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She turned to me. Tell her what?
Her seafood charter just robbed the bank and shot it up and are headed for the airport. They are very, very dangerous. They will be there in six or seven minutes. Run or hide. Do not repeat not let them find you.
She quoted me just about verbatim and hung up. Noticing she was shivering, I turned on the heater. I was sweating. Now call Nacho, give her the scoop and ask for backup. I ve only got six shots left. She made the
call, put the phone back and pulled out a packet of tissues I keep in the compartment.
It was then I noticed her pants leg was bloody. Darling, you re hurt! She was busy trying to staunch the blood and not having much luck. Are you shot?
No. Just a cut from the glass. I m okay. Thanks to you, angel, although I doubt Choate Ellis will be calling you angel when he sees his prized window. We both laughed and she leaned her head against my shoulder for
a moment and I felt wonderful.
As we turned into the airport I saw the big gray Chrysler stopped near the plane, already out on the ramp, motors idling. Frank and the getaway driver were visible in the cockpit. Nice Guy tossed the last bag into the
cabin, climbed aboard, helped Fatso up the short ladder and closed the door. There was no sign of Cassie or Rho. Hopefully they had gotten away.
The men began to taxi toward the end of the runway to make their takeoff run into the wind. The only hope of stopping them would be to take my car out into the middle of the runway and block their takeoff. And I was not
about to get us shot or sent airborne in a fireball.
Well, it looks like they re getting away. I didn t see Cassie or Rho in the plane, did you? Cindy asked.
No. I hope they re far away.
The plane turned toward us and began to accelerate. It seemed slightly off kilter to me, and the engines sounded unsynchronized. I started to laugh. Then I saw a piece of metal drop down from the wheel well and
scrape along the runway. I began to laugh hard.
Cindy took my hand and gave me a concerned look. Alex?
It s okay, honey, I haven t freaked. They ve got the wrong plane! Somehow Rho and Cassie got the propeller put back on and these idiots took the plane that can t fly! Just look at that right wheel.
As if on command, the right wheel crumpled, the right wing dropped several inches and the plane veered to the right, crossways on the runway. That move took care of the right propeller. It flew off, continued to turn in
the air for a few yards and settled gently in the grass beside the runway.
The plane stopped just in time for four police cars to scream around us and surround it. The officers jumped out, crouching behind the doors. I hoped Nacho had remembered to mention the Uzi.
Sonny was immediately on the bullhorn. Turn off your engines and throw your weapons out the door. Then come out slowly and lie down on the ground. I ve got a SWAT team here and I d love for them to get some
practice.
There was a moment when it seemed nothing was going to happen. Then the remaining propeller slowed and stopped, and there was silence. Then the plane door opened and the ladder went down. The getaway
driver appeared in the door and tossed out the Uzi plus three pistols. He came down the ladder and lay down. Nice Guy came out next. At the bottom of the ladder he raised his hands and called I ve got to help this guy,
he s hurt. Give me a minute.
Everyone tensed, but nothing happened except that Fatso half fell down the steps and had trouble getting down on the ground. I wondered what was wrong. Frank was the last man out, still cradling his hand.
Sonny looked at him curiously. Which security man got you in the gun hand? That takes some shooting.
Neither, Frank answered. One of them spent the whole time lying curled up like a scared kid. The older one said we oughta surrender to him before someone got hurt and Earl shot him dead, I guess. He pointed at
Nice Guy.
Yeah, I nodded, he looked like an Earl.
So who got you?
The woman over there. He pointed at me. I dropped my gun, and she and the other one ran away. He indicated Cindy.
Sonny looked at me, turned beet red and hissed, How many damn times have I told you not to try a fancy shot when it matters? What if you had missed? He could have shot back. You could have hit a bystander. You
could be dead. How would I have told Mom?
Shut up! I hissed back. You re babbling. If you must know, I was aiming for the middle of his back. And you needn t tell that to the world!
Jesus Christ, Alex& Before we could add to this enlightening conversation, Rho and Cassie burst out the side door of the hangar and came running toward us, Cassie calling, Thank God you re here! Is everyone all
right?
Pretty much so, I answered. Hugs went around. And I finally got to ask, How on earth did you rig it so they got the wrong plane?
She and Rho both laughed. The wheel was already on, like I told you, Rho explained. Between the two of us we managed to put the old propeller back on the engine it wasn t even fastened. I can t believe it lasted
as long as it did.
Cassie added, We pushed the plane out onto the tarmac, and left the keys in it. We closed and locked the hangar. It seemed probable they d be in a hurry and not look at details& just start her up and run for it. And
that s what they did. Then we locked ourselves in the office, and peeked through the blinds.
Sonny shook his head admiringly. Sometimes I wonder where women get their ideas. Men would still be shooting it out. Hatcher! Come and drive our two wounded heroes down to the clinic.
I m not hurt, I announced. But I was, I realized, shivering in the warm sun. And for the first time, I noticed my left sleeve was bloody. Now what the hell was that?
Take them in her car, Sonny ordered. Then call for a pick-up at her house.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
So once again I sat in Dr. Gloetzner s office at the end of a totally draining day. Only this time Cindy was with me. The cut on her knee looked nasty and had taken two stitches, and she still looked a little pale. Any
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