Leticia looked at me with both surprise and horror.

“Her?” Ollie said. “I don’t get it.”

“You saw Devil’s Bottom, right?” I said to Stan.

He nodded. “Just before you tried to drown me.”

I could tell he was going to hold that against me.

“It’s there in Devil’s Bottom, about halfway up the fold in the rock. It’s just a small hole. Without binoculars, you probably wouldn’t see it.”

“Devil’s asshole. I get it now. So, what do we need the girl for?” Ollie said.

I said to Stan, “You remember I asked you about the build of your father’s body?”

“I remember.”

“I speculated he was in good shape.”

“So?”

“That’s a sheer cliff. You’d have to be strong and lithe to climb up to the devil’s asshole. That’s not you.” Then I looked at Ollie. “And it’s not Tubby there.”

Which earned me another kick that did my faulty heart no good.

I recalled that, when I first met them, Tucker Jackson had told me his daughter was fond of rock climbing. I thought if any of us had a chance of getting up to that hole in Devil’s Bottom, it was Leticia. I also figured that having her climb was a way to keep both her and her father from further harm while I tried to come up with a way out of this mess, if there was one.

The blackflies and mosquitoes were with us in abundance, and Ollie swiped at them with his gun hand.

“Careful with that Glock,” Tucker snapped.

Ollie eyed him. “How’d you know it’s a Glock?”

“Gun enthusiast,” Tucker answered without missing a beat. “Got a Glock at home. Also a Ruger LCP and a Taurus nine-millimeter.”

Ollie looked impressed. “I left my Ruger at home. Figured this might be a rugged trip and my Glock would hold up better.”

“Good choice,” Tucker said.

He was working Ollie, that was clear to me, even though I figured in the end it wouldn’t change the outcome.

“Let’s go take a closer look at Devil’s Bottom,” Stan suggested. “You come with us, girl. You, too,” he told his brother.