Page 78 of Ricochet

“No,” Adelia said. “It wasn’t.”

“Now, if you could leave my name out of this so I can die in as little pain as possible...” He lifted his shoulders. “Or maybe luck is on my side today, and this is as far as this will go.”

“No names,” Adelia whispered. “But you bet I’m taking this farther.”

“Of course, she is,” Silvio muttered.

“Of course, she is,” Lenora snappedat him.

He beckoned them from the container and locked it, testing the lock twice before backing away. Lenora led their way back to the alley. Adelia followed, and he stayed close. “I don’t suppose I’m getting that cell phone back?”

“Sure, I don’t want it.” They came out the pathway into the alleyway. “After I take down her phone number. Got a pen?”

He groaned but pulled one from his breastpocket, and Adelia wrote the digits on the inside of her forearm.

“Want anyone else’s number since you’re taking whatever you want?”

“Remind me how much of a dick you are next time I have to pull some fancy moves to keep the assholes in your family out of jail.”

“Today was a one-time deal.” He tipped his head to Lenora. “If I end up mincemeat, you two had better make whatever you’re doing worthit.”

“Pretend you never saw us.”

“I didn’t see you,” Silvio swore.

“I truly hope you don’t end up dead.” Lenora led them back the way that Silvio had brought them in. “I like working with you, truth be told.”

Their chatter continued in a cab, and Adelia faded away as she lost count of how many times she saw the words “ASTOR SHIPPING.”

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