Double Jeopardy

63

5:30 P.M.

THE SHORTER, BEEFIER OF the two men checked his watch, then frowned. “I don’t think he’s coming.”

“He’ll come,” Staci said defiantly. “I know he will.”

“Just a few more hours till midnight.”

“Plenty of time.” Despite her outward show of strength, Staci was scared to death. Why was Travis taking so long? Why wasn’t he here yet?

They were in a crummy hotel room somewhere in Dallas—Staci and the two men who grabbed her outside Aunt Marnie’s house. There were two other men in an adjoining room who popped in from time to time. Staci didn’t know anything about any of them, except that they all looked like crooks and they were all carrying big guns.

After she had regained consciousness, she had found herself tied to a stiff-backed, uncomfortable chair. They hadn’t let her move since.

“Maybe he didn’t get the message,” Staci suggested.

“Unlikely. It was in the paper, right?”

The tall man with the long scar down the side of his face nodded. “My man at the newspaper never fails me.

“Maybe Travis doesn’t have time to read the papers,” Staci suggested. “He’s been real busy.”

“If I were gettin’ the press coverage he’s gettin’, I’d read the paper,” the shorter man said. “Wouldn’t you, Kramer?”

The tall man’s eyes widened. In one sudden, savage motion he clubbed the man on the side of his face.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. “Jesus Christ! What was that for?”

“Names,” Kramer whispered under his breath.

“Oh, shit. I didn’t think.” He looked down at Staci.

“ ’Course, that isn’t his real name, you know. We all use aliases around here.”

Kramer rolled his eyes. “Unlike you, she ain’t a complete moron.” He cast his eyes down at the girl. “You just signed her death certificate.”

Staci only understood about a fourth of what the two men said, but she fully understood the import of that last remark. “What did he call you? I didn’t even hear it. And I wouldn’t remember it if I had. I’ve got a real short attention span. Really. It’s certified and everything.”

“It ain’t gonna make much difference, in the end,” Kramer said grimly. “Even if Byrne does show up—”

“He will. I know he will.”

Kramer raised an eyebrow. “Then what’s takin’ so long?”

“I don’t know, but I know there’s a reason.”

“I think Byrne has deserted you.”

“He has not!”

“Maybe I screwed up. Maybe he never cared about you.”

Staci’s face flushed. “You geekwad.”

The short man raised his fists eagerly. “She can’t talk to you like that, boss. Should I hit her?”

“Of course not. Idiot.” Kramer stepped forward and, just as suddenly as before, swung his fist into Staci’s face.

Afterward he rubbed his hand and smiled. “Rank has its privileges.”

Staci began to cry. Her teeth and jaws ached; she had accidentally bitten her tongue.

“Stop bawlin’!” Kramer barked.

Staci tried, but she couldn’t. It hurt too bad.

“Fine. Gag her.” The short man stuffed a towel in Staci’s mouth.

The door to the adjoining room opened, and a third man leaned in. “Simmons just called in,” he said, looking at Kramer. “He’s been talking to Mario.”

Kramer’s eyebrows rose. “What does Mario want?”

“He wants you to come to his home immediately. Didn’t explain why. He left an address.”

“Wow!” the short man exclaimed. “I ain’t never been invited to his home. I didn’t think anyone got to go. What do you suppose happened?”

“I dunno,” Kramer murmured. “But it must be bad. He wouldn’t call me unless the whole operation was in trouble.” He grabbed his coat. “I’m leavin’.”

“Fine,” the short man said. “I’ll watch the girl.”

“No. Take her to the CEO.”

“Really?”

Kramer nodded. “You know where he lives?”

“Sure, but—why?”

“If Mario is in danger, our CEO also may be threatened. You will deliver this invaluable insurance policy to him.”

“Should I stay there with her?”

“No. She isn’t going anywhere. You’re needed here.”

“What if Byrne shows up and there’s no girl?”

Kramer made a steeple with his fingers. “What does it matter, really? We can kill him just as easily, whether she’s here or not.”