“Who was your client?” Abby asked.
“Mr. Anonymous,” Nick said. “I’ve done other jobs for him. Look, are you sure you don’t want to come with me tonight, Abby?”
“I can’t,” Abby said.
“You may be in real danger here.”
Abby sat back against the cushions. “I’ll be okay.”
Nick gave Sam a dismissive look and turned back to her. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” Abby smiled. “I’m sure.”
“You’ll call me if you change your mind?” Nick asked.
“I’ll call,” Abby said.
“In that case, I’m gone.”
Nick downed the rest of the blue martini and pushed himself out of the booth. He looked at Sam.
“Remember what I said, Coppersmith. If anything happens to Abby, you’ll answer to me.”
“I’ll take good care of her,” Sam said.
Nick turned on his heel and disappeared through the doorway markedRestrooms.
Sam looked at Abby. “I’m assuming he didn’t just go to the men’s room?”
“That hall leads to the alley exit,” Abby said. “Nick must really be running scared if he was afraid to go out the front door.”
34
THE ICY-FINGERS-ON-THE-BACK-OF-THE-NECK SENSATIONhit Sam when they stepped out of the elevator on Abby’s floor a short time later.
“Give me your key,” he said quietly.
“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” Abby whispered.
“Yeah.”
She looked at the closed door of her apartment as if she expected to find a cobra on the other side. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
He took the key from her. “Stay here,” he said.
“Sam?”
“I don’t think there’s anyone inside now,” he said. “Whoever was here is long gone.”
He slipped the pistol out from under his jacket, just in case, and opened the door.
Shadows and a disturbing energy spilled out, but he did not pick upthe subtle vibes that indicated the presence of someone hiding inside the apartment.
“Whoever was here is gone,” he said.
“Ralph, the doorman, maybe.”
“I don’t think so.”
