“I saw them,” Sam says quietly.
I stare at him as he shuffles his feet. I’m pretty sure the kid has never uttered a word to me before.
“Who?”
“Caesar and Brett.”
“When?”
“About two weeks ago.” He looks over his shoulder at Marco. “I wasn’t supposed to go over there.”
“Over where?”
“Pretty much straight east of here,” he says. “It used to be a pretty nice area, I think, but most of it’s collapsed. There’s a big sign that says ‘FOX’ lying in the street.”
“The Fox Theatre?”
“Maybe.” Sam shrugs. “Just a big sign—one that used to light up.”
“You saw them there?”
“Yeah,” he says with a nod. “I heard them talking, and I think they must be staying in a school nearby.”
“Georgia Tech is near there.” I think for a moment. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“I’m not supposed to go that far away.” Sam looks over his shoulder again. “Marco’s always watched after me, you know? I don’t always do the right thing.”
I take a slow breath and nod. Sam’s not a stupid kid, but he seems a little slow on some things. Marco usually does his talking for him.
“You won’t tell him I was there, will you?” Sam’s face scrunches up, and he pleads with his eyes.
“I won’t tell him, Sam,” I say, “but I’m really glad you told me.”
He smiles.
I grab Chuck and pull him off to the side.
“Sam thinks he may have seen them,” I say.
“Sneaking around again, was he?” Chuck grins. “He’s a good kid, but I think he’s always had a short leash, ya know? He likes to explore.”
“They might be near Georgia Tech. I need to go check it out.”
“Pretty risky.”
“I don’t give a shit about the risk.”
“You’re gonna have ta play it smart with those guys,” Chuck says. “I’ve seen you in action enough—you’re gonna want to bitch-slap first and ask questions later, but they’re too smart for that. If you rush into it, you’re gonna get yourself killed.”
“Maybe.” I really don’t care. If I have to die for Hannah, I’ll be in a better place than I am now.
“I ain’t bullshitting,” Chuck says. He takes a step closer to me and points a finger in my face. “You got that rage look in your eyes. If she’s still with them, and you get yourself killed, what happens to her? You gotta play this cool. Christine likes Hannah. Hell, I like her, too. I don’t want her in that situation, but getting yourself killed isn’t going to help her.”
I pull a cigarette out of the pack and light it. I know he’s right. If I rush in, I won’t be able to get her out safely. I don’t know who else Caesar has enlisted in his enterpr
ise or what kind of people they are. Once I find them, I’ll have to gather information before I make a move, and that’s going to take some time.
I take another drag off the cigarette, letting the smoke burn in my lungs. Chuck is still staring at me, and I realize I haven’t responded to him.