“ Damn… oh. damn… he-he got on to us… we-we got word..
“You got word? You’re saying someone informed on him?” “Yeah-yeah …”
“Who?”
“Don’t know… Honest. I swear, I’d tell ya.
“All right, go on.”
“Carruthers and Cash said-said Steiger was worth five million dead’
“Five million dollars?”
“Yeah…” said Dicenzo, gritting his teeth. “Network’s got a contract on him… the old man, too. Ten million for him..
“What a bunch of sweethearts,” said Hunter. “So you decided to stall us and try to move your goods, and then collect on Steiger,” Lucas said. “Just a little business enterprise, isn’t that right?”
“Wasn’t-wasn’t my idea.” said Dicenzo, “About Steiger. I mean. I swear..
“But you were more than willing to go along with it for a share of the money.” said Delaney. “We ought to just dump you out into the slit-et and leave you.”
“No! No, please… you gotta get me to a hospital! I’ll talk… I’ll tell you everything I know. please…”
I want you to give Cpl. Craven full details on the warehouses,” Lucas said. “Where they are, what’s in them, where your other safehouses are, everything you’ve got set up in this scenario. Then and only then will she give you another shot and clock you to a hospital. But if I find out you’ve held anything back, personally pay a visit to your hospital room, you understand?”
“I’ve told the truth. I swear…”
“You better have,” said Lucas. “And you’d better hope that Steiger’s still alive. Linda. take his statement.”
They left the room. “I’m going after Steiger,” said Delaney. “All right,” said Lucas. “Take Hunter with you. I’ll stay here and hold the fort. I still need to have another talk with our friend Moffat.”
“What do you want us to do. with those Network men?” asked Hunter. “Personally, I don’t much care,” said Lucas. ‘“Try to take them alive if you can, so they can be put through interrogation, we’ve already got Dicenzo, so don’t take any chances. The mission has to come first, If they put up any resistance, take them out.”
“You got it, pilgrim.”
Hunter said. “And one more thing.” Lucas said. “Stop calling me pilgrim.” Hunter grinned. “Sure thing, pilgrim. Anything you say. Come on. Delaney. We gotta go rescue the guy that wants to squeeze my brain out like a sponge. Think maybe he’ll be grateful?”
He chuckled and started down the stairs.
“Watch him. Finn,” said Lucas. “I could still be wrong about him. I don’t want any accidents, okay?”
“Sure.” said Delaney. “You’re taking a chance, you know?”
“You mean, sending Hunter with you? I’ve got no choice. We’re spread too thin.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Delaney said. “There’s something likable about that guy, isn’t there? Reminds us of the Hunter that we knew. You’re figuring on making Steiger fccl obligated to him, aren’t you? That many not play, partner.
Steiger’s awful cold.”
“You may be right,” said Lucas. “But what the hell, it’s worth a shot.”
“You getting soft on me?” said Delaney, with a grin.
“Go on,” said Lucas. “Get out of here.”
He watched Delaney leave, then sighed and went down the hall to Moffat’s room. He opened the door and froze. The chair in which Moffat had been tied down was empty. The ropes holding him had been snapped with incredible strength and the window was open.
“Jesus Christ… said Lucas. He ran back out into the hall. ‘Finn!”