Jihad

CHAPTER 151

“You can skip the taxi routine, Tommy — he took the hotel vouchers and the minibus,” said Rockman,

Karr yawned and glanced at his watch. It was five minutes to nine; he’d been sitting outside the airport terminal since five-twenty. He turned the ignition and eased the taxi out of its spot at the side of the terminal.

“Lia’s with him. Four other passengers as well,” said Rockman.

“She invite him up to her room for a drink?”

“Very funny. All right, he’s coming out of the terminal. Now what? He’s not going for the bus.”

“Relax partner. I got it covered.” Karr angled the taxi around the parked minibus. Dabir had split from the main group and was walking along the sidewalk. He put up his hand, flagging down the cab.

“Hey, now,” said Karr cheerfully as he hopped from the taxi. The trunk popped open. “Take that for you, sir?”

“It stays with me,” said Dabir.

“Hey. No problemo.”

Karr tapped the trunk shut after Dabir got into the cab. He winked at Lia, who was in the line for the bus.

“Where we headin’, boss?” Karr asked as he got in the cab.

“I need a good hotel.”

“Not a problem. Holiday Inn?”

“That’ll do.”

Karr saw Dabir looking at the voucher in his hand. The hotel he’d been given a voucher for was the Minerva, located several miles from the Holiday Inn.

“Holiday Inn comin’ up. So what’s goin’ on in there? Heard they lost their power.”

“I don’t know.”

“Really puttin’ you out. Kind of a rip-off, huh?” said Karr, glancing back. “Did they at least offer to put you up or buy dinner?”

“They canceled our flights and told us to come back tomorrow.”

“Where ya goin’?” asked Karr. He jerked his head around. Dabir’s face, tired, seemed pale.

“To the hotel?”

“No, I mean flyin’. Maybe I could drive you.”

“No, thank you.”

“You’re the boss. Holiday Inn’s our next stop.”

Karr pulled around Route 300, driving toward the hotel and humming the Star Wars theme song as he did.

“Uh-oh,” said Karr as he pulled into the driveway. “Home-coming week.”

“What does that mean?” asked Dabir, digging into his wallet to pay him.

“It’s a college thing. Graduates come back. The hotel may be booked. Want me to wait?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“No problem for me. The night is dead. You want change?”

“Keep it.” said Dabir, getting out.

“Good tipper,” Karr told Rockman as he pulled ahead.

“He’s at the desk. Not too happy.”

Karr put the taxi in gear and drove to the end of the driveway. As Dabir came through the front door, he pulled out, then pretended to spot him, and veered back into the lot through the other entrance, narrowly missing a pickup truck.

“Problem?” he asked Dabir, rolling down the window.

“Take me to the Minerva.”

“You got an address on that?”

“You never heard of it?”

“It’s near the river somewhere. I can find it, but, uh, if you have the address it’ll kind of save a little time, you know? Most people come here.”

Dabir gave him the voucher.

“Be there in two shakes,” said Karr, handing the slip back.