Jean’s thought was, no, let’s not. But Ari started the van and took off. She thought the ride on the bare metal floor was bad while they were on paved streets but when they hit dirt road, the jouncing brought tears to her eyes. Beside her Dwight was doing better than she was but it was obvious his shoulder hurt pretty bad.

Equally distressing was that she was thirsty. Not dying of thirst, it’d only been three hours since the dinner, but her mouth was dry and cottony. She tried to take her mind off of her mouth and her back by visualizing stomping on Fletcher’s face with her hiking boots, but the satisfaction of that vision wasn’t enough to really distract her. At a particularly nasty encounter with a pothole, Jean cried out in pain.

“Shut up,” was Fletcher’s response.

She glared but kept her whimpering to herself. Despite the reason she was out here, the van pulling to a stop was a relief. Ari got out, then Brandon. The cargo doors opened, and Fletcher jumped out. Jean could hear another vehicle. Probably Norm. He said he’d follow. Fletcher stood at the door while Ari and Brandon walked to the rear of the van. She could hear a car door, the men talking. Then what sounded like the car trunk closing. Jean took a deep breath. This was it.

Fletcher nodded, maybe at some signal from Brandon, then reached in and grabbed her foot. He pulled her to the edge of the van door. She cried out, a mix of fear, surprise, and back pain.

“Shut up and get out.”

She glared at him but did her best to ease herself out of the door. Too little, too late. The jolt of hitting the ground made what seemed like an electric shock run all the way up her back and back down to settle over her kidneys. She fought the urge to vomit all over his damn shoes.

Then it was Dwight’s turn. She stood, doing her best not to sink to her knees. Norm stood a few feet away, three shovels leaning against his hip. Jean closed her eyes.

“Let’s go,” Fletcher said. He prodded them both in the back and Jean wanted more than anything to punch him right in the face.

“I’m moving.”

Dwight just grunted.

Ari led them a few feet and cut their ropes. “Dig.”

Norm handed them each a shovel. Dwight let his drop. “My shoulder is broken or something. From when Fletcher pushed me into the van.”

Fletcher pointed the gun at him. “Dig.”

“No.”

He stuck the gun under Dwight’s chin. “Dig.”

“Fuck you. You’re going to shoot me anyway. Dig the damn hole yourself.”

“Pick up the shovel, Jean.” Brandon pointed his gun at her. She had dropped hers when Dwight did.

“No. I still have all I can do to move from that kidney punch Fletcher gave me.”

Brandon looked at Ari.

“I’m not digging.”

“Fine.” Brandon rolled his eyes. “Fletcher digs. Norm digs. I dig.” He shoved the gun into his waistband and picked up Jean’s shovel. “Watch them, Ari.”

Fletcher punched Dwight in the stomach which sent him to his knees, but he picked up the shovel and went with Brandon. Norm shook his head but took his shovel to where Brandon and Fletcher had already started.

“Isn’t Ari a Jewish name?” Jean asked.

Ari crossed his arms. “Yes. There are still Jews in Afghanistan, a few.”

“How’d you meet Justin?”

He turned to face Jean. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Just passing the time.”

He grunted. “My family, before things got bad, were traders and merchants. I still had my family’s contacts throughout Afghanistan and the middle east. The United States doesn’t really care what a supplier’s religion is. I was able to keep my family fed.”

“So, how’d you end up here. Killing people. I guess, and smuggling.” Dwight, sitting in the dirt, stared at Ari.

Ari’s mouth worked, and he gently shook his head. “First it was medicine, fuel. Then drugs and weapons and ammunition. Next thing, the base was closing, and we needed to find new buyers. Justin had a good network. Gail came in because she could see what was going on. Norm could go just about everywhere, especially after he retired, and the DOD sent him exactly where we needed him to go. Fletcher is a genius with security. Damon, he’s our drug guy. Whatever we need.”

“So, you made yourself a nice little team. World-trotters and stay-at-homes in all the right places.” Jean wanted to spit but her mouth was too dry. “What bad decision did Justin make?”

Ari sighed. “So many questions.”

“You’re going to kill us anyway. So why not ask?” Jean shrugged.

“He wanted out. Wanted to take his money and retire in the South Pacific somewhere.”

“And you all didn’t want him to leave?”

“Too big a risk.” Ari rubbed his face. “Enough questions.”

Jean sat down beside Dwight. The night air had gotten cool and Jean liked the warmth of their arm-to-arm contact. She missed Karen. Jean didn’t want her here, in this mess, but she missed her friend. She couldn’t think of how to get out of this on her own. Especially with Dwight hurt too. “How’re you doin?”

Ari looked at them but didn’t say anything.

“Shoulder really hurts. You?”

“Back hurts. Thirsty.”

“Oh, thanks for reminding me.”

Jean did a soft chuckle. “Full service here.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch all these last years.”

“S’okay. I deserved it. I was just glad you didn’t turn Jim against me.”

“You’re his father. I wouldn’t do that.”

“I appreciate it.”

Jean wrapped her arms around her knees to stay warm. Her back, surprisingly, didn’t seem to mind. She could hear Norm, Brandon and Fletcher digging. Fletcher seemed to be swearing at every shovelful he tossed out of the hole, but Brandon and Norm just steadily dug. The hole was getting deeper. Pretty soon they’d either have to have just one in the hole at a time or they’d be happy with a shallow grave. She shook her head to clear that thought and looked up into the sky. It was clear and like in Greyson, stars normally unseen from light pollution were standing out bright as diamonds. The Milky Way crossed the sky and there! An asteroid collided with the atmosphere and made a fiery path to its doom.

Tears leaked unbidden and silent down her cheeks. The world was so beautiful. She didn’t want it to end.

Dwight reached over and wiped them from her face.

Ari saw but looked away.

“Don’t cry. It’s been a good life, hasn’t it?”

Jean sniffed and nodded.

“Then we’re ending on a high note.”

She sniffed again and smiled. “I suppose we are.”

Fletcher threw his shovel down. “Enough.”

So. A shallow grave then, Jean thought.

“Get’em over here.”

Ari nodded to them and pulled a gun from his waistband. Dwight and Jean struggled to their feet. He pointed to the hole where Brandon and Norm were climbing out. Ari walked them to the edge.

“You don’t have to do this, you know.” Jean made one final plea. “I have grandchildren I want to see grow up.”

“So do we.” Brandon leaned on his shovel. “You know too much. You think we couldn’t hear Ari telling you everything?” He gave Ari a glare. “So, you have to go.”

Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty-Four