Teddy Fay and Stone Barrington picked up Peter’s jet at the airport. The pilot helped them roll it out of the hangar.
“Those men haven’t been back, Mr. Worthing,” the pilot said.
“I doubt if they will,” Teddy said. “I think you scared them off.”
“Mr. Worthing?” Stone grinned as they climbed into the cockpit.
“I didn’t want to put it in Peter’s name, and I wasn’t going to put it in mine.”
“No kidding.”
Teddy took off and flew to Teterboro, where they swapped the Cessna for Stone’s Citation. Stone flew and Teddy caught the first good sleep he’d had in a long time.
Mike Freeman was waiting when they set down in Santa Monica.
“Nice ride,” Mike said. “I see you traded up.”
“It’s mine,” Stone said.
“No kidding. I told you I could handle this.”
“I’m sure you can,” Teddy said. “But I take it personally when someone tries to kill my wife.”
“I understand. I didn’t think you had the time.”
“It helps to have a private jet,” Teddy said. “Don’t take this as a knock on your competence, Mike. I just need to do things you wouldn’t do.”
“You’re going to kill Gigante?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Hell, no.”
“Where is he?”
Mike pulled out his cell phone. “Let me check.”
Teddy’s face darkened. “You haven’t lost him?”
“Don’t be silly. I’m checking his exact location as of now.” Mike punched in a number. “Yeah? . . . Still there? . . . Same situation? . . . Fine.” He hung up. “He’s at the Palm Palace, a nightclub outside L.A. He’s in the company of a ‘young lady,’ and I’m getting that in quotes, so she might be hired. He’s also in the company of a couple of goons.”
“Not the ones who broke in?”
“Not a chance. They gave Gigante up, they’re persona non grata. They’re lucky they’re not floating in the bay.”
“How far is it?”
“Half hour to forty-five minutes, depending on traffic. Do you want backup?”
“No. I’m going in alone.”
“You’re the boss.”
Teddy pointed at Stone. “He’s the boss. I’m the fussy client.”
The car Mike provided was a black Chevy sedan. Teddy popped the trunk and slung his bag of equipment in. He opened it up, pushed aside the sniper’s rifle, and selected the handgun with the silencer he’d designed himself. Teddy unscrewed the silencer from the gun, slipped them into his jacket pockets.
“What’s the address of the nightclub?”
“It’s already in the GPS.”
“How do I switch it on?”
“Just start the engine.”
Teddy got in and started the car. The screen on the dashboard lit up with the destination.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?” Mike said.
“To keep me out of trouble? Wouldn’t work, and then you’d be in trouble. No, hang out with Stone. Catch up on old times. Where does Peter think you are?”
Mike Freeman smiled. “He never knows I’m there, he won’t know I’m gone.”
“Perfect. See you soon.”
Teddy pulled out and sped away.