Page 138 of Guarding Grace

“I got ya,” Winston said as Rudi went over the top.

“Expedite. Cops at the front door,” Jordy announced.

“Roger,” I repeated as I climbed over and hand signaled to the street.

We casually walked to the Porsche. I kept a firm grip on Rudi’s arm, but otherwise we were just three buddies out for a stroll.

With no cops in sight, I climbed in back with Rudi, and Winston took the wheel.

“So who are you guys?” Rudi asked after Winston’s door closed.

“We’re the good guys. Now, no more talking until we get where we’re going.”

After we buckled in, Winston started the car and slowly drove off.

Jordy’s instruction came two blocks later. “Looks like you’re clear.”

Lucas added, “Back to the nest. I want to talk to Sanchez.”

Talkdidn’t imply he would be gentle about it.

“Roger that,” I answered.

I hung up the call. “Back to Hawk. He says we’re clear.”

Winston nodded and turned left. “I hate nosy neighbors. This was a good pair of pants.” The suit pants he’d worn today had a nasty rip in them.

“It could have been worse,” I reminded him. “We could have gone out the front door and had that nosy neighbor following us around the block to our ride.”

He shook his head. “Fuck, yeah.”

I tapped the silver case and looked over at a terrified Rudi. “But it all worked out.”

“Copy that,” Winston said.

“Are you guys military?”

Shook my head; Rudi didn’t get it. I punched him hard in the shoulder. “What did I say about talking?”

He cowered against the door.

Today I hated nosy neighbors, too. Combat was one kind of stress, but at least you could shoot back. Being cornered by the cops without a good excuse for being in that house was a different animal.

CHAPTER 32

Terry

Lucas was waiting,arms folded over his chest, as Winston parked us in the garage under Hawk. The boss’s expression was as cold as I’d ever seen it.

Joe had the hood up on Lucas’s Cayenne.

I exited the car with Rudi in tow and handed him over to Lucas.

“Mr. Sanchez,” Lucas said. “You and I are going to have a very honest talk.

“But I don’t know nuthin’,” Rudi protested.

“In that case…” Lucas pulled out his phone. “I’m going to call Tony Russo and claim the reward for finding the man who stole from him.”