a fuckin’ hatchback!” said Mad Dog. “I sure as fuck ain’t leavin’ her in no hatchback! At least, not alive!” He was still a short distance away from Sophie, but before he could take proper aim, Looner pulled the pistol out of his belt and stepped between and said, “Want me to do it, Mad Dog?”
“No, I’ll do it,” replied Mad Dog. “Next time can be your turn. Open up the door to her car and make her get in the back seat. You get out of the way, too, Snake.”
Looner opened up the car door and clicked the lever on the seat with the barrel of his pistol, allowing the front seat to spring forward, before stepping back.
Snake moved closer to Sophie and said with a sneer, “Guess it ain’t your lucky day, is it pig? Guess it’s nighty-night time for —” He stopped, his eyes ogling her body. “Holy shit!” he said, running his fingers up the side of her ribcage. “You’re a fine piece of meat, ain’t ya?”
Sophie stared back. She was shaking and she felt the need to vomit.
Snake gave an evil grin and added, “Maybe it’s your day to get lucky.” He looked back at Mad Dog and said, “I ain’t never fucked a pig before!”
“I don’t have time for that,” said Mad Dog. “Get out of the way so I can do what I gotta do.”
“You don’t have time for that?” said Snake, letting out a short laugh. “Oh, baby, I always got time for that!”
Before Mad Dog could reply, Snake spun around and buried his fist deep into Sophie’s midriff. She slumped toward the ground as Snake grabbed her.
“Snake, what the fuck you doing?” asked Mad Dog.
“Puttin’ her in the back seat,” Snake replied, “like you said,” he added, tossing Sophie into the back of her car. He glanced at her as she was squirming and gasping for breath. “Bet it isn’t your first time in a back seat with a man, is it, my little pork tenderloin?”
Snake turned to Mad Dog and lowered his voice and said, “Come on, give me a piece. I’ll have a little fun with her. Won’t take me but a minute or two. Then I’ll shoot the bitch and torch her and the car.”
Mad Dog hesitated. He was about to say no, but it occurred to him that lady luck had handed him an ace he could keep up his sleeve to guarantee his freedom. If he was caught running the border tonight, even with the attempted armed robbery yesterday, being able to hand over a cop-killer would be the best “get out of jail card” he could ever have. The only trouble is I gotta make sure I don’t let Snake shoot me, too, and take the guns or money for himself.
Mad Dog smiled and said, “Looner, toss him the other .44.” He then ejected one bullet from his gun and said, “Give him that.” He glared at Snake and said, “One bullet only!”
“That’s all I need for that little pig,” said Snake.
Sophie watched from the back seat of the car. Any hope she had of grabbing Snake’s gun and gaining her freedom was dashed. Even if I get the gun … one bullet, three men … my only chance is to convince them not to kill me. She looked at their faces and knew that was unlikely. I’m going to die and there’s nothing I can do about it!
Seconds later, Snake cautiously picked up the gun. Looner followed Mad Dog’s lead and also pointed his pistol at Snake.
Snake grinned and said, “Come on guys, after what we’ve been through together?”
“It’s because of what we’ve been through,” replied Mad Dog. “Besides, I know your rep. Hurry up. When you’re done, shoot the pig, then call your ol’ lady and tell her ya got the guns. Don’t torch the car until after Looner and I leave. Now … hurry the fuck up!”
Sophie cringed back in the seat as Snake leaned in.
“Lie on your back with your arms underneath ya!” ordered Snake. “I don’t want ya grabbin’ at no gun!”
Sophie did as instructed and Snake crawled in on top of her while pointing a gun at her face. She felt his knee force her legs apart and was conscious of the gun beside her temple.
“Please, don’t,” she pleaded. “I’m a cop. Think about it. You hurt me and you go away for life. Just take my car keys and drive off.”
“Ya know somethin’,” said Snake, “actually, I’m a nice guy. If it was me, maybe I would. But my friends … well, they ain’t gonna let that happen, so ya may as well enjoy it. Treat it like it’s your last!”
Sophie heard Looner chuckle at Snake’s comment. In her mind, she thought it odd that she sensed a partial satisfaction by thinking that DNA might be found inside her body. I’m going to be raped and murdered … and I’m thinking about DNA …
“Give me a hand, will ya Looner?” yelled Snake, while leaning back and tugging on Sophie’s belt. “Grab her fuckin’ pants by the cuffs and help pull ’em off for me!”
Sophie felt Looner yank her shoes off and toss them in the front seat. Snake leered at her and said, “Now if you’re real co-operative, maybe I’ll decide you’re worth livin’.”
As he leaned closer she could feel his warm and moist breath on the side of her neck and then her ear.
Looner leaped back as Snake cried out.
“You fuckin’ bitch!” screamed Snake.
“What happened?” asked Looner.
“She kneed me in the nuts!”
“Jesus fuck,” said Mad Dog. “Shoot her. Enough is enough.”
Sophie was dazed, confused, and in shock as Snake pointed the gun at her face. He looked unafraid and calm, as if he had done this many times before. She closed her eyes and felt one of his hands choke her jugular as he held her head still.
The car echoed to the sound of the explosion and both Mad Dog and Looner watched as Snake backed out of the car. His hands and face were splattered with blood. He looked at Mad Dog, gave a wicked smile and said, “I thought pigs would squeal more than that. Bet she would have if I coulda fucked her before blowin’ her face off!”
Mad Dog peered in the back seat at Sophie’s body, curious what damage a .44 magnum would do. Now he knew. Her face was drenched in blood.
“Ya got a rag for me to wipe my hands?” asked Snake nonchalantly. It occurred to Mad Dog that it was the same tone of voice a person might use to ask for a napkin after eating fried chicken.
“The pieces are wrapped in rags,” Mad Dog reminded him. “I’ll grab ya one of ’em. Better wipe your face, too.”
Seconds later, the weapons were loaded in the trunk of Snake’s car and Mad Dog listened as Snake called the motel to speak to his girlfriend. “Done deal. Got ’em all. Went as smooth as your silk undies.”
Mad Dog glanced at Snake and the Ford Focus in his rear-view mirror as he and Looner drove away. Smooth as silk? Snake’s nickname is perfect. Cold-blooded reptile.
***
A
