Two Dollar Bill (27 page)

Stone took the phone. Yes, Lance?

Time is short; I'm scrambling the chopper now, and we'll be on you as quickly as we can. McGonigle is going to give you another radio, and you can use that to communicate with me on the chopper. We'll be scanning all frequencies to try to pick up your other radio, but it won't matter much. Just repeat all your instructions into our radio.

Will do, Stone said.

There'll be a sharpshooter on board. If you think it's worth the risk, just hit the dirt at any time, and pull Arrington down with you, if she's there, and he'll start firing. Don't get up until everybody is dead.

Got it.

Is Dino with you?

Yes.

Let me speak to him.

Stone handed the phone to Dino.

Dino listened. I got you, he said, and handed the phone back.

Stone took the phone back, and he could hear a helicopter's engine whining as it started up. I'm ready.

I hope so, Lance said. Go and get into the car; you've got five minutes before you open the garage door.

Goodbye, Lance.

You're going to have to play your end by ear, Stone. Good luck. Lance hung up.

He told me not to get my people involved, Dino said.

I think it's best that way. Stone looked at his watch. Four minutes.

I'm going to go and make sure the garage door is working right, Dino said. I'll leave that way. Good luck. He slapped Stone on the back and was gone.

Stone sat next to Peter on the kitchen table. I have to leave again for a while, he said. But I'll be back later, and if there's still daylight, I'll take you to Central Park.

Okay, Peter said.

Did I mention they have a zoo?

No, really? Do they have lions?

They sure do.

Oh, boy!

Stone kissed the boy. Corey will take care of you. See you later.

Bye-bye, Stone.

McGonigle handed Stone a small handheld radio. It's on, and it's on the correct frequency. Then he picked up Billy Bob's radio, removed the back, placed a chip about two inches square inside and closed it. That will let Lance track you. He handed it to Stone.

Stone took the radio and walked through the house to his car. Dino had left the garage door open. He got in and started the engine. A minute to go.

At the appointed minute, he put the car into reverse and backed out of the garage, closing the door behind him with the remote control. Then he almost panicked. He had forgotten to turn on Billy Bob's radio. He switched it on, and immediately heard the voice.

Stone? Are you there?

Stone pressed the transmit button. I'm here, Billy Bob.

Get headed east. I'll give you more directions in a minute.

Right. Stone got headed east. Stone didn't pray much, but he prayed now.

STONE TURNED OFF Third Avenue onto Forty-eighth Street and headed east.

Take a left on First Avenue, Billy Bob said.

Stone turned left on First, then picked up Lance's radio. I'm headed up First Avenue in my car, he said.

Roger, Lance replied.

Stone drove on for another dozen blocks.

Get on the FDR Drive, going north, Billy Bob said.

Stone made the turn and got onto the drive. I'm on the FDR, heading north, he said into Lance's radio.

Roger, Lance replied.

Traffic was light, and he moved well. He picked up a radio. Lance, do you have me in sight?

Roger, Lance said. We're in what looks like a news copter. We've got you in sight, so there's no need to report again. If we lose you, I'll call. Relax.

Stone tried to relax.

Turn onto the Triborough Bridge, Billy Bob said, and keep left.

Stone breezed through the tollbooth, because of the E-ZPass device on his windshield, and moved over to the left lane.

Follow the signs to Randall's Island, Billy Bob said.

Randall's Island is in the East River; Stone had never been there. He drove down the ramp and approached an intersection.

Turn right.

Stone turned right.

Follow the road.

It was like having a talking GPS navigator in the car. He was driving past a series of baseball diamonds. He had never known they were there.

After the traffic circle, turn into Field One Twenty-one, Billy Bob said.

Stone went around the traffic circle, came out and followed a sign to 121.

Pull under the bleacher cover, get out of the car and leave the radio, Billy Bob said. Leave your other radio, too.

Stone picked up Lance's radio. I'm at baseball diamond number one twenty-one on Randall's Island. I have to leave your radio here. Billy Bob thinks I had another radio, so be prepared for some sort of surprise.

Stone stopped under the bleacher cover, at a place where equipment could drive onto the field for maintenance. He got out of the car and, immediately, a man stepped out of the shadows with a shotgun and pointed it at his head.

Turn around and put your hands on the roof of the car, the man said.

Stone did as he was told. The man rested the barrel of the shotgun against the back of his head and began to pat him down. Right away, he found the Walther in the holster on Stone's belt. He found the magazines, too, dropped them and the pistol on the ground and kicked them under the car. Then he started down Stone's legs from the crotch. He wasn't shy about feeling everything, but he was doing it from behind, so he missed the Keltec.380 in Stone's Thunderwear. He found the S&W snubnose, though, and kicked that under the car, too.

Stone felt a handcuff snap onto his right wrist.

Give me your left hand, the man said.

Stone did so, and his hands were cuffed together behind his back. The barrel of the shotgun against his head persuaded him not to object.

The man grabbed him by the collar and stood him up, facing the rear of the car.

Now listen to me very carefully, the man said.

Stone looked over his shoulder and saw the trunk lid of his car slowly open.

My instructions are to kill you, if you give me the slightest difficulty, the man said. He was standing with the short-barreled shotgun at port arms.

Oh, I won't give you any trouble, Stone said. He saw Dino roll out of the trunk of his car, and he had never been so glad to see anybody. But the guy behind you might.

