The Golden Years

No More Nice Guys

The door opened and he was greeted with a mix of surprise and relief. She took note of his carry-on as she stepped back, letting him inside.

"Your watcher is still out there I see. That grey car down the street."

"Yes. I've seen him getting out to stretch occasionally." She wrapped her arms about her and followed him to the living room. "What happened with your red herring? When I didn't hear . . ."

"Two of your friends showed up, and then two State Police officers appeared as well and took us all into custody."

"But you're here?"

"I was just a responsible citizen doing the right thing."

Her nose crinkled. "They bought that."

"Well, there was little more to it but yeah, they bought it."

"What about the box?"

He chuckled. "They took that too. I don't imagine any of them will see the humour. I had to tell them about the notebook - apparently that bit of news helped my case considerably." He looked at her. "Are you okay?"

"I am now." She blushed beautifully and hid it with an offer of something to drink.

Eddie accepted and moved to the window, checking on the car. "My concern now is what will happen when they learn about the arrest."

"Do you think they'll try something?" She handed him his drink and took a swig of her own.

"Depends. They won't know what the box contained, and I don't think their hooks are into the State Police, so there might be a move for damage control, or they may choose to wait and see what happens. In any case, they know we know what was in the box, and that remains a threat no matter what."

"What can we do?"

"For the moment? Watch some TV. Listen to music, or just enjoy our drinks and the company."

Riley juggled the implications, realizing with less surprise than she might have imagined, that she felt quite comfortable with Eddie, and the age difference didn't seem to matter at all.

"I assume the carry-on means you came with an intention of staying."

"I think, under the circumstances, it would be a good idea. I feel somewhat responsible since I stuck my nose in. Are you okay with that? This sofa looks just fine."

She set her drink down and went to him, wrapping her arms around his back and hugging him tight. "I'm fine with it, Eddie."

******

"It looks like we underestimated the cop." Gail sat, legs crossed, on the spacious couch in Ashby's office.

"More like we overestimated our help. Bloody incompetents. If he calls again I'm toast. We're all toast. Jesus, if I could just get that notebook."

"Doesn't he have any pull with the State Police?"

"You want to ask him that?" He grimaced and shook his head. "The only road left is the Nursewood woman. She might have kept it, and just left whatever else was in the box." He slapped his hands on his thighs. "Where the hell is Levit?"

Gail saw what was coming, and she moved closer to Ashby, one arm draped across his shoulders, the other hand toying with his.

"Gil can't handle Banks alone. And he might do something really foolish if you let him try. Let him keep watch on the house, meanwhile you can get a few more of the boys to brace Banks." Her vindictiveness evident.

"And where the hell is he? Get Levit on the phone."

Levit's report just made him seethe. He glared at Gail and swore a streak, repeating what his man had said.

"He's staying there!" Her mouth formed a circle.

"You shoulda made that move a long time ago. Now we're stuck with watching and waiting."

The phone rang, and the air seemed to leave the room. Ashby looked to Gail.

"You get it."

"What if it's him?"

"I'm not here - put him off. Stall him."

"What can I say?" Her nerves were twanging.

"Just get it!"

She wet her lips and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Where's Ashby?"

"He's not here, can I- can I take a message?"

"Who are you?"

"Uhm- Gail. Gail Amitov."

"Ah, yes. The hotel."

"Yes . . ."

The phone clicked off.

"He hung up!"

"What did he say?" Ashby dabbed a handkerchief against his damp forehead.

"He just wanted to know who I was. Oh, hell, Gavin, what should I do?"

"No more messing around. Call Gil back and tell him to gather a few more men. We're going after Nursewood and the cop."

******

The mobilization of personnel set phones ringing all over town. Bed covers were thrown back in a few homes, as pyjamaed listeners saw the lifeboats pulling away. In others, bags were hastily packed. Home safes looted for contents, and in some cases, wives or girlfriends left behind, puzzling.

The sound of cars alerted him, and Eddie stood and peeked out the window.

"I think our friends are making their move."

Riley came and stood beside him, her hands clutching his arm nervously.

"There are so many. What--"

"Get on the phone and call the State Police. Ask for officer Price, or Garcia."

He went to his carry-on and dug out the Walther. Riley's eyes grew, but she did as asked.

He saw her expression and told her the police allowed him to keep it. They really weren't keen, but he had all his papers and his protests weren't worth the aggravation. "Tell them it's an emergency, your life is in danger. They know all about this, and who you are. Don't mention me." He went back to the window and checked, then ran around the house locking all windows and doors.

"Should I call some neighbours? They could call the police and it wouldn't get back to us."

"Not a bad idea. Ask them to turn on their porch lights too." He kept his eye on the street and saw that there were about five, spreading out and surrounding the house.

"I don't suppose you have a gun in the house." He asked.

She shook her head, listening for an answer on the phone. "Nothing. Both houses on either side aren't answering. I don't have numbers for any others."

"I want you in the bathroom. Lock the door and stay down."

"What are you going to do? I won't leave you out here alone."

Eddie left the window and came to her, taking her arm. "Just do as I ask. I'll be better alone not worrying about you." He switched off the lights.

"But there's too many!"

"Riley, I'm a trained police detective. I've had situations similar to this before, so please, get into the bathroom."

The sound of splintering wood startled them both, and the back door of the house banged open.