Matt’s hand tightened all the more on Lauren’s arm. They both knew from personal experience how well Susan could maneuver, high heels or no. Internally coiled and ready, they watched her unstrap the thin buckles and remove the shoes.
“Come on, come on. We haven’t all day—” Leo’s words were abruptly cut off by a totally unexpected, lightning-quick move. As Susan straightened, she hiked her slim skirt high on her thighs, spun around and delivered a kick that would have made her instructor proud.
The gun went flying, as did Matt, who barreled into Leo’s midsection, knocking the burly man to the ground. Susan, meanwhile, turned her attention to the other men, throwing strategically placed kicks with such speed that they barely knew what hit them. When Mouse doubled over in pain, she whirled around and into his pal, and by the time she was done with him, she was aiming lethal chops at Mouse again.
Lauren came to her aid. Grabbing a heavy shovel from its resting place beside a nearby trash bin, she slammed it repeatedly against the back of whichever man Susan wasn’t battering. Each slam vented a little more of her anger, and she might have actually enjoyed herself if she hadn’t shot a glance at Matt.
He and Leo were fighting hand to hand, tumbling on the filthy pavement, each landing his share of punches.
Dropping the shovel, Lauren scrambled along the alley, returning seconds later to put an end to the fray. “That’s it!” she screamed. “Enough!” She stood a safe distance back with her feet planted firmly, both hands curved around Leo’s gun. The fact that she didn’t know how to use it was secondary to the proprietary air with which she held it. Her chest was heaving, the only part of her that betrayed any weakness.
Later she realized that if she’d had to shoot, she’d never have been able to separate Matt from Leo, so fast were they shifting. But her strident yell brought all heads up in surprise. Matt took advantage of the precious seconds to free himself and stumble to her side. He grabbed the gun and turned it on the trio.
“Susan! That’s enough!” he ordered. She’d been poised to deliver another side-handed slice to Mouse’s head, and only with reluctance did she lower her arm and move back.
Matt motioned with the gun toward the three. “Okay, up! And if you think I don’t know how to use this, think again. I’m an avid hunter.” His knees were bent; both hands were on the gun, holding it aimed and steady. Not once did his eyes leave the men. “Lauren, go back inside the shop and call the police—”
The sound of shoes clattering on the pavement interrupted him, and seconds later the police themselves rounded the corner and entered the alley with their guns drawn. Slowly Matt straightened. He didn’t lower his arm until each of Prinz’s men had been handcuffed.
“Mr. Kruger?” one of the officers asked. He was the only one not in uniform and was obviously the man in command. “I’m Detective Walker. Phil Huber gave me a call and told me to keep an eye out. He sensed there might be some trouble.”
“How did you know where to come?” Matt wondered. His voice shook. He shot a glance behind him to make sure Lauren was safe.
Walker smiled and cocked his head toward Susan, who stood warily at the side. “Miss Miles’s receptionist gave us a call when she found out that something had gone awry with your, uh, beauty consultation. Sorry we didn’t get here sooner.” He studied Matt’s face. “We might have spared you a little of that.”
Gingerly Matt fingered his cheek, then his mouth. In the next instant, he reached out for Lauren and hauled her close. She was eager to support him; he’d fought valiantly and had to be uncomfortable.
“Those three thugs intended to kill us,” he said.
Lauren pointed. “Thosetwowere the ones who kidnapped me back in Boston.”
“No doubt,” Matt added, his eyes filled with venom, “the third is another of Prinz’s men.”
“His name is Hank Ober, but he’s called Rat,” Susan stated stiffly. “The one with the ugly nose is Leo Charney, and the other, Mouse, is Malcolm Donnia.” She watched as the three men were hustled off. “What will you do with them?”
The detective faced her. “Book them for attempted murder.”
“Then what?”
“They’ll be arraigned, and if they can post bond, they’ll be released until their trial.”
“Released!Do you know what they’ll do once they hit the streets? They’ll disappear. But before they do that, they’ll finish off one or another of us, if not all three!”
“Susan …” Matt took her shoulder with his free hand. “That won’t happen. The police won’tletit—”
“The police! If they’re not already in Ted’s pocket, they will be soon!”
“Just a minute now,” Walker growled. He took a menacing step closer. “I have never been, and will never be, in anyone’s pocket, and I can safely vouch for three-quarters of my men.”
“And the other quarter?”
“They won’t be allowed anywherenearthis case. The Ted Prinzes of the world would like to believe they can buy their way out of trouble, but it won’t work here.”
“You know of Ted?” Susan asked, wavering.
“Every major law-enforcement officer in the country knows of him. It will be one of the greatest thrills of my career to nail him, but I can do that only if you’re willing to testify.”
“You have to, Susan,” Lauren begged. “Once and for all, it has to be put to rest.”
