City of Blood: Nightmareland Volume Five (Nightmareland Chronicles Book 5) by Barnett Daniel

Author:Barnett, Daniel [Barnett, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-24T00:00:00+00:00

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Gregory did not look well.

But he did look happy.

He shuffled out of his hiding place, a bottle clasped between his fingers, his knees wobbling like loosened screws. His so-called Mormon aesthetic had fallen out of grace: shirt untucked and missing a button, belt undone, shoelaces left to drag. “I never thought the day would come. Though, I suppose the day hasn’t come. But you know what I mean.” His eyes dropped to John’s Wholefoods bag. “Getting ready for the road, are you?”

“That’s right.”

“And you thought you’d come down here and help yourself?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not at all.” Gregory smiled expansively. “Except why is your bag still empty? Are you overwhelmed by the sheer wonder of our selection?”

“No.”

“You sure? Because if you are, I’d be happy to pack things up for you. Go wait in your truck and I’ll bring out everything you need. Delivery service from your pal Gregory Fleck, free of charge. Shit, I’ll even blow you and your lady a kiss as you drive away.”

John looked back at the shelf. “Mariah’s not coming.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s so.”

“Huh.” Gregory made a thoughtful clucking sound. “And the boy?”

“He’s staying, too.”

“So it’s only you leaving then?”

“Only me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’m sure.”

“ Absolutely sure?”

John turned around slowly. Gregory was still smiling, but it was a different smile now—a shrunken, twisted, secretive thing. “What are you getting at?” John said.

“Nothing. Nothing. I just find myself wondering when exactly you last saw this young companion of yours.”

John’s blood cooled by about ten degrees. “Why?”

“Well, the last time I saw him he was strolling out the front gate.”

The next John knew, he’d driven Gregory into the shadows and pinned him to the wall. The bruiser’s heavy boot heels knocked against each other, no longer touching the floor. A thin, wheezing whistle escaped his throat. John let him drop, took him by the collar, and tossed him back into the light.

“You’re fast for an old fuck,” Gregory said once he’d finished coughing. “Strong, too.”

“When was this?”

“Before the morning bell.”

“How long before the morning bell?”

“Not too long.”

“Where was he going?”

“How should I know? It’s not like we exchanged phone numbers.” Sitting on his haunches, breathing hard, Gregory rubbed his neck. “Jesus. I didn’t think you cared. Always seemed like the kid was stage dressing to you.”

“Which way did he walk?”

“There’s only one way to walk from here, except for the airport. And I somehow doubt he was catching a flight.”

Provo.

God help him.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“I thought about it,” Gregory said, venom stealing into his voice. “I really did. But I just—how’d you put it to me and Sam back in Mammoth?—I just didn’t see how it was any of my business.”

To that, John had no response.

Something teetered and swayed and then collapsed inside the drunk man. His watery eyes took on a peculiar, shimmering brightness. “Look, your boy wouldn’t have gone off on his own for no reason, right? He must have talked to somebody. And there was only one other person awake, as far as I’m aware.

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