In spite of the surrounding commotion, Brody's gaze didn't waver. And neither did mine.
As our gazes held, I felt myself swallow.Should I run away? Or walk toward him and face the music?
It took me only a moment to realize that running was useless. I mean, I'd already been caught red-handed. And he knew who I was.I might as well try to explain, or help, or something.
I hurried toward him, for all the good it did. By the time I reached his side, he was already doing what I'd only thought of doing.
In the short time it had taken me to clear the final block, he'd strode to the nearby house, yanked a garden hose from among the shrubbery, and rained water down on his truck – or rather, what used to be his truck.
Now, it was mostly a burnt-out shell.
Bracing myself, I sidled next to him and said in a horrified whisper, "It was an accident, honest."
He was still hosing down his truck. His jaw clenched, and without so much as a glance in my direction, he said, "Right."
"You don't believe me?"
At this, he turned and faced me head-on, even as he continued to spray the smoking vehicle. In a tight voice, he said, "Does it matter?"
"Yes. It does, actually."
His expression darkened. "Why?"
"Well, because…" I bit my lip. "I guess I'm in big trouble, huh?"
The words had barely left my lips when a police car, quickly followed by a fire truck, screeched up to the smoking remnants of Brody's pickup.
With a sound of disgust, Brody told me, "Go."
I wasn't following. "What?"
"Go," he repeated.
"Why?" I scoffed. "So you can tell your side of the story and get me in even more trouble?"
With a cold smile, Brody said, "You thinkthat'show I’m gonna deal with this?"
His smile made just a little bit nervous, and I gave the police car a worried glance. Already, two officers had gotten out of the car and were warning the small crowd to back away from the smoldering truck.
Into my silence, Brody said, "You're gonna get it, alright. But not from the police – so if I were you, I'd get the fuck out of here while you can."
It was so tempting. Still, I hesitated.Was this a trap? Or maybe some sort of trick?
If I left, would Brody send the police chasing after me, to be cuffed and stuffed like a common criminal?
My shoulders slumped.Cripes, probably I deserved it.
More to myself than to him, I said, "It really was an accident."
With that same cold smile, he replied, "Yeah? And when I get payback, we'll callthatan accident, too."
"Payback? Like revenge?"
His only answer was a half shrug.
Again, I felt myself swallow. "What kind of revenge?"
"Trust me. You'll know it when you see it."
