I was sprinting on tiptoe before I even realized it, Glock clenched in my hand. Kane and Holt dashed alongside, our rapid footfalls muted by the carpet.
A few yards from the door Kane caught my arm, slowing me while Holt darted ahead to put his back to the wall beside the door, weapon at the ready. He jerked his thumb at himself, then toward the room.
I had barely returned a nod when he pivoted and lunged inside. Right behind him, my Glock traversed the empty room to freeze at the closed bathroom door.
Oh God, please don’t let Arnie’s lifeblood be draining away in the bathtub…
Holt checked around the bed in two fast steps, then dove back to take position beside the bathroom door. I did the same on the other side, placing my hand lightly on the door handle.
Holt gave a sharp nod.
Heart hammering, I yanked the handle and shoved the door open, leading with my gun and lunging sideways into a crouch to clear the way for Holt.
Hellhound spun from the toilet, already diving toward us in an attack despite the half-mast position of his pants.
We all pulled up short, yelping ‘Fuck!’ in three-part harmony.
“Christ, I didn’t need to see that,” Holt snapped, turning away from Hellhound’s dangling equipment. “Why did you leave the fucking door open?”
“I was takin’ a leak,” Hellhound explained somewhat redundantly as we all stowed our respective weapons and he zipped up. “I left the door open so I could move fast if I had to. Plus, I figured if anybody came pokin’ around in the hallway, they’d check out an open room first.”
Holt shook his head and went out, giving Kane a quiet ‘all clear’.
I slid my arms around Arnie and leaned into him, shaking from head to toe. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.” He chuckled. “But hell, the look on your face when ya came through that door? I damn near shit. Remind me never to piss ya off.” He pressed a whiskery kiss to my forehead. “Now that I don’t hafta worry about missin’ anythin’ in the hallway, d’ya mind steppin’ out so I can finish the job?”
“Oh. Sure.” I gave him one last squeeze, avoiding his bruised midsection. “Come to LaVonda’s room when you’re done. We have a Plan B.”
“’Kay.”
I left, closing the door behind me. “He’ll be with us in a minute,” I told Kane and Holt.
Holt gave a theatrical shudder. “God, I can’t believe you sleep with that.”
“Oh, did it make you feel inadequate?” I asked sweetly. “Don’t worry, I got an email just the other day that promised it could enlarge your-”
“Shut up.”
“I could forward it to you.”
“You could stick it up your ass and rotate.” Holt smirked. “Except you’d enjoy that.”
“Stop. You two give me a headache,” Kane interrupted with perfect timing. My tired brain was fresh out of smartass rejoinders.
By tacit agreement, we stood in the hallway to wait for Hellhound. When he joined us a few minutes later, he surveyed our faces. “What’s happenin’?”
“Do you know this guy?” Holt demanded, handing Hellhound his phone. “He’s going by the name of Ted Walker.”
Hellhound studied the grainy image for a moment. “Nope. Never seen him before.” He handed the phone back. “Was that all ya wanted?”
“No. We might be compromised,” Kane said. “We’re going to relocate LaVonda to a different hotel. Aydan and Holt will stay with her. You and I will stay here in case there’s any action.”
“Compromised? How?” Hellhound threw a sharp glance around the empty hallway.
“We don’t know for sure,” Kane cautioned. “But all three of us…” He indicated Holt and me with a nod. “…are feeling uneasy about that bright orange Home Depot van. It’s too easy to spot.”
“Good thinkin’.” Hellhound stepped over and tapped on LaVonda’s door. “It’s Arnie an’ the gang,” he called softly. “Can we come in?”
No reply.
Fear contorted his face for an instant before he controlled the expression. His next attempt was a sharp rap. “It’s Arnie,” he called a little louder. “Open up, okay?”
Still no answer.
My guts twisted. If something had happened to LaVonda in the few short moments he’d been in the bathroom, he’d never forgive himself.
He was raising his fist to knock again when Kane gripped his wrist and gave him a headshake. Pulling out a cardkey, Kane raised it and shot us a look.
Holt drew his gun. This time I chose the tranquilizer pistol, and Kane gave me an approving nod.
With my heart pounding painfully, I took my position beside the door.
Holt laid his hand on the handle and jerked his chin at Kane.
The cardkey zipped in and out.
The instant the light turned green Holt burst through the door and I followed. The lights flashed on courtesy of Kane or Hellhound; I didn’t see which.
LaVonda bolted up in bed with a shriek, clutching the covers to her. Princess bounded away and vanished into her carrier.
“What-what?” LaVonda babbled.
“Sorry,” Holt said, holstering his gun. “When you didn’t answer-”
“What?”
As I holstered my pistol with shaking hands, LaVonda pulled an earplug out of her ear and repeated, “What?”
“Sorry,” Holt said again. “We knocked on the door but you didn’t answer. We thought something was wrong.”
“Oh…” She made a helpless gesture somewhere between patting her chest and fanning her face. “Oh. Y-You… I… oh.” She hugged the covers, trembling.
Hellhound swung the door quietly shut behind us, and Kane took control of the situation. “We’re very sorry to disturb you, but we’ve decided to move you to a different hotel.”
“Wh-What? Why?”
“This one may be compromised.”
“B-But… you said we were safe here…” She glanced helplessly around the room as if expecting armed attackers to leap out of nowhere. Which, as far as she was concerned, they just had. Poor woman.
“We don’t think there’s any immediate threat,” Kane reassured her. “But we want to relocate you just in case.”
In a truly impressive display of control, LaVonda pulled herself together. “What threat do you think there might be?”
