The shortest one was also the loudest. “What the hell they have to do this shit so late for? It’d look more normal if they showed up durin’ the day.” His querulous voice trailed off when they headed back inside, probably for another load.
I tapped Dave on the shoulder. “I’m going to check out the perimeter,” I whispered, and glided off.
By the time I’d returned, the stack of boxes had grown to ten. At Dave’s urging we backed up against the fence.
“This is the first time the boss has used his home as a staging area,” he whispered. “Those goons inside were grouching about having to unload the boxes just a couple nights ago, and now load ‘em up. Apparently Willie had a rule that no drugs were ever brought to his home. ‘Til now.”
A van eased to a stop in the street, then backed into the driveway when the garage door went up. The side of the truck was marked “Evans Plumbing,” apparently to act as an excuse for the visit. Two men got out, giving a half wave to the two inside. “Hey, guys, you got any coffee?”
Shorty gave him a nod. “Sure, c’mon in. Might even have somethin’ to nibble on.”
By the time they’d disappeared, Dave had covered the distance to the garage and was opening the passenger door of the van. I’d half-risen to join him when the four trooped back into the garage. The van’s door eased shut, and I could see Dave low-crawling back towards me. The spike of fear and tension I’d gotten when he did his stunt faded, and I relaxed.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” he whispered. “Wanted to see if they had any information about where they were going.”
When he hesitated, I nudged him. “And?”
“They’ll be crossing into Canada at Buffalo. Headed for a place called Fort Erie in Ontario.”
I settled back, leaning against the fence. “Okay, good. While they’re loading up, let’s go around to the other side of this place. I found a window that wasn’t locked. I think a look inside is called for.”
“Lead on,” he whispered.
Within five minutes we were creeping through the living room. Other than a lamp that had been accidentally nudged off a side table into an overstuffed chair, we’d been successful on our silent entry. And fortunate. I shuddered, thanking our lucky stars an easy chair had been where the lamp ended. The sound of the garage door shutting had us diving for cover behind a couch.
“I don’t know ‘bout you, but I’m gonna grab forty winks.” Shorty’s whiny voice echoed through the house. I shivered. That kind of voice must drive his buddy crazy if he had to listen to it all the time.
“Forget it. The next load’s due to be picked up in two hours. You’ll stay awake, like the boss said.” The gravelly voice of the second guy was even worse than the first one, making me feel creepy inside.
A door opened and their voices faded when they descended into the basement. We crept over to the opened doorway, all senses alert. I leaned close to Dave. “If they come back up, we’ll take ‘em. You get the front one, I’ll take what’s left.” He nodded, and moved to the other side of the opening.
Shorty’s voice echoed up the stairs. “Wonder how Gerard and his crew are doing.”
“They prob’ly called the boss. We won’t hear about it ‘til they show up and start bragging ‘bout kidnappin’ the asshole who caused all the ruckus. By the way, did you lock up the garage? I forgot to check.”
“No, I thought you did. I didn’t go through the house after those guys left, either.”
There was a loud sigh. “Damn it, your laziness is rubbin’ off. C’mon, let’s take care of business.”
I flattened myself against the wall, like Dave was doing on the far side of the doorway. Since most of the available light was from the basement, we were in deep shadow when the two plodded up the stairs. The first was two steps into the room when Dave piled on, taking him to the floor with a loud thud.
Shorty had his pistol half out when I clobbered the side of his head with an ash tray, dropping him like a rock. Within seconds both were stretched out on the floor, faint moans emanating from Shorty.
Once more I pushed the dark anger down, swallowing the urge to slit their throats. I’ll find some tape,” I said, striding towards the garage.
* * *
“Nice job, if I do say so myself,” Dave said, surveying the two hapless men on the living room couch, securely wrapped in duct tape.
I nodded, trying not to laugh. “Don’t you think tying them up face to face was a bit much? Especially since we only left ‘em in their underwear.” Man, that Gorilla tape was good stuff. No way were they getting out of that anytime soon.
I turned away from the pitiful scene of two men in an enforced embrace, tape over their mouths. “We should have time to case this place before the next visitors arrive. I’ll take this level if you do the second floor. We can save the basement for last.” I headed off, intent on my search.
Dave trotted back down the stairs just as I dumped a sack of goodies I’d found in one of the bedrooms on the kitchen table. “Not much to find,” he said. “Some cash, and a safe.”
I straightened from the small pile of jewels I’d found in the side bedroom. “Only a little better on the first floor. The safe sounds interesting, let me give it a looksee.”
Another hour passed before I managed to open the wall safe, a small Stanwalt. One of the simpler of safes, but it took longer than usual due to its newly upgraded digital system.
