Cooper’s mind whirled back to the robbery. Suddenly it all made sense. The moment the guy in the Elvis mask mentioned the safe, Frank realized it was an inside job. Knew it was his partner. Someone aware of his personal safe and that he kept a lot of money inside. No wonder Mr. Lucky stayed in the car during that part of the robbery. He couldn’t take the chance that his partner might recognize him.
Stein started pacing back and forth along the kitchen side of the counter. “So your parents are out at the circus?”
“Yeah, but I left him a message on his cell.” He said it too fast. Did it sound panicky? Slow down, Cooper. “I told him I was coming here to talk to you.”
Stein clenched his jaw. Like this was bad news.
Cooper looked past him toward the front door. He had to get out of here. Now. And he had to bring the hard drive with him. If Stein looked at it he’d see Gordy and Hiro were there too.
Cooper still had the keys in his pocket. But how could he get past Stein? Maybe if Lunk helped, but he didn’t have a clue as to who Stein really was or the danger they were in.
What if I’m wrong? What if Mr. Stein just happened to have the same type of boots as the robber? Cooper wanted to believe that but he knew it was a stretch. Still, Cooper had to be sure.
He dug in his pocket and pulled out his cell. Cooper tried to sound casual, but his voice didn’t even sound normal to himself. “I think I should try my dad again.”
“Let’s hold on that call,” Stein said.
The hair prickled on his arms. Stein has no intention of letting me make a call.
“My lawyer will be here any minute. Let’s just sit tight.”
Lawyer? Did he really call a lawyer? Maybe. He certainly was going to need one now. Cooper checked the parking lot. But what if Stein called them? What if he called Elvis or Mr. Clown? He had to get out of this place. Get out or die.
Cooper stood. “I think I’ll park my bike better while we’re waiting.”
“Sit down.” Stein plastered on a smile. “We wait for the lawyer.”
Every bit of doubt dissolved. Stein was the man.
Stein walked to the front window. He peered down Kirchoff Road and checked his watch.
He could run for the back door, but what if it was locked? Stein would pick him off like a target in a shooting gallery. The gun was the problem. Cooper stared at the handle of the revolver sticking out from Stein’s belt. Could he get it? Bolt off the stool and grab it? He had to try something before whoever Stein called showed up. God help me. God help me.
He motioned to Lunk so stay quiet with a finger to his lips. Lunk definitely looked confused. Cooper stood silently and slipped through the pass-thru in the ordering counter. Stein’s back was still to him—only five feet away.
“Mr. Stein!” Lunk shouted.
Cooper lunged for the gun—felt the grip in his hand.
Stein whirled around and swung a backhand at Cooper’s face. The blow blinded him for an instant, but he managed to tug the gun free.
Lunk plowed into him and took him down in a rough tackle. Cooper slammed down hard, the gun skittering out of his grip. He clawed for the gun, but Stein’s boot came down on his hand hard.
Stein scooped up the revolver and pointed it at Cooper. “Easy, boy.” Sweat trickled down his forehead. “Move back into the kitchen. Both of you.”
Lunk rolled off. “What?”
“Move.” Stein motioned toward the stools with the gun.
Lunk looked totally confused. “I was helping you.”
“Noted,” Stein said. “Now get on the other side of the counter. Quickly.”
Lunk shuffled around the counter and sat. Cooper followed.
Stein waved his gun at Cooper. “Put your cell on the counter.”
Cooper obeyed, but left the phone from Walmart where it was.
“Mr. Lunquist, do you have a phone too?”
Lunk shook his head.
“Turn out your pockets.”
Lunk stood slowly, pulled out his pockets. Empty. “What’s going on?” Lunk looked at Stein, then at Cooper.
“He’s the inside man,” Cooper said. “Aren’t you, Mr. Stein?”
“What?” Lunk whispered.
If Lunk was afraid, his face didn’t show it. Only disbelief.
