Part 19 (1/2)
Jack watched Replacement.
Neither am I.
”Hey, kid, easy.” Jack tried to get her eye, but Replacement coldly glared at the woman.
The three of them stared one another down.
Jack kept his gun level. ”What's it gonna be, lady?”
”I guess here is a good place to talk after all.” The woman spun the gun around and held it out to Donald. She looked at Jack and offered a smile. Donald grabbed the gun and took two steps sideways. She straightened her s.h.i.+rt before she continued. ”I am looking for Angelica Mancini, too, Officer.”
”And you are?”
”My name is Kiku.”
Her words were clipped and crisp with an edge of refinement to them. She stood with one foot forward, the other slightly angled. There was a sense of action about her even though she didn't move.
Poised. She's not breaking a sweat. Three on one and she doesn't bat an eyelash. Girl is a pro.
Her medium-length, feathered hair was a rich charcoal that matched her outfit. She could have easily been waiting in a beauty salon instead of standing in an alley with two guns pointed at her. She met Jack's gaze as she raised a dark eyebrow.
”Where is she?” Jack took a step back while he kept his gun pointed at her chest.
”That is what both of us are trying to figure out.” As she inhaled, her entire body seemed to relax. ”I think our little tete-a-tete may have attracted unwanted attention.”
Jack could hear a siren in the distance. Replacement kept her gun up but looked at Jack. He could see the questions in her eyes. He glanced at Donald.
”Head toward Cus.h.i.+ng Street. Go home that way.” He turned to Replacement. ”You got my back. Stick with me. Put your gun away. I'll keep her covered.” He turned to Kiku. ”Start walking.”
”Jack, I can help. What do you want me to do?” Donald asked.
”You've done enough. Thanks. I don't want you mixed up in this.” Jack's tone was clipped.
Donald's head nodded although his eyes bulged out. ”I think you meant 'mixed up any more than you already are' in this.”
Jack grinned crookedly. ”Exactly.”
”Before you go,” Kiku interrupted, ”would you please give me my shoes and jacket?” She pointed under the trash container. Donald looked at Jack to make sure it was okay. Jack nodded his approval. After Donald picked them up, Replacement took them from him with a frown.
”I'll hold onto them. She can get her feet dirty.” Replacement tucked the jacket under her arm.
All four listened as the sound of sirens drew closer.
”I'd better get going.” Donald turned and jogged away.
”Give her the shoes.” Jack shot Replacement a look and she tossed them at Kiku's feet.
She'll be slower in heels.
”Move,” Jack ordered Kiku.
”Gladly. I have no desire to meet with the police.”
The three of them walked quickly down the alley. Jack kept his gun concealed by his jacket and cringed when Replacement put hers in her waistband.
”What're you doing, Jack?” Replacement fiercely whispered.
”She's looking for her, too.”
”Aren't you believing her a little too easily, even for your truth meter?”
”I have my reasons.”
”Where are we taking her?”
Replacement was now trying to walk beside him, but he kept his arm out to keep her slightly behind him.
”My apartment.”
”Home? Our home?”
When Replacement tried to scoot up, he had to hold his arm firmly so she didn't get between him and Kiku, who marched five feet in front of them.
”Will you stop pus.h.i.+ng me for a second-?”
”Can you get her under control, Officer? The police are getting closer.” Kiku looked back, annoyed.
She definitely doesn't want to talk to the cops.
”Stop,” Jack growled quietly at Replacement. Kiku huffed but stopped walking. ”Not you. Go. And hurry. Trust me, kid.”
The rain came down heavier, making the night even darker. As they neared the end of the alley, the woman looked back again and then stopped.
”If your intention is to march me down the street with your gun in your pocket, may I please save us the trouble and flag down a police car?”
She's right.
”Pat down her jacket then give it to her.”
”You're not taking her back to my home,” Replacement protested.
Jack ran both hands through his hair. ”She's already been there.”
Replacement's head turned slowly around to glare at Kiku.
”Very impressive, Officer,” Kiku said.
Thanks for confirming a guess.
”You broke into my house?” Replacement's fists quivered at her side.