“It’s very important that I find him,” Black said. “Where is he, Kitty?”
“I have no idea. Like I said, I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I swear to God. It’s the honest truth. I haven’t seen him.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Black said. “I saw him near your apartment last night.”
“Okay, look, I haven’t seen him, but he has his own key. He’s obviously around.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because he left his phone at my apartment last night.”
“Do you have it with you?”
She drew a long breath and exhaled slowly. “Yeah, it’s in my purse.”
“I’ll leave you alone and walk right out of here if you’re willing to give it to me.”
“Let me get it,” she said.
Black kept an eye on her around the corner as she went to her seat and dug a cell phone out of her purse, ignoring the inebriated fool next to her. She returned moments later and handed it over to Black.
“Here it is,” she said. “Now, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave discreetly. People over there were already asking questions about who you were.”
“What’s the password?” Black asked.
She shrugged. “Try my birthday.”
“And what’s that date?”
“You’re a resourceful guy,” she said with a wink. “I’m sure you can figure it out.”
Black glanced at his watch. It was almost 5:00 p.m. He dialed Alex’s number to pass along the good news and see if she could give him Kitty Tiller’s birthdate.
After a few rings, the call went to voicemail. He tried again, and it didn’t even ring before Black was listening to Alex’s message once again.
Come on, Alex. Pick up your phone.
CHAPTER 11
New York City
HAWK AND ALEX HUSTLED up to A Hand Up’s offices right at 4:30 p.m., hoping to catch Milton Reese before he left for the day. They arrived just in time to see him pulling the door shut and scrambling to insert his key into the deadbolt.
“Mr. Reese,” Alex called, “we were hoping we’d catch you.”
Reese turned around, and his wide smile dissipated as his gaze met the couple. “Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, I’m afraid I have to get going. Are you here to make a donation?”
“That’s what we came down here to speak with you about,” Hawk said.
“In that case, I can probably keep the office open for a few more minutes,” Reese said as he pushed the door open. “Please, do come in.”
Once they were inside, he relocked the doors and slipped the keys into his pocket. “Just in case anyone else comes along, I don’t want them to think we’re still available. My assistant went home early with a cold, so I’m stuck with handling everything on my own today.”
“Looks like you’ve got it under control,” Alex said.
Reese ushered them into his office and gestured for them to sit in the chairs across from him. They complied as he strode around to his desk and opened up the side drawer. He retrieved a handgun and trained it on Hawk.
“Enough with the games,” Reese said. “I want to know who the hell you people are because you sure as hell aren’t any Davenports that I could find.”
“Oh, hey now,” Hawk said, gesturing for Reese to lower his weapon. “What’s that? Goodness me, Mr. Reese. What’s gotten into you? Perhaps you’ve had a rough day or you just need a stiff drink, but we have no idea what on Earth you’re talking about?”
“No idea?” Reese asked as he narrowed his eyes. “Don’t patronize me, Alistair. I know a scam when I see one—and you two are running some sort of game. And I refuse to be taken advantage of.”
“We don’t want any trouble,” Alex said. “We just want to help, but I’m not so sure now.”
Sweat beading up on his forehead, Reese remained on his feet, bouncing his gun back and forth between Hawk and Alex.
“Please put that away,” Hawk said, his hands still raised. “We just stopped by to chat. But maybe I need to find another charity to donate all this money to.”
“Enough with the charades,” Reese said. “You’re both lying, and I can prove it.”
“Prove what?” Alex asked, the tension in her voice rising. “I believe you told me that you looked into us and everything checked out. We’re the ones who want to give you money.”
“Sometimes you just need to take a closer look,” Reese said. He opened a folder on his desk and spun the stack of documents around so they could see them. On top was a photo of Alex and Hawk both slinking down an alleyway with their weapons drawn.
Hawk waved dismissively at the picture. “Look, I don’t know why anyone would feel the need to concoct such a story against us, but that image has clearly been worked over by Photoshop. I mean, I do sometimes carry a gun when I’m visiting a potential industrial property in certain sections of L.A., but we’re not out hunting anyone. This is a ridiculous accusation, compounded by the fact that you feel the need to hold us at gunpoint. I can assure you that I’ll be alerting non-profit watchdogs about your outlandish behavior.”
“There’s nothing crazy about being wise in every circumstance,” Reese said. “Now, stay put while I tie you up.”
“Who told you this about us? Max Ellington?” Alex asked.
Reese paused but didn’t answer before resuming his search. His momentary glance back at Alex signaled that she was right.
“If Max suggested that we’re dangerous con artists, I can’t tell you how rich that is,” Hawk said. “I’ve never met a bigger thief than Mr. Ellington. He is ruthless.”
“Then why didn’t he wait until you already made your donation before he tried to blindside me?” Reese asked. “The fact is he knew you were never going to give me a dime, so he warned me.”
“First of all, that’s not true,” Hawk said. “I came prepared to offer you a large check today. Just look in the right breast pocket on my
