Alistair answered the door when Mickey knocked and ushered him and Duncan inside. He looked tired and angry, but he asked, “How did it go? Any trouble?”
“No. He’s set up good, and we didn’t see any Luchesi scum. Where is everybody?”
“In here. Come on.”
Cold was sitting in front of the fireplace, and the other Gentlemen were all gathered around him. He lifted his head in greeting when Mickey and Duncan came in. “Perfect timing.”
Roger was standing by the fireplace next to Cold, and he offered Mickey a playful little smile.
Heart fluttering, Mickey tried to ignore him. He couldn’t stop the way he smiled back, though. He quickly focused on Cold. “What’s up, Boss?”
“The female patient at the hospital is indeed our Crybaby,” Cold began. “Detective Carville is going to arrange for the police detail to leave. There will be a misunderstanding in the schedule, and we will have a window between approximately five forty-five and six thirty this evening to transport Crybaby out of the hospital and to a secure location.”
“Which is where?”
“A new safe house that will have the proper facilities for her to stay and be looked after. Doc Brown is going to help us.” Cold looked to Jules. “He’ll be calling you soon and giving you instructions on where to pick up the equipment. Pym, you’re going with him.”
“Why me?” Pym blinked.
“Because Jules will need the technical assistance to set it up.”
“Got it.”
“Mickey, you and Duncan are going to the hospital to get Crybaby.”
“We gonna dress up and put on scrubs to sneak in?” Duncan asked dryly.
“No. Suits.”
“Huh?”
“Stephanie Cox is going to be declared dead at six o’clock while the police are absent, and the charge nurse will be calling a funeral home to make the removal from the floor instead of the morgue by the family’s request. Security will clear you, you’ll take the stretcher up to her room, and wheel her right out the back of the hospital before the next shift of police arrive.”
“It’s only been a few hours.” Mickey was stunned. “How the hell did you pull this off, Boss?”
“Many, many phone calls.” Cold smirked. “The man who gives me an apple has a brother who owns a funeral home in Moultrie. He had numerous suggestions for how to proceed and only asked for a favor to cash in on a rainy day.”
“But that’s like an hour from here.”
“Ah, but the funeral home is willing to make the removal. The driver will just happen to be in the area, and he will stop at Mr. Leon’s store for gas where you two will relieve him of his vehicle.”
“I wanna go,” Roger piped up. “I should be there.”
“Only two people are needed to make a floor removal at the hospital. More than that will look suspicious.”
Duncan timidly raised his hand.
“What?” Cold asked sharply.
“I… I don’t have a suit.” Duncan winced.
Cold’s upper lip twitched.
“Oh! I do!” Roger exclaimed. “I totally do! It’s a fuckin’ Brooks Brothers!”
“That’ll work,” Mickey said casually, trying not to show how pleased he was. After all, he needed to talk to Roger about securing the church.
“Fine,” Cold drawled. “Roger and Mickey will go get Crybaby, and Jules and Pym will prepare the new safe house. Does everyone understand?”
