Bang, bang, bang.
Bang, bang, bang, bang.
Faster this time and with more force. Ackerman added an extra bang as a sort of period on the message.
He heard movement inside the hotel room, and the door cracked open. Emily Morgan stood on the other side, holding an arm up to block the light from the motel’s sign. She was still in the same clothes, including her shoes, as if she had literally fallen into bed. Her small Glock 19 pistol was in her hand.
The little dog nosed its way inside her room.
She said, “This had better be good, Frank.”
“Computer Man gave me the address of someone who would fit into my plan of sending a message to Mr. King. I’m going to pay him a visit. With or without you. I’m no one’s pet.”
“Trust me. No one thinks of you as our pet.”
“I should hope not. Are you going to drive or give me the keys?”
With a sigh, she said, “Let me grab my jacket. What about the dog?”
“It can come with us.”
“Sounds like you’re warming up to him.”
“Not at all. We’ve merely reached an understanding.”
“Glad to hear that, but the dog will be fine alone for a while. We’ll put him in the bathroom.”
Ackerman added, “And one more thing. I’m going to need a gun.”
“I’m not authorized to give you a gun, Frank. No weapons of any kind. I would give the dog a gun before I gave one to you.”
Ackerman looked down at the furry beast and said, “That’s ridiculous. It doesn’t even have thumbs.”