Yeah, sure, the man said.

Dino put a pistol to the back of the man's head and said, Drop the shotgun.

The man dropped the shotgun.

Oh, no, Stone said aloud.

What da ya mean, 'oh, no,' Dino said, and then somebody put another shotgun barrel against the back of his head.

Oh, no, there's a guy with a shotgun behind you, Stone said.

Swell, Dino replied. He dropped his pistol on the pavement.

Stone watched as the second man put Dino against the car and searched and handcuffed him as had been done to Stone.

What do we do with this one? one of the men said.

I dunno; there were no orders about that.

Call and find out.

The first man produced a radio. Boss, we've got two of them here, he said.

I told you it might happen, he said. Sit them down and carry out the rest of the plan. The men put Stone and Dino on the ground, leaning against a light pole.

From somewhere out beyond the field, Stone heard a helicopter. It's Lance, he whispered to Dino.

It goddamned well better be, Dino whispered back.

Then another man appeared from the shadows. He was Stone's height and weight, with the same hair color.

Let's go, one of the men said, grabbing the man by the arm.

Stone was baffled by this turn of events, but then he watched as the man with the shotgun marched the other man toward the center of the little ballpark. They stopped on the pitcher's mound, and seconds later, a green helicopter swooped in and set down in a cloud of dust. The man with the shotgun pretended to force the other man onto the chopper, then it lifted off and flew away to the east.

I think you just left by helicopter, Dino said.

Yes, and it wasn't Lance's.

The shotgunner ran back under the shelter and waited. Stone could see the helicopter head out in the direction of Long Island, and, a moment later, he saw another chopper in pursuit, one with News 6 painted on its side in huge letters.

One of the shotgunners spoke into a radio. Okay, we're good.

A moment later, a silver Lincoln Navigator screeched to a halt under the roof, and Billy Bob got out. God, your people are stupid, he said.

Stone tried and failed to think of a snappy comeback.

Put them in the luggage compartment and cuff 'em back to back, Billy Bob said.

The two men put first Stone, then Dino into the rear compartment of the Navigator, and Stone heard another pair of handcuffs snapping shut. He and Dino could lean against each other's backs, but they couldn't turn around. Somebody then pulled a shadelike cover over their heads and fastened it. A moment later, the Navigator drove away.

All comfy back there, Stone, Dino?

Neither of them replied, but Dino was swearing a blue streak under his breath.

I hadn't expected you, Dino, but you're welcome. I ought to be able to gain some sort of advantage by having a cop as my guest for a short while.

Thanks for coming, Stone whispered to Dino.

My pleasure, Dino replied.

Now you boys settle down back there, Billy Bob said. While your friends are chasing my rented chopper around Long Island, you and I have other fish to fry.

Where's Arrington? Stone asked.

I didn't expect you to keep your end of the bargain, Stone, so I didn't keep mine. You'll see her later, though.

Stone tried to relax and count the car's turns, figure out where it was going. After five minutes of left and right and U-turns, he gave up.

STONE COULDN'T LOOK at his watch, but he estimated they'd been traveling for nearly an hour when he heard the rattle of a metal garage door opening. The Navigator reversed, and the door came down again.

Get 'em out, Billy Bob said to somebody. The rear door of the truck opened, the blind was rolled back and Stone and Dino were hustled out of the vehicle.

Set 'em down in the corner, Billy Bob said.

Stone and Dino were pushed into a corner of the garage, which was lit only by daylight coming through small, high windows in the door. A moment later, the garage door opened again, and the Navigator drove out. Stone figured there was still a guard inside with them.

Excuse me, he said to the wall, do you think you could cuff us a different way? This is very uncomfortable.

There was no response.

Stone managed to turn toward the door and looked around the garage. We're alone, Stone said.

Now what?

I'm not sure, Stone said. Since our hands are locked behind us, I can't get to the Keltec.

And, even if you could, there's nobody to shoot.

From somewhere outside the garage came a faint woman's voice. Get me out of here! she said, and there was a banging noise.

Is that Arrington? Dino asked.

I've never heard her voice under these conditions, Stone said, but my best guess is yes. He yelled as loud as he could. Arrington?

Stone? she shouted back.

Where are you?

How the hell should I know? she screamed. It's dark.

Just hang on. I'll try and find you.

I'd help, but they've got me handcuffed, she yelled back.

You, too?

You mean you're handcuffed?

Yes, but I'm working on it.

Dino spoke up. I don't want to interrupt, but I'd like to know how you're working on it.

Good news, Stone said. I have a handcuff key.

Why? Dino asked.

I've been carrying one in my wallet since I was on the force, just for times like this.

Well, that's just wonderful, Dino said. Now could you unlock these cuffs?

There's a small problem, Stone said.

What problem?

My wallet is in my left front pocket.

Nobody carries his wallet in his left front pocket.

I do. It's very small and just has credit cards and my driver's license, that sort of stuff, in it.

Can you reach your left front pocket?

Well, no. That's the problem. Do you think you can reach it?

Let's find out, Dino said. Sit still, and move your hands to your left.

Stone moved his hands to his left, while Dino worked his way as far as he could to Stone's side.

I can't reach, Dino said. I'm a good eight inches short, too. What now?

Stone thought about that. I don't know, he said finally. I'm armed, and I can't reach the gun, and I have a handcuff key, and I can't reach that, either.