The Millionaires

54

“Welcome to Miami Airport – how can I help you?”

“Hi, I’m here to pick up a car,” Joey said to the petite blond woman at the National car rental counter. “It should be under the name Gallo.”

“Gallo…” the woman repeated as she typed it into the computer. “Nothing under Gallo…”

“Actually, he probably put it under DeSanctis,” Joey added, forcing the bluff. The Formica counters for the other car companies stretched out across the terminal, but when she got off the escalator, Joey went straight for National. After all, when it came to government discounts, there were only three companies the Secret Service travel office listed as “preferred providers.” National was number one.

“Any luck?” Joey asked.

Squinting at her screen, the rental agent looked confused. “I’m sorry… but it says here that someone already picked it up.”

“Oh, those enthusiastic bastards,” Joey laughed. “I knew they’d jump on the early flight – anything to catch a bad guy.” Flipping open her wallet, she whispered “United States Secret Service,” and flashed a gold badge. Sure, she covered the words “Fairfax County Police” with the tips of her fingers, but as Joey learned over the years, a badge was more than a badge. Especially when it was her dad’s. “We were supposed to meet in Miami and… Can I borrow your phone?” she asked. “I’ll try their cell.”

Stretching the cord over the counter, the rental agent punched in the number Joey gave her. Through the receiver, Joey heard her own answering machine pick up. Suddenly serious, she looked up at the rental agent. “All I’m getting is voicemail…”

“I-Is that bad?”

“Do you have any idea where they went?” Joey asked nervously.

“Actually, we’re not supposed to-”

“They’re my partners,” Joey pushed. “If something happens…”

The rental agent was about to say something, but hesitated.

“It’s an emergency,” Joey pleaded. “Please…”

The agent ripped a paper map from the stack and anxiously slid it on the counter. “They wanted directions to South Beach… That’s what I gave them…”

“Anywhere in particular?”

“Tenth Street – they didn’t give an address – but it’s a small area…”

“I’ll find it,” Joey said, grabbing the map. “How fast can you get me a car?”