Page 112 of Bad Medicine
“Alright,” he said, leaning back in the chair, eyes on the casino across the street. “Let’s wait.”
Together we sat in silence again, watching the busy street as people moved in and out of the building, some with suitcases, others with backpacks, but none of them stuck around long, meaning none of them were potential victims.
It was less than an hour before the bright blue bus pulled up to the front door of the casino, the faded sign across the top reading ‘Death Valley Tours.’ Amber had been right; it was a party bus. The interior of the bus looked more like a rave, with flashing lights and dancing people silhouetted in the tinted windows.
When the door to the casino opened and a young woman came out, both Sway and I leaned forward, straining to get a better look at her from our spot across the street.
She was young, maybe a little older than Sway, but thin, her body looking frail under her oversized jacket. When she approached the bus, the door slid open, the driver leaning over to say something to her before she nodded, holding out her phone, which the driver inspected. He musta been happy with whatever he saw there, because he nodded, indicating that she should climb aboard.
The woman hesitated, looking around for something or someone, before she finally ducked her head and got on the bus, moving all the way to the back and taking a seat as the driver closed the door and headed out.
“That’s it?” Sway asked, his voice filled with anticipation. “That’s the bus we’ve been waiting for?”
“That appears to be the one,” I said, marveling at how our intel had once again led us to the right location. “Buckle up.”
Starting the car, I headed out, sliding into traffic behind the rattly bus and keeping my distance.
While I drove, I called Trick.
“Yo,” he answered, his tone bored. “You got something?”
The other guys had all been assigned other locations, all of us spread out and watching the most likely spots for the Death Bus to show up and collect its hapless cargo.
“Looks like I do,” I answered. “You guys each owe me fifty bucks.”
“That’s bullshit, Rock,” Trick griped. “How in the hell did you manage to pick the right location? It literally could have been any hotel in the damn city.”
“Just fuckin’ lucky,” I said, although it had been anything but. I knew the types of people that were most likely to be trafficked were down-on-their-luck people who were probably not going to be missed. The guys had all picked major locations on the strip, thinking the amount of people going in and out would up their chances, but I knew downtown would be the place they would absolutely hit. Between Sway’s info and the completely different demographic in the area, there was no doubt in my mind where that bus would show up.
“Now, get your asses moving. We’re probably gonna be heading for Death Valley via Blue Diamond Road, but they’ll have to get on the interstate first, ‘cause it’s the fastest way outta town. I’ll keep you posted and you can intercept when you catch up.”
“You still think they’re actually going to Death Valley?” Trick questioned.
“If not there, then close. The exchange from party bus to unmarked cargo container won’t happen in the open, so somewhere along that empty stretch of highway is our best bet.”
“Alright,” Trick replied. “I see it.”
I watched as Trick’s nondescript beige sedan pulled into traffic ahead of me, and I eased back, turning off LVB and heading back toward Sway’s house.
“Wait,” Sway started when I’d hung up with Trick. “We’re not gonna follow them?”
“No, we were just recon today. The rest will be up to Trick.”
“What about that girl? And all the other people on the bus? You can’t just leave them.” I liked that he cared, truly. But I had learned a long time ago that you couldn’t help everyone.
Even if you wanted to.
In this case, however, I could reassure him.
“The guys will be grabbing them all as soon as the bus leaves the city.” I grinned at him. “You can’t really accomplish a carjacking in the center of the Strip and expect to get away with it.”
“A carjacking?” Sway cried, running his hands over his face in frustration. “They’re gonna jack the bus? Damn. How come I can’t be there for that part?”
“Don’t worry.” I laughed, shaking my head. “There will be plenty more adventures for you to partake in, grasshopper. For now, how about we swing by your place and then hit the mall? I have a few more gifts to grab before Christmas, and I’m sure you’d like to get something nice for Francesca and the baby, right?”
Sway gave me a sheepish look, like he’d not really considered buying a gift before, and then nodded.
“Yeah, alright,” he said. “But next time, I want to be there for the good stuff, okay?”
