Page 121 of Witness 8

‘Good enough. You can split the fifty Gs with your guys. Thanks, Little Sacks.’

He patted me on the back, said, ‘We got you, Eddie. Don’t worry.’

I watched them leave, prayed that I had made the right decision.

I took out my phone, called Al Parish.

He picked up, said, ‘Well, my associates dressed as you suggested and they got what you wanted. You owe them three hundred and fifty dollars for dinner.’

‘Put it on my expenses.’

‘I still don’t know what all of that was in aid of? How does it help us win this case? Castro is mightily pissed off that you stood him up.’

‘Good. I want him pissed off. But that wasn’t the whole reason.’

‘Then what? Why did my associates spend two hours in a diner just to get a few pictures of the DA?’ he asked.

‘You know, best advice I ever heard was from Harry. He told me when I was in court never ask the witness a question if you don’t know the answer. Nine times out of ten, he’s right.’

‘But I don’t know what all of that was about? How does it help our case?’

‘Al, for your sake, I think it’s best if you don’t know.’

I had another call coming in. I said I would see Al tomorrow in court.

Incoming call was from Lake.

‘I’ve lost Ruby. She was on the street, caught a bus, then went into a commercial-vehicle hire yard. A half dozen vehicles have left and I couldn’t see inside the cab of half of them. I think she’s hired a van or a pick-up. Either way, she’s in the wind . . .’

We’d lost Ellis earlier.

Text message from Bloch.

I’VE LOST BRETT BALE. CAME OUT OF HIS HOUSE AND JUMPED ONTO THE BACK OF A COURIER BIKE. I FOLLOWED HIM TOWARD LONG ISLAND, AND HE LOST ME.

‘Did you see that text message from Bloch?’ I asked.

‘Jesus, everyone is making moves tonight,’ said Lake. ‘What’ll we do?’

‘Get to the Jacksons’ house. It’s a hunch. Nothing else. Just get there asap. I’m on my way . . .’

I called Bloch.

‘Get back to West 74thStreet. Bale was leading you away from the street. It’s all going down tonight.’

55

Ruby

It was dark when Ruby pulled up outside the Jacksons’ house.

The family were safely gone. They weren’t slumming it either. Earlier that day, Ruby had helped Alison check in to a mini-suite at the Four Seasons, Downtown. Even though John was still on a salary, it wasn’t what he usually brought in every month. They had savings, which they had relied on to a degree, but Alison was expecting an inheritance now, so the Four Seasons was the natural choice.

With her last quarter of a million gone, Ruby had about eighteen grand in her account. That wouldn’t last long when she was on the run. No Four Seasons for Ruby. It would be most nights in her second-hand car, which she still had to buy, and the occasional stay in a Motel-6 when she wanted to shower and feel a bed under her bones.

But none of that could put Ruby off the thought of escaping the city. The road. A new name. A new life. Anywhere she wanted.

The thought of it gave her peace.