didn't see me.
'Jack? You there?'
'. . . Q . . . R . . . S . . . T . . . U . . .'
I paused for a moment, and then made a beeline for my car, stepping lightly so my footsteps didn't echo on the asphalt.
My cell reception became staticky.
'It sounds like I'm losing you, Jack. I hope not, for Herb's sake. Frankly, I don't know how much more he can take.'
I made it to my car and fumbled with the keys, beginning the alphabet for the third time. When I opened the door, one of my cops saw me.
'Lieutenant! We can't find him!'
'Uh-oh, Jack,' Fuller purred into the phone. 'You'd better hurry.'
I hopped in the driver's seat, my cell signal getting even weaker. I was yelling the alphabet now, hoping my louder voice got through. Both cops converged on my car. I jammed it into gear and hit the gas.
The exit was up a concrete ramp.
'Jack?' Barry was yelling. 'I can't hear you, Jack. Jack--'
The phone went dead.
Chapter 50
Fuller scowls at the dial tone. He hits Redial. Daniels picks up immediately.
'I lost the signal on the exit ramp. I didn't do anything stupid.' She sounds anxious, breathless.
'How can I believe you, Jack?'
'Don't hurt him again.'
Fuller lifts his foot, ready to stomp on Benedict's dislocated elbow. Herb stares up at him, hate in his eyes.
'We had a deal, Jack.'
'If I hear him scream once more, I swear to God, I'm hanging up and throwing my phone out the window.'
'How do I know the cops aren't with you?'
'I'm alone. I ditched them in the parking garage.'
'Maybe you called for backup, on your radio.'
'I didn't have time. If my radio was on, you'd hear it.'
Fuller walks away from Herb, takes the Sig out of his belt. He fires a round, up the stairs.
'What did you just do, Barry? Let me talk to Herb.'
'That was a warning. If I think you're lying to me, if I think you're bringing more cops, I end Herb Benedict's life. Understand?'
'Let me talk to Herb.'
Fuller rolls his eyes. He holds out the phone. 'Herb, say something.'
Benedict looks away, lips pressed shut.
'Hold on a second, Jack. He's being stoic.'
Fuller plays pull'n' bend with Herb's swollen arm until the guy sings like a choir boy.
'Tell her you're okay.'
'Jack!' Benedict screams. 'Don't come!'
'There, Jack? Satisfied he's still with us?'
'When I get there, Barry . . .'
'Stop it, Jack. You're scaring me. Where are you?'
'Going north on Lasalle.'
'When you get to Division Street, take a left. And let's hear that alphabet.'
Jack begins the ABC's again, and Fuller goes back upstairs. His head thumps like someone's bouncing a bat off of it, and his eye does its best to compete for the gold medal in the Pain Olympics.
The syringe calls to him from the kitchen table.
One little shot, and the pain will go away.
But Daniels will be here soon. That will also make the pain go away.
The head pain. Not the eye pain. Take the shot.
She's coming armed. It's important to stay alert.
You can handle her. Take the shot.
