Here Comes the Night by Linda McDonald Read Free Book Online Page B

there now,” Dell said. “I’m
pretty out of it, too. Then we can hit the city fresh tomorrow.”
    Vivian looked relieved at the suggestion. “Good idea.” Then
she turned to Erika. “Sorry we won’t make it all the way into town, but you’re
welcome to stay and party with us.”
    “I’ve got to go to work early,” Erika said.
    “Oh, that’s okay,” Vivian assured her. “We’ll be heading in
at the crack of dawn.”
    The sound of helicopter blades cut through the night sky. A
searchlight swept over the Safari and the thickets of trees on either side of
the highway.
    Dell peered up at it, unperturbed. “Looks like the cops are
looking for somebody.”
    “Oh honey,” Vivian joked. “What did you do?”

Chapter 27
    As the customers at the Crazy Horse Saloon watched, Wrangler
was making his move on Angie, who was barely cognizant of what was going on. He
had one hand inside her blouse and was kissing her neck.
    The bartender finally moved down the bar to them and spoke
quietly. “Look, I’m real happy for you, but why don’t you take this someplace
else?”
    Wrangler nodded an I’ll take care of it look and
whispered to Angie. “Hey, we need to go somewhere else. I got a hard on that
ain’t goin’ away and people are startin’ to stare.”
    Through inebriated layers of pain, Angie looked at him.
“He’s got someone else. That’s it. The sonuvabitch. He’s fucking her.”
    He nodded patiently. “Okay. Look at it this way. He’s
fuckin’ her, so you can fuck me.”
    Suddenly Angie sat straight up, like she’d just emerged from
a blackout, or gotten a strong second wind. She stared at a wall of framed
8X10's, then hollered for the bartender who’d moved down to some other
customers.
    He came back to her and started kindly. “Now, lady—”
    Angie interrupted. “Has that prick quarterback been in here
tonight?”
    The bartender patiently pointed to a celebrity wall filled
with former Sooner players. “Which one you mean?”
    Angie wobbled over to the wall. There was Buck’s dusty
autographed picture. She started to cry.
    Wrangler followed, trying to comfort her. “Come on,
sweetheart,” he said, gamely giving it one last try. “I’m cowboy enough to take
on a dozen Sooners.”
    Angie pushed him away. She was glaring at Buck’s face in the
frame. Then she slammed her fist into it. Blood spurted down the front of her
blouse.
    Wrangler automatically charged toward her to help, but she
turned on him, martini glass still in the other hand and pushed it in his face.
    “Why, you…” He took a drunken swing at her, barely
connecting. “I should’ve knew you were low class pussy when I first laid eyes
on you.”
    Before the bartender could get to them, Angie was trying to
jump on Wrangler’s back, kicking and gouging at him.
    “Jesus,” the bartender begged to anyone who would listen,
“will someone grab her? A hand here, please?”

Chapter 28
    Jorge carefully spread a plastic drop cloth across the SUV’s
back seat. He looked up at Twigs who’d come out for a cigarette while Meatface
was getting Buck ready for transport.
    “What are you doing?” Twigs asked.
    “I don’t wanna have to clean up the SUV again after we’re
done. Guy’s bleedin’ like a stuck pig in there.”
    “That’s under control. And I gave him some meds so he won’t
care,” Twigs said, studying him. “What’s the matter with you anyway?” She moved
close and touched his face.
    “Fuckin’ tooth swoll up on me again.”
    “I can see that. You pussy, go to the dentist and stop
whining. Why do you think I give you benefits?”
    “I was, but I got called in for a job, remember?” He looked
at her pointedly. “Besides, shit always happens on Friday.”
    “I’m sorry, baby.” She gave him a little feel just to show
him she meant it. “Take care of yourself, huh? I don’t want to lose my fuck
buddy.”
    Then Meatface called low from the doorway. “Jorge, get over
here and help me.” Jorge hustled