“Good Lord.”
“The guy was a cockroach. Both victims were. But Kinnard exterminated them in cold blood. That alone took gumption.” He told her about his leaving the bodies within walking distance of police headquarters and about the wave he’d given a security camera in the New Orleans hotel. “Like he doesn’t care if we know he’s back in town. Pisses us off,” he grumbled.
“And he kidnapped Josh Bennett’s sister?”
“Well, he’s gone and she’s gone. Can’t be good.”
“You don’t suppose they’re in cahoots?”
He laughed. “Her with this character? No way. She’s classy. Uptown. He’s just the opposite.”
“People have said that about you and me.”
He bent his head and rubbed his nose in the open collar of her blouse. “I’ve said it myself.” He kissed her neck, then pulled away. “We have to assume that Jordie Bennett is in danger of her life. If he hasn’t killed her already.”
“If he was going to kill her, why didn’t he do it along with Mickey Bolden?”
“I’m afraid to venture a guess. Because he spared the call girl in Mexico from assassination, Hick thinks he may have a soft spot for the ladies.”
“What do you think?”
Joe called to mind the face in Shaw Kinnard’s mug shot, the rigidity of the features, the unfeeling gaze looking directly into the camera. “I don’t think this guy has a soft spot for anything or anybody. Including himself.”
For moments after the cell phone rang, Shaw and Jordie were held in suspended animation. He moved first, opening the flap on his breast pocket and taking out the ringing cell phone while she watched with wide-eyed apprehension.
He put it on speaker and answered. “How’s it hanging, Panella?”
“What the fuck? Who’s this? Where’s Mickey? Why are you answering his phone?”
“I can think of only one reason.”
Shaw had noticed Jordie’s shudder upon hearing Panella’s electronic voice. Maybe he did want to avoid a voiceprint, but Shaw figured he also used the device because he knew it sounded creepy and added to his mystique. Right now, however, he was silent except for the rasp of his breathing.
Then, “You’re Mickey’s second?”
“That’s right.”
“Where’s Mickey?”
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, he had to stay behind.”
“What does that mean?”
“I think you can figure it out.”
“You motherfucker.”
“That’s not my name.”
“He’s dead?”
“Compliments of me. I also took Jordie Bennett,” Shaw said. “Not her corpse. Her. Which means that if you still want her killed, you gotta deal with me.”
Panella let loose a spate of profanities and threats which came through loud and clear despite the garbled voice. “You think you’re awfully smart, don’t you?”
“Well, I outsmarted Mickey. That wasn’t my gray matter left to shovel up.”
“I discouraged your participation.”