Page 65 of In Too Deep

There was no reply so he climbed back into the car. The driver pulled away and headed for the cave’s metal door. Kane saw the van that was full of their loot, still parked where he had left it. And next to it, another van. One he had never seen before.

The driver pulled up next to the new van and switched off his engine. The second car pulled in next to him. Kane got out. He checked the new van’s cab and saw its keys were in the ignition. Then he heard a voice. A man’s. Kane didn’t recognize it. It was coming from the back of the vehicle. It was calling for help.

Kane took the keys and unlocked the rear doors. He saw the soles of five pairs of shoes. He recognized three of the bodies they belonged to. He pulled Paris out. And then Vidic.

Kane said, “What the hell is going on here?”

Vidic looked at Paris, then said, “To make a long story short, those two guys captured Bowery. They forced him to tell them about this place, then showed up here to rob it.”

Kane crossed his arms and said, “Then who stopped them? Not you, since you were locked up, too. How did you get here?”

“Reacher jumped us in the middle of the job. He realized Paris was missing. Forced me to show him where she was.”

“He took my truck.”

Vidic nodded. “He was with a woman. She had a silver Toyota. He figured that if Paris saw a strange vehicle approach, she would be suspicious.”

“So why not take your Jeep?”

“It was Reacher’s call. He wanted your truck for some reason.”

“How did it get wrecked and shot up?”

“Reacher got into it with these new guys. They ran. Took the truck. Reacher stopped them.”

Kane turned to the driver of the car he’d been riding in. “Got a knife?”

The driver handed him a switchblade. Kane popped it open and cut the ties from Vidic’s wrists and ankles. He said, “Start walking.” Then he turned to Paris.

Vidic said, “Walk? Why? There’s plenty of space in your cars.”

“Better get going. The FBI will be here soon.”

“You’re leaving us here?”

Kane turned his back.

Vidic said, “Wait. What if I tell you I can make you a very rich man?”

Kane said, “I’m giving the stuff in the van to my boys here.”

“I’m not talking about the van.”

“Oh. You’re thinking about the two million in the safe.”

Vidic didn’t reply.

“You look surprised. Yes, I know about it. And yes, I know how to get it. Everything I need is in my truck.”

Vidic said, “No. Not the cash in the safe. That’s pocket change compared to what I’m talking about.”

“I’m not keeping you around so you can waste my time on some dumb pipe dream.”

“This is no dream. It’s reality. It’s something Paris and I have been working on for a while. It’s already up and running. And it’s set to bear fruit very soon. We’ll cut you in if you help us now. And I’m not exaggerating. It will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.”

“Are you sure? My dreams are pretty wild.”

“I’m sure.”

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