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After begging off from several invites to go grab a drink, Bob left Madison Investment fifteen minutes early. Zbirak was practically vibrating in his seat with anticipation. Everything had lined up perfectly. After the mess of the last job, he knew this would go over smoothly as long as he stuck to the plan. Zbirak had to be careful of any vehicles descending from the floors above, but it really was an ideal situation. He needed Bob alone, and the universe had given him just that.
Bob emerged from the elevator with his head bent over his phone. He unlocked his car with several dozen feet yet to go. Women were so much more vigilant, and Zbirak shook his head in disappointment. It’s not like Bob was a large man. He would be no challenge at all.
Zbirak exited his vehicle and stalked toward his prey. Just as they were about to pass, he infused his voice with as much cheerfulness as he could muster. It was not difficult, given his projected evening. “Hey, Bob. How’re you doing?”
Bob looked up, and Zbirak could see him trying to grasp for his name. “Hey, man.” He paused again. “Good, good. How are you?”
“Could be better.” Zbirak forced a frown as he stopped and faced the other man. Etiquette told Bob he also had to stop and listen to what he had to say. “Picking up my last paycheck. Can’t believe I got fired.”
“Oh no.” Bob looked more interested in the drama than anything. “What happened?”
“They had to make room for some higher up’s promotion. Can you believe that? Said there was nothing wrong with my work, they just couldn’t afford the guy’s demands without letting some people go.” Zbirak really had to fight against a grin now. “My kid’s sick. I don’t know where I’m gonna be able to find a new job so quickly.”
“Oh.” Bob’s face fell. “Well, I’m sure there’s something, man. It’s Christmastime. Everyone’s hiring.”
“Yeah, but they don’t pay as much, you know?”
“Yeah.”
Zbirak let the silence hang in the air until it felt awkward. He could see Bob itching to go. “Hey, you heading to Lincoln Elementary? Bet your kid’s gonna be real cute.”
Bob’s eyebrows pinched together. “I’m sorry. I’m having a hard time thinking of your name. What was it again?”
Zbirak really did smile this time. “Joe.” He hated that name, but it was far more disarming. “Don’t you remember me?”
“Joe, right.” Bob nodded like he remembered. “Up in accounting, right?”
“That’s right. Joe from accounting.”
Maybe it was something in Zbirak’s voice or the fact that Bob was smarter than he looked, but the other man’s face fell. “There’s no Joe in accounting, man.”
“Ah.” Zbirak let the façade fall away, and he noticed the exact second Bob knew he was in trouble. “You caught on much faster than I thought you would.”
Bob backed up toward his car. “What do you want?”
“I want to know where Rose is.”
“Who?” Bob had the wherewithal to feign innocence. “I don’t know a Rose.”
“Don’t lie to me, Robert.” Zbirak allowed a little bit of a growl to enter his voice. It had the desired effect. “Or little Georgie will grow up without his daddy.”
Bob froze. “What have you done to him?”
“Nothing.” Zbirak placed a hand over his heart, offended. “I don’t hurt kids unless I have to. You, on the other hand, are fair game. And so is your wife.”
Bob didn’t bother asking any more questions. He turned and sprinted toward his car. But Zbirak was faster. Within two strides, he caught the other man around the neck and held him against his chest. A smile spread across his face. His plan had gone perfectly, just like he’d predicted.
“Let’s have a little chat,” Zbirak whispered. “Shall we?”
21
Cassie and Harris stuck around long enough to switch seats in the car. Neither was keen to find out what would happen to Armando now that they had returned him home. Mrs. Carrera’s relief lasted only a few seconds before she ordered him inside and laid into him. Cassie didn’t need to understand Spanish to know he was in mountains of trouble.
Harris took the most direct route to the warehouse. They arrived in under thirty minutes, despite the evening traffic.
The warehouse looked more like an old industrial factory. It was made of brick and had a tall smokestack off to one side. In the waning light, Cassie could see dozens of broken windows. It looked abandoned.
They parked the car a block away and got out to walk. Cassie almost missed the heat from the jewelry store
