at the bar before Fat Boy could get himself through the door leading back to the storage area. Josh looked at him. There was no doubt in his mind that he was looking at a cruel and evil man. Something about Fat Boy told him that was the case. Josh didn’t know the things Fat Boy had done in his life but he didn’t need to. He didn’t need to know anything. Fat Boy was a man that was going to hell, very soon. Josh refused to allow himself the luxury of thinking. He didn’t think of the three dead men on the ground at his feet or of the fact that he firmly believed he was going to hell himself. He didn’t care about that. Josh believed in God. He’d been brought up Catholic and he hadn’t put enough thought into religion to make up his mind about it one way or another. As far as he was concerned, he was damning his soul doing this thing, and he was resigned to it. “You’re the one they call Fat Boy, aren’t you?” Josh said. Fat Boy shook his head but it was more out of shock than out of any attempt to conceal his identity. “Where’s Serge Gauthier?” Josh said. “You looking for Serge?” Fat Boy stammered. That was true as far as it went and Josh nodded. Fat Boy pointed up at the ceiling. “He’s up there in a meeting with Deuce.” Josh knew there wasn’t much time. If Deuce and Serge were still upstairs it was only because they were taking the time to arm themselves with the biggest, baddest weapons they had to hand. “Anyone else in there with them?” “Another guy, a kid. Patrice, they call him.” Josh had never heard of the kid. He grimaced at the thought of having to kill him but it was unlikely he would have any choice. He looked down at Fat Boy. The man was shaking in fear. Josh tried not to look at him as a man, he steeled his heart against any sympathy or compassion. This was a man who’d raped and brutalized Rose and if she was going to be able to move forward with her life she needed to know that he’d paid a price for it. “Do you know who I am?” Josh said. Fat Boy shook his head. “I’m a friend of Rose Meadows. I believe you’re acquainted with her.” Josh watched as Fat Boy’s eyes seemed to roll back in his head. He was recalling the things he’d done to Rose. A horrible snarl came over his face as he pictured her. “Oh, you’ve found yourself a fine slut there, mister,” Fat Boy snarled. “Fuck you,” Josh said. He raised up the gun and took aim. “I’ve seen that bitch swallow more semen than a whole pack of whores. I’ve seen her piss herself and lie in it for a day. I’ve seen her…”. * B ANG! * F AT BOY’S HEAD SWUNG BACK violently under the impact of the bullet. Josh rose his hand to his forehead and wiped sweat on his sleeve. He shook his head. He had to keep going. These men were getting what they deserved.
XVI R OSE WATCHED JOSH ENTER THE clubhouse and she had an awful premonition that it was going to be the last time she ever saw him alive. She called out his name but for whatever reason he didn’t stop. He seemed to pause for a moment but then he continued in through the door of the clubhouse and disappeared. Rose started to run after him. She was halfway across the street when she heard the first gunshot. Instinctively she ducked for cover. Then she went and hid behind an old truck parked by the side of the street. She crouched as low as she could and covered her ears. She heard two more gunshots and then two more. With each shot she pictured Josh being killed. She didn’t realize it but there were tears on her face as she looked up and down the street, terrified that the DRMC would come pouring out of the clubhouse to get her. Eventually the shooting stopped or at least seemed to. Rose was gasping, trying to catch her breath. She steadied herself against the truck and pulled her gun from her pocket. She looked over at the door to the clubhouse and waited for someone to come out. When they did she’d be ready to shoot