Chapter 46

“You’re in a place from which you’ll never return,”Josh said.“Unless you answera few questions freely and truthfully.”

“Fuck you,”the man said.

“If you want to play hardball,we can do that,”Josh said.“Gus,why don’t you and Jim turn him around until he’s bent over the tailgate?If we pull his pants down and rub some salt in that wound on his butt,he might change his mind about talking.”

Without being prompted,Caleb said,“I’ll go get some salt from the kitchen.”

“Go right ahead,”Josh said,“and bring a bottle of water with you.We’ll be ready for it when you return.”

Caleb hurried out of the barn through the people door,while Gus and Jim manhandled theprisoner into the desired position.The bonds around the man’s hands and feet made it difficult,but eventually,he was bent over the tailgate.Caleb handed Josh a box of salt just as the man’s pants and underwear were yanked down to his knees.