Chapter 11

When daylight filtered through the window, he heard the rattle of dishes in the kitchen.

In a little while Roger stuck his head in the door. "Breakfast, lad? I guess we can untie you enough so you can eat."

The odor of food coming through the door reminded Raul that he had missed dinner last night. But he shook his head.

Roger shrugged and went away.

The next time he came back, he was in a brown jump suit, as was Paul, who came in with him. And true to his word, Roger had stuffed Paul like a Santa Claus. Even his skinny legs had been fattened. In any other circumstances, it would have been funny.

For a moment Raul thought they had come to kill him. Lamar stood in the open door with the gun menacing. It was another humilitating experience, another score to settle, if he ever got the chance.

But that chance seemed more and more remote with every passing minute.

In a short while he heard the car start and drive away.

Now the passage of time was pure torture. It wasn't only because of his uncomfortable position; he could follow each step of the holdup in his head.

Would they follow the original plan all the way? Would Roger let Gaby come back to the cabin alone? Or would he send Lamar along, to eliminate Raul once and for all?

He couldn't see his watch, so he could only guess at the time. He estimated it as a little over an hour before he heard Gaby's footsteps on the porch. He knew even before she burst into the room that something had gone wrong.

She was pale, disheveled, out of breath. She was crying, great gulping sobs. She threw herself across him and began tearing at the ropes.

Through her tears she mumbled, "Didn't figure on any killing. We've got to getaway."

Wrists freed, Raul pushed her aside. He sat up, tearing away furiously at the gag, and freeing his ankles, "Now what the hell are you talking about?" He said, trying to restore the circulation to his numb hands. "Did it go off as planned?"

Gaby swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Yes, everything went off at the bank just as you planned it, but they had to kill someone."

"I knew it. That damned Lamar." He pounded his fist on the bed. Then he took Gaby by the shoulders and shook her. "Who? Who did they kill?"

"I don't know" Her head moved jerkily on her shoulders as he shook her. "I never thought there'd be any killing." She started to sob.

Raul let her go. He got up and began to pace.

"Tell me just what happened, from the beginning."

She took a deep breath and began. "Well, everything went smooth as silk at the bank. I didn't even hear any shots. They came piling out with the money, and I drove to the spot on the lake where the car was to go over. We weren't followed; at least I don't think we were..."

"Get to the damned point." he snarled.

"Lamar said something about shooting the man in the bank, but Roger shut him right up. I didn't hear who it was or why. They didn't talk about it again. After we ran the car over, Roger and Lamar went down to the boat. The last I saw of them they were rowing out onto the lake." She looked up at him. "I ran back here as fast as I could so we can get away."

He spoke absently. "We're not getting away, Gaby. At least I'm not, but maybe you'd better. There's time before they get back. I don't think anyone will be looking for a lone woman."

He touched her cheek with the back of his hand. She seized it and pulled it to her lips.

There would be plenty of time. He knew now that Roger would follow the plan to the letter. But the killing? That hadn't been according to plan. Now they all faced a murder charge.

And Raul would be equally guilty, in the eyes of the law, although he hadn't actually participated in the robbery.

Gaby was speaking, "...mean by not leaving. Raul? You can't stay here and face a murder rap."

As he gazed down into her upturned face, he felt the first pull of affection in a long while. She was one of the lost souls of the world, much like himself, with no ties, no family, no real home. He put his lips to her face. She'd soon find another guy. "I'm not leaving, Gaby. Don't ask me to explain; it would take too long. But I want you out of here. Aside from wanting you to get away, there'll be a hassle when they get back and I don't want you to get caught in the middle."

She looked up at him, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I'm not going, cheri."

"What the hell do you think you'll gain by staying?" He stared at her. "If you stay, there's every chance you'll go to jail for a long time."

She paled, swallowed visiblely, but then shook her head in determination. "I've got more to gain by staying, Raul."

She got up. "Oh I knew from the start I could never hold you. I guess this Denise is the right girl. I know she's behind what you're doing. But think about this, if I'm not here and you're all arrested, do you think they'll tell the truth? But I can tell the police that you didn't want to rob the bank and that ^_you didn't want anyone killed, and that you did your best to stop us."

"Raul stared at her. "You'd do that for me? Why?"

"Because I love you," she said simply.

Raul felt humble and grateful at the same time.

He said, "I can't let you do it."

"You can't stop me." There was a strange new dignity about her. "I only hope that when it's all over you and your Denise can find a future together."

He said glumly, "It looks like a hell of a future from where I sit right this minute."