Page 56 of Be Courageous

CHAPTER12

Only a handful of people had gathered for Stasky’s funeral. Apart from Tony and Monty, a cadre of Marines, resplendent in their dress uniforms, had appeared to bestow military honors on the veteran. The only civilians were a doleful-looking middle-aged man who’d told Monty he was Stasky’s roommate, a woman around forty who also claimed to have been a friend but might have been a love interest for how miserable she looked, and an older woman who claimed to be his landlady.

A bearded bagpiper, dressed in a kilt that left his bare knees ruddy in the cold, kicked off the service by filling the late-morning stillness with a heartfelt rendition of “Danny Boy.” Behind him, a chilly gust tore the last golden leaf from a nearby maple tree. Tony watched it spiral though the air before settling atop the flag-draped coffin, as if Mother Nature wished to pay tribute to the fallen warrior.

Tony noted the others’ expressions as thoughts bounced like ping-pong balls through his brain. Did anyone else wonder why a man of Polish descent was being buried in a Lutheran cemetery to the strains of “Danny Boy”?

His alert senses registered everything: the smell of pastries wafting from a nearby bakery, the warmth of the sun dispelling the sharp edge to the late-autumn air, the fact that Katz was nowhere to be seen. That didn’t mean he wasn’t here, necessarily. After all, Ben, who was acting as their scout, was here, but no one could seehim.

Katz was going to show, Tony assured himself. According to Monty and Ben, who’d arrived later than planned, Katz was right behind them when they’d left Harrisburg. Monty had followed Katz from his residence at eight that morning when he’d driven straight to his office, allegedly to collect Ruby. Both Monty and Ben and seen her in the back seat of Katz’s Genesis G90 when they’d driven past it. As Katz had been heading toward Highway 76, pointed toward Philadelphia, they’d assumed he would show up right behind them.

Only he still wasn’t here.

Doubts assailed Tony. What if Katz had driven to the airport with Ruby and put her on his private jet? He could be flying her to Mexico right then. The thought made his knees wobble. He locked them, gripping his cell phone tighter. Ben would text him the minute Katz showed up.

The bagpiper fell quiet, and the Lutheran pastor addressed the small gathering. Tony barely heard the man’s words. With his stomach in knots, his thoughts still racing, he checked his phone. Still nothing. Lifting his gaze, he searched for the family crypt and the large bush between which Ben was tucked, invisible to the eye but with a clear view of the parking lot.

Tony persevered, rocked by the beat of his heart. What if Katz wasn’t coming?

“Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.”

The pastor’s sermon ended. As one of the Marine’s lifted his trumpet to belt out “Taps,” the rest of the Marines stepped forward, lifted the flag off the coffin, and proceeded to fold it, meticulously tight, into the shape of a tricorn hat, like those worn in the American Revolution.

Following Monty’s cue, Tony released the catch on his Trident pin with clumsy fingers. They both approached the casket, atop of which Monty pounded his pin, Tony right behind him.

Anxiety roiled in him. What did it mean that Katz wasn’t here?

The Marines were now taking up their rifles.

Boom.Tony had to steel himself to keep from startling at the three-volley salute.Boom. Boom.

The phone in his hand finally vibrated. Relief clobbered him, leaving him light-headed. He elbowed Monty, holding out his phone so the CO could see Ben’s message.Katz is here.

Instead of the high-powered Vortex Optic scope Ben usually carried into battle, the sniper was hunkered behind the viewing end of a military-issue, long-range camera. He would film the impending exchange, which Monty would share with the FBI, along with his testimony, after they returned to Virginia.

The Marines were presenting the flag to Stasky’s female friend, one of them intoning, “It is my high privilege to present you this flag, ma’am. Let it be a symbol of the grateful appreciation this nation feels for the distinguished service rendered to our country and our flag by your loved one.”

The priest swept a compassionate eye over the small assembly. “Thank you all for coming. If you wish to remain here and pay your respects to the departed, the coffin will not be lowered until sunset.”

Monty met Tony’s gaze as he pivoted toward the parking lot. Following right at Monty’s heels, Tony’s searched for and identified the elegant black Genesis G90 parked alone on the far side of the cemetery. Even from a distance, he recognized Katz from Ruby’s interview. The man was built like Monty, tall and imposing but with wide cheekbones that gave him a brutish look.

No sign of Ruby. Would Katz try to pull a fast one?

Tony wiped his damp palms on his thighs while missing the reassuring presence of his sidearm. But open carry was forbidden in Philly, and he wasn’t in combat, even if it felt like it. After all, things could still go wrong, affecting the outcome of his life, dictating his destiny, threatening his identity as Ruby’s husband.

With measured steps, they neared the luxury, full-sized sedan. The lieutenant governor lounged against it, remarking their approach while striving to look relaxed. But his gaze was locked on the box tucked under Monty’s arm like he couldn’t wait to get his hands on it. As they paused in front of him, he pushed off the car.

“We meet again, Monty.” His voice dripped with disdain. “I always knew one of you would go back on your word.”

Monty ignored the taunt. “Where is she?”

Katz tipped his head toward his Genesis. “In the back seat. Is that the book?”

Tony tried peering through the car’s tinted windows, but they were utterly opaque.

“It is.”

Katz held out a hand. “Hand it to me. Then you can take what you came for. And just so you know, if you plan to screw me over in the end, I’ll take you down with me.”

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