A few minutes later I was standing out under the desert sun, squinting at the reflections of light bouncing off the edifices of glass and steel opposite me. In downtown Phoenix the air was full of exhaust fumes from the traffic stalled at the lights. There was a steady thrum of engines, a babble of voices, the swish of tyres from the cross street to my left. For a second or two I wished I was back in the solitude offered by the desert. I looked for a cab, but there wasn’t one in the queue on this side.
I didn’t take that coffee from Detective Chambers, and I was definitely ready for one. I looked for a Starbucks. The street here was dominated by official-looking high rises, but I thought there must be a coffee shop nearby. I checked my pockets for cash. Then I turned and walked to the right. It was a random decision and as good a direction as any. The detectives had been keen to bring me here but hadn’t offered to return me to Holbrook and I didn’t push them for a ride. I was happy enough to be out of their way because I’d much to plan and didn’t want them listening in.
I meant what I’d told Witherspoon. I did intend taking the women home, and if Samuel Logan ventured no further than the Arizona state border, then fine. But I didn’t believe he’d let things rest at that. I’d shot him twice — as far as I knew — but obviously not as badly as I’d hoped. Samuel struck me as the type who wouldn’t let things lie. Chances were he had a couple of priorities to see to, namely surviving his wounds and evading the manhunt that had been launched to find him, but then he’d want to get revenge on me for slaying his kin. Let him come for me: I didn’t fear him, and if the truth be told, I welcomed a second shot at the title. However there was one thing I was certain of: he wouldn’t demand a stand-up man-to-man encounter; he’d try to get to me by what he’d see as my weakness. He’d target the women first.
From what I’d learned from Jay and Nicole, he’d delighted in hurting them, but he hadn’t shown any sexual predilection for them the way Brent and Carson had. He hadn’t paid Ellie any attention, so I thought she was safe now. Back with her parents, Ellie would be out of sight and mind, but I took it that he’d enjoy hurting the older girls if he thought it would hurt me. I’d have to prepare for that eventuality. My weapons had been seized as evidence, I hadn’t retrieved my cellphone from Jay and it too had been placed into an evidence bag. Luckily I had my wallet and a roll of dollars left over from the advance on expenses that Jameson Walker had given to me, so I wasn’t stuck. As soon as I got round to feeding my need for coffee and food, I’d hire a cab or rental to get me back to Holbrook. But before that, the first thing on my mind was ringing my friend, Rink.
I found a coffee shop and took a booth at the back where I could watch the door and everyone who entered. Not that I expected Samuel Logan to come charging in but I had a feeling Chambers and Witherspoon might keep an eye on me for the next few days. I wasn’t worried about Witherspoon: he was old school, and in his time he’d probably slapped the heads of many recalcitrant criminals, but Chambers was a different story. I could understand how his image of me might be clouded by what had happened to his brother, but I couldn’t allow him to get in my way.
After I’d downed one mug of coffee and ordered another, I went to a payphone at the end of the serving counter, inserted coins.
‘I was just planning on how I was gonna bust you outta prison,’ Rink said, after I told him where I was. ‘What the hell did they take you to Phoenix for?’
‘To keep me out of trouble, I guess.’
‘Like I haven’t been trying the same thing for years, and you know how successful I’ve been.’
‘You know me, Rink. I’m a trouble magnet.’
‘You can say that again. That text message I got? It kinda ruined a nice evening with Rene.’
‘What text message? Oh, never mind, I get you now.’ When I’d spoken to Jay earlier, she’d told me she couldn’t contact anyone on the cellphone during her flight from the desert, but had written a text and set it to retry. Somewhere along the way the signal must have been strong enough for the cell to send it.
‘Is Rene mad at me?’
‘Nah. She knows what you’re like. Plus, I forewarned her that you’d gone on a solo job and would likely need me to haul your ass out of the fire. I’ll get the first flight out, OK?’
‘Everything’s cool, Rink. There’s no need for you to come here.’
‘You sure? I could be there in no time.’
‘Everything’s fine now at this end. You concentrate on entertaining the good lady vet.’
‘Heard there was still one bad guy outstanding.’
‘Guy called Samuel Logan. Don’t worry about him. I shot the bastard twice. I expect the search parties to find him soon, dead from blood loss or the heat.’
‘I should come down then…’
‘No, Rink. You should stay there. I’ll be back soon.’
‘Why not immediately?’
‘Couple of loose ends to tie up first.’
‘You’re gonna go look for this punk, ain’t ya?’
‘Nah.’
‘Bullshit. I’m coming.’
‘No. It isn’t necessary. But you can do something for me.’
I asked him to Fed-Ex my spare weapons from Florida to Holbrook.
‘And you’re tellin’ me you ain’t planning on going after this punk?’
‘Who knows, Rink? Maybe he’ll come looking for me first.’
‘Jesus,’ he moaned. ‘I’d best get back to formulating a plan for a jail break.’