Page 41 of Sebastian
The number of times he’d kept him out of jail was mind-boggling. Moving evidence, having ‘conversations’ with witnesses, all to make sure big brother stayed out of prison. This time would be the last. He tried to see the faces of the men and women behind his brother, but they were careful to stay in the shadows.
“Where are the old geezers?” he grinned.
“They’re your age, Ryan,” frowned Jeffrey.
“I don’t give a fuck. Where are they?”
“I left them in a trailer we’re renting. We’ll be at the warehouse for you to get your shit. Don’t worry.”
“And what happens after that? Where are you going?” asked Ryan.
“Mexico. Maybe South America. I don’t know yet. South is about all I can tell you right now. I’d sure love it if you came with me, Ry.”
“Fuck that!” his brother scoffed. “This is my life, you know that. You could stay and join the club.”
“I can’t. My face will be everywhere. I’d only put all of you in more danger. I’ll give each of the others some money, and we can all do our own thing.”
“What the fuck does it matter? They’re all dying, aren’t they?” laughed his brother. Jeffrey once again felt the stab of his brother’s absolute coldness. He looked down at his feet, wondering if he was really doing the right thing. Of course, no one ever really taught him what the right thing was. That was the excuse he was running with, even as a grown man.
“Yeah, they’re dying. We all are, Ry. I’ll be at the warehouse by eleven.”
“Be there, bro. I wouldn’t want to have to come after you,” smirked Ryan.
The pit in Jeffrey’s stomach only grew as he drove back toward the trailer park. He watched his mirrors, checking for police cars. He kept his speed low enough to not be noticed but not high enough for a ticket.
Stopping for food, he filled the grocery basket and felt the pit grow wider. What did it matter? He’d be gone by tomorrow, and they’d be on their own. None of them would make it. Not one. He loaded the groceries and filled his gas tank before the last leg back.
When he opened the door, their faces were somber.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Mac left. Said he was holding us back,” said Ed. Jeffrey stared at them, nodding. He wasn’t wrong. His coughing was an identifiable feature that someone would be able to pin to them.
“He’s a grown man. He can make his own decisions,” said Jeffrey. They all stared at one another, then back at him.
“He was our friend,” said Ed. “He was the man who helped us the most.”
“The most? I think you’re confused, Ed. I’m the one that’s been helping the most. You guys wouldn’t have been able to figure out any of the technical aspects of these jobs. I bypassed the traffic lights, the alarms, all of it. Because of me, we got in and out, and no one suspected a damn thing.”
“Maybe not, but it’s not all about manpower, Jeffrey. It’s about being a human being. A good man. I’m just now remembering that we forgot to be good humans during all of this. We set out to help people, not hurt them.”
“In case you missed it, none of us is good any longer. None of us! We’re bank robbers, murderers. That’s what we are. You two got all nervous with those agents and killed them. Not me. I told you to let me teach you how to use the guns, but you got cocky about it.” He shoved his hair back, tired of arguing. “We can’t worry about it now. Let’s fix ourselves something to eat and rest. We need to be at the warehouse by eleven.”
“Then what?” asked Helen. He stared at the woman, her skin sallow. Her kidneys were going fast, and she’d be lucky to make it the week.
“We split the money, and you go your way, I’ll go mine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Mac is dead,” said Major, staring at the group. “Luke and Eric found him on a beach in Key Largo. He just wanted to see one last sunset, so they let him.”
“Damn,” muttered Brix. “You know what, I’m almost glad it ended that way for him. No jail time. No hospitals. No handcuffs.”
“He asked to be buried next to his wife. Eric said he had a sport coat, tie, and photo of their wedding in his small bag. Bastard didn’t have more than four or five hundred dollars,” frowned Major.
The air in the room seemed gone all of a sudden. What was remaining was heavy and dark. Mama Irene walked toward Major, hugging his big body.
“He’s in a better place, baby.” Major nodded, looking around the old woman. He saw Baptiste, Rose, Claudette, and Jake but not Matthew.