The Low Road Read Online Free PDF Page A

back-seat vinyl. Lee ran a hand through his hair and slumped on the bed among the medical wreckage. His stomach was smeared with his own warm blood. He licked his lips. A metallic taste had leached into his mouth. His body felt like wet sand. Again he looked around, trying to anchor himself in the room.
    And someone wants their money back? Wild asked.
    Lee ignored the question. You said you already looked at this . . . at this hole?
    Yes.
    What can you do? It’s fucking killing me.
    Like a cat on a sofa, Wild sat back. Here? Nothing much. I’m not qualified for this kind of thing.
    So what use are you?
    Wild offered a slight shrug, accompanied by a twitch of his hands. That’s a good question. He looked embarrassed. They sat in silence. Someone called out in the car park below. A car door slammed.
    So why should I trust you?
    No reason at all, but it seems like you’re a man without too many options. Anyway, you’re the one with the gun.
    Lee’s thoughts were logjammed. Guess I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
    There you go. Your options. Besides, Wild continued with a sweep of one large hand, believe it or not, but I’m a desperado as well.
    And you don’t want my money?
    My concerns are of a different sort.
    Like what?
    I just want to get the hell out of here in one piece. Keep a low profile. Escape.
    You sure? Lee swallowed. Because I’ll kill you, he added in what he hoped was a menacing tone.
    Quite sure.
    So is there a plan?
    A plan?
    To get away from here.
    There’s a man I know who will be able to help you.
    Where?
    Out on the plains. A day away.
    A man? Who is he?
    An old friend. A great doctor called Sherman. He’s sort of helped me out lots of times. It’s a safe place.
    Safe?
    Well. As safe as you get these days.
    And he can help me?
    Absolutely. Fine doctor.
    Isn’t there somewhere closer?
    I would have thought distance was an advantage?
    Lee pondered. You got a cigarette?
    No. Bad for you. It’s Lee, right?
    Yeah. You got a car?
    Yes. Outside.
    What’s your name?
    Wild. I told you.
    Lee was exhausted and the pain across his body was immense. Within the ribbing of the thin blue carpet, an insect made its way from fibre to crosshatched fibre, some pale, carpet-eating bug going about its tiny business.
    He licked his lips and steadied himself. Am I going to be OK?
    Wild got to his feet. Automatically, Lee raised his gun. Wild stopped but said nothing. Lee watched him. What are you doing?
    We need to clean you up. Don’t want you bleeding all over my car.
    Lee stared into Wild’s pale blue eyes. He still wasn’t sure he trusted him. The guy’s hair was like the end of a coarsely cut rope.
    Look. I’m more than happy to leave you here with your fortune and a bullet in your belly but, you know, old Sylvia has got the exits covered so whether you like it or not, you’re coming with me. The sooner we can get you somewhere, the sooner we can fix you up. Besides, I think you’ve still got the safety catch on.
    Lee felt himself being dismantled from within, piece by tiny piece, and recognised the childish urge to weep. He lowered the gun and lay back on the bed.
    You know who shot you? Wild asked as he scrabbled through the items on the bed.
    And again Lee remembered the woman with the gun and her slow blink. He wondered if Josef had set him up for some reason. Not exactly. A blonde woman is all I remember.
    Wild began daubing Lee’s stomach with a circular motion. Goodness, how romantic. Don’t move , for God’s sake, it’s hard enough without you wriggling around. But I take it this has something to do with that money over there?
    Lee held his breath and clenched his fists against the pain that splintered through him. You could say that.
    You don’t know her?
    No. Never seen her before.
    What’s this other scar here, on the other side? Your right side?
    Nothing.
    That’s a big nothing.
    Lee