A voice from the rear wall responded, "Here."
"If you will hold this lighter to provide a little light, I'll see if I can get us out of here."
Dr. Barker inched forward with his arms extended. Mick found his wrist and placed the Zippo against his fingers. Brad opened the lighter and struck its flame. The small, flickering light seemed brilliant. The detective studied the backside of the solid door, focusing on its three hinges. Mick took one of the thick wooden hangers, which were each equipped with a strong, metal hook. Loneshark's sinewy fingers strained to straighten the stiff curved metal. Using the end of his improvised tool, the detective pushed upward on the bottom of the top hinges' pin until enough of the shaft was extended above the hinge to secure a firm grip. Loneshark pulled and twisted. The pin finally pulled out of the hinge. Mick took a moment to shake the cramp out of his indented fingers before tackling the second hinge and then the third. Loneshark shoved the unattached edge of the door outward. A blinding shaft of outside light penetrated their chamber. Brad snapped the lighter shut. Still struggling to wiggle the door loose on its locked side, Mick panted, "Drop it in my coat pocket, please, Doctor."
"Sure," Brad uttered with relief. "It was getting hot."
"Yes, I can feel the heat through my pocket." The door popped completely free from its frame. Loneshark lifted the heavy, mahogany slab and leaned it against the adjacent wall. He quickly turned to help King to his feet. Mick steadied Mr. Midas as King stumbled back to rest upon his throne. The three men silently stared around the suite and out the windows. The openness of the expanse was a particularly comforting view for King.
Brad was the first to revive from the reverie. "Should I call security?"
"No!" The order came not from Midas but Mick.
"What do you suggest, Mr. Loneshark?" King asked meekly.
"Will you give me a free hand to resolve this case?"
"I will."
"The anniversary is in nine days – "
"Ten days," Barker interrupted.
"Your anniversary is in ten days, Doctor. The anniversary of Cale's death is in nine. I think I know where the bereaved father will be on that day."
"You want to be the one to take him?" King asked.
"No, sir, I want to act as guide for the man who not only has the legal jurisdiction to apprehend Mr. Indigence but deserves credit for the arrest, a FBI agent named Tyro Newbee.
"Very well, Mr. Loneshark, I'll send you back to Denver in my Gulfstream and then have you shuttled to Pinewhittle in a chartered helicopter."
