Crossroads, page 14
part #1 of Hollow Island Series
Livi stood in front of him and made compelling eye contact. Her blue eyes caught light from some source Nash couldn’t identify.
“Ranger Nash. It looks like it’s time for you to rally the posse and go hunt that black cloak. What kind of weirdo carries a sickle, anyway?”
“I’m pretty sure that was a scythe.” Until he said that, he’d forgotten that he knew it.
“Wow, not only brave enough to shoot a woman in the back, but a genius too.” And there was the smarminess again.
“I did a school project on obsolete farming methods. It took me hours to make a miniature sickle and scythe.”
“I don’t care if it was a milkshake, that’s still a messed up thing to carry around,” snapped Livi. “Just … dock that eye of yours with the eyes in the walls and pull up some feeds, or whatever that thing is good for, and take care of it.”
So she didn’t know everything about the eye. Nash shook his head. “It’s not like that. As far as the cameras, the Corporation has a strict non-interference policy.” At least I thought they did until tonight. Apparently he still believed it enough to avoid the consequences of lying. “And I have a feeling my fellow Rangers aren’t going to touch this one.”
“Well, well, well.” She strutted around him in a circle, sizing him up. “Looks like you could use a partner, Filho. I’ve always wanted to be involved in a manhunt.”
The suggestion floored him and he laughed out loud. “I came to arrest you, not ask for your help catching a bigger monster.”
The idea of making a deal with the devil woman would never have crossed his mind. Giving up fifty kilos that was only a few blocks away would put him firmly in the misguided imbeciles category. But he hadn’t met any Rangers yet who he could count on to support him if he chose to ‘APPREHEND’ the killer.
A monster was on the loose and Nash’s sister was out there somewhere. Along with half a million other sisters, mothers, brothers, and children. Maybe Nash knew them like he’d known Chiel, and maybe they were strangers. Either way, he couldn’t just act like he’d never seen this. If there was ever a time for Nash to stand up, it was now. And this one looked too big for him alone.
He trusted Livi like a cardboard sword, but who else was there? Still, he only half believed she was serious. “Why would you want to team up with me?” he asked.
Livi’s eyes darted along the walls of the street, quickly, as if it were involuntary. Looking for eyes? Maybe her interest in the manhunt was all about increasing her ratings, and she didn’t want to talk about it.
“My arrest tonight has opened my eyes. I now see that I owe a debt to society. Think of it as a way to redeem myself.”
The lie was so blatant Nash expected it to make him sick. “Escape the bounty you mean.” It was a lot of money he was giving up by not turning her in. Not to mention possibly pissing off even more Rangers. That part suited him fine at the moment.
Livi shrugged with one shoulder. “After tonight, it seems my current occupation is unsustainable. Besides, why do you care what my reasons are?”
It had to be ratings. Some people would do anything for attention.
“What do you say?” she asked. “I did beat you like a Druid on a drum during a full moon.”
“Point for you,” answered Nash. Drugged and torn up, Livi had no problem handling him. She was twice the man he was and more woman than anyone he’d ever seen. “Now how many Wares did you take down?”
“Two,” said Livi flatly. “You saw them.”
“Two? Wow!” Nash laid the awe on thick. “I only managed to drop three Wares who will never get up again, not to mention the ones they had to drag off.” Nash wished it wouldn’t have come to that, but he was tired of letting bullies get their way.
“Liar,” said Livi. Her anger was so easy to read it almost made Nash laugh again.
“Let’s go back and count,” said Nash.
“Oh, wait. Big gun, big deal.” She rolled her eyes, but Nash knew she was secretly upset about his big numbers.
“You should be glad there are three fewer Wares on the street,” he said.
“And this is the part where you ask me to thank you again. Give me that gun and I’ll kill more than three.”
“The three were with the gun, plus a few of them who will be digging Barbs out of their hair for days, if they survive.”
“That is a lovely image.” She gave him a lovely smile in return.
“When I ran out of bullets, there were still eight standing, and all I had were my fists and a crock of stew.”
“Crock of stew?” She raised an eyebrow. “Is that another one of your sayings? Like trying to say you’re full of piss and vinegar?”
“No,” said Nash with a chuckle. “I’m talking about an actual … It doesn’t matter.” He looked into her eyes. If only her true heart were as easy to read as her anger and petty competitiveness. “Are you serious about teaming up?” Nash still couldn’t believe he was actually considering teaming up with a wanted criminal.
Livi did another lap, examining him again. When she came around to the front of him, her features caught the faint light. The half moon gleamed in her blue eyes, across her pale skin, and over her black hair. He hadn’t seen anything so exquisite as long as he could remember. She looked into his eyes, probably trying to see if there was anyway a partnership could work.
Finally, she said, “It beats prison.” She held out a hand.
Nash considered telling her she would have to show him how things worked here, but that would just give her ideas and set himself up to be punked. He came up with something better.
“One condition,” said Nash. “You buy all our food.”
Livi pulled her hand back. “You mean I pay for it, or I go to the market and pick out your bananas and papayas? If it’s the second one, you can go fig yourself. I have people who do that for me.”
“Pay for it,” said Nash, fighting to keep the joy off his face. She might actually go for it.
“And here I took you for a man of chivalry. Guess it’s dead and gone after all. I’ll buy your lunch, filho. I’ll buy you whatever you want to eat.”
“Deal.” He shoved his hand forward, then realized it probably looked too eager.
She laid her hand in his like a lady. It was surprisingly dainty, but he had the feeling there was strength underneath she seldom showed.
“Partners,” she hissed.
For the first time since the initial disagreement with John Wayne, Nash had someone on his side. An ally. He didn’t dare think of her as a friend, but holding her hand, he believed he could finally do some serious good.
“Partners,” agreed Nash. “Hungry?”
The End
Hollow Island Book 2 will be released June 5 and Book 3 will be out on June 26. Sign up for Daniel Coleman’s newsletter HERE for new release alerts and other updates!
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About the Author
Daniel Coleman is a firefighter/paramedic, student of creativity, advocate for kindness, collector of PEZ dispensers, proponent of bow ties, believer in magic, and proud husband of one and father of three. For Daniel, writing fiction is an escape from the traumatic days of firefighting and a celebration of the triumphant days.
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You can find him at all these places and more:
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Daniel Coleman, Crossroads
