“Vinny Tubbs,” said Cam.
Jacob pointed at Strong. “That Tubbs guy and Mr. Strong got into an argument about how Tubbs was a traitor,” he said, “and Mr. Strong shot him.”
“You sons of bitches!” a woman screamed.
It was Betty Strong. She stood in the doorway, her pocketbook in one hand, and a revolver in the other. Allen didn't even have time to turn around before Betty's bony finger began pulling the trigger. She fired three times, hitting Allen in the back with each shot.
Cam brought up his .38, shooting Betty twice in the chest. The old woman dropped to her knees, and fell to her back, still holding her weapon.
Allen stumbled forward, hitting the floor on his side. He groaned and rolled onto his back.
Jacob crawled to Allen. “Allen!” he hollered.
Cam dropped to his knees next to Allen, inspecting the man's chest for exit wounds. “Lie still,” he said, laying his hand on Allen's chest.
Sirens wailed in the distance.
“You're okay. You're okay,” Jacob sobbed.
“You're gonna be alright,” said Cam.
Allen coughed, and spit up blood. The blood trickled down his chin. “No, I'm not,” he whispered. He coughed again.
“Don't die,” Jacob said. “Please, Allen.”
Allen reached up and grabbed the boy's shoulder and pulled him close. “Tell Mya goodbye for me, and take care of Frankie.” Allen tried to take a deep breath. The blood rattled in his chest.
“I'll take care of Frankie,” cried the young boy. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Allen's eyes went slowly to Cam. “Thanks for everything … Rambo's grampa.”
“Glad I could help, Allen.” He swallowed the giant lump in his throat. “Most fun I've had in years. Who knew writer's lives was so excitin'?”
Allen found it too painful to smile. “I sure as hell didn't. How's Donnie?”
Cam glanced over at Donnie. His eyes were closed, but his chest was moving up and down. “He's doing good.”
“I could sure use a drink right now.”
“I bet you could, pal.”
Allen took two more breaths before his lungs failed him, and he closed his eyes.
Jacob dropped his head on Allen's chest and sobbed. Cam reached out and put his hand on the back of Jacob's head.
“Sorry, son,” Cam said. He turned his head and gazed out through the broken window. His eyes fixed on Boone Island, barely visible on the horizon. He took a deep breath, and sighed. “This is it for Maine,” he whispered. “Maybe Key West next year. What could go wrong in Key West?”
The End
Coming Soon:
From the Tales of Dan Coast
A Note From the Grave
Charlie Hewitt a Novella
ALSO BY RODNEY RIESEL
From the Tales of Dan Coast Series
Sleeping Dogs Lie
Ocean Floors
The Coast of Christmas Past
Ship of Fools
Double Trouble
Most Likely to Die
Deadly Moves
On the Wagon
No Enemies Here
Neighborhood Watch
Another Mother
Corner Office
What He Doesn’t Know
Shoulda Seen it Comin’
Jake Stellar Series
North Murder Beach
Beach Shoot
When Death Returns
The Obedience of Fools
Dead in the Water
Excited About Nothing
Southern Exposure
The Dunquin Cove Series
The Man in Room Number Four
Return to Dunquin Cove
Local Hero
We Call it Suicide
Sunrise City Series
Sunrise City
Sunrise City 2: From Bad to Worse
Sunrise City 3: Never Strikes Twice
Sunrise City 4: Dig Two Graves
Sunrise City 5: Scapegoats
Fernandina Beach Mysteries
Maintenance Required
High Maintenance
Serial Maintenance
Family Maintenance
Jensen Beach Mysteries
As Seen on TV
TV or Not TV
Dead Asleep
From Here to There: A Collection of Short Stories
The Maine Events Page 25
