Judge & Jury - James Patterson [54]
He nudged Eddie as the elevator descended, watching the floor lights start to go down.
“That would be a pisser, wouldn’t it, Eddie-boy? The whole free world is out looking for us—and we’re just sitting at Pritzie’s having a veal and peppers and a beer. So whaddya say?”
The burly marshal grinned. “Sounds like a plan, Dom.”
“That’s what it sounds like to me, too,” Cavello said, following the lights of the floor panel as the elevator descended. “A plan.”
Chapter 66
ANDIE WAS WAITING for me out in the hallway. She said that she’d seen enough. She didn’t have to be there anymore. I rode down the elevator with her and a couple of prospective jurors to the lobby. There was a little awkwardness between us there. I told her how brave I thought she was to come. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you, Nick. It was a good idea.”
On my way upstairs, I stuck my head inside the security room for a check on Cavello. He was headed down to the basement now. I watched over the shoulder of one of the agents as Cavello moved in front of the elevator, chatting with his guards. Everything was under control. The security captain was in close contact with all points along the exit route. “The subject’s in motion,” he reported in.
Suddenly, the ground beneath us rocked. It was like an earthquake! Coffee cups, pens, clipboards clattered to the floor.
“Jesus, something’s happened,” one of the agents monitoring the screens shouted and pointed. “In the garage! There’s been an explosion down there! Holy shit!”
We crowded close to the monitor and watched what happened next in shock. Billowing gray smoke began to block the screen. Then everything went completely black.
A radio report crackled in from one of the units stationed underground. “There’s been an explosion down here. The garage is on fire. There may be casualties. I can’t make much out. Too much smoke, smoke everywhere.”
The captain seized a microphone. “This is Meachem. We have a situation in the garage! Some kind of explosive device has been detonated. I want SWAT, backup, and medical units down there pronto. And I want to know what the hell’s going on.”
I didn’t have to look at the screen. I knew what was going on.
The screens kept flashing back and forth to different monitors in the garage, trying to locate a clear view of what was taking place. I grabbed Meachem by the shoulder. “Captain, this isn’t about the garage. It’s about Cavello! Get all agents on alert. He’s on his way down there now!”
I rushed back to the other end of the console and checked the elevator scene.
Jesus, no!
My eyes bulged in horror. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—only I knew it was happening again.
I ran to the door.
Chapter 67
CAVELLO WAS STILL in the elevator, kibitzing with the guards, joking for all he was worth. His eyes angled toward the control panel. The descending lights flashed: 7, 6, 5.
Now!
In that instant he lunged toward the panel, pressing his thumb solidly onto the heat-sensitive square for the third floor.
“What the hell?” The elevator jerked to an unexpected stop. The door started to open. The black marshal reached out to rein in Cavello, powerfully pressing him up against the wall. Then someone stepped inside.
The marshal’s jaw fell open. “What the—”
The first shot caught him between the eyes and hurled him against the paneled wall. He sank to the floor, leaving a dark-red smear.
The next two shots caught Eddie-boy in the chest. Two plum-colored circles appeared on his white shirt. The guard released Cavello with a deep groan as he crumpled to the floor. He looked up at the shooter. “I’ve got kids.”
“Sorry, Eddie-boy,” Cavello said. Two more silenced thuds ripped into his chest, and the guard went still.
“Hurry,” the Israeli snapped, pressing the button for the lobby, then tossing Cavello a pouch. “We don’t have any time.”
Inside the pouch, Cavello found a dark woman’s wig and a raincoat. The Israeli plopped