We climbed back into Kate’s unmarked cruiser and together we headed for East Third and Lucky’s Diner.
“You think I should call for backup?” she asked.
“No, not until we at least know they’re there. We would want to look like a couple of fools, now would we?”
“Hah,” she said, “Finkle would love that… Listen to me, Harry. I know you better than you know yourself. I know what you’re thinking. You can’t do it.”
“Do what?” I asked, smiling.
“Kill James.”
“I hear ya, Kate,” I said, smiling inwardly. “That reminds me.” I reached inside my jacket for my trusty M&P9, checked the load, and returned it to its home.
Kate sighed and shook her head.
We arrived at the front entrance of Lucky’s at precisely three forty-eight that afternoon—I know because I happened to glance at the clock on her dash—to find the place deserted… except for two very large gentlemen—and I use that word loosely—seated together at the bar drinking coffee.
“Hi guys,” I said, loudly. “How’re they hangin’?”
“Oh shit!” I heard Kate whisper.
They both looked round over their shoulders. Watts leaped to his feet and over the counter and out through the kitchen. Kate ran around the end of the counter and went after him.
James sat still for a moment, staring at me. Then he smiled, stood, turned toward me, feet spread slightly, then he shrugged, twisted his head first one way then the other, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, bent slightly at the elbows. His coat was swept back to reveal what could only have been a .45 in a holster at his right hip.
Oh shit. What does he think this is, the OK Corral?
“Don’t do it, JoJo,” I said. “I’m faster than you. Geez, did I really say that?
He grinned at me. I watched his eyes and… there it was: his right eye twitched and his right hand moved. And so did mine, it swept up under my jacket, sweeping the gun from its holster and bringing it to bear in one silky swift move.
His gun had barely cleared leather when my bullet tore into his right shoulder, spinning him around, the heavy weapon falling from his hand. He staggered backward, staring at me, his eyes wide, looked down at his right hand and the blood dripping from it to the floor… and then he passed out.
So he really can’t stand the sight of his own blood.
“Watts has gone,” Kate said. “He ran out through the kitchen and out into the alley. He had a car. He was in and gone before I could stop him. How about you?” she asked, looking down at the unconscious JoJo James. “I told you not to kill him, Harry.”
“He’s not dead,” I said. “He passed out again. He’ll be okay. Better call for an ambulance though.”
She nodded, made the call, and we waited until the EMTs had loaded JoJo up.
“Now what?” Kate asked as we walked back to her unmarked cruiser.
“We’ve got to find the kid before they decide she’s no longer useful. I was hoping we could persuade one of them to tell us where she is but—”
I was interrupted by the ring tone of my iPhone. I checked the screen: “unknown number.” I was just about to decline the call when something stopped me. Reluctantly, I took the call. I hadn’t known him long, but I recognized his voice instantly.
“Oh, hey, Tim, it’s you. What do you have for me?”
I listened.
“Okay,” I said, then, “You’re kidding! Okay! Okay… Got it, and thanks, Tim. You done good, son. I’ll talk to you later.” I disconnected, looked at Kate and said, “Let’s go.”