He sat on the edge of the bed. "What's happened?"
"They saw me today, and one of their goons, my friend Stump, chased me through the Quarter. You haven't met Stump, but he's the one who watched you and everyone else walk into the chapel."
"But you got away."
"Yeah. A small miracle, but I got away."
"What happened to Stump?"
"He was mortally wounded. He's probably lying in a bed somewhere wearing an ice pack in his shorts. He was just a few steps from me when he picked a fight with the wrong guys. I'm scared, Gavin."
"Did he follow you from somewhere?"
"No. We just sort of met on the street."
Verheek paused a second. Her voice was shaking, but under control. She was losing her cool. "Look, Darby. I've got a flight out of here tomorrow afternoon. I have this little job and my boss expects me to be at the office. So I can't hang around New Orleans for the next month hoping you don't get killed and hoping you come to your senses and trust me. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I think you need to go with me."
"Go where?"
"To Washington. To my house. To someplace other than where you are."
"What happens then?"
"Well, you get to live, for one thing. I'll plead with the Director, and I promise you'll be safe. We'll do something, dammit. Anything beats this."
"What makes you think we can just fly out of here?"
"Because we'll have three FBI agents surrounding you. Because I'm not a complete dumbass. Look, Darby, tell me where you want to meet right now, and within fifteen minutes I'll come get you with three agents. These guys have guns, and they're not afraid of your little Stump and his pals. We'll get you out of the city tonight, and take you to Washington tomorrow. I promise you'll personally meet my boss, the Honorable F. Denton Voyles, tomorrow, and we'll go from there."
"I thought the FBI was not involved."
"It's not involved, but it may be."
"Then where do the three agents come from?"
"I've got friends."
She thought for a moment, and her voice was suddenly stronger. "Behind your hotel is a place called Riverwalk. It's a shopping area with restaurants and"
"I spent two hours there this afternoon."
"Good. On the second level is a clothing store called Frenchmen's Bend."
"I saw it."
"At precisely noon tomorrow, I want you to stand by the entrance, and wait for five minutes."
"Come on, Darby. You won't be alive at noon tomorrow. Enough of this cat and mouse."
"Just do as I say, Gavin. We've never met, so I have no idea what you look like. Wear a black shirt of some type and a red baseball cap."
"Where might I find such articles?"
"Just get them."
"Okay, okay, I'll have them. I guess you want me to pick my nose with a shovel or something. This is silly."
"I'm not in a silly mood, and if you don't shut up we'll call it off."
"It's your neck."
"Please, Gavin."
"I'm sorry. I'll do whatever you say. That's a very busy spot to be."
"Yes, it is. I just feel safer in a crowd. Stand by the door for five minutes or so, and hold a folded newspaper. I'll be watching. After five minutes, walk inside the store, and go to the right rear corner where there's a rack of safari jackets. Browse around a bit, and I'll find you."
"And what might you be wearing?"
"Don't worry about me."
"Fine. Then what do we do?"
"You and I, and only you and I, will leave the city. I don't want anyone else to know of this. Do you understand?"
"No, I don't understand. I can arrange security."
"No, Gavin. I'm the boss, okay. No one else. Forget your three agent friends. Agreed?"
"Agreed. How do you propose we leave the city?"
"I've got a plan for that too."
"I don't like any of your plans, Darby. These thugs are breathing down your neck, and now you're getting me in the middle of it. This is not what I wanted. It's much safer to do it my way. Safer for you, safer for me."
"But you'll be there at noon, won't you?"
He stood by the bed and spoke with his eyes closed. "Yes. I'll be there. I just hope you make it."
"How tall are you?"
"Five-ten."
"How much do you weigh?"
"I was afraid of this. I usually lie, you know. Two hundred, but I plan to lose it. I swear."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Gavin."
"I hope I see you, dear."
She was gone. He hung up. "Son of a bitch!" he yelled to the walls. "Son of a bitch!" He walked along the end of the bed a few times, then to the bathroom, where he closed the door and turned on the shower.
He cussed her in the shower for ten minutes, then stepped out, and dried himself. It was more like two hundred and fifteen pounds, and all of it was situated badly on the five-nine frame. It was painful to look at. Here he was, about to meet this gorgeous woman who suddenly trusted him with her life, and what a slob he was.
He opened the door. The room was dark. Dark? He had left on the lights. What the hell? He headed for the switch next to the dresser.
