No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [76]
That was the first step, and it had gone as he thought it would. Chavez was suspicious, but that would be partially erased when he saw the photograph. After that, it would come down to negotiations. Christ, he hated dealing with that slime-ball.
But he had dealt with snakes like Chavez before and for less return.
Elena and Galen didn’t get the information they needed until the next evening.
“Three touring carnivals operating in Georgia, one in Alabama and one in North Carolina, none in South Carolina or Florida,” Galen said. “And the only one near a wild-game park is the one outside Birmingham, Alabama.”
“How far is Birmingham?” Elena asked.
“About two and a half hours’ drive.”
“Then why don’t we fly?”
“By the time we get to the airport, find a flight, and arrange for a rental car in Birmingham, we could be there already.”
“Then let’s go.” She headed for the door. “It’s only six o’clock. We might be able to catch—”
“It’s a long shot, Elena.”
“I don’t care. Do you have a better idea?”
He shook his head. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“Hope is all I’ve got. I’m not going to give it up.” She opened the front door. “I’m going to Birmingham.”
“And I’m going with you.” He followed her out to the porch. “You need to remember that Judd heard everything Barry said to you. He might not even take him to the carnival.”
She had already thought of that possibility. “He’s trying to keep Barry so happy that he won’t have time to question anything Judd says or does. An outing like that is a big thing in a little boy’s life. He won’t want to disappoint him. I think he’ll try to take him, even if it’s only for a short time.” Her lips twisted bitterly. “I’ve never had an opportunity to take Barry to a carnival. I’m going to owe that bastard for cheating me of that too.”
“Hey, big deal. We’ll take him to Disney World when we get him back.”
When, not if?
“We’ll get him back,” he said quietly to her unspoken question. “Even if we have to take him away from Chavez.”
“If Chavez gets him out of the country, it will—”
Galen’s phone rang. “Galen.” He handed the phone to Elena. “Chavez.”
She slowly raised the phone to her ear. “You bastard.”
“Why are you so upset with me? It was your dear brother who killed his old mentor.”
“You’re the one who put a gun in his hand and gave him enough heroin to make sure he wouldn’t care if he killed his sister or a man who had been nothing but a friend to him.”
“Luis wasn’t supposed to kill Dominic Sanders. I was expecting you to show up at the hotel and I told Luis it was his job to take care of you. Those drug addicts never get anything right.”
She was so angry that she had to wait before replying. “You didn’t get it right either. Luis is dead, and I have no reason to talk to you again.”
“That was unfortunate. But you took out two of my men in exchange. I never expected you to have a marksman on call. He was extremely gifted. Galen?”
“No.”
“Then who was it?”
“Why do you want to know? Do you want to put out a contract on him?”
“Just curious. How is my son?”
“He’s not your son.”
“I have an idea he will be soon. What do they say about possession?”
“And I’m in possession.”
“Are you?”
“Yes, dammit.” She hung up and looked at Galen. “I think Judd has already contacted him. He was feeling me out. Christ, Judd’s moving fast.”
“Then we’d better do the same.” He started down the steps. “Come on, let’s see if we can find that carnival before it closes down for the night.”
14
The carnival grounds smelled of cotton candy, popcorn, and the sweat of the crowd milling about the booths. The shrill sound of the calliope grated on Elena’s nerves as her gaze searched desperately.
“Where do we start?” Elena murmured. “The Ferris wheel. He mentioned the Ferris wheel.”
“As good a place as any.” Galen grabbed her elbow and was already pushing her through the throng. “You have his picture to show people?”
She nodded, her gaze anxiously searching the crowd. Where are you, Barry? Where are you, baby?