The doors of the rooms at the Dorint locked automatically, so he didn't even try it. Instead, he removed the gun from the pocket of the overcoat and aimed it at the lock. He took a deep breath, calming himself.
Just as he finished exhaling, a phone rang inside the room. Quinn held the gun steady, waiting for exactly the right moment.
There was a second ring, then a third.
A fourth ring, then nothing. No one had answered.
Quinn pulled the gun back, pointing it upward out of the way. The phone started ringing again, but still no one picked it up.
Break in and see if they were still there? Or go back downstairs?
But the decision was made for him.
The door opened suddenly, swift and wide. Quinn reacted quickly, stepping backward and lowering his gun.
Durrie stood in the doorway. He was carrying Garrett, his left arm supporting the boy against his chest. In his right hand was a knife resting gently against Garrett's back. Quinn could also see a pistol tucked into Durrie's waistband.
Quinn lowered his gun a few inches. If Durrie had been holding the pistol instead of the knife, Quinn might have risked a shot. But with the blade where it was, there'd be no way to keep Garrett from being injured.
'You're a real fucker, Johnny,' Durrie said.
'Are you okay, Garrett?' Quinn asked.
The boy looked over his shoulder at Quinn. His eyes were wide with terror, but he clung to Durrie tightly. Without answering, Garrett buried his head in Durrie's shoulder.
'He's fine,' Durrie said. 'Why shouldn't he be?' 'Because most dads don't use their sons as a shield.' 'Ouch,' Durrie said, mockingly. 'That was a
good one. Now get out of the way.'
'I can't let you go.'
Durrie laughed. 'The only way you're going to stop me is if you kill the boy. See, if this knife breaks his skin, it's your hand that's guiding it. Do you really want to do that? Do you really think she'll ever forgive you for that?'
'Let him go,' Quinn said. 'You don't want to
hurt him.' 'What are you going to do? Take me in?' 'I'll make sure no one harms you.' 'Jesus Christ, don't act like an amateur.' There was movement from down the hall
toward the elevator. It was Orlando. 'Garrett?' she called. 'Mommy?' Garrett's head snapped up, his eyes immedi
ately locating his mother. Orlando started running toward them. 'Hey, babe,' Durrie said. He turned just enough
so that she could see the knife. Orlando stopped, her face frozen in shock. Quinn knew she'd been hoping he was wrong,
but now the proof was in front of her. Durrie, her long-dead lover. Alive.
She stammered as she took a few tentative steps toward them, then reached out to steady herself on the wall.
'You look good,' Durrie said. 'Maybe it's the
kid.' 'Please, D,' she said. 'Let him go.' 'D?' Durrie scoffed. 'Is that supposed to make
me feel all nostalgic or something?' 'Mommy?' Garrett asked, not in excitement, but almost as an accusation. 'Remember what I told you,' Durrie said to the boy. The boy looked unsure, but he leaned back into Durrie. 'What did you tell him?' Orlando asked.
'I think that's between me and the boy,' Durrie said. 'What did you tell him?' she repeated, her voice rising.
'Quiet,' Durrie said. 'You'll disturb the other guests. You don't want this knife to accidentally slip, do you?'
'There's no need for any of this,' Quinn said. 'It's over. We got the boxes at the hotel. The ones you had Tucker deliver. Just let it go.'
Durrie's face hardened. 'You've got to be fucking kidding me. That's a ten-million-dollar paycheck you just took out of my pocket. Goddamn it!'
'It's over,' Quinn said.
Durrie took several loud, angry breaths. 'No,' he said. 'Not even close.'
'Nobody needs to get hurt,' Quinn told him.
'I'm sorry, what?' Durrie spat the question at his former apprentice.
'We all just need to relax. No reason anyone should get hurt.' 'I didn't start this,' Durrie said. 'You did.' His eyes moved from Quinn to Orlando. 'What are you talking about?' Orlando asked. Durrie snorted, then shook his head. 'We're
leaving now.' As he took a step in the direction of the elevators, Quinn moved in front of him. 'Pull your head out of your ass and get out of my way,' Durrie said.
