Chapter 16

“Oh, sweet Jesus, we’re in for it now.”

About that time the three men also noticed them. “Come on over,” the middle one called. “We’ve been waiting for you. El Jefe Grandetold us you’d be coming back soon.”

::What do we do, partner?::Manuel felt like he’d been turned to stone, but his legs were closer to jelly.

::For now, exactly what they say to do. I need some time to figure out what their weakness may be.::

Manuel snorted silently. ::As if they have one.::

::Everyone has a weakness. Sometimes they’re hard to discover, but they always exist. You just have to look the right way.::

“Don’t bother with your weapons. You’re covered and before you could get a shot off, one of us would mow you down. Just come on over, slow and easy, and no one will get hurt—yet.”

It took every ounce of courage and strength Manuel could summon, but he walked steadily and didn’t piss himself. He figured he was doing pretty good to accomplish that much.