Lowell grins. “I remember when Topanga was safety-proofing the house. She would crawl around on the floor to see what things looked like from a baby’s height. I’m surprised she didn’t bubble wrap everything.”
“Be faster to just bubble wrap the kid,” I mutter.
Bronco and Lowell nod in unison again. I’ve seen them talk like this before. They’re in their dad mode. In the past, I kept my mouth shut as they shot the shit about how tricky raising kids can be. They also like to talk about wives now that Bronco has one. I wonder if I’ll one day have something to share about that topic.
After Future squeals on his way down again, I find myself smiling like a loon. The little man barely knows me, and I don’t understand shit about kids. Still, he’s my person now. His laughter makes me feel good. It’s so easy, really.
“Why do you think the Killing Joes didn’t show last night?” Bronco asks as the kids now run around the grassy area while Fairuza chases them.
Shrugging, Lowell finishes his beer. “Might have figured it was an ambush.”
“I don’t think they care,” I say, and both men frown at me. “I bet they came here for easy money and a chance at revenge. Then they saw the setup in Elko and here in the Woodlands. They realized they were outgunned. Roadrunner isn’t a complete idiot. He likely knew Marks wasn’t good for the money long term. Elko was a dead end.”
Bronco scowls darkly. “Are you saying you think they left?”
“I don’t know. Roadrunner probably did. Gak, maybe not. But he won’t show up in the middle of the night to a possible ambush. Roadrunner, though, is likely making decent cash back in Cleveland.”
“So, Gak is a fucking moron that’s still hanging around?” Bronco asks.
“Gak was an addict. Meth mostly. He might have gotten clean, but I doubt it. Back when I ran with them, he was always blowing through money. That meant he was in a constant state of panic over not having the cash to pay for his next fix. A guy like that would be willing to play along with Marks. However, a guy like that might also kill Marks and steal the shithead’s wallet before blowing town. Gak doesn’t care about revenge. He cares about getting his next fix. I’m not sure what Roadrunner cares about, but he isn’t suicidal.”
“I’m thinking of hitting the Village tonight,” Bronco says, lowering his voice. “Sneak onto the compound and set off the fireworks again. I figure we can get to where Marks is holed up and off him along with any others in our way.”
“Maybe the Killing Joes didn’t need to travel to the Village because they were already there,” I suggest and then decide to fess up my theory. “I think we should also assume two other guys from the Killing Joes might be around. Gak was tight with two assholes named Cole. If they’re alive, he’ll bring them to Elko.”
Lowell narrows his eyes. “But you said Gak wanted money. Sharing with three other assholes means less for him.”
“Gak and the Coles go back to childhood. Where Dumb goes, Dumber One and Dumber Two usually go, too. It doesn’t have to make sense.”
“But you think Roadrunner left?”
“I would. They came here probably thinking the Village was a doomsday cult with lots of guns and warm bodies to fire them. They could lead those assholes into war with us. All the money and power could be theirs. Except Marks has an army of starving people. Worse, there’s no money. If I saw that setup and then saw this club, I wouldn’t stick around. Well, I mean, the current-me wouldn’t stick around. When I was an addict, I would definitely follow Roadrunner down here. Then, when he went for a cigarette break and never came back, I would remain with the shitheads I knew. That’s how addicts think. We’ll sink with a ship rather than make a big move.”
Bronco sighs. “I’m fucking paralyzed. That’s how it feels. I know what I want to do. Then, I think about Conor’s big ideas and start believing I ought to play shit smart. Then, I think of me catching a bullet and leaving Lana with four kids in a town she barely knows.” Lowering his voice, he adds, “I’ve lost my edge.”
“What do you want to do?” I ask, sensing Lowell already knows the answer.
“I want what the younger version of me would want. None of this