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father sent
me here. That's his money I just gave you. He wants to make sure you're
safe."
    "He
can go to hell! And you with him. Now get out of here."
    "At
least let me take you to the bus station."
    "Get
out!" Her voice rose to shouting pitch. I didn't want to attract any
attention from neighbors or, God forbid, anyone else who might be in the house.
    I left.
As soon as I got in my car, I punched up Patty's number on my cell. She
answered on the first ring.
    "Patty,
this's Jack. Listen, I just saw Emily. I gave her the money … yeah, she's all right.
For now, anyway … yeah, but look, she's going to be taking a bus out of town
and she won't let me take her to the terminal. I didn't want to force her, so I
need you to call and tell her you'll take her. Then get over here right
away."
    Five
minutes later, Patty called me back.
    "Jack,
Sonny was right there when you called. I think he suspects something about
Emily."
    "Where
are you now?"
    "I
just left his office. I'm on my way there. But Jack …"
    "What
is it, honey?"
    "I'm
worried. I think he might follow me. Or he might send Bobby and Clyde."
    "Who?"
    "Bobby
and Clyde. These two guys he's got working for him. They kind of look alike.
They both have blond hair."
    I
remembered them from Beck's booth at the Golden Nugget sports book.
"Listen, Patty. Just get here as quick as you can. Emily needs you to take
her to the bus station right away. I'll be parked out front. And Patty."
    "What."
    "Bring
that videotape and let me keep it. It'll be safe. Out of your hands."
    "It'll
take me an extra fifteen minutes or so to swing by and get it."
    "Just
do it. I'll be here."

 
    ≈≈≈

 
    Patty pulled up inside of forty minutes. Traffic around downtown
must've been exceptionally light.
    She
parked in the driveway, leaving the engine running, and I approached her on
foot. We walked together to the back door. On the way, she slipped me the
videotape. Damn thing was the size of a matchbook. I remembered now, I'd used a
MicroMV camera on a couple of stakeouts during my PI days back in LA, but I'd
forgotten the tapes were so tiny.
    "She's
still inside," I said. "But you've got to get her to the bus station
right now. I'll follow in my car."
    Emily
opened the door, allowing Patty inside, but not me. In a minute or two, they came
out. Emily, carrying a duffel bag, wore the UNLV hoodie pulled up over her
head.
    As we
went around to the driveway, a black Chrysler suddenly whipped into it,
blocking Patty's exit. Two men jumped out, both young and with blond hair. They
rushed Emily. One of them grabbed her, the other shoved Patty out of the way.
As I swung him around, he caught me with a left to the jaw, sending me down.
    The other
one pushed Emily toward him, shouting, "Clyde! Take her!" He reached
inside his windbreaker as I scrambled to my feet. Ducking behind Patty's car, I
knew the shooting was about to start.
    I pulled
my .357 out faster than I thought I could, and came up firing. Bobby was lucky
to get one shot off, which ricocheted off the side view mirror, while I put
three rounds in his chest. Clyde had thrown Emily to the ground, reaching for
his own piece in his waistband rig. By the time he got it out, he took two of
my bullets, one in the stomach, one in the head. I gave his head a solid kick
as I passed by him, but he was beyond feeling it.
    The girls
were hysterical. I hustled them into Patty's car, but I had to slap Patty a
time or two to get her in shape to drive. I quickly scanned the street. No
people, no cars. But it wouldn't be that way for long.
    "Pull
your car around theirs and over the curb! When you get to the bus station, park
in the lot across the street. I'll meet you there. Do it! Now! "
    I ran to
my car and pulled away, while shoving a fresh clip into my weapon. I didn't
turn my lights on for two blocks.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8

 
    THE drive to the
bus terminal took a little longer than it should have because of a wreck on
Main and Washington. It