‘You won’t starve.’ He paused while he lit a cigarette. I saw his hand was unsteady. ‘You won’t have time to starve.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ll find out. If you give me your word not to start anything until I’ve gone I’ll undo your hands. At least, it’ll give you a fighting chance.’
I was beginning to feel spooked.
‘If I get my hands free, I’ll probably strangle you,’ I said ‘I scare easy, but not that easy.’
‘Don’t talk like a fool. You don’t know what you’re up against. Turn over. I’m going to free your hands.’
I turned over, and he shoved his knee in my back as he pulled the tape loose. He was out of range before I could grab him.
I pushed myself into a sitting position. I couldn’t stay upright: the chain holding me was too short, but it was a nice feeling to have free hands again.
‘I’ll leave you a light,’ Dedrick said. That’s about the best I can do for you.’
‘You have a bad dose of conscience.’ As I rubbed my wrists trying to restore the circulation, I stared up at him. ‘What’s going to happen?’