The longhaired one said, “I found the watch. I didn’t steal it.” I kept my eye on him as I crossed to the kitchen, then to the bedroom. She was long gone.

“Where’d you find it?” I asked, but he didn’t answer. He kept starin’ at the man he’d shot, like he only just realized he’d done it. Suddenly he dropped to the floor and started digging in the dead man’s pockets. “Where did you find the watch?” I asked again. When he didn’t answer, I tossed the emptied pistol onto the floor in front of him. He startled at the clatter and looked up at me with fear in his eyes.

“One of the kids from my camp found it. I came here following him.” He looked at the dead man again. “But he don’t matter anymore.”

“The watch belongs to the girl he’s with. I gave it to her.”

“Don’t matter anymore,” he said again and cocked his head to listen to nothing.

I picked up my backpack and rifle. “Better go. Gunshots are like a dinner bell to the damned scavvies around here.”

“You leavin’ that pistol?” he said. He pointed at the fella I’d shot. “Dex was your kill. Take what you want.”

“I don’t take what ain’t mine,” I said. I held out my hand. He handed me the watch.