Page 77 of Fatal Strike
“I’m asking you to kill them,” the owner said.
Everson added another magazine to his weapon and resumed firing.
The deputy returned. Everson grabbed the gas can and poured what was left into the pit. “Stand back. I’m sending these snakes where they belong,” Everson said.
Jon texted Leah. Asking if she was okay might embarrass her. Talking to her might unleash venom she’d rather no one saw.
Everson eliminating the problem. Will scout the area. Be there in a few.
K. I’m a wimp. This is not who I want to be. I’d rather face a dozen armed bad guys than one snake.
He understood Leah more than she realized or might want him to know. She overcompensated as a sniper and agent to make up for the uncontrollable phobia. He wished he had a solution because he’d sign up for the program. But if he thought about it, there was much to learn about life, himself, and God while attempting to solve a problem.
You are human. On the way back to Houston, I’ll tell you how my friends died.
But he wasn’t sure spilling his guts would solve anything for her or him.
49
WHEN JON RETURNED TO THE TRUCK,Leah had news for him.
“Some additional background information came in on our good buddy Henry Kantore. Guess who he used to work for.”
“I give. Who?”
“Will Rawlyns. Do you think he’ll talk to us this time?”
“He likes you. Got a red dress? Dance music?” He swung her a grin.
She shot him a look. “I’ll check on where things stand with CPS before we walk in.” She tapped in the number.
At the Wayne Scott Unit, in the same interview room as their previous conversation, Will Rawlyns slowly lowered himself onto a chair. Lines across his forehead indicated pain. He frowned at Jon. “You’re not here to chitchat, and you know my terms. You get nothing without my boy.”
“Agent Riesel would like a few words,” Jon said.
He gave Leah a sideways glance. “Good to see you again, pretty lady. Where is my son?” He plopped his cuffed hands onto the table with a clang.
“Young Will’s school requested CPS look into his home life.”
“Isn’t she sending him to school?”
“Truancy is a problem. But he’s getting into trouble—fighting.”
Rawlyns jutted his jaw. “I want him away from her ... permanently.”
“Then you’ll like what we’ve learned,” Leah said. “Will Jr. was escorted from school yesterday afternoon to a foster home. The situation is under investigation.”
“I still need to see him.”
“We’re working on visitation, but we can’t promise anything.” Leah paused. “Because of your health, I’m doing my best to make this happen. Do you have many visitors?”
“My sister occasionally. She never knows what to say. Not like I have this lifestyle of the rich and famous. Father Gabriel from St. Peter’s church in Galveston. He’s working on getting me to make confession. Ain’t happening.”
Jon took over. “We’re looking for information about Henry Kantore,” Jon said. “A friend of yours?”
Rawlyns snorted. “I know who he is. What’s he done?”
“Claimed to be a Veneno.”
