Hard Ground Read Free Page B

bitch,” the passenger said with an uptight wheeze.
    â€œGuess that plan’s fucked,” Camden said. “Where’s your wallet?”
    â€œDon’t got one,” the man said.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Camden asked.
    â€œFuck you.”
    â€œThat with an F or a PH? Where do you live?”
    The man scowled. “Fuck you,” he repeated.
    â€œGeez, the name of where you live is the same as the name your mother gave you. What’re the odds of that, dirtball?”
    Dark now, Camden lit the man with his SureFire and studied his neck. Solid tattoos, crudely rendered. “How long you been out?”
    â€œFuck you,” the man said with a snarl.
    â€œGot home today,” the driver volunteered. “Four years in Jackson.”
    Camden used the sole of his boot to swipe the back of his prisoner’s knees and caused him to momentarily lose balance. The man wobbled and twisted his shoulders trying not to fall. “Didn’t they teach you manners downstate?”
    The man stared straight ahead, trembling.
    Morton said, “My guy’s Cosgrove, Dawayne.”
    Camden said, “Who’s your partner, Cosgrove?”
    â€œMy younger brother, Dusty. He’s gonna crash with me till he can get his own place, man.”
    Camden held the automatic in front of his prisoner. “Nine mike-mike, what were you in for?”
    â€œMeth manufacture and distribute,” Dawayne said for his brother. “Marquette County.”
    â€œFelon with a firearm: not such a good a day for you, Dusty,” Camden said.
    The man remained silent.
    Camden asked his partner to call the county to request prisoner transport. “We’ll meet them at the jail in Crystal, take care of paperwork there.”
    Morton went back to the patrol truck. Camden looked at Dusty Cosgrove. “Not smart, you with a Wop 9.”
    â€œWe was just taking us a joy ride,” brother Dawayne offered. “To celebrate, you know?”
    â€œWhat, a ride back to Jackson for your brother?”
    â€œThat’s real cold, sir,” Dawayne said.
    Morton came back from the truck and pulled his partner aside. “Officer safety caution on Dusty Cosgrove,” he whispered. “When they let him go today, somebody heard him say he’d kill the next cop who stopped him.”
    â€œAll that was in the warning?” Camden asked.
    Morton said, “Affirmative.”
    Camden asked, “How we supposed to know shit doesn’t get passed to us?”
    Morton shrugged.
    Camden walked back to his prisoner. “How about I unlock your cuffs, put the piece on the ground between us, and see who can get to it first?”
    â€œYou crazy, dude,” Dusty said.
    â€œI am crazy,” Camden said, “and you’d do well to remember that, unlike you, I don’t get caught. I decide to whack your sorry ass, nobody will ever find you. You ain’t inside the publicly funded creep zoo now, partner. Tough talk don’t cut shit out here.”
    â€œI got rights,” the younger Cosgrove said.
    â€œIf you get out again,” Camden said, “stay the fuck out of our county.”
    An Iron County deputy took custody of the prisoners, and the conservation officers followed the county car south down US 141 to the county seat in Crystal Falls.
    â€œGoddamn communications,” Morton grumbled. “It’s not right us not knowing.”
    â€œListen, dickhead. I hauled the passenger out the window, and you were fucking clueless. No E, man; what the fuck happened out there?”
    Morton hung his head.
    â€œWe don’t need a warning to be alert for assholes, Ed. We’ve got to rely on each other and ourselves. We’re all we got.”
    Morton said contritely, “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”
    â€œWater over the dam, partner. We’ll get this jerk lodged and head for the barn,” Camden said, thinking one or both of them