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“Okay, thanks Pierre.” He turned away from the counter but then turned back immediately. “Pierre, is anyone using the car at the moment?”
“No. Like I said, it’s been a quiet day. Mrs. Lovelace and Mrs. Clements both said it was too cold today, so I think they are staying in.”
“Great. Do you think we could use it?”
“Sure. Just let me call Ernie.” He picked up the phone and spoke quietly into it. Then he hung up. “Ernie will bring the car around in about ten minutes.”
Hawk weighed the options. Chances were good the Asian men had come in through the garage. If they went down there, then they were more likely to confront them. On the other hand, standing in the lobby for ten minutes wasn’t the smartest move either. They needed to be out of there. “You know what? Tell Ernie we’ll meet him in the back alley. If he can be there in five minutes, there’s a hundred-dollar tip in it for him and you.”
Pierre blinked but made no comment. He just picked up the phone and made another call. As he hung up, he said, “Ernie will be in the back alley in five minutes sir.”
Hawk pulled out his wallet and took out a few hundred-dollar bills. He put the wallet back and stuffed the bills in his pocket. He then offered his hand to Pierre with a hundred in it. The men shook hands, and the hundred disappeared. “Can you have Dominick walk us out the back way please?”
“Of course.” Pierre nodded to a large man in a suit in the corner.
“Thanks, Pierre.”
“Of course, sir.”
“What the hell is going on?” Remy muttered. “What kind of building is this?”
Hawk didn’t answer, just walked toward a large man standing near a hallway. “We’re going to the alley, Dominick.”
The large man nodded and started leading the way.
“We may encounter some difficulties. I would like you to be prepared.”
Dominick glanced over his shoulder at them, but just nodded. He opened a door to a hallway and held it open for them to pass through. He closed it behind them and then pulled a Glock out of an under-arm holster. He resumed the lead and held the gun along his thigh.
Remy’s eyes were the size of golf balls. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He squeezed back. He’d explain later. Now they had to be on their toes.
When they arrived at the back door of the building, Dominick spoke quietly, directing his words toward a discrete earbud. He turned. “The alley is clear. Ernie is waiting.”
“Thanks, Dominick.” He handed the man a hundred. “Do me a favor, stay in the alley until we hit the street just in case someone decides to block it.”
“Certainly, Mr. Hawkins.” His voice was soft. It belied the strength of the man who possessed it.
Dominick opened the door. The door of the Rolls Royce was only inches from the door of the building. They were in the car in seconds and being whisked down the alley and out onto the street.
“Where would you like to go, Mr. Hawkins?” Ernie asked. His white hair was neat under his black chauffeur cap, but his blue eyes sparkled in the rearview mirror.
“Um, give me a minute, Ernie. Just drive around. Make sure we aren’t being followed.”
“Of course, sir.”
Hawk turned to Remy. “Call Gus and see where he is. We need to reroute him.” He thought for a moment. Where would be a safe place to meet? O’Shea’s. The owner was former SAS and a friend. “Ernie, take us to O’Shea’s in Hell’s Kitchen.”
Ernie nodded.
“Hi, Gus,” Remy said. “Can you meet us at”—she glanced at Hawk—“O’Shea’s in Hell’s Kitchen?” There was silence for a moment. Then, “I’m not sure.” She turned to Hawk and relayed the address Gus had recited.
“Yes,” was all he said.
He settled into the cushy seat and closed his eyes for a second, blocking out what little traffic noise filtered into the elegant car. He needed to take stock and see what his inner antenna was saying. The tingling in his spine had stopped, and his hair was no longer standing on end. His stomach knots eased slightly. He and Remy were not being followed. They were fine…for the moment.
He released a breath and opened his eyes. Remy was staring at him.
“I’ll explain when we get to O’Shea’s.”
