Read Dead Red for Free Online

approach.”
    “A lot of them are overtaking foreign countries, I bet.”
    I laughed. “I doubt it, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if he subscribed to Soldier of Fortune .”
    We both turned at the sound of the deck door sliding open and closed. As Jack put his phone away and took out his car keys, he looked like someone had just told him he was adopted.
    “Everything okay?”
    “Yeah,” he said. “I guess. I am fucking tired.” He stood, frozen in place for about fifteen seconds before speaking again. “That was my friend over at the nine-oh. The one who called me last night?”
    “Yeah?”
    “He told me there was another taxi cab–related shooting last night. Over in Long Island City. Right over the bridge.”
    I gave that some thought. “Cops think they’re connected?”
    “They do now.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Both cabs are licensed by the same company, part of a mini-fleet corporation. Six cabs. They drive some themselves, lease some of them out, and hire drivers—like Ricky T—to pick up shifts. Ricky’s cousin is a partner in the cab company.”
    I let that sink in. “What happened to the driver?”
    “He’s in ICU. Took one in the shoulder, but he’s expected to pull through.”
    “How was it done?’
    “Same as Ricky. Automatic weapon, shooter in motion, cab shot to shit.”
    “Fuck,” I said.
    Before I could add to that deep thought, Rachel asked, “So, what does that mean? Somebody’s shooting up cabs owned by Ricky’s cousin?”
    “That’s what it looks like,” Jack said.
    “So, Ricky,” I added, “may not have been the target after all. The cops’ job just got a whole lot harder.”
    “Yeah,” Jack said just above a whisper. “That it did.” He spun his keys around like a cowboy playing with his gun. “I gotta go. Make some calls.”
    “You okay to drive?” Rachel asked, unable to resist taking one more shot.
    “Yeah. I think I can make it.” He looked down at me. “You think you can maybe keep the Golden family out of your statement, Ray? Ricky was kinda working that one under the table, and I don’t need that kind of attention right now.”
    “What kind of attention is that?” I asked.
    “The kind that makes it tough for a small businessman such as myself to keep conducting business.” Jack ran his hand over his crew cut. “I don’t wanna say you owe me one, but…”
    “I’ll tell him only that Ricky was in touch with you.” I got out of the chair slowly and tried hard not to make any old-man noises. “Someone’s gonna get around to questioning you, Jack. Tell ’em what you think they need to know.”
    Jack nodded. “I appreciate that, Ray.” He offered his hand and I took it. I think that might have been the first time we’d ever done that. “What’d you say before? You got two more weeks until school starts?”
    “Yeah. I go back the day after Labor Day. Why?”
    “Just thinking, is all. I got kinda used to having an extra body around. You know, doing those inspections for me, the interviews.”
    It took me about fifteen seconds to catch on. I squinted at Jack. “And you’re thinking I might be a candidate for the job?”
    “I know. I can’t believe I’m thinking about this, but you’re a hard-ass for detail and know your way around paperwork. You still got your piece?”
    I nodded. “Yeah.”
    “Licensed?”
    “I renew it every year.”
    “Good. You never know. You got my card. Ya start getting bored, think you could use three hundred— cash —for half a day’s work, gimme a call.”
    “Jack, I appreciate what you did for me and all, but you and I? We’ve kind of proved that we don’t work well with each other.”
    “That’s the beauty of it, Ray. We don’t barely gotta see each other. You got a computer and a printer, right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I’ll send you a PDF of the inspection report. You fill them out and fax them to my office. I’ll send them off to the insurance companies. Whatta ya say, Ray? Put some extra