Open Season Read online

  Sykes was of average height, a little stocky, and neatly dressed. His sandy hair was short and neat; he was clean-shaven, his nails pared and clean, clothes pressed. He didn’t look like anyone’s version of a hit man, but then Ted Bundy hadn’t looked like a monster, either. Criminals came in all shapes, sizes, colors, and could be wearing rags or diamonds. The smart ones wore diamonds. The really smart ones looked like this man.

  Sykes was also very calm, and certain of what he wanted. “I want to cut a deal,” he said. “I can give you Mayor Nolan, the man who stabbed Chad Mitchell, a man named Elton Phillips, and a lot more. Let’s get the D.A. in here and talk.”

  “We know who stabbed Mitchell,” Jack said, leaning back in his chair. “Buddy Lemmons.”

  Sykes didn’t even blink. “Miss Minor identified him, didn’t she?”

  “She got a good look at all three of you.”

  “So you’ve got her stashed someplace safe.”

  Jack didn’t respond, just watched Sykes. The man had an excellent poker face, giving away nothing.

  “There’s something a lot bigger than just a stupid piece of trash getting offed.” Sykes leaned back, too, as relaxed as Jack.

  “I was wondering how the mayor is tied in.”

  “There’s a lot of money in the sex trade,” Sykes said obliquely. “You going to call the D.A. or not? You need to move fast; there’s something big going down tonight.”

  “The Russians,” said Jack.

  Sykes whistled softly through his teeth, not even trying to hide his surprise. “Guess you know a lot more than I thought. But you don’t know where and you don’t know who.”

  “I’m guessing Mayor Nolan does, though.”

  “He’ll sing like Tweety Bird,” Sykes agreed.

  “So why would the D.A. want to deal with you?”

  “Because trust is a rare commodity, and I don’t have much of it.”

  Jack studied the sandy-haired man, the clear, cold eyes and utter calm of his manner. “You’ve got the goods on all of them, don’t you? You documented everything.”

  “That’s right.” Sykes gave a thin smile. “Just in case. I like having a little leverage when things go wrong. And sooner or later, they always go wrong. You just gotta learn when to get out.”

  Jack left the room and placed the call to the district attorney in Scottsboro. If a deal had to be made, he thought Sykes would be a better state witness than Mayor Nolan, simply because Sykes struck him as more ruthless and organized. Sometimes you had to deal with the devil, and this was one of those times.

  Then he called the motel where he’d left Daisy, wanting to give her the word that she was safe. The front desk switched him through to her room, and he listened to the ringing. Four rings. Five. Six. He began to sweat

  Maybe the front desk had put him through to the wrong room; mistakes happened. He disconnected, called back, and asked for her room again. One ring. Two. A cold fist knotted in his chest She should be there. Three. Maybe she was getting something to eat at the Huddle House. Four.

  Sykes was here. There was no way Daisy was in any danger now.

  Five.

  She wouldn’t have left for any reason, would she? She was safe there. But what if she’d come up with one of her off-the-wall plans and thought she could trap Sykes or the mayor?

  Six.

  Logic told him she was okay. The worst fear he’d ever known, however, whispered all sorts of scenarios to him, scenarios that ended with Daisy—

  Seven.

  He tried to imagine a life without Daisy in it, and it was like hitting a stone wall. Full stop. Nothing.

  Eigh—

  “Hello?” Her voice was a little breathless, as if she’d been running.

  The relief that poured through him was almost as shattering as the fear had been. His hand tightened on the receiver, and he briefly closed his eyes, “What took you so long?” he growled.

  “I was outside with Midas. Actually, the leash slipped out of my hand and I’ve been chasing him.”

  He hadn’t meant to say anything, but he was still so shaken from those few moments of terror that the words slipped out. “I thought you’d left.”

  She paused. “Left? As in left left, rather than just stepped outside for a minute or gone to get something to eat?”

  “I was afraid you’d come up with one of your plans—”

  “Have I ever given you any reason to think I’m stupid?” she demanded angrily. “I’m safe here; why would I leave? That’s what always happens in movies; either the woman or the kid disobeys instructions and does exactly what they’ve been told not to do, thereby putting both themselves and everyone else in danger. I’ve always thought that if they were that stupid, then let them die before they have a chance to breed. My goodness, you’d think I make a habit of—”

  “Daisy,” he said softly.

  She paused in her tirade. “Are you about to apologize?”

  Maybe that would speed things up. “Yeah. I’m sorry I panicked.”

  “Apology accepted,” she said in that prim voice that made him want to grin.

  “I called with some good news, sweetheart. Sykes walked into the station a little while ago and gave him-self up, wanting to make a deal. You’re safe.”

  “You mean it’s all over?”

  “There’s some mopping up to do. I’ve been in contact with Morrison, and they haven’t found Lemmons and Calvin yet, but they will. The mayor’s wife got him on tape making threats against you, and Sykes is ready to roll over on everybody. I don’t know what time I’ll get back to pick you up.”

  “So I don’t have to stay here tonight?”

  “You might. This could go on all night.”

  “When Todd brings my things, I’ll just have him drive me home instead.”

  Guiltily, Jack glanced at his watch. It was after six, and he hadn’t remembered to call Todd at all. “I’ll try to catch him at his store, save him a trip.”

  “You forgot to call him, didn’t you?”

  He sighed. “Busted.”

  “Under the circumstances, you’re forgiven. Has my mother called?”

  He’d had his cell phone with him all day, even carrying it into the John with him, so he knew he hadn’t missed any calls. “Not yet.” Mrs. Minor wouldn’t wait too much longer before checking on Daisy, though.

  “Just get her number, and I’ll call her back when I get home. Call Todd now,” she reminded him.

  “I will.” He did, and luck was with him; Todd was still in Huntsville. Jack brought him up to date and asked him to pick up Daisy.

  “Sure, no problem.” Todd paused. “Sykes mentioned the sex trade. He may have some information on the men I’m looking for, or on the dealers who sell the date-rape drugs.”

  “The way this thing’s spreading out, anything’s possible. If you want to ask him some questions your-self, I can swing it.”

  Another pause. “I can’t get officially involved.”

  “I know. I’ll get the D.A. to question him about drugs, but if you want to talk to him personally later, just let me know.”

  “For now, I’ll stay behind the scenes and see what the D.A. comes up with.”

  “It’s your call. Just don’t forget to pick up Daisy. By the way, she has her puppy with her.”

  Todd said warily, “You said that like you’re warning me about something.”

  “You haven’t met Midas, have you?”

  “What is he, a half-grown Great Dane?”

  “He’s a six-week-old golden retriever. A ball of fuzz. Dogs don’t come any cuter. He melts hearts left and right.”

  “And?”

  “And don’t turn your back on him.”

  Smiling, Jack hung up and went back into the room where his investigators were taking Sykes’s statement. Another investigator and a patrol officer were on their way to pick up Mayor Nolan and bring him in for questioning. They had gone from not knowing anything that morning to pretty much having things sewn up ton