Near Miss

“You two ready?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Hogan held out his hand.

“You get paid after you do the job.”

“How do we know you won’t stiff us?”

Bozo moved into Hogan’s personal space. “What did you say?” They were the same height, but both knew Bozo would wipe the floor with Hogan if blows were exchanged.

“Nothing. Sorry.”

“That’s what I thought.” Bozo stepped back. “I ask again: Are you ready?”

The woman nodded. “I am.”

“Me, too,” Hogan said.

“You need to keep the driver busy for at least ten minutes,” Bozo said to Candy. “Not a second less.”

“I remember.”

“Do you also remember what to do after?”

“I find a seat at the bar and keep an eye on the attorney and his friends. When they’re leaving, I let you know.”

“Perfect. Okay, let’s get this show on the road. Make it look good.”

Fred knew something was up the moment he saw the man and woman heading down the sidewalk. They appeared to be arguing, but it was more of an act than the real thing.

Fred donned his wireless earbuds, and as instructed, called the number Stone had passed on to him.

“This is Fred Flicker. To whom am I speaking?”

“Janet Hutto, Strategic Services.”

“Ms. Hutto, can you see me from your position?”

“We can.”

“And the couple walking toward me?”

“We see them. They look like they’re acting.”

“That is my assessment as well.”

When the couple was almost to the Bentley, the man slapped the woman, pushed her to the ground, and ran off. She cried out, then called for help.

“She’s baiting you,” Hutto said.

“Perhaps I should find out why.”

“Would you like me and my partner to back you up?”

“Don’t. That might scare her off. I can handle myself.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

Fred slipped his phone into his pocket, leaving it on, then climbed out and jogged to the woman.

“Madam, are you okay?”

“Far from it. I was just assaulted.”

“I saw. Can you stand?”

“I think so.”

Fred helped her to her feet.

“Would you like me to call the police?”

“I’m... I’m not sure. Is there someplace I can sit down and catch my breath?” She looked around, until her eyes landed on the entrance to Patroon. “Maybe in there?”

“I’m sure they have a chair you can use.”

She took a step and winced. “Can you help me? It feels like I twisted my ankle.”

“I would be happy to.”

In his ear, Hutto said, “We’ll keep an eye on your car.”

Fred escorted the woman into the restaurant and over to a chair, then approached the hostess. “Someone pushed her down. Is it possible to get her a glass of water?”

“Of course.”

As the hostess hurried off, Fred looked back at the woman. “Have you decided if you’d like me to call the police?”

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to cause a scene.”

“I think it’s more accurate to say that man who hit you and shoved you onto the sidewalk caused the scene.”

“I need a few minutes to collect myself before I decide anything.”

“Very well. If you need me, I’ll be out at my—”

“No,” she said, grabbing his hand. “Please, stay with me. I’m afraid he might come back.”

“Mr. Flicker,” Hutto said over Fred’s earpiece. “A man has just stopped at the back of the Bentley and dropped down, out of sight.”

Fred took the seat next to the woman. “Of course, I’ll stay.”

Stone’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, saw it was a call from Mike Freeman. “Hello, Mike.”

“There’s a situation with your car,” Mike Freeman said.

Stone covered his phone, and said to his companions, “I’ll be right back.” He found a quiet spot near the restrooms and brought his phone back up. “What kind of situation?”

Mike told him about Fred and the woman, then said, “After they went inside, a man approached your car and crawled underneath it. I’ve been told he just left.”

“Describe the man.”

Mike did.

“That sounds like Bozo. And before you say anything, no, not the clown.”

“I’m going to send one of my people to check his handiwork.”

“Good idea. Let me know what they find.”

“I will.”

Stone returned to his friends.

Chapter 23

Stone’s dinner of pan-seared halibut had just been set in front of him when Mike called him again.

“It appears Bozo has ill will toward you. He has attached a car bomb to your Bentley.”

Stone excused himself from the table again. “Can it be removed?”

“I am told it can.”

“Without any harm to your agent?”

“I don’t think she would have suggested it if that was a possibility.”

“I suppose not.”

“Would you like her to remove it?”

“I would,” Stone said. “Very much.”

“I’ll let her know. We’ll get it someplace safe and—”

“Actually, Mike, I have something else in mind.”

He told Mike what he was thinking, then, after they hung up, he messaged Fred with some instructions before heading back to eat.

An automated voice came through the earbud in Janet Hutto’s ear, announcing she had a call from Mike Freeman. She verbally accepted and Mike was put through.

“Are you still near the bomb?” he asked.

“It’s right above me,” she said, from her position lying underneath the Bentley.

“Excuse me for double-checking, but you are sure you can remove it without accidentally setting it off?”