Unedited Excerpt from The Collectors

“They explode on impact. Like a grenade. It’s a thing of beauty.” Zed’s eyes were alight with adoration and glee as he held one of the round, palm sized things in his hand. He turned it over, showing it off. I call them fun balls.”

“Sounds like something out of a sex shop,” Robyn said.

“Not a bad thought. Some people might be sexually aroused by blowing things up.” A huge smile crossed his face and he waggled his eyebrows, tossing the fun ball up into the air and catching it with one hand.

Robyn and Toby both took a step back.

“I wouldn’t be playing around with it like that if it explodes on impact.” Robyn eyed Zed. He was out of his damned mind. If he’d ever really had one.

“No shit,” Toby said. He lifted his palms toward Zed. “Just put that thing down, would you?”

Zed looked at them, eyes wide and curious. “What?”

“We just don’t feel like getting blown up today, if it’s all the same to you,” Robyn told him.

Zed looked slightly wounded. “Okay. But they really aren’t that fragile. You have to throw them pretty hard for them to explode. I designed them that way.” He chuckled a little. “I’m a bit of a klutz.”

“Greeeaat,” Robyn said. “That’s just what I want to hear while you’re bouncing that thing around in your hands like that. Why don’t you try juggling a few?”

Zed grinned. “Okay.” He reached into the box for another.

“No. No.” Toby stepped toward him, hands out. “She was only kidding.”

“Oh.” Zed’s shoulders slumped.

“Just put them all back. Explain to us, without demonstrating, exactly how they work, okay?”

“Okay.” Zed put the fun ball back into the box. “Here’s how you use it. You aim for your target and whip it at the ground near them. If you whip it at them, you might miss all together. You’d have to make sure to smash it against the target’s head.”

“How big of an explosion do these little jobbies make?” Robyn asked.

“Not as big as a grenade. Not enough to blow up things close to the target. But it will cause considerable damage to objects really close. Burns and such.”

“What will it do to the target?” Toby stepped forward, looking into the box.

“It’ll cause them a world of hurt. At the least, third degree burns. More likely? Melt the skin right off of them. It won’t be pretty.”

“What’s it made of?” Robyn asked him. “Or do I really want to know.”

“You’re better off not knowing. Just be careful with them. Respect them, but don’t be afraid of them. Their your friends when you need ‘em. Kay?”

Robyn nodded slowly. “Right. Uh, kay.” The guy was a fruit loop, but he really was trying to help. And he might actually save their asses.

“How many did you bring?” Toby moved to the window, peering out through a crack in the curtain.

“Oh, I’ve got two large boxes of these babies in the car.” Zed smile grew wider. “I didn’t even think of these things when you guys showed up. I was all caught up in the flamethrower demonstration. But these are perfect for when you don’t want to cart a flamethrower around. You know?”

“Right. Absolutely,” Toby moved a hand over his jaw and shook his head. “I just can’t believe we’re even talking about this. Having to consider using them.”

“Hey,” Zed said. “Shit happens. You’ve gotta be prepared, right?”

“Right. How much do I owe you?”

Zed’s face grew solemn. “Nothin’, man. Are you kidding me? You don’t owe me a thing.”

A silent beat went by as something meaningful passed between the two of them. Robyn felt like an eaves dropper, and stepped toward the window to peak outside.

“Okay,” Toby said. “I appreciate your help, Zed.”

“Anytime. Anything, man. Okay?” Zed’s voice was lower, sincere.

“All right,” Toby said. “Let’s get out of here. If one of them knows we’re here, more can’t be far behind.”

“What exactly do you mean by them, what’s after you, October?” Zed asked.

“Loan sharks,” Toby said, pulling on his canvas jacket.

“Loan sharks?” Zed laughed, head tipped back. “You’re running from loan sharks? You’re shitting me.” He walked toward the door. “I’ll take care of the bastards for you. I’ve taken care of more than one collector.”

Robyn stepped in front of the door. “Wait.”

Zed frowned. He turned back to Toby. “What? I don’t get it.”

“They aren’t the kind of collector you’re used to.”

“Well, how bad can they be? What? You got a hit on you?” Zed looked back at Robyn, then peered out the window.

“Oh, it’s plenty bad, Zed. And yeah, we have a hit on us. Both of us.”

“What? Mafia?” Zed asked, still looking out the window, his eyes shifting this way and that.

“No,” Toby said, “Hell.”