The Night Monster

CHAPTER 57

I ran to where Seppi lay facedown in the earth. The air was choking with the smell of gunfire and death, the sound of the SWAT team’s furious assault echoing across the barren fields like a Fourth of July celebration that had gone awry. Kneeling, I looked for any signs of bullet holes on Seppi’s body. Her clothing was clean, and I gently touched her shoulder.

“Hey,” I said.

Seppi’s head twisted in the earth. “Is the shooting over?”

“Yes. Are you okay?”

“I think so.”

“Come on. You need to get up.”

I helped Seppi to her feet. She came off the ground slowly, like someone rising from a deep sleep. She looked around at the Bledsoes and shook her head ruefully.

“Did any of them get away?” she asked.

“No. That was real brave, what you did.”

“I don’t know what came over me. I hope I didn’t screw up your plan.”

“Not at all.”

The SWAT team were checking the Bledsoes for signs of life. I guided Seppi past them and up the hill. Reaching the top, she stopped to glance over her shoulder.

“Are they all dead?” she asked.

I looked back as well. The Bledsoes were sprawled around the sheriff’s pickup, and didn’t have an ounce of life left in their bodies. It wasn’t the ending any of us had hoped for, but sometimes justice has a way of catching up to people, and making them pay for their sins. The Bledsoes had gotten exactly what they deserved.

“Yes,” I said. “They’re all dead.”

I started to lead Seppi back to my car. She took a few hesitant steps, then stopped walking. The blood had drained from her face, and she did not look well. I had her lean against me, then took her wrist, and felt for her pulse.

“Your heart rate is high,” I told her.

“It’s always high,” she said.

“You don’t look good.”

“Just give me a minute to catch my breath. I’ll be fine.”

Linderman came up the hill and joined us. I’d seen him shoot one of the Bledsoes with his shotgun, the boy flying through the air like he’d been struck by a car. Looking at him now, I would never have known he’d just killed someone.

“That was an awfully brave thing you did,” Linderman said.

Seppi leaned against me for support. “I’m glad I could help,” she said.

“Special Agent Wood would like you to show us where Mouse and Lonnie’s compound is,” Linderman said. “He’s afraid of getting lost.”

“I can do that,” Seppi said.

“I’ll tell Wood,” Linderman said. “He wants to leave right now.”

“I’m ready when you are,” she said.

Linderman marched back down the hill. I started to protest, and Seppi dug her fingernails into my arm so hard it made me wince.

“Don’t,” she said.

“But you’re not well,” I said. “You need to go to a hospital, and get checked out.”

“I told you… I just need to catch my breath.”

“We have your map. You don’t need to do this. We can find them.”

Seppi glanced furtively over her shoulder. Satisfied none of the others could hear her, she leaned in close, her eyes glistening with tears.

“I lied to you earlier,” she said.

“You did? About what?” I asked.

“Mouse and Lonnie used to take turns sleeping with me. I want to see the FBI shoot those sons-a-bitches. Please let me be there.”

I swallowed hard. Seppi had told me her darkest secret. How could I deny her?

“All right,” I said.