Black Dog

Sixty-One

Eddie had drawn an excellent floor plan of his father’s house, and he taught it to Bryce, room by room, switch by switch. He gave Bryce the little remote control for the entire house and showed him how to operate its various features. “Pay attention,” Eddie said. “There’s going to be a quiz.” Bryce paid attention and passed the quiz handily.

“Now,” Eddie said. “Show me how Sandy’s place looks.”

“Hers is simple,” Bryce said. “First of all, it’s right behind Barrington’s.”

“No kidding?” Eddie asked.

“Small world, huh? New place, previous tenant died. Ground floor, so it’s easy for you to get to. A turn in the hallway makes for good cover.” He drew a picture for Eddie.

“Is she a wary person?”

“Not in the least. She’ll answer the door on the first ring, so be ready.”

“Is there an intercom?” Eddie asked.

“Yes, but it’s connected to the street doorbell. Ring that, and she’ll respond. Tell her you’re delivering a gift from Cartier, and you need a signature, for security purposes. That will bring her to her door at a trot. When she answers, shoot her in the head, no delay. Then close the door and walk out. Go down to Third Avenue and take a cab. Get out at the Ralph Lauren store, go in the side door and out the front door. Take another cab to P. J. Clarke’s and do your thing at the bar. Take your time. Have you got a piece?”

“I’ll use this,” Eddie said, showing him the .38 snub-nosed, wrapped in a dish towel.

“Your prints on it?” Bryce asked.

“It’s been wiped clean, the bullets, too. I’ve got some latex gloves. Here’s a pair for you.” He reached into another pocket and produced a .22 automatic. “This shooter is for you, Bryce.”

“Kind of light, isn’t it?”

“It’s perfect for close work. Shoot Joan twice in the head. It’s what the pros use. Remember to police your brass.”

“What?”

“Pick up your spent shell casings and take them with you. Toss the gun and the brass into a dumpster somewhere — before you take off your gloves.”

“Got it.”

“Okay, listen up now. Let me tell you how it goes with Joan.” Eddie took him, on the map, through the entry into the house, pointing at which buttons to push on the remote control. “She’ll be on the eighth floor, in either the bedroom or the study — the study most likely. It’s where the bar is.”

“She have a boyfriend?”

“No, nobody regular. If she surprises you with a companion, you’ll just have to shoot them both. There are six rounds in the pistol and one up the spout. Turn your cell phone completely off before you go in and don’t turn it on again until you’re clear of the neighborhood. When you are, call me, and we’ll compare notes.”

“Who goes first?” Bryce asked.

“I do. I need to get out and to P.J.’s immediately. You wait until eight o’clock to go into the house,” Eddie said. “I’ll already be at P.J.’s by then, and Sandy will be dead before I get there.”