Madness Rules - 04 by Arthur Bradley Page A

captives. Both men were now conscious, and Nipples was telling her brother that everything was going to be okay.
    “Time to go, Sam,” he said, tossing her one of the gas cans.
    “Did we get our packs back?”
    “We did. Go put yours on while I cut them free.”
    Samantha turned to the captives.
    “We’re going to let you go now, but you should quit stealing from people. Not everyone’s as nice as we are.”
    Tanner knelt in front of Nipples and gently lifted her chin with his hand.
    “She’s right, you know. Next time, you might not be so lucky.”
    She started to say something but bit her lip. Now was not the time to get an attitude.
    He reached around and cut her hands free.
    “You can work the tape off your ankles and from the others. I imagine your friends will be back shortly.”
    She nodded. “Thanks.”
    Tanner stood back up and started for the door.
    “Big man,” she said.
    He glanced back over his shoulder.
    “You were right about one thing.”
    “What’s that?”
    She winked. “I’m not going to forget you.”
    Tanner grinned as he went out the door.
     
     
    Tanner and Samantha drove south on Wilcox Road, packs safely tied to the back of the flatbed truck, weapons resting on the floorboard next to their feet. Both windows were down, and the warm night air swirled around the cab. The sound of bugs, frogs, and bats serenaded them from the thick forest lining both sides of the dark street.
    “I watched you from the window,” she said.
    His gut tightened. Had she seen him with Nipples? Tanner’s discussion of the “birds and the bees” with his own son had involved a Playboy magazine and a couple of cold beers. He doubted that was going to cut it in Samantha’s case.
    “Watched me when?”
    “When you dealt with those men outside.”
    “Ah,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief. “And you were proud of me, right? I didn’t kill a single person.”
    “I was proud of you. I think I’m rubbing off on you.”
    He smiled. “We’re both changing each other.”
    “I guess. But I think I’m changing you more.”
    “If you say so.”
    “I’m confused about one thing though.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Was all this really necessary over a couple of backpacks? It’s like the woman said. They were just trying to survive.”
    “Maybe so, but I didn’t like their means.”
    “What are means?”
    He thought for a moment before answering.
    “Means are how you go about getting what you want.”
    “And means matter?”
    “Darlin’, means are all that ever really matter.”
    CHAPTER
    9
    General Hood stood at attention, staring straight ahead, his thick frame filling out the tightly pressed uniform. He might have been mistaken for a Terracotta Warrior had it not been for the thin sheen of sweat covering his forehead and the Colt .45 hanging on his waist.
    “We have a problem, Mr. President.”
    President Pike walked over and slowly closed the door to his office. His movement was calm but deliberate, telling any who might be paying attention that this was just another government matter: nothing to see here, move along. Yumi sat in his chair with her feet up on his desk, her skirt riding up her silky thighs.
    “What kind of problem?” he asked, unable to take his eyes off Yumi’s legs.
    “I received a message this morning from Lenny Bruce, a message that I would classify as threatening.” When Pike failed to respond, the general continued. “If you recall, Lenny is the leader of Fresh Start, a community rebuilding in Lexington.”
    Pike nodded, transfixed as Yumi slowly slid her skirt higher and higher.
    “Sir,” Hood said a little louder, “Lenny’s the man we made a deal with regarding the rifles taken from Glynco. He’s going to be a problem.”
    Pike forced himself to turn away from Yumi, and she giggled.
    “Oh fine,” she said. “Talk to the general. You obviously love him more anyway.”
    Pike cut his eyes at her, and she giggled again.
    “What kind of problem?” he