Blood took a sip of his coffee. “No, but he should be.”
Sandman stood up and moved toward the coffee maker mumbling, “I need coffee.” He pulled down a mug and turned to Ghost. “You want some?”
“Yeah, black, with two heaping spoonful’s of whatever you’re on.”
The table chuckled.
“Why do you all think I’m on drugs? This is me stone-cold sober.”
“God help us,” Ghost muttered.
“I need a smoke. Let’s take this out on the deck,” Shades muttered.
They all moved out to the deck. Shades lit up.
A couple of brown pelicans flew overhead.
“You know what would be good right now? A Bloody Mary,” Sandman said, going to stand by the railing, looking out over the Gulf.
“Go make you one,” Ghost offered, taking a seat and leaning back in his chair. “I’m pretty sure my aunt has some mix and vodka in there.”
“That does sound good,” Blood agreed, lighting up a smoke.
An hour later, they were on their second pitcher, and Skylar was munching on a celery stalk. Blood shook his head, grinning at her.
Shades looked down at the time on his cell phone. “Speaking of cops, it’s time we head back up there.”
Blood tipped his glass up and finished the last of his drink. “It’s a beautiful day—now watch some asshole fuck it up.”
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Shades and the boys rolled up to the state-line bar. There were squad cars everywhere. They parked their bikes. The county sheriff strolled over to Shades as he sat astride his parked bike, his head dipped lighting up a smoke. Shades flicked his lighter closed, shoved it in his pocket and blew out a stream of smoke.
“You ready for ‘em?” he asked, looking up at the sheriff.
“Yep.”
“What’s your plan?”
The man grinned. “You just keep your boys out of our way.”
“I’d like to stick around and watch the fun.”
“Fair enough. But stay out of it.”
“If you handle it, we will. But if you fall down on the job, we’re stepping in.”
The sheriff’s radio crackled. “They just crossed the canal bridge.”
The sheriff responded back. “How many?”
“About thirty.”
“Ten-four.”
Shades grinned at him. “Showtime.”
The sheriff walked off.