Manhattan Is My Beat (Rune 1)

Stephanie's groggy voice finally answered.

"Rune! Where've you been? You missed work last night. Tony's really pissed--"

"Steph, listen to me." Her voice was raw. "They murdered that man I was trying to find, Symington, they're trying to make it look like I did it."

"What?"

"And they tried to kill me!"

"Who?"

"I don't know. They work for the Mafia or something. I think they might've seen you too."

"Rune, are you making this up? Is this one of your fantasies?"

"No! I'm serious."

Several customers glanced at her. She felt a shiver of fear. She cupped her hand over the receiver and lowered her voice. "Look on the front page of the Post. The story's there."

"You have to call the police."

"I can't. My fingerprints're all over the house where Symington got killed. I'm a suspect."

"Jesus, Rune. What a mess."

"I'm going back to Ohio."

"When? Now?"

"As soon as I can get some money. Tony won't pay me."

"Prick," Stephanie spat out. "I can lend you some."

"I can give you a check for fifteen hundred."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, it's payable to cash. You can have it. But, listen, you have to come with me!"

"Come with you?" Stephanie asked. "Where?"

"To Ohio."

"No way. I've got an audition next week."

"Stephanie ..."

"I'll get you a couple of hundred. I'll stop at the bank. Where'll you be?"

"How 'bout Union Square Park? The subway entrance, southeast side."

"Okay. Good. A half hour."

"Is it safe?" Stephanie asked cautiously.

"Pretty safe."

A pause. "I don't want to get beat up or anything. I bruise real easy. And I can't be bruised for my audition."