“Are you surethis will work?”
“Have you gotanother plan you want to try?”
I shake myhead.
“Then go,now!”
As soon as Istand up, I feel weak, and my legs are shaky. I quickly walk towardthe washroom and find the storage room. Opening the door, I seestacks of restaurant supplies on tall wooden shelves, and Imaneuver around a shop vac in the middle of the floor. Just asSlinky said there would be, there’s a small staircase at the backof the room. As I stand and wait for him, every second feels likean hour. How did Slinky know about the back way out of this place?Has he needed to make a quick get-away out of here before? I’m soanxious that when the storeroom door opens, I just about jump outof my skin.
Slinky walks inand closes the door behind him. As he walks toward me, he points atthe stairwell and motions for me to walk up. As quietly as I can, Iwalk quickly up each step. When I reach the landing one floor up,there’s a door with the word EXIT stenciled on it. I turn and seeSlinky only two thirds of the way up the staircase. Please hurry.If that freak, Tank goes into the restaurant and sees we’re notthere, he’s going to start looking.
Finally, Slinkymakes it to the landing. He’s so out of breath, he bends over andtakes a second before speaking, “Ok. I’m ready. Let’s go,” he says,opening the door. We step out on to a metal grate. There’s nowhereto go, except down a rusty fire escape beneath us.
“Slinky, it’s along way down,” I say, staring down the ladder to a narrow backalley. “Not only that but it looks like the ladder is unsafe,” Iadd, taking note of at Slinky’s thin, weak frame.
“I can’t do it,kid. Not at my age. But you can.”
“I’m notleaving you here. That big creep will find you and who knows whatwill happen to you. Let’s do this together.”
“Don’t befoolish. What could Fournier possibly do to an old man like me?I’ve lived through pretty much everything already. I’m not afraidfor me. I’m afraid for you. Now go.”
I take out apen from the inside of my jacket pocket and grab Slinky’s hand thenquickly write down my cell number. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Iask worriedly.
“I promise I’llbe fine. I’ll just tell Fournier that you got away.”
I hope he’sright. I would feel terrible if something happens to Slinky afterhe helped me.
“Go,” he says,in a strong voice.
I begin mydescent, looking up at Slinky as he watches me. When I’m abouthalfway down, he opens the door and disappears inside. The lastrung is slippery and some ways from the ground. I count to threeand let go of the ladder, dropping hard on the pavement below. Ilook up the long narrow alleyway. There’s garbage and drugparaphernalia strewn all over the ground. Watching where I step, Imake my way to the street, praying I don’t see the black Lincolndrive up. Walking as fast as I can, I turn the corner on to a roadwith passing traffic and breathe a huge sigh of relief. If Fournierand his men did see me right now, I could create a commotion, and Idon’t think he wants that kind of attention. Feeling a bit safer, Iwalk up the sidewalk. On the side of the road in front of me is aFord 350 pick-up. Its massive size is making it so I can’t see anycars that may be in front of it.
As I keepwalking, I look up and I notice a familiar sign, the Chineserestaurant that I just escaped from is literally two doors upahead. Sonofabitch! I don’t know what to do. Even though I don’tsee Tank anywhere, I don’t want to push my luck and pass theeatery. I decide to cross the road when the traffic dissipates. Iwalk up to the back of the red truck. I’ll use the vehicle as acover until I can boot it across the street. Peering from behindthe tailgate, I notice a long black car parked in front of it. Noway. It’s Fournier. Again, my breathing grows shallow and the sameshaking in my legs returns. I quickly duck down so my head isn’tvisible.
The traffic onthe street is lessening. I wait for my chance to run. Crouchingdown and readying my legs, I’m just about to bolt when I hear arecognizable voice, Slinky’s. I peek my head up over the truck boxand see Slinky leaving the restaurant. He’s on his cell phone. Hewalks to the back door of the car and Tank jumps out of driver’sside, walks around and holds the back door open for Slinky. Onceinside, Tank shuts the door and gets back in the driver’s seat. Twoseconds later, the car peels away.
My firstthought is, will Slinky be ok? He didn’t look afraid getting intothe car. I guess he knows how to act and play the game. I shouldgive him the benefit of the doubt that he can protect himself. Fromwhat I understand, he’s been on these streets and survived fordecades. Then again, Slinky did tell me that Fournier probably waslooking for me, not him. After all, I’m the one asking all thequestions and drawing attention to myself. Nevertheless, I can’thelp but worry for Slinky. He’s old and frail, and he did save myass today. I owe him huge respect for that.
When theLincoln is out of sight, I cross the road and head in the directionof Katie’s. Then, something occurs to me, I’m on foot and easy totail. If Fournier has spies on the street watching me, I’m leadingthem straight to Katie’s apartment. I care about her too much tojeopardize her safety. Instead of going to Katie’s, I decide towalk to the hospital to visit Dad, and keep my eyes out fordanger.
Chapter Ten
When I walkinto my father’s room, I’m shocked and overjoyed to see him proppedup in bed, staring up at the small TV that’s fixed to the corner ofthe room.
“Dad. Hi. Lookat you,” I say, tearing up.
Surprised andoverjoyed, he holds his arms out to
