City of the Lost (Rockton 1)

"So he's a psycho, like I said."

Okay, not the right tactic. "Eric and I will deal with this when we get back. We need to find this guy and see what happened to him or it could happen to others, and then we'd have a real problem."

Kenny's hands move on his rifle. "We're ready for it."

"No. The people in those woods have as much right to be there--"

"They're a threat. They've always been a threat. If we have the opportunity to wipe them out, for once and for all--"

"Do you actually hear what you're saying? We have a name for that, Kenny. It's called a massacre, and if that's what this town has come to, then some of us really need to get back south and get civilized fast."

His mouth works. One of the others says, "We didn't mean it like that."

"The answer is no," Dalton says, stepping forward, chin up, jaw set, the sheriff back. "Hell, no. Fuck, no. I-cannot-goddamn-believe-you're-suggesting-it, no. If you have a problem with the way I'm handling this situation--"

"Course not, Eric."

"If you have a problem with the way I'm running this town--"

"No, we just ... For Casey," Kenny says weakly. "We wanted to find him for Casey."

"And Casey doesn't want you to do it like this. So get your heads out of your asses, put those horses away, and find something useful to do, like cutting wood or hauling water. We need that. We don't need a bunch of yahoos in the forest, shooting anything that moves and hitting the folks cutting wood and hauling water."

"Okay. You're right. But..." Kenny lowers his voice. "We're not the only ones who want to find this guy. People are talking. Whispering about heading off while you're away."

"What? If anyone sets a foot outside this town while I'm gone--"

"They won't. We'll make sure of it. I'm just letting you know..." He looks down at Dalton. "Something has to be done, Eric. You know how people get."

"Then make sure they don't get that way. Not while I'm gone. Or I'll fire the whole fucking lot of you. Got it?"

They get it.

We continue to the hangar in silence. I want to tell Dalton it's okay, they won't dare go into the forest behind his back, but I know that doesn't matter, because all he's thinking about is Jacob, out there and messed up, with a whole town gunning for him. And the one guy who gives a shit is leaving town.

Dalton starts his pre-flight check. When he notices me at his shoulder, he remembers I'd wanted to see, so despite the fact that instruction might be the furthest thing from his mind, he explains, because that's what he does.

He's checking some wires and telling me their purpose, and I ask what happens if they're loose or damaged.

"Then we don't get off the ground," he says.

"Important stuff, then."

He finds something like a smile for me. "Everything is important stuff up there."

"What about--?" I lean over and then hiss in pain.

He grabs my elbow, steadying me. "You up to this?"

"If I'm not, can we postpone it and go look for Jacob?"

I'm instantly sorry I asked. Hope flickers across his face, followed by dismay and then anger, as his fingers tighten.

"That's a no," I say, gently pulling away.

He realizes how tight he's gripping me and apologizes as he rubs the spot. Then he straightens and says, "If you're not up to it, I need to go alone. The council is insisting and..."

"And while we're working on a backup plan, you aren't eager to push them, not over this. Okay, I'll be fine. But I should take my pills before we go. Where's my duffle?"