“Sort of like kids playing with matches in a pile of fireworks?”
“Like that.”
Derry nodded thoughtfully. “You know, Robert, the thing about fireworks is that they’re touchy, unpredictable. Sometimes they don’t behave like you think they should. That’s how all those accidents happen, people getting their hands blown off and such. They play with explosives they aren’t trained to handle. They take foolish chances.”
Old Bob shook his head. “We’re not talking about fireworks here. We’re talking about MidCon and people getting killed!”
Deny Howe’s eyes were bright and hard. “You got that right.”
Old Bob looked off into the trees, into the cool shade. “I don’t like what I’m hearing.”
“Then don’t listen.” Derry smiled disdainfully. “Do yourself a favor, Robert. Sit this one out. It ain’t right for you anyway. You or Mel or any of the others. You had your day. Time to step aside. Stay home on the Fourth. Watch a movie or something. Keep away from the fireworks-all of them.”
He paused, and a dark, wild look came into his eyes. “It’s • settled with me, Robert Roosevelt. I know what I’m about. I’m going to put an end to this strike. I’m going to give MidCon a Fourth of July to remember, and when it’s over they won’t be able to get to the bargaining table quick enough. That’s the way it’s going to be, and there ain’t nothing they can do about it.” He ran his fingers through his short-cropped hair, a quick, dismissive movement. “Or you either. You stay out of my way. Be better for you if you did.”
He gave Old Bob a wink and walked back to his friends.
Robert Freemark stood watching after him angrily for a moment, then turned away. He moved back through the crowds toward Evelyn, his anger turning to disappointment. He supposed he hadn’t really expected to change Derry Howe’s mind. He supposed he hadn’t really expected to accomplish much of anything. Maybe he was hoping it would turn out Mel Riorden was mistaken, that Derry wasn’t really planning something foolish. Whatever the case, his failure to achieve anything left him feeling empty and disgruntled. He should have made a stronger argument, been more persuasive. He should have found a way to get through.
He worked his way back to Evelyn, burdened by both the weight of the July heat and his anger. Somewhere deep inside, where he hid the things he didn’t want other people to see, he felt a darkness rise up and begin to take shape. Something bad was going to happen. Maybe Derry intended to damage the machinery at the mill. Maybe he intended to put a serious dent in the company’s pocketbook or its image. But for some reason Old Bob felt like it might be even worse than that. He felt it might be catastrophic.
He moved up to Mel and Carol Riorden, Al Garcia, Penny Williamson, and Evelyn, smiling easily, comfortably to hide his concerns. They were still talking about the new grandbaby. Mel gave him a questioning look. He frowned and shook his head slowly. He could see the disappointment in his friend’s face.
Evelyn took him by the arm and pulled him away. “Come with me,” she directed, steering him through the crowd. “I have a little business of my own to take care of.”
He let himself be led back toward the horseshoe tournament, back toward Derry Howe. Old Bob glanced quickly at her, thinking, No, it can’t be about Derry, can it? Evelyn did not return the glance, her gaze directed forward, intense and immutable. He had seen that look before, and he knew that whatever she had set herself to do, she would not be dissuaded. He kept his mouth shut.
The crowd observing the horseshoe contest parted before them. Evelyn veered left, taking Old Bob with her, striding down the line of spectators toward the participants at the far end.
“Just stand next to me, Robert,” she said quietly. “You don’t have to say anything. I’ll do the talking.”
She released his arm and stepped in front of him, taking the lead. He caught sight of George Paulsen staring at them from among the competitors, but Evelyn seemed oblivious of him. She moved, instead, toward Enid Scott, who was standing with her youngest, Bennett, to one side.