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The gunshot is loud in the confined space of the warehouse office. His chair flies back on its casters, slamming into the wall as his body slumps in place. I turn to the other guy, lowering his gag. “Five seconds. You want to live or don’t you?”
He looks back at his buddy, his eyes wild. “Winnie Mason,” he says, sounding desperate.
“Why does she want Natalie dead?”
“She wants us to find a box of Milk Duds and bring them to her. Kill Natalie if she tries to stop us.”
“And you took the deal?”
“Shit, Angelo, I’m sorry, all right. I had no idea she was under your protection. I’ll make it up to you.”
“Sure you will.”
I walk behind him and cut through the ropes holding his hands in place. “You’ll go home and work ever so hard to make it up to me, right?”
He rubs his wrists, getting to his feet, unable to believe his luck. “I thought you were going to kill me for sure. I’m so sorry, Angelo. I fucked up. We fucked up. It won’t happen again, I swear it.”
“I know,” I say, putting an arm around his shoulder. “I know it won’t.”
I pull the trigger as he goes to walk away. The bullet flies straight through his skull and he crumples to the ground. “No second chances,” I say to his corpse.
“You had me fooled,” Mario says, stepping in from the doorway. “Really thought you were letting him go.”
“Son of a bitch took a contract on the mother of my child and thought I’d let that go? Still trying to take me for a mug even with his buddy dead there.” I holster my gun. “Get this cleaned up, would you?”
“Sure thing, boss.”
I head out of the office and cross through the warehouse, unmuting my cellphone as I go. “Natalie,” I say down the line. “My book come in yet?”
“About that. It’s going to cost ten thousand dollars. I didn’t want to order it without checking with you first. I know it’s a lot of money.”
“Do it. I’ll get it wired into your account first thing tomorrow.”
“I need it tonight.”
“Do you?”
So that’s how Winnie is going to get the money, extort it out of Natalie. She probably thought Natalie would open the vault to get the cash. Only she’s come to me instead.
Lied to me about her reasons. Puts her in debt to me. Interesting.
Natalie sounds nervous. Not surprised, I know she’s lying. “If that’s all right. I can give you my account details now.”
“Go ahead. When can I collect the book?”
“I could have it here for you in two days.”
“Then I’ll see you in two days.”
* * *
The bookstore is sealed up when I pull up outside. I take a look at the sign taped to the door. Closed by order of the mayoress. I don’t bother calling her number. It’s time to see her in person.
I get to her office and she’s sitting there yelling at some guy in spectacles. He’s muttering an apology as she bawls him out but when she sees me approaching, her voice tapers away into nothing. “See it doesn’t happen again,” she says and he scurries past me without looking up.
“Winnie,” I say to her, sitting in the chair across from her desk. “Where’s my money?”
“I’ve got it,” she says, reaching into her desk. “Got it out in cash this morning.”
