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54
Williard House
SUNDAY NIGHT
Molly was in no pain because Domino had given her two more oxycodone. “Weirdest thing, Sherlock, when I was shot, it was like a movie. I felt the bullet, sort of a sharp jab that almost knocked me off my feet, and then a strange numbing cold. It didn’t hurt right away. I heard more shots, saw you fall on your face and I thought you were hit, and then Nero was standing over you, gloating. But you weren’t shot at all, he was. I couldn’t believe it. And then you were helping me. There weren’t any closing credits, only the pain started up, bad enough I wanted to yell. Which one of them shot me, Domino or Nero?”
Sherlock said, “I don’t think even they knew which of them fired the bullet. The numbing cold, it’s not uncommon, and then the pain seems to come out of nowhere. It’s lucky Domino brought a supply of oxycodone along. Well, not luck at all, I suppose, given her profession.”
Molly was staring up at the ceiling. “There’s a dark spot up there. I wonder if the roof is leaking. I bet Emma and the twins are at Dad’s compound with Miles and Gunther. I’m sorry, things make sense then they don’t. The kids, Sherlock—Sean and Emma and the twins—”
Fear had burst through the oxy and Sherlock said quickly, her hand rubbing Molly’s shoulder, her voice soothing, “Yes, you know your father sent them to Chicago to keep them safe. You know they’re all fine, so don’t worry about them. You don’t have to make sense, Molly, only rest—” She broke off when she heard a man’s voice outside the bedroom door. “Is that Rule Shaker’s voice, Molly?”
Molly tried to concentrate. “No, that isn’t Rule Shaker, that voice is young. I wonder who he is. Do you think maybe Shaker sent someone in his place?”
Or had they been wrong all along? Sherlock heard a man say clearly from the hallway, “Caruso, load Ilic into the SUV and take him to the hospital in Mount Jewel. It’ll take you about an hour to get there. If he has any trouble with the hospital not believing he shot himself by accident, make sure you get out before the cops come. Go now. The two men I brought with me have us covered here.”
Domino said, “I’m so glad you’re here, Rich. Mrs. Hunt’s okay, loaded up with oxycodone. It was Agent Sherlock who killed Stankovic and Nero. She’s dangerous, Rich.”
He lowered his voice, but not enough. “You did well, babe; even with Nero and Stankovic dead you got everything back under control. Now we can take care of business.”
“I don’t know if Mrs. Hunt will cooperate, Rich, even drugged up.”
“Of course she will. You watch.”
Sherlock whispered, “Rich? Whoever that is, we’re about to meet him.” She rose to stand beside the bed as the bedroom door was unlocked and opened. Domino came in first, and Sherlock noticed she’d put on lipstick and brushed her hair. Her gun was on a clip at her waist.
The man who walked in behind her was tall, looked fit. He was wearing a black bomber jacket, jeans, and black boots. His dark eyes met Sherlock’s and iced over. He looked her up and down and a sneer marred his mouth. “So you’re the girl who’s caused all this trouble, brought down Stankovic and Nero. I can’t say you look like much.”
“Ouch, that really hurts my feelings. I can’t say you look much like Rule Shaker. Who are you, Rich? Is Shaker your boss?”
He ignored her. “Domino, why aren’t they zip-tied?”
“Molly Hunt’s in no condition to do anything. I loaded her up with oxycodone like I told you, so she’s out of it. Agent Sherlock wouldn’t leave her, and there’s nothing she can do, except jump out a window.”
Molly said in a singsong voice, “Ah, finally, I know who you are. You’re Rich Doulos. I recognize you from the photos at your wedding to Eve Shaker. That was quite a bash. Palm Beach, right? What are you doing here?” She stared at him, eyes vague, but her voice was hopeful, like a child’s. “Did you come to save us?”
“That’s right. That’s my goal in life, Mrs. Hunt, to save you.”
Eve’s husband? Sherlock knew what his showing himself meant. He could never let them go. Sherlock said to Domino, “You know he’s going to kill us, probably his plan all along even if he didn’t spell it out to you. Is this what you signed on for, Domino? Murdering us in cold blood?”
Domino wouldn’t look at her. “All you have to do is cooperate. Now be quiet. Do what he says.”
“Come on, Domino, Nero shot Pope. He’s dead. Do you expect anything less for us?”
“Shut up, Agent.” Doulos pulled his knife out of his waist sheath. “Now we’re going to get this done, Agent Sherlock. Mrs. Hunt is going to make a nice clear recording, recite the words I tell her to. If she doesn’t, Agent, I’m going to have to start cutting her, beginning with her little finger. You can watch me do that or you can tell Mrs. Hunt to make a simple recording.”
Sherlock knew he meant it. Would Doulos kill them as soon as he had the tape, or would he think they were still of use to him? She didn’t think so. Sherlock wondered if she could take him down before he knifed her or Domino shot her. Odds weren’t good. She said, “A little late to be sending a proof-of-life tape, isn’t it?”
He blinked, looked surprised, then laughed. “Not very bright, are you, Agent? Shall we get this done?”
Molly gave Doulos a dopey smile, started humming. “I remember in the article about you and Eve, it said you imported art, said you were charming and cultured. Now you’re acting like Nero.” She gave him a big silly grin. “You said you want me to make a recording? You mean you want me to sing? Do you have a favorite? Maybe I know it.”
“How much of that narcotic did you give her?”
“Sorry, Rich, I gave her more oxy right before you came and she’s loopy. I didn’t want to listen to her cry and whine.”
“Sherlock, did I cry or whine?”
