Page 49 of Cooper

The driver looks up at his rearview mirror. “Shit, man, we’ve got company.”

My heart skips a beat.

“Okay, don’t turn in there, then.” Moira says. “Lose them first. We lose our cover, we’re sunk.”

“But Scrappy’s only got access for an hour.” The dude sitting next to me says.

“Yeah, but if we’re followed, it’s over.” Moira says. “We have to lose them first.” She turns to the driver. “Can you see who they are? Is it the feds?” She asks, peeking through the sideview mirror.

“No, I can’t see who they are!” He yells at her, getting nervous. “What do you think? I’ve got goddamn X-Ray vision? I’m driving here!”

“Well, which vehicle is it? I don’t see anyone following us.” She says, inspecting her sideview mirror like it’s got something on it.

I can’t help the smile. “Is it a white Escalade?”

Silence.

My smile grows wider. I want to tell them that they should just give up now, but I figure, it’s Christmas. Why spoil the fun…

Cooper

I try calling her name again, as I dial Jenkins’s number. Nothing. He answers on a half ring. His voice is flat, urgent, and he sounds like he’s in a car. “Cooper. Tell me what’s going on.”

“She’s gone. She went to the bathroom with some girl claiming to be Tommy’s niece, and now she’s gone.”

“Relax, I’ve got men everywhere. We got this.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t go to a public event without means in this business. Colton told me you’d be at Tommy’s funeral today. He’s got the kid, but we knew that if someone was after her, that today would be payday, if they’re smart enough to pull it off.”

“Where are you?”

“Outside. I’m the cooler today, Dalton’s one of the bouncers.”

I look at the phone. “What?”

“Never mind. It’s just lingo that means we’re here and ready.” He pauses. “And a strange minivan just pulled up to one of the cargo doors. Hang on.” I hear him talk on what sounds like a radio. “Jenkins to Dalton. White minivan pulling up to the south cargo exit.” Another pause. “Copy.” I hear back. Then he comes back to me. “Cooper, you still by the ladies’ room?”

“Yeah.”

“Take the stairwell down the hall to your right. Get out at the first exit. Dalton’s white Escalade is right there.”

“Gotcha.”

I hang up and run like hell down the stairs. Dalton’s sitting right there, and I get into his truck. “Did she get into the minivan?” I ask him.

“Not yet.”

“Well, why are we just sitting here then? If she’s coming out that way, we should grab her before they take her.”

“The plan is to follow them. That way the cops can nab all the participants in this ring.”

“What?” I shriek. “So, we’re going to take a chance on letting her get kidnapped? She’s fucking bait? You guys are out of your minds!”

Dalton’s gaze meets mine. “It’s either that or your woman keeps running, man. Her ex is in the slammer, but the others are running free. Even when they get all their money back, they’re still going to keep coming after her, because of her knowledge. She’s always going to have to run, Cooper. This is the only answer.”

The back door opens before I can respond, and I see her for a split second, as they toss her into the back of the minivan. Dalton hovers his way out of the parking spot, keeping an even pace, I’m guessing so they don’t see him. With a huge Escalade, I don’t see how that’s possible, but the van, nonetheless, takes off at an even clip, it doesn’t peel out, like if they suddenly realized that they were being watched.

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