Chapter 13
Suds
From my horizontal position atop a roof on Central Park West, I put my eye to my rifle scope and view the meetup about to take place. “What’s the best outcome you see coming out of this, Quinn?”
“Ronnie admitting to moving the body would be a good start. If she says something incriminating about Akash Patel’s murder, even better.” He responds from the van, parked around the corner.
“Good luck with that.” As I wait, after-the-case-is-solved sex comes to mind. Hell, it might be my favorite flavor, but saying so out loud wouldn’t be very gentlemanly-like.
“Showtime.” On Slate’s command, I calm my libido and focus on the sidewalk across the street.
In front of one of the many benches near Columbus Circle, Ronnie glances up and down the avenue, then motions the young woman to walk with her. “I put a lot of time and effort into you. Stealing is how you pay me back?”
Chrissy sits, refusing to budge. “I freaked when I saw the gun in your glove compartment. I knew my mom would give me good advice.”
“I told you she doesn’t give a shit about you. Do you believe me, now?” The woman paces moving constantly behind pedestrians as she speaks.
This behavior could be coincidence but is also indicative of a well-trained operative. If I was a sniper, it’d be damned impossible to take her out without hurting an innocent.
“Whatever. I’m here, aren’t I?” The teen isn’t acting, she is pissed, and it works in her favor.
“I need more assurances than you blessing me with your presence.” The madam’s bullying tone makes me think she’s used to having her way.
The runaway juts out her chin, rests her back on the bench, and crosses her jeans clad legs. “I like fancy parties. I like the money. I like sex. What else do you need to know? Maybe I need guarantees from you, as well.”
“Like what?” Ronnie sits down, places her black purse in her lap. The fact it’s unzipped does not escape my notice. It would be easy for her to reach in, kill the girl, and get lost in the park.
“I need to know I won’t end up like those Russian girls.” The petulant whine is spot on, impressing the fuck out of me.
“Ukrainian, and they’re not important.” Our mark grabs Chrissy’s arm. “Let’s go.”
The girl uncurls the madam’s claws and scoots further away. “Not so fast? Seeing them, made me think. What if you decide to send me overseas? I’d be in the same boat, no?”
“Don’t be stupid. You’re in an entirely different league. If I wanted to sell you, you’d already be gone.” She stands and for a moment, I wonder if the interview is over.
“Did you kill Akash?”
Shit, not a good move, Chrissy.
The woman’s eyes narrow. “Now, why would I do that?”
“To keep me in line. Put me at your mercy. Get me to do your bidding.”
“A good idea but it wasn’t me.”
“No, you just kidnapped me.” The girl crosses her arms and when she invades the other’s personal space, I rest my finger near the trigger and place Ronnie in my cross hairs.
“Hun, you came along of your own free will. In New York State, the age of consent for sexual relations isseventeen. It’s not even a crime.”
“Well… except for the moment south of Suffern.”
All the blood rushes from Ronnie’s face as the girl owns her.
“The Google lady took us though Jersey remember?” Chrissy smiles. “Transporting a minor across state lines for purposes of sex is a federal crime, carrying a sentence of up to thirty years.”
“Nicely done.” Sam sighs into her comm unit as the police move in to arrest the madam.
I’m feeling pretty good until the cuffed woman laughs. “I’ll be out before you finish filing the paperwork.”
