“The only thing I’d want to say to Isiah is that I’m sorry. And I couldn’t say it enough even if I had forever to say it. I couldn’t say it enough,” Ike said. His voice trailed off to a whisper.
* * *
In the distance they both heard the roar and thunder of motorcycle engines. Wordlessly they both got up from their seats. Buddy Lee cut the zip ties that secured Gatsby to the folding chair. He also cut the ones around his ankles.
“Get up,” Ike said. He grabbed Gatsby by the arm and walked to the roll-up door.
Ike pushed a button on the wall next to the door and it began to rise. He gripped his shotgun tight and stood shoulder to shoulder with Gatsby. Buddy Lee did the same on the other side. He checked his watch. It was 7:45.
“They tried to get the jump on us,” Buddy Lee said.
“It’s like that story. The wolf gets to the turnip patch at six in the morning. The rabbit been there and gone,” Ike said.
“We the rabbits, in that story, right?” Buddy Lee said.
“Yeah, but we gonna eat them like we’re the wolves,” Ike said.
* * *
A phalanx of motorcycles poured into the meadow. They pulled in front of the tactical course and faced the building. Ike counted twenty-five by the time the Cadillac SRX pulled in behind them. The blond Viking was riding a chopped hog with ape hangers and a high sissy bar in the back. There was a green sack covering the sissy bar. The blond biker popped his kickstand and got off his bike. The green sack was attached to his saddle bags with bungee cords. He released the cords and removed the green sack. Arianna was in a car seat that was strapped to the sissy by about five miles of rope.
Ike almost shot him right then and there.
The air shimmered with the heat from the collected engines revving and growling. Gerald climbed out of the Cadillac. He was wearing a white button-down shirt open at the throat and loose-fitting khakis. He strode over to stand in front of the Viking. Gerald put his hands on his hips and jutted out his chin. Buddy Lee gripped his rifle. He knew when a prick was preening. He was trying to use some bullshit psychological manipulation. Maybe he thought if he didn’t act like he was scared shitless it would make it so.
“You okay, Pop?” Gerald yelled. Gatsby shook his head.
“What have you done to him?” Gerald said.
“He’s fine. He got to see how the other half lives, is all. Other than that, he’s alright. Now cut the girl loose,” Buddy Lee said. Sweat was working its way across his brow like a lazy caterpillar. The night had enveloped them all.
“You know the story of Alexander the Great and the island of Tyre?” Gerald said.
“You giving a fucking history lesson … now?” Buddy Lee asked. Gerald smiled.
Ike said, “Tyre was supposed to be impenetrable, but Alexander took it after six months. The point was that he had more determination than any other general. Now, can we get on with it?”
Gerald stopped smiling.
“You ain’t the only one who can read a fucking book, Winthrop,” Ike said.
“Send my father over,” Gerald said.
“Cut the girl loose and send her over,” Buddy Lee said.
“Grayson,” Gerald said. Grayson unbuckled Arianna from her car seat. He lowered her to the ground. The wind came up and tossed her curls around her head.
“Hey, Little Bit!” Buddy Lee said.
“Come on over, booboo,” Ike said. Arianna took a step toward them. Grayson’s hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist. Arianna squealed. The sound set Buddy Lee’s teeth on edge.
“Let. Her. Go,” Ike said.
“Grayson, I have this under control,” Gerald said.
“Bullshit. You ain’t got nothing under control. These bastards have your daddy, and you just letting them get their little mongrel back? Fuck that. Same time, shitkicker.”
“Same time. We send them at the same time,” Buddy Lee said. He nudged Gatsby. The old man took a few tentative steps. Grayson released Arianna’s arm.
“Run,” Grayson said.
Arianna held her left hand against her ear. She took a few steps, then stopped.
“Come on, Little Bit. Come on over,” Buddy Lee said. Arianna began to cry.
“Oh no, Little Bit, don’t cry. Just come on, baby girl,” Buddy Lee said. Gatsby was halfway across the yard.
“Arianna. Come on, baby girl. Come to … come to Granddaddy,” Ike said. Arianna took a halting step.
“That’s right, baby, come on to Granddaddy,” Ike said. Arianna took off running. Her chubby legs pistoning up and down in short choppy bursts of movement. She ran past Gatsby as he stumbled toward Gerald.