Blindside (Michael Bennett 12)

“But what?”

I could hear in her voice she was getting annoyed again. I blurted out, “It might help Brian.” I told her what the mayor had said about making some phone calls.

“Is that right? Is it right to use a person’s position, like the mayor’s, to help your family? Can he even make a promise like that?”

I said, “He didn’t promise anything.”

Mary Catherine said, “But is it right to use his position like that?”

“No, probably not. Do you want me to refuse?”

“No way. I want Brian back. I miss him.”

I said, “Exactly.” Everyone is an idealist, until the issue affects them. I knew I was going to do what I had to do.

CHAPTER 25

ALICE GROFF AND Janos Titon had to move on to someone else after they eliminated Tommy Payne from their list. The next nerd they started looking for was named Jennifer Chang. Alice had one photograph of her. She was a really cute twenty-four-year-old Asian woman from Los Angeles.

They didn’t have a lot on her other than a couple of possible addresses and the fact that she lived with another computer genius named Oscar Gonzales. Alice smiled at a line Henry had written in his notes about her. He pointed out the fact that her relationship with Oscar was platonic. That immediately told Alice that Henry was interested in Jennifer for more than her computer skills. At the end of the notes, Henry had added that she was not to be hurt, no matter what.

Alice also smiled at the idea of someone telling her how to do her job. She hurt people. That’s what she got paid for. She wouldn’t let something like an infatuation interfere with her job. If the cute Ms. Chang didn’t want to get hurt, she should do as they say. Henry needed to think with his head more. He also shouldn’t show vulnerabilities like that.

Henry wasn’t like a drug lord or a Russian gangster. He wasn’t so ruthless that he would track people down for a slight to his honor. But he was relying more and more on the two crazy Dutchmen he used as muscle. They were always eager to show how tough they were.

Alice had no desire to tangle with them.

Janos looked at the notes and said, “So all we do is ask Jennifer to come back with us. Nothing more.”

“Are you certain? It doesn’t help Henry’s business reputation if we let this girl walk.”

“What are you saying? Kill her even if we don’t have to? That’s no business, that’s just weird.” Janos turned to stare at Alice. A smile crept over his face. “Or is there something else? Are you jealous of young Jennifer? Is that why you want to put a bullet in her?”

Alice was silent for a while. Finally she said, “Not jealous in a romantic way. Henry prizes these computer people but barely acknowledges our contributions to his business.”

“He recognizes us with cash. I’ll take that any day. So let’s not hurt this girl. Please tell me you’re smart enough to know not to harm a purple-dyed hair on Jennifer Chang’s pretty head.”

Alice frowned but managed to avoid an overt promise, and they went

about their business.

One of the addresses they had was a brownstone in Queens. They were dressed professionally today and expected this to be a simple visit. Janos was even wearing a tie he’d bought from a place called Daffy’s, not far from Times Square.

They found the apartment door on the first floor but got no answer. Janos slipped a credit card out of his pocket.

Alice said, “What are you going to do with that?”

“I saw this on TV. I’m going to jiggle the lock open.”

“What TV show?”

“I saw it at home. It’s an American show. The Rockford Files.”

Alice shook her head, knowing it would never work.

After a short and furious bout of wiggling the card, Janos got frustrated and used his shoulder to smash in the door. The flimsy doorframe snapped on the inside, and they found themselves staring at an empty apartment. Not just that no one was home; there was no furniture or clothing.

Alice mumbled, “Damn.”