page84 (1/2)

The squeal in his voice was gone Neddie had a straightup nor in his hand Conklin and I saw it at the sae, and Neddie had positioned the needle so that it pricked Lawrence’s neck

Oneto disare situation that couldn’t be race, or people were going to die

I used otiator tone “Neddie Tell me what you want so we can keep everyone safe”

Neddie angled for a more comfortable position on his bed e pile I could see the dimple in Lawrence’s neck where the needle penetrated flesh Blood beaded up on his skin

If Neddie pushed the plunger on the syringe, Lawrence would become paralyzed, and if he couldn’t breathe, he would die We were only a short sprint froht as well be on Mars

“Neddie,” I said “Tell me what you want”

“I’ure that out, put your guns down on the floor If you call for help, if you let anyone through either door, uarantee it”

CHAPTER 84

I WAS STILL stunned by the changes in Neddie His high-pitched, singsongy speech was gone When he fixed his eyes onto kill Heto die

Ten feet away from where I stood, Lawrence breathed loudly and stretched his neck minutely in an attempt to move it away from the needle

Neddie adjusted his position correspondingly, pressing down on Lawrence with his full weight, sending the needle in deeper

I said, “I think I understand what you want, Neddie No guns No one comes in and no one leaves What’s on your mind?”

He said, “I’ve killed eight people Larry is lined up to be nu I don’t like odd nuot to kill one of you I admit that would be hard to do So here’s the deal

“Take your guns out with your fingertips and kick them over to me I’ll leave and lock the door behind me Anyone comes after me, I’ll shoot After I’ain”

“We can’t do that,” I said “It’s got to be our way Put down the needle, Neddie Live to see another day”