Slash and Burn Read Online Free PDF Page A

rednecks we’re stuck with,’ Trent yelled, banging the handset down in its cradle. ‘The two pussies Huffman stationed at the house got themselves killed as well as Tom-Boy and Richie. That’s four down and not a goddamn clue who the hell was shooting at them.’
    ‘It wasn’t the Ballard bitch, then?’
    ‘Nope. Some other bitch. Guy with her shot Tom and Richie, but the woman was also armed. The boys on the pick-up had to take cover when she opened up on them.’
    ‘So where are the assholes now?’
    ‘Following the couple this way.’
    ‘Get back on the radio,’ Larry said. ‘Tell them not to get too close. We’ll deal with this.’
    Trent grinned as he picked up the handset. ‘Do we get to keep the woman alive for a little while, Larry?’
    ‘Don’t see why not. It’s Imogen Ballard that Huffman wants. Can’t see why we can’t have a little fun with any other bitch that throws herself into our laps.’
    Larry buzzed down the window. Leaning out, he could hear the sounds of engines on the trail above. The acoustics of the canyon made it difficult to identify how close the approaching vehicles were, but he guessed that any minute now the fun would start. As he stepped out of the truck the chassis rose by a few inches. He lifted the Magnum and stalked forwards. Behind him he heard his little brother get out the truck and follow. Trent racked a shotgun – nothing smaller than the shotgun felt worthy in his huge hands.
    ‘We’ll take them as they come through the pass,’ Larry said. ‘The guy’s driving, right?’
    ‘Right.’
    ‘So make sure you shoot for him. The bitch ain’t gonna be much good to us with a face full of lead.’
    ‘Ain’t her face I’m interested in.’
    Larry glanced at his brother. Rape he could go along with – it wasn’t as if he hadn’t tasted a little unwilling flesh in his time – but Trent’s suggestion wasn’t something that sat well with him. Of course, his little brother probably wasn’t suggesting that they rape a woman with her actual face shot off, but then again, who knew? There was something decidedly unhealthy going on in that mind of Trent’s, and it was more than just the crazy gleam of his wall-eye that told Larry so; the ear that Trent had cut off William Devaney and now kept on his key chain had a little to do with it too.
    Larry thumbed back the hammer on his Magnum. Momentarily he considered putting a bullet through his brother’s brainpan. A mercy killing. His brother was getting to be a problem that maybe even Robert Huffman’s money couldn’t save them from.
    He turned back towards the two boulders encroaching on the road. Let Trent have his crazy thoughts, he decided. They didn’t harm anyone who wasn’t in need of harming. Plus, that ear thing? Well, William Devaney didn’t need it any more. There wasn’t much to listen to in his unmarked grave up in the wilderness beyond Great Wells waterfall.
    The sounds of approaching engines made a steady rumble now. Larry could even hear the catcalls of the stupid rednecks pushing the strangers towards the trap. Shots were fired. He gritted his teeth. ‘Those motherfuckers better not get them first.’
    ‘Only thing those assholes are capable of is getting themselves shot,’ Trent said as he stomped across to the other side of the trail. ‘In fact, after this, I think we’re gonna have to smack a few heads, just to straighten them out a bit. What do you say, big bro?’
    ‘Sounds good to me.’
    ‘That’s the only problem with shooting people if you ask me. Way too fast. I’d prefer to smash this asshole first.’
    ‘I hear you, Trent, but we can’t be takin’ any chances. Whoever this dude is, he knows how to shoot. We have to take him out . . . first possible opportunity.’
    ‘Heads up, then, bro,’ Trent said as he lifted his shotgun. ‘Sounds like he’s almost here.’
    Larry heard the vehicle coming. He thought that the timbre of the engine changed, as though slowing, but