Page 19 of Now or Never

“And your stun gun in your other pocket?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you’re all set. And I’ll be right behind you in case things get ugly.”

“Things aren’t going to get ugly. This is going to be very civil. And I want you to stay here. I don’t want this to look like a takedown.”

“Okay, I’m on it,” Lula said. “You want me to keep the motor running in case you need to make a fast getaway?”

“No. I won’t need a fast getaway. I’m not delivering a bomb. I’m delivering a gift bag.”

I left the Firebird and walked into the building. The lobby was small and dated. The woman at the desk reminded me of Connie. I would bet money that she had a can of hair spray and a semiautomatic in her bottom drawer.

“I have a gift for Mr. Jug,” I said to the woman.

“You can leave it here and I’ll make sure he gets it,” she said.

“I’d prefer to deliver it in person.”

“He’s a very busy man,” she said. “Is he expecting you?”

“No, but I’m sure he’ll want to see me. I accidentally ripped his pajama top this morning, and I wanted to apologize.” I held the bag up. “I bought him some new pajamas.”

“There’s a story here,” she said. “Name?”

“Stephanie Plum.”

Her eyebrows raised ever so slightly. “You want to let me see what’s in the bag?”

I gave her the bag. “It isn’t a bomb.”

“Just checking,” she said, returning the bag to me. “Hey, Lou,” she yelled. “Stephanie Plum is here to see Mr. Jug.”

There were footsteps in the hall behind her and a very large man walked into the lobby. He was in his fifties with a fat roll stretching the fabric of his three-button knit shirt, hanging over the waist on his dress slacks. He was balding, and he had a face like a bulldog.

“Mr. Jug is a busy man,” Lou said.

“She’s got a present for him,” the woman said. “Pajamas.”

“You can give them to me,” Lou said. “I’ll make sure he gets them.”

“I’d rather give them to him myself,” I said. “It’s personal.”

Lou nodded at the desk woman, she made a phone call and nodded back at Lou.

“He’s gonna see you,” Lou said to me, “but he’s busy so make it quick.”

I followed Lou up a flight of stairs and down a short hall. Jug’s office door was open, and Jug was at his desk. Three men were in the office with him. One was standing next to Jug and the other two were seated on a large leather couch.

“This is Stephanie Plum,” Lou said to Jug. “She has a present for you.”

“I know who she is,” Jug said.

I handed him the gift bag. “Wear them in good health.”

Jug pulled the pajamas out of the bag and gave a bark of laughter. “Hah! Good one. But I still might kill you.”

I gave him my card. “Let me know when you want to reschedule your court date. I’ll give you a ride to the courthouse. If you kill me, you’ll have to drive yourself.”

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