Savages

252

Dennis gets in the car.

“They have the girl,” Ben says.

“Who?”

“The girl you met with us,” Chon says. “They’re going to kill her.”

Ben says, “Elena Sanchez Lauter has a daughter, Magdalena. She’s a student at Irvine.”

“Jesus, Ben.”

“Where is she?”

“Are you out of your mind?” Dennis asks.

“Yes,” Ben says. “Tell us where to find her.”

Dennis looks down at his gut. When he looks up his eyes are wet. “I’m into them, Ben. Big-time. Mid–six figures.”

“Fuck, Dennis.”

“Fuck, indeed, Ben.”

“Where’s the daughter?”

“Jesus, Ben, they’ll kill my family.”

“I’ll give you money,” Ben says. “Run with your family, tonight. But you’re going to tell me.”

Dennis thinks about this for a second, then gets out of the car.

The northbound Metrolink is coming up from Oceanside. The train where you can see dolphins and whales from the seaside windows.

He walks over to the track.

Ben jumps out of the car.

Too late.

Dennis steps onto the rails.