The Devil Is a Gentleman by J. L. Murray Read Free Book Online

into the middle of the yard, following Clancy. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed a number. “Who you calling?” said Gage.
    “Lou Craig,” I said. He was a former prison guard who had helped us in the past. I trusted him enough to act as a bodyguard for Sofi when she was in the hospital. