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“There you are” Stella ca her hands on a paper towel “I’ve got your money in the office Come in and sit down Let’s have a talk”

Lute followed her down the hallway She was dressed and made up for business except for her feet, which sported rubber flip-flops and several corn plasters

Seated behind her desk, she arette “So how are things with Slade?” she asked

“Pretty bad,” Lute said “All he does is drink and talk about how he’s going to put a bullet through Beau Tyler’s head I’ve been keeping stuff organized, and the drivers have been hauling their loads But Slade’s pretty much useless”

“I see” Stella blew a s Slade’s job”

“As oing “I can’t legally drive the trucks yet, but I’ for the test I should have my license in the next week or so”

“S” Stella so And I’ll be needing a good man to take his place”

Lute’s pulse had broken into a gallop It was happening, everything he’d wanted “I figure Slade’s going to jail soon,” he said “After what he did to his wife, he could be there a spell”

Stella’s expression hardened She took a drag on her cigarette and blew another s picture You know Slade can’t go to trial, and you knohy”

Lute stared through the haze of s prison, Slade would take a plea deal—his freedoe for all he knew about Stella’s operation

Opening a drawer, Stella took out a sealed white envelope and slid it across the desk When Lute picked it up, he felt the substantial thickness of what it contained There was a lot more money here than the five 20 bills she usually paid him The hair prickled on the back of his neck

“Prove to me that you can do Slade’s job Do that, and the job’s yours” Stella sucked on her cigarette and exhaled a cloud of s as you’re here, let me share a little secret Just between you and me, I know you were sweet on Jess, and I kno arette in a china ashtray before she met Lute’s eyes “The one who killed her and du was Slade”

By the time Natalie was released froet home When Tori came to pick her up, she almost bolted out the door

“How’s your head?” Tori asked as she drove out of the parking lot “I still wish you would stay with me for a few days so I can keep an eye on you”

“My head’s fine They could’ve sent o”