Page 21 of Grave Peril

Rip didn’t wait to see if the driver of the gangster mobile was wise to the action. He grabbed Lela’s hand and hurried down the alley. Earlier, he’d spotted a two-story building with a busy parking lot, which meant there were a lot of people.

He raced to the entrance with Lela in tow, and the automatic doors opened. He weaved through the crowd and darted along corridors. It was some sort of gaming place, with shouting and loud clanging noises. All the racket and commotion was good, all the better to disappear into.

Lela kept pace as he made his way through the building. Several turns later, Rip found the back door and plowed into the metal bar to open it. He ran out to the street, then took Lela’s hand. “You okay?”

She nodded, so Rip took off running again. His destination wasn’t far, and it looked like he’d lost the gangsters. But they wouldn’t lag for long, and word would be out to watch for the runaways.

A couple of blocks over, Rip entered a parking garage. On the top floor, he found a jet-black Harley-Davidson Nightster—their transportation. He fished beneath the chrome pipe and found the tiny magnetic box with the key, as promised.

Lela’s eyes widened. She was still breathing hard. “You just happened to have a motorcycle handy?”

“It’s a loaner from a friend. I’ll explain later. Hop on.”

Lela yanked off the blond wig and tossed it into a nearby garbage can. She ran her fingers through her dark hair and readjusted the strap over her shoulder, so her bag rested against her chest. Then she got on.

Rip took his place in front of her and stuffed his small duffel bag between his thighs. He grabbed the two helmets hanging from the handlebars and handed one back to Lela.

“How did you know someone wouldn’t steal all this stuff before you got here?” Lela said.

“Good thing they didn’t, because it would have put a crimp in my escape plan. And I agreed to pay for any damage or lost items, so that would have been inconvenient.”

Rip revved up the engine, listening to it roar. Then he pulled out of the spot and headed down the ramp. With the headgear on, it was unlikely the gangsters would recognize them, even if they were around. But Rip wouldn’t relax until he was away from town and down the road.

*****

San Leon was a forty-minute trip. The tree-lined highway was windy, and the Harley glided around the curves. Rip enjoyed the drive, including having Lela’s arms around his waist.

At Dickinson, he cut over to Bay Shore Drive and cruised down the road, until Galveston Bay was in sight. Then he pulled off into the parking lot of a small café.

Lela got off first and removed her helmet. She shook out her hair and looked up at the bright blue sky, while Rip looked at her. “That was a thrill,” she said.

Rip didn’t know if she meant the chase by the gangsters, or the motorcycle ride. “There’s a friend’s place in San Leon where we can stay. I thought we’d get some food before we head over.”

The restaurant was homey. A few customers ate at the wooden tables. Rip snagged a booth at the back so he could keep an eye on the door. Lela sat across from him and gazed around at the interior. She fingered the checkered curtain on the window. “Cute place.”

A waitress in a pale blue uniform took their orders for Cokes and roast beef sandwiches with chips. Rip took stock of the place and scanned the parking lot. The Harley was outside the window where he could keep an eye on it.

When the drinks arrived, Lela took a sip. “So how did they find me?”

“You made the mistake of going back to your home turf, where you lived and worked.”

“But it’s a big city.”

“True, but the cartel is as handy at surveillance as any government agency…maybe better. Their limitless funds buy a lot of eyeballs.”

Lela frowned. “I was in disguise, though, wearing a blond wig. Even you said I looked different.”

“I was watching when you were spotted. The dude got a good look at you, facial recognition. The price on your head makes a guy look closely,” Rip said. “I’m sure downtown is crawling with gang members anxious to hand you over and get the reward.”

“I think he got lucky.”

Rip smiled. “That too. He probably chanced it, since you are the right height, weight, and general build, per the photos they had.”

“Yeah, well, I blew it. The guy walked up behind me and said my name, so I responded.”

“That’s natural.”

“But if I’d just walked on, he would have assumed I was someone else.” Lela leaned back, and the waitress slid the sandwiches on the table.

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