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said.
    “Wait a minute. If you can get up sixty grand this easy. Why not a hundred twenty? The price just doubled for his release.”
    “But that’s all he owes you.”
    “Plus interest.”
    “How about you take the money you’re owed and no one gets hurt?” Scar replied.
    “Tiny. Detain our guests.”
    Scar pulled her gun out. “Not one more step. You got your money and the debt is settled. Now I’m going to give you the chance to walk out of here alive.”
    “It’s five on three. Bad odds for you.” Scruffy Tall Dude smirked.
    “I don’t know aboutthat. I’m feeling pretty optimistic,” Chris blurted out, in his toughest voice possible.
    “How about this?” Scar pulled a grenade out of her pocket with her free hand and stuck her finger in the loop holding the pin in place. “I detonate this party favor and we’ll all get a free trip to the morgue.”
    “What the hell!” Tiny moved back. “Are you crazy?”
    Chris glanced at Scar. He knewthat look. He’d have liked to pretend she was bluffing, but he’d spent enough time with her to know she wasn’t. He glanced over at Darwin, who looked like he was trying to decide whether to faint or cry.
    “My hand is getting tired,” Scar said.
    “Man, I’d do what she says.” Chris said.
    “OK. We’re cool.” Scruffy Tall Dude held his hands up. “Tiny, get those zip ties off our buddyDarwin.”
    “It was a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen. I hope I won’t have to pay you another visit.” Scar slipped the grenade back in her pocket and motioned for Chris and Darwin to head for the door.
    Outside, Scar continued to survey the area until Chris was able to get Darwin loaded into the SUV. As they drove away, his mind raced at the evening’s events while she seemeduntouched by it all. He played a tough guy in movies but this was her reality. He looked his friend over. He didn’t seem to be missing any appendages. Once they were back on the road and racing away, Darwin went nuts.
    “That was intense!” Darwin yelled and banged his hands on Chris’s headrest.
    “You’re welcome,” Chris replied.
    “I know. I know. You pulled my ass out of the firebuddy.” Darwin gave Scar a once-over. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    “I’m the woman you owe sixty grand.”
    “I thought my man Chris—”
    “Would what? Give money to random criminals for the release of his idiotic friend? That would be awesome for his image if someone found out.”
    “I didn’t think they’d recognize him.”
    “Really? Because the guy with the jean jacket had on ashirt that had the Movie Maniac logo on it.”
    “And?” Darwin gave her an incredulous look.
    “It’s a Web site that movie fanatics frequent. The hardcore people buy their merchandise. Hence identifying Chris within three minutes.”
    “Holy shit. You’re right,” Darwin said.
    Chris closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the headrest. She was right. The likelihood that this couldbecome public knowledge had never occurred to him. It all hinged on whether or not Jean Jacket would be dumb enough to post about his kidnapping run-in with Chris Cavanaugh.
    “But I doubt he’d make the correlation. Nice save with the Cage bit.” Scar nudged him. “You didn’t hesitate. It was totally believable. You’re a good wingman, Chris. Maybe I can use your services in the future. Minusthe gun.”
    “I’m pretty sure it was the adrenaline that got me through it. I’m crying on the inside.”
    “Still. You were grace under pressure. I’m proud of you. The next movie you’re in, I’ll go see it in the theater instead of downloading it illegally,” Scar replied.
    “Thanks. I think.” Chris turned to Darwin. “You don’t know how close you came tonight.”
    “I know.” Darwin nodded.
    Chris looked out the window and spotted the passing exit sign that led to Darwin’s house.
    “Scar, do you think they’ll take him this late?”
    “Yes. It’s shouldn’t be a problem.” She looked