Wes had always kept an “emergency kit” somewhere in the house. His present one was in the crawl space under the floorboards of his closet floor. In the old trunk, they found several license plates that hadn’t expired, a variety of new cell phones still in their boxes, a Ziploc bag stuffed with cash, which Brynn and Rye declined, and a prison-issue toiletry kit, which she claimed.
With Mallett’s help, Wes got all the floorboards back into place. Brynn excused herself and took the small dopp kit into the bathroom with her, and Wes and Mallett returned to the living area where they plugged in the phones to charge.
Wes sat down in his recliner. Rye took one of the chairs at the table, tilting it onto its back legs, propping himself at an angle against the wall.
“She looks done in,” Wes said.
“Both of us are sleep-deprived.”
“You’re welcome to stay here till morning, get some shut-eye.”
“You heard Rawlins. If they were to come back and find us here, you’d be in trouble with your parole officer. Besides, she needs to get on her way.”
“To?”
Mallett shook his head. “If Brynn didn’t tell you, why do you think I would? My loyalties lie with her.”
“Of course,” Wes said, nodding. But he questioned whether loyalty was the only foundation for their solidarity. Sparks flew every time the two looked at each other, and even when they were avoiding eye contact, there was a simmering awareness between them.
Wes idly scratched his armpit. “You two didn’t meet until last night?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He situated himself more comfortably in the recliner. “Just, you got awfully wrapped up in her problem.”
“Too wrapped up.” Mallett was looking cornered and restless again. “But that ends soon. She gets gone, I’ll be out of it.”
“Brynn will go her way, you’ll go yours.”
“Yep. Just a day later than scheduled.”
“It’s been quite a day, though.”
“You can say that again.”
“You and Brynn gonna stay in touch?”
“No. Better for all concerned.”
“Especially you.”
Mallett’s green eyes narrowed a fraction. “You’re damn right.”
Wes gave him a critical once-over and snuffled. “You think you’re too good for my girl?”
“Other way around.”
“I hear ya.” Wes took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She’s too good for me, too.”
“That’s plain enough.” Mallett looked around the shabby room. “She was desperate, or she wouldn’t have come here. She wants nothing to do with you.”
“She tell you that herself?”
“Didn’t have to.”