Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [735]
Already she could see lines of sweat running down Charlie’s forehead, trailing along his jawline, white lines through the instant-suntan cream he must have applied just before coming over. She wondered, if and when his head started sweating, would the black hair dye leave streaks of red down his neck? His entire disguise could be ruined by perspiration. But Charlie seemed totally unaware of any possible problems.
He walked up the sidewalk with his usual easy stroll, whistling. It wasn’t until he was on the porch that she recognized the tune from “Green Acres,” the old TV show. The boy could be a walking commercial for “Nick at Nite” programming.
She waited until he was inside the house, the door closed behind them before she said, “That’s your idea of a getaway car?”
“What? It’s a 2004. Has less than five thousand miles on it. And the windows are tinted. Ain’t nobody gonna see inside that son of a bitch unless they have their eyes plastered up against the window.”
She had to admit it looked brand new. Probably taken from another dealers’ lot, although it didn’t have dealer plates. She didn’t need to ask. She knew he had already taken care of them, switching the stolen car’s license plates with a pair he would have taken from the airport’s long-term parking or from one of the apartment complexes in West Omaha. Someplace where the switch wouldn’t be noticed for a few days, maybe even weeks. How many people would recognize their license plates were different? The boy was good. Fast. Efficient. But predictable. She tried to drill into his thick skull that it was the common, small mistakes that usually tripped up the best of the best. A speeding ticket, an unpaid tax bill or one too many stolen Saturns.
“Where’s Jared?” she asked. “I thought you were picking him up.”
“He had an errand. We’ll pick him up on our way. You’re supposed to be wearing your coveralls.” Charlie had his hands on his hips, assessing her blue jeans and T-shirt.
“It’s too fucking hot for coveralls. Besides, I’m gonna be in the car. You already said nobody’ll even see me behind those tinted windows.”
He didn’t look convinced. She pulled the baseball cap down over her forehead and put on a pair of dark sunglasses. “This is all the disguise I’m agreeing to.”
“Okay,” he said, giving in too easily. “Do we have anything good to eat that I can take with me?” And he headed to the kitchen, not waiting for an answer. He opened the fridge, pulling out the makings for a sandwich.
“Jesus, Charlie! We’re on our way to rob a bank and you’re packing a picnic?”
“Just a sandwich.” He swiped gobs of Miracle Whip on the bread and began building a pile of deli meat and cheese, layering one after another. “Unless you got some chips, too?” He looked up at her and grinned, that stupid, lopsided grin.
She hesitated but only for a second. It had always been hard to deny him anything. Almost six feet tall, but he was still her baby. She began rummaging through the pantry, pulling out an unopened bag of Ruffles. She tossed it on the counter where he already had a Ziploc bag waiting and another grin to get her to fill it for him. She opened the bag, wondering if there were any cold sodas for them to take, too.
CHAPTER 12
3:15 p.m.
Peony Park HyVee
Grace Wenninghoff wrinkled her nose as Emily dropped the Hostess Cupcakes into their shopping cart.
“Emily…”
“They’re so yummy. And you said—”
“I said you could have them as long as you picked out some fruit, too.”
She pointed to the produce section, expecting a protest. The truth was, Grace probably would have given in without her daughter’s