“We’re afraid Fitzgerald’s men might identify the Home Depot van we left in the parking lot.”
She frowned. “So move the van to a different hotel.”
“We thought of that,” Kane replied. “But if they’ve already spotted it, it would be too late. It’s better if we move you and let them think we’re still here.”
“What do you think they might do?” LaVonda glanced at the tightly-drawn draperies. “It’s a big hotel. They can’t figure out which rooms we’re in, can they?”
“Likely not,” Kane said. “I used a different name when I booked the rooms.”
“So what’s the worst they could do?” Lavonda asked. “If they’ve already spotted the van and they plan to ambush us when we leave, they’ll do that no matter when we go. If they haven’t spotted the van yet, then moving it solves the problem. I don’t see the point of leaving now.”
“The point is to get you to safety,” Kane said patiently.
“And I’ve just pointed out that either I’m already safe here, or else I’ll be attacked when I leave, no matter when that might be.” Her chin rose. “I’m not going. I’m exhausted, I’m not dressed, and I refuse to get dressed, get packed, and go out to be attacked in the dark and the cold. If I’m going to be attacked, I’ll do it in broad daylight after a decent night’s sleep.”
“But-”
“No.” There was that flat final tone again. “I’m staying here. And if you try to force me to leave, I’ll cause a huge ruckus and have you all arrested for trying to kidnap me.”
“Aw, come on, Kath,” Arnie cajoled. “We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t think it was important. It ain’t gonna be a big deal; we can help ya-”
“No.” Her voice was gentler, but just as definite. “I know you’re trying to help, but don’t you see, Arnie? I just… just… can’t. Not tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be on the run again, and I’ll do whatever I have to, but… just let me have tonight. Please.”
We all turned to him.
Anguish twisted his face, and I knew he’d decided.
“Awright,” he said quietly. “Sleep tight, then. We’ll watch over ya.”
“Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me.” Her gratitude made my heartstrings quiver in sympathy. She made eye contact with each of us in turn. “Thank you for protecting me. This will be the last night that I’ll sleep soundly for a very long time.” Her lips rose in a faint smile. “And I’ll be wearing my earplugs, so if you need to contact me, please call my cell phone. I always keep it beside me, and I’ll feel the vibration. It will be a lot easier on all of our nerves.” She recited the number for Holt’s benefit, and he stored it in his phone.
“We’ll let ya get some sleep, then.” Arnie gave her a smile that looked as though it cost more than he had to give. “G’night.”
“Good night.”
We withdrew.
As the door closed behind us, I let out a long breath and sagged against the wall. “Okay, I’m done. If one more thing happens tonight, I’m going to have a heart attack and drop dead on the spot.”
“You look like the walking dead now,” Holt pointed out tactlessly. “Go and lie down before you fall down. You’re no damn good for anything when you’re this tired.”
“She covered your back pretty damn good just now,” Hellhound growled. “So watch your mouth.”
Holt’s jaw jutted, but before he could reply Kane stepped in as peacemaker.
“Let’s wrap this up,” he said. “Hellhound and I will move the van.”
“Okay,” I mumbled around a gaping yawn.
I was fumbling the cardkey for our room out of my waist pouch when Hellhound spoke.
“Uh, Aydan… d’ya mind bunkin’ with Kane tonight?”
I gaped at him, shocked at the rejection; but as I looked into his tormented eyes my initial flash of hurt washed away in a tidal wave of worry.
Putting my arm around him, I drew him a few paces away from the other two and lowered my voice. “Arnie, what’s wrong?”
“Sorry,” he muttered. “I ain’t tryin’ to hurt ya, but I just… I need some time to myself.”
“I’m not hurt,” I promised.
A few moments ago that would have been a lie, but not anymore. I could see how much he was suffering.
“I’m just worried about you,” I added gently. “I know it’s going to be a rough night. I won’t talk to you if that’s what you want, but I could just… be there with you.”
He wrapped his arms around me and rested his forehead on mine, closing his eyes. “Thanks, darlin’. That really means a lot to me, but… I just gotta do this. Ya know what I’m like. I’m gonna be up mosta the night playin’ my guitar. Go bunk with Kane, an’ at least you’ll get some sleep. Ya need it.”
“Never mind me. Do what you need for a change.”
“This’s what I need.” He drew back, his hands warm on my shoulders, his eyes pleading. “Do this for me? Please?”
“Of course, if that’s what you want. I’ll just grab my stuff.” I hesitated. “I guess I should ask John if it’s okay with him first.”
Arnie gave me a bittersweet smile. “It’ll be okay. He’s facin’ Christmas without his kid. He needs ya tonight.”
My heart clenched. As usual, he was putting everyone else first.
“Go on.” Arnie gave me a gentle nudge. “Ask him.”
Not wanting to leave him, I turned to look at Kane and raised my voice just enough for him to hear. “Is it okay if I bunk with you?”
“Of course,” he said, but concern furrowed his brow. “Here’s the spare cardkey.” He came over and handed it to me, frowning at Hellhound. Lowering his voice, he added, “Are you sure about this, Arnie? You’ve been through a lot lately.”
Hellhound raised his chin. “Yeah. That’s why I need some time to myself.”
“All right.” Kane sounded as dubious as I felt. “Let’s go and move that van, then.”
As he strode off down the hall, I whispered in Arnie’s ear. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” He hesitated, drawing away a few inches to study my face worriedly. “Ya know I love ya, right?”
“I know. I love you, too.” I kissed him. “And I’m here for you. If you change your mind, just call me. Any time of the night.”
He kissed me back. “Thanks, darlin’. I will.”
He wouldn’t.
I knew it as I watched him walk away.