Page 111 of Kiss Her Goodbye

Because they haven’t always.I carry that weight as well.

Genni starts packing up the cookie supplies.We have other preparations we need to make in the kitchen now.

As well as to the hallway, pool area, and heavily landscaped grounds.Even Petunia has a crucial role to play.And no, iguanas aren’t bulletproof, adding to my sense of dread.

I have one last trick up my sleeve.Might be a long shot, but given the stakes, I’ll take it.

And now…

Roberta pushes away from the table while Genni leads Zahra out of the kitchen.

We each know our roles.

A final quiet nod of acknowledgment to one another.

Then we start prepping for the night ahead.

Which for me, means a hushed phone call where I won’t be overheard, and then a visit to the snake room.

CHAPTER 40

FOUR OF US PILE INTOGenni’s vehicle, which turns out to be (naturally) a 1950s vintage Chevy truck in shades of soft white and mint green.Zahra is already cooing over the pretty pastel bench seat as Genni lifts her in.Roberta and I climb aboard more awkwardly, Roberta now sporting a dark blue scarf around her head, as well as a blousy white shirt and loose gray skirt.Given the ensemble came from Genni’s closet, many safety pins are involved in keeping the wardrobe in place, but so far, so good.

We leave Daryl behind for the finishing touches.Again, we all have our assignments.

Genni’s primary responsibility is Zahra.For the occasion, she has ditched her vintage costumes and sky-high heels.Instead, she’s as demurely clad as I’ve ever seen her in sleek black trousers and a wraparound leopard-print top.There’s an alertness to the way she moves, head on a swivel, feet poised for action.

I can see remnants of the street kid she used to be, constantly vigilant, never relaxing.I wonder how many rusty blades she’s packing, and for Zahra’s sake, I’m already grateful for each and every one.

Roberta has her disguise, Genni her ensemble.And I’m once again just me.I’m not a superhero and I know it.

Genni will drop Roberta and me off at the edge of the strip mall where Aliah’s deli is located.We’ve chosen Genni and her truck because to the best of our knowledge, no one knows about her, making her the safest option for secreting us about.

She will depart with Zahra and head to a public place.We don’t know where and we don’t want to know.That way, should things go awry…

In what will hopefully be an excellent piece of theater, I will hastily escort a cowering and frightened Sabera-clad Roberta to the front of Aliah’s deli, where Aliah’s car is still parked.Our job is to look both rushed and terrified, while also taking enough time to attract notice of anyone who might be watching.

Next step, commandeer the car and drive to the warehouse district, where we know our evildoers like to operate.

More theater.Drive about here and there.Not too fast, not too slow, always looking, looking, looking, as if we actually know what we’re doing and at any time might discover Farshid and company’s lair.

With any luck, we will officially grab their attention.The moment we pick up the hint of a tail…

Rush back to the estate, bringing our shadow with us.

Where we will transition from warm-up act to the main event.

Is this plan terribly brilliant?No.

Can it totally, absolutely fail?Yep.

And yet… The police have made no progress locating Aliah or Sabera.We’ve been equally unsuccessful.Best results thus far have been others finding us, from Captain Kurtz to Lilla No Last Name.

At a certain point, might as well play to our strengths.

If we can pull the kidnappers away from Aliah, get even one of them to take the bait and follow us back to the estate where we’reall set up to turn the tables and ambush them… We need a win and there’s not much time left on the clock.

Genni gets us to the brightly lit strip mall.NineP.M., still plenty of people strolling about, loading up groceries, grabbing takeout.So many ordinary people, going through just another day in the life.