Tick Tock

Chapter 96

"WAS IT HIS HEART?" Apt finally said.

"No. It looks like he committed suicide. He had some sort of pill hidden in his mouth when he was arrested. At least that's what the police are saying."

Carl thought about that. Lawrence dying alone. His friend. It broke his heart. If only he could have been there.

"Carl, are you still there?"

"Yes," Apt said, hiding the sadness howling through him. "What now?" he said.

"First off, in case this is being recorded, I would like to state that I, Allen Duques, am in no way complicit with any illegal activities, but am merely in the process of dispensing the will of the Lawrence M. Berger estate, of which I am sole executor."

"Whatever," Apt said. "Where's the money?"

"Yes, of course. In front of you, down the hallway, is my den. Do you see it?"

Apt crossed the room and pushed through some French doors.

"I'm there."

"Excellent. On the leather couch are two valises."

Apt clicked on the desk light.

"The black suitcases?" Apt said, spotting them.

"Yes."

Apt opened them without checking for wires. The thought of Duques blowing up his anal-retentive-designed interior of his mansion was laughable. Inside the bags were hundred-dollar bills. Lots and lots and lots of them. Stacks upon stacks.

"I apologize for the cumbersome number of bills. I would have liked to wire it to the account of your choice, but I had a visit today from the authorities that makes that extremely impractical. Lawrence actually anticipated as much and had me make these arrangements as a precaution. I believe there's a note for you in the bag on the left."

Apt opened it and slid out an expensive stationery card. Carl smiled at Lawrence's beautiful handwriting in his signature green ink. Carl, my most excellent friend,

Thank you. Only you could make my last days my best.

Never stop learning, Lawrence

"Mr. Berger wanted you to be happy, Carl," Duques said in his ear. "He always spoke of you so fondly."

Apt lowered the phone to wipe a tear away with his thumb before tucking the note back in the money bag. He was beyond touched. The big guy had done the right thing after all. His good buddy had more than taken care of him. How could he have doubted it for even a second?

"Carl, before I forget. Mr. Berger left a message for you. He said, and I quote, you needn't bother with the last name on the list. End quote. Whatever that means. He said you'd understand."

Apt thought about that. That didn't sound right. If anything, Lawrence had been most excited by the last name on his list. Did the Big L have a change of heart?

"You sure about that?" Apt said.

"He was quite emphatic about it. Consider your services rendered in full. Enjoy your reward. You've earned it. As this will be our final communication, it's been a pleasure knowing you."

"You, too, Allen. I have just one question."

"What's that?"

"Where do you keep the keys to the S Sixty-five?"

"My new car?" the lawyer sputtered. "Why? That has nothing to do with these arrangements."

"I thought we'd make a new arrangement."

"I don't understand."

"How's this?" Apt said. "I get the S Sixty-five and you don't come home to a smoking crater where this palace used to be."

There was a short silence.

"They're hanging on the back door to the butler's pantry," Duques said and hung up.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Apt said to the darkness as he backtracked toward the kitchen.