Page 50 of The Mouse and the Maestro

Blue started to reply and stopped as his gaze slid to the mirror. “I think we have a tail.”

Charles turned to look. “How can you be certain?”

“Because I saw that same red sedan before we arrived at the restaurant. It only followed us a couple of blocks then, so I didn’t think much of it. But now it’s back, and there’s no reason forthat.” He accelerated, heading onto the freeway. “How well can you shoot?”

“I’ll suffice,” Charles replied. “How well can you drive?”

“I’ll suffice,” Blue said, flooring it to a hundred as he wove in and out of traffic.

“Hey, Independence Hall,” Jane said, spying a sign for it.

“That’s my little nerd history buff,” Charles said, reaching behind to give her a pat on the knee.

No, that’sMYlittle nerd history buff,Blue wanted to say. But he didn’t because doing a hundred on the freeway wasn’t exactly ideal conditions for posturing with a rival.

The red car kept pace for a while, close enough to be menacing, not close enough to tell who was behind the wheel. No shots were fired, and eventually Blue was able to shake them. They circled for a while before heading back toward the restaurant where they’d been, along with Charles’s car.

The street was clear when they approached. The diner’s window had been boarded up but otherwise there were no signs of the earlier shooting. Blue double parked beside Charles’s car. Charles turned to the back seat, to Jane.

“Jane, get out of the car and come with me.”

Blue turned toward the back also. “Jane, stay in the car, you’re going with me.”

“She’s not safe with you,” Charles said, turning his attention to Blue.

“She’s still alive, isn’t she?” Blue replied, facing Charles.

“But for how long? Look, I appreciate that you believe you have her best interest in mind, but you’re up against armed men. What does a computer geek know about that?”

“As much as a museum geek, apparently,” Blue replied.

“Jane, tell him you feel safer with me,” Charles demanded, turning to face Jane again. But Jane couldn’t reply because Jane was gone.

Blue threw the car into park and both men bolted from the car, searching for Jane. They found her a few yards away, doubled over by the edge of the alley. “Jane,” Blue called while Charles called, “Janie.”

Jane held up a hand, warding them away. “Stay over there,” she called. Her voice sounded faint and she was gripping the wall to keep herself upright.

“Are you hurt?” Blue asked, advancing on her anyway. When he reached her, she stood upright, pivoted, and practically fell into his arms.

“No, I’m sick.”

Blue stopped short, his arms easing comfortingly around her. “You’re sick?”

She nodded against his chest. “Can we go home?” she whispered.

“Sure, sweetheart,” he soothed, trying hard to keep the smugness out of his tone. She had chosen him. True, she was sick and possibly delirious, but he would take it for whatever it was worth.

“I’ll call you,” Charles said as they passed, keeping a safe distance from her in case she was sick again. She nodded, not attempting to talk to him. Blue opened the car door for her and closed it once she was safely inside.

He started the car. Jane directed the air vents at her face, and he turned the air conditioner up a notch. His hand rested on her leg in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. “Do you often get sick like this?” he asked.

She shook her head; her eyes were closed.

“Do you think it’s the flu?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Blue, please, I don’t want to talk,” she whispered, though she did rest her hand on his to soften any sting from her words. He clasped her hand, and she returned the gentle pressure of his touch.

They rode like that for a while until Blue’s stomach began to roil and pitch. Suddenly he understood why Jane might be ill. They had eaten the same thing and, based on the poor condition of the restaurant, food poisoning was almost a certainty.

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