“I was wrong about your dad, Lunk. Mr. Stein is ‘Mr. Lucky.’“
“Now I know you’re crazy, MacKinnon.” Lunk stood.
Stein leveled the revolver directly at Lunk. “Sit down, Mr. Lunquist.”
Lunk’s jaw opened slightly and he sat back down.
“Sorry, guys.” Stein looked like he really meant it. Like this whole thing had gotten a lot bigger than he ever figured it would. Just like Cooper’s lies. “How did you know?”
“Cowboy boots.”
Stein shook his head and gave a half smile. “What are the odds of that?” He opened the register and pulled the bills from the tray. Twenty’s, ten’s, five’s, one’s. He stacked the currency, folded them in half, and jammed them in his pocket.
He was robbing his own store. Again.
“Thanks to you,” he looked directly at Cooper, “it looks like I’m going to need a little traveling money.”
“The guy you called isn’t a lawyer, is he?” Lunk looked like the energy had just been drained out of him.
“No,” Stein glanced at Cooper, “and not a cop either. Hammer was on your side. Lucky for me, you didn’t figure that out sooner.” He reached into Frank’s hospital fund jar and pulled out the bills.
Not a cop. He’d been wrong the whole time. About so many things. Hiro had misjudged Lunk but she pegged the cop part right. At least Hiro and Gordy weren’t tangled up in this. But if Stein looked at the hard drive, they were doomed.
“Why?” The question came out before Cooper could stop it.
Stein slid the hard drive in a paper sack. “I’ve had a streak of bad luck lately. I borrowed from some people who don’t like late payments. Big money. They don’t mess around when it comes to money—not with that many zeroes behind it.”
Hiro’s brother was right. The robbery was connected to organized crime. Whoever he’d called wasn’t coming to help. They were going to clean up Stein’s mess.
“Gambling?” Lunk’s voice was so quiet Cooper could hardly hear it.
Stein nodded. “When the debts piled up, I knew Frank’s safe was the answer. He never trusted banks, you know.”
“He shouldn’t have trusted you either,” Cooper said.
“Nobody was supposed to get hurt. If Frank had kept his mouth shut everything would have been okay.” Stein shrugged. “Guess a little of my bad luck rubbed off on him.”
“What will happen to Frank?” Lunk’s voice shook.
Mr. Stein slid the sack next to the register and sighed. “I really don’t know. Nothing, I hope. But it’s out of my hands now.”
Out of his hands? What did that mean?
Lunk clenched his jaw. And his fists.
“Lunk,” Cooper said. “I’m sorry I suspected your dad in this. I messed up.”
Lunk waved him off and shook his head. “I had it wrong too.” Lunk studied Cooper’s face. He seemed to be doing a bit of damage assessment. “Sorry about your face.”
Stein’s phone rang. He shifted the gun to the other hand and fished his cell from his pocket. He listened for a moment. “The back door is open.” He looked out the front window. “But there’s a bike out front, too. Make that two bikes. Listen, can’t we—.” He paused for a moment, shoulders slumping. “I’ll unlock the front door.”
Stein clearly wasn’t calling the shots here.
He snapped the phone shut and pocketed it while moving through the opening in the counter backwards. “You boys sit tight.” Backing all the way to the front door, he kept his eyes on the boys and after digging in his pocket, pulled out a small ring of keys.
Run. Was it his voice or someone else’s? Cooper couldn’t tell. But this was his chance. Cooper glanced at Lunk. Eyes bright, Lunk seemed to be thinking the same thing.
“Back door.” Cooper whispered so only Lunk could hear him.
Lunk answered with his eyes.
Cooper heard the lock in the front door slide open.
He bolted from his chair and ran through the kitchen, Lunk right behind him.
“Stop!” Stein roared. “I’ll shoot!”
“Keep going,” Lunk shouted.
Suddenly the back door burst open. A man stepped inside wearing an Elvis mask and holding a gun.