arrived, she would be less wary of Tad’s betraying her and would then go up to the Rosenberg Clinic. Just after eleven, she was told that the package was there and that it was being held for the guest’s arrival.
As Marissa prepared to leave the hotel, she didn’t know whether to be surprised that Tad had sent the serum or not. Of course the package could be empty, or its arrival only a ruse to get her to reveal her whereabouts. Unfortunately, there was no way for Marissa to be sure, and she wanted the serum enough to make her doubts academic. She would have to take a chance.
Taking only her purse, Marissa tried to think of a way of obtaining the package that would involve the least risk. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any bright ideas other than to have a cab waiting and to be sure there were plenty of people around.
George Valhala had been in the lobby of the Essex House since early that morning. This was the kind of situation that he loved. He’d had coffee, read the papers and ogled some handsome broads. All in all, he’d had a great time, and none of the house detectives had bothered him, dressed as he was in an Armani suit and genuine alligator shoes.
He was considering ducking into the men’s room when he saw Marissa get off the elevator. He dropped his
Jake had spotted Marissa and had already started the car. “She looks even cuter in daylight,” he said, preparing to make a U-turn.
“You sure that’s Blumenthal?” asked the man who had been waiting in the backseat. His name was Alphonse Hicktman, but few people teased him about his first name, just calling him Al, as he requested. He’d grown up in East Germany and had fled to the West over the Berlin Wall. His face was deceptively youthful. His hair was blond, and he wore it short in a Julius Caesar-style shag. His pale blue eyes were as cold as a winter sky.
“She registered under the name of Lisa Kendrick, but she fits the description,” said George. “It’s her all right.”
“She’s either awfully good or awfully lucky,” said Al. “We’ve got to isolate her without any slipups. Heberling says she could blow the whole deal.”
They watched as Marissa climbed into a taxi and headed east.
Despite the traffic, Jake made his U-turn, then worked his way up to a position only two cars behind Marissa’s taxi.
“Look, lady, you got to tell me where you want to go,” said Marissa’s driver, eyeing her in his rearview mirror.
Marissa was twisted around, still watching the entrance to the Essex House. No one had come out who appeared to be following her. Facing forward, she told the driver to go around the block. She was still trying to think of a safe way to get the serum.
The driver muttered something under his breath as he proceeded to turn right at the corner. Marissa looked at the Fifth Avenue entrance to the Plaza. There were loads of cars, and the little park in front of the hotel was crowded with people. Horse-drawn hansom cabs lined the curb, waiting for customers. There were even several mounted policemen with shiny blue and black helmets. Marissa felt encouraged. There was no way anybody could surprise her in such a setting.
As they came back down Fifty-ninth Street, Marissa told the driver that she wanted him to stop at the Plaza and wait while she ran inside.
“Lady, I think…”
“I’ll only be a moment,” said Marissa.
“There are plenty of cabs,” pointed out the driver. “Why don’t you get another?”
“I’ll add five dollars to the metered fare,” said Marissa, “and I promise I won’t be long.” Marissa treated the man to the largest smile she could muster under the circumstances.
The driver shrugged. His reservations seemed adequately covered by the five-dollar tip and the smile. He pulled up to the Plaza. The hotel doorman opened the door and Marissa got out.
She was extremely nervous, expecting the worst at any second. She watched as her cab pulled up about thirty feet from the entrance. Satisfied, she went inside.
As she’d hoped, the ornate lobby was busy. Without hesitating, Marissa crossed to a jewelry display window and pretended to be absorbed. Scanning the reflection in the glass, she checked the area for signs anyone was watching her. No one seemed to notice her at all.
Crossing the lobby again, she approached the concierge’s desk and waited, her heart pounding.
“May I see some identification?” asked the man, when Marissa requested the parcel.
Momentarily confused, Marissa said she didn’t have any with her.
“Then your room key will be adequate,” said the man, trying to be helpful.
“But I haven’t checked in yet,” said Marissa.
The man smiled. “Why don’t you check in and then get your parcel. I hope you understand. We do have a responsibility.”
“Of course,” said Marissa, her confidence shaken. She obviously had not thought this out as carefully as she should have. Recognizing she had little choice, she walked to the registration desk.
Even that process was complicated when she said she didn’t want to use a credit card. The clerk made her go to the cashier to leave a sizable cash deposit before he would give her a room key. Finally, armed with the key, she got her Federal Express package.
Tearing open the parcel as she walked, Marissa lifted out the vial and glanced at it. It seemed authentic. She threw the wrapping in a trash can and pocketed the serum. So far so good.
Emerging from the revolving door, Marissa hesitated while her eyes adjusted to the midday glare. Her cab was still where she’d last seen it. The doorman asked if she wanted transportation, and Marissa smiled and shook her head.
She looked up and down Fifty-ninth Street. If anything, the traffic had increased. On the sidewalk hundreds of people rushed along as if they were all late for some important meeting. It was a scene of bright sun and purposeful bustle. Satisfied, Marissa descended the few steps to the street and ran the short distance to her cab.
Reaching the car and grasping the rear door handle, she cast one last look over her shoulder at the Plaza entrance. No one was following her. Her fears about Tad had been unfounded.
She was about to slide inside when she found herself staring into the muzzle of a gun held by a blond man who’d apparently been lying on the backseat. The man started to speak, but Marissa didn’t give him time. She swung herself clear of the cab and slammed the door. The weapon discharged with a hiss. It was some kind of sophisticated air gun. The cab window shattered, but Marissa was no longer looking. She took off, running as she’d never run before. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the cab driver had bolted out of his car and was running diagonally away from her. The next time she looked over her shoulder, she saw the blond man headed in her direction, pushing his way through the crowds.
The sidewalk was an obstacle course of people, luggage, pushcarts, baby carriages and dogs. The blond man had pocketed his weapon, but she no longer was convinced the crowds provided the protection she had hoped for. Who would even notice the air gun’s soft hiss? She’d just fall to the ground, and her attacker would escape before anyone realized she’d been shot.
People shouted as she crashed by them, but she kept going. The confusion she caused hampered the blond man, but not dramatically. He was gaining on her.
Running across the drive east of the Plaza, Marissa dodged taxis and limos, reaching the edge of the small park with its central fountain. She was in a full panic with no destination. But she knew she had to do something. It was at that moment that she saw the mounted policeman’s horse. It was loosely tethered to the link chain fence that bordered the tiny patch of grass in the park. As Marissa ran toward the horse, she searched desperately for the policeman. She knew he had to be near, but there was so little time. She could hear the blond man’s heels strike the sidewalk, then hesitate. He’d arrived at the drive separating the park from the hotel.
Reaching the horse, Marissa grabbed the reins and ducked underneath as the animal nervously tossed its head. Looking back, Marissa saw the man was in the street, rounding a limo.
Frantically, Marissa’s eyes swept the small park. There were plenty of people, many of them looking in her direction, but no policeman. Giving up, she turned and started running across the park. There was no chance to hide. Her pursuer was too close.
