Dead Guilty

bargain. I like that. Look at him, then. After that, we go.’’
Diane rushed to Mike. He was conscious and pale. His skin was cool to the touch, but the cave was cool. She looked at his side. MacGregor started to lift his shirt from the wound.
‘‘No. Keep it there. If you move it, you’ll pull the clotted blood loose and start the bleeding again. It looks like it’s slowed.’’
Diane folded parts of the shirt over the area to soak up more blood. She put a hand on Mike’s back. He was bleeding from the exit wound. Damn. She fished out her first aid kit and tore open the gauze pads, stacked them up and pressed them against the wound. ‘‘Hold this,’’ she told MacGregor. ‘‘When I finish, I’ll look at your arm.’’
‘‘Dammit, this isn’t a hospital,’’ LaSalle said angrily.
‘‘You’re the one shooting people. Just one of our stones at the museum is worth ten thousand dollars and we have lots of them. That’s a lot of money when all you have to do is stand there and wait a minute or two.’’
Diane wrapped an Ace bandage tight around Mike’s midsection. He had been silent so far. Now he looked at her as if he were trying to telegraph thoughts.
‘‘He’s going to kill you,’’ he whispered so silently Diane had to read his lips, ‘‘and us.’’
‘‘No,’’ whispered Diane. ‘‘Trust me.’’
Mike’s stare had an urgency as he looked at her. ‘‘He won’t let you...’’
‘‘What are you two cooking up?’’
‘‘Nothing. I’m trying to comfort Mike. What could we possibly be cooking up? You have a gun, and three-quarters of us are incapacitated. I’m almost finished.’’
She looked deep into Mike’s eyes. ‘‘Trust me and trust my love of caves.’’ He looked at her, puzzled. ‘‘It’s your job to stay alive.’’
Diane looked at MacGregor’s wound. It wasn’t bad, she was relieved to see. She put a bandage on it. She took another space blanket and draped it over Mike and MacGregor.
‘‘Watch the others. I’ll come back with help. Don’t let Mike move. Talk to Neva occasionally. Tell some jokes. You have a captive audience.’’ He gave her a weak smile. ‘‘I’m counting on you,’’ she added.
Diane stood up. ‘‘I’m ready to go.’’

Chapter 45
    ‘‘Well, finally. We can get out of this damn place.’’ LaSalle worked his way around the rocks to Diane. ‘‘Move.’’ He waved his pistol in the general direction from which he had entered the chamber.
    Diane had walked in front of him for several steps when two shots went off behind her. MacGregor began screaming. Diane whirled around, dread filling her chest. Mike was halfway up, leaning toward MacGregor, who was screaming and sobbing. Blood was flowing from both his boots.
    ‘‘You son of a bitch,’’ Diane yelled at LaSalle.
    Diane rushed to MacGregor and kneeled down be side him, but LaSalle pulled her up and began drag ging her from the chamber. He dropped his flashlight and it clattered on the floor.
    ‘‘See what you made me do.’’ He shoved her to the ground.
Her hands stung as she broke her fall.
‘‘I ought to just shoot you and cut my losses. Pick that up and hand it to me.’’
Diane picked up the light and handed it to LaSalle.
‘‘Why did you have to shoot him? He was no threat to you.’’
‘‘The hell he wasn’t. He was just winged. After we left, what was to stop him from walking out and calling the police? He can wait and suffer with the rest of your group. Now, listen and understand this. I showed compassion by not putting a bullet in their heads. That’s my show of good faith. Now it’s your turn. We’re going to get out of this fucking cave and get my diamonds. No more delays, no more problems. You got that?’’
Diane turned to Mike and MacGregor. ‘‘Dick, don’t take your boots off. Put pressure on your wounds. Stay warm and still. Keep that space blanket around the two of you. Talk to Neva occasionally, but don’t strain yourself. I’ll come back with help.’’
‘‘Aren’t you just the sweet little mother.’’
For the first time, Diane got a good look at LaSalle. His good looks were ruined by a mean expression. He had dark hair, sharp, well-defined features, muscular build. She thought she understood what the story was with Ashlyn and Justin. Two arrogant kids caught smuggling contraband, probably caught by him—a cor rupt cop. He offered them a deal—working for him for a much bigger prize than cigarettes. Ashlyn