and trying to get a look inside the cabin. Surely he wouldn’t torch a place with someone in it?
Before Nick had made up his mind to check around the back, he heard a truck engine and the crunch of wheels on gravel. Sam was heading this way, according to Charlie. Or did McNaught call Reggie or one of the others for reinforcements? Someone tailing Reggie would’ve been damned useful.
It was Sam’s truck that rolled to the edge of the clearing, headlights outlining McNaught in stark white. Sam got out and went to join him, his steps slowing as he neared the cabin. “What’s going on? I smell gas.”
“You should know.”
Sam ran a hand over his head. “You said come here if I wanted my money. I’ll keep following orders as long as I get paid.”
“Following orders. Like with Farris? And the greenhouse?”
“I got a little carried away.” Sam’s tone went sullen. “I been keeping my nose clean now, like you said. Stayin’ home. And I’m still broke as shit.”
“And that little message on my drive yesterday? That was you staying home and following orders?” McNaught eyed him like a bull wondering if a gnat was worth stomping on.
“It was a— a joke. I was drunk, blowing off steam. You’re the boss, I know that.”
“You’re a liability to the team and a risk to the mission.”
“What fucking mission?” There was enough light to see Sam flick a quick look left and right. “You want to end up sheriff, we want a bit of cash. Simple.”
“Until you screwed it up.”
“Hey! You wanted the damage ramped up when no one cared about the small stuff. I did that. Me.” Sam thumped his chest. “You want people to do the dirty work while you keep your hands clean? I’m okay with that. Pay me my fucking share, and I’m your man.”
McNaught said, “Prove it then. I want that shack to burn. That’s your thing, right? Light it up, however you do that.”
“Now?”
“Do I look like I want to stand around with my thumb up my ass? Now.”
“Yessir.” Sam took a couple of steps toward the cabin and paused to sniff. “You already prepped it? I don’t want to murder nobody.”
“It’s empty, falling apart. I want to see you in action. What do you usually do?”
Sam stopped at the bottom of the steps. “Depends. How far did you pour the gas?”
“Porch, top step.”
“Do you need it to look accidental? ’Cause gasoline won’t.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck. I want it to burn. Have fun.”
Sam flicked a look back at him. “Easiest way is to light something and toss it.”
“Show me.”
Nick thought Sam was moving extra slow and careful as he bent to pick up a broken bit from the porch railing, and he couldn’t blame the man. McNaught was scary-weird tonight. Sam had to be wondering what would happen after he lit that fire. Nick was wondering the same thing. He reached very slowly for the holster at his shoulder, easing his Glock into his hand.
“Something like this is a decent starter.” Sam held up a splintered slat. “I like newspaper, but dry wood like this works. Or you could use—”
“Do it.” McNaught cut off Sam’s obvious delay.
Sam pulled a lighter out of his pocket and held it in his other hand, eyes on McNaught. “Look, you might want to leave first. Once it goes up, someone will spot the fire. You don’t want to be nearby. I’ll light it when you go.”
“You let me worry about that.” McNaught drew his own weapon from a hip holster. “Light it now.”
Sam flicked the lighter and let it play over the end of the slat, getting small flames to flicker along the edge. Dried paint popped in little sparks as it caught. Sam glanced back at McNaught and tossed the slat onto the gasoline-soaked porch. As the gas lit with a whoosh, Sam dove sideways and rolled, then ran for the trees.
McNaught’s shot caught him in mid-stride, even as Nick yelled, “Police. Freeze!” His words were echoed in a higher voice from across the clearing. McNaught whirled to look that way. Nick drew a bead on him but didn’t pull the trigger, couldn’t— Sheriff Gannet shouted, hoarse and loud. “Kyle! Drop the gun. Now!”
McNaught’s gun hand drooped. “Sheriff? That firebug lit up my place—”
“Lose the gun!”
“I’m protecting everyone.”
Sam groaned from where he writhed on the ground, “You told me to. You made me.”
Nick said loudly, “Multiple witnesses, McNaught. We followed you here.”