Finally, anopportunity for me to bolt without being followed. Instead ofdriving straight ahead in the same direction that Tank goes, I flipa U-turn in the middle of the street and head in the oppositedirection. As I drive up Denman, my fear turns to anger. I feellike I’m under a microscope. After that horrible meeting withFournier in the park, I’ll never feel safe until I know he’s gonefor good. Not to mention, now that I’ve seen Tank by Katie’sapartment, it’s only logical to assume that she’s being followedtoo. I can’t help but feel responsible for putting Dad and Katie indanger. If only I would have known that all of this was going tohappen, I never would have asked questions about Fournier. But Iguess there’s no sense in regrets. The only thing I can do now iswait for Slinky’s plan. It’s my only hope at finding freedom.
After drivingaround downtown for a half hour or so, my cell rings. It’s Slinky.I pull in behind a small bike rental shop and answer. His voice issurprisingly alert for the time of day . I quickly tell him aboutTank and how I spotted him in the Lincoln in front of Katie’s, thenI tell him how he followed me to Starbucks.
“Are yousafe?”
“I’m fine,Slink. But really worried about Fournier knowing where Katielives.”
Slinky pausesfor a moment and then tells me to call him back in five minutes.Curious, I hang up and watch the clock on the dash. I manage towait four and a half minutes before I redial him.
“Jules, I justcalled Darlene. She said that Fournier’s bar is closing earlytonight and she should have everyone out by midnight. If we can beat the pub at one am, she’ll let us in and then take us to the safeto get the book. Are you in?”
“Tonight? Thissoon? I mean…it doesn’t really give us a lot of time to prepare,does it?”
“What do youneed to prepare? All I need you to do is to show up.”
“Yeah, I can dothat but what about when or if we get the book? What do we do withit? Are we just taking it to the cop shop? Shouldn’t we know thisbefore going ahead with the plan.”
“Don’t youworry about that. Just and meet me there at one am. I need you toact as look out once we’re in the back room. Plus, I don’t have aride out of there afterwards, so I’ll need to leave with you. Asfor what to do with the book, I’ve already got a hold of theauthorities. They know that we’ll be bringing it in.”
“So, what arethey going to do with it? I mean…do you think there’s enoughinformation in there to get him arrested?”
“Of course. Thecops didn’t tell me much, but I suspect they’ll go through thenames in the book and get a hold of some of the people then havethem testify against Fournier in exchange for plea deals.”
“Really? Willthat work?”
“Well, they’rethe pros. I’m sure they’ve had a lot of experience dealing withthis kind of thing.”
“And thenFournier will get locked up and we’ll free of him forever?”
“That’s theplan, kid.”
As uncertain asI am about it, I can’t think of any other questions for Slinky. Wesay goodbye and hang up. On my way home, a wave of anxiety hits me.What if while I’m with Slinky at the bar tonight, Fournier walksin? I mean…how does this Darlene lady know for sure that he won’tbe back tonight? And what about Fournier’s men? Are they going tobe there? I just wish I had more time to get together with Slinkyonce more before we meet at the pub.
* * *
Back at myapartment, I notice that the front door isn’t all the way closed.Immediately, my mind flashes back to when I came home to find myfather beaten within an inch of his life. I try to take a deepbreath but I can’t. Slowly opening the door, I see my dad’s walletand keys on the counter. I call out for him but there’s no answer.my mind instantly goes to a dark place. Maybe Fournier found outthat I’ve been planning something with Slinky? If he did find out,he’d probably kill my father this time just to teach me alesson.
Overcome withanxiety and worry, I thoroughly check the suite. Dad would neverleave without his wallet and keys. Something must havehappened.
I pace back andforth not knowing what to do next. Then, I think about Dad’s newfriend, Charlie at the end of the hall. I know that my father saidCharlie is driving him around later today, but I doubt Dad would beover at his apartment this early. Nevertheless, I’d better checkand see. I walk down the hall and knock on Charlie’s door. After afew minutes of hearing someone rustle about, the door finallyopens. A hunched over Charlie strains to unbend so our eyesmeet.
“Hello. I’mJohn’s daughter. I was just wondering if you’ve…”
“Jules. Hi,honey.” My dad says, poking his head out from behind Charlie. “Iseverything ok?”
“Yeah. Ofcourse it is. I was just wondering where you were?”
Dad steps outinto the hall, “You look a little flushed.”
“I just gothome then I noticed that the door was unlocked. When iwent in, Isaw your wallet and keys on the counter so I started to worry.Initially, I never considered that you’d be at Charlie’s,” I say,forcing a smile.
“Sorry, Jules.I wasn’t planning on staying for a visit, I just came by to ask himwhat time we were leaving today? Then, we got to talking and Iguess I forgot that I left the apartment door open. I’m sorry Iworried you,” he says, apologetically.
Relieved tohave found him, I go back to the apartment, sit on the couch andcall Katie. She’s at work and can’t talk long so I quickly tell herthat when she goes home to make sure she’s not being followedbefore she gets out of her car.
“That’s astrange thing to say,” she says.
“I know. Iguess I’ve been watching too many crime shows or something. Justplease be extra cautious.”
She’s quiet fora moment and then giggles and tells me that she’ll make sure she’ssafe.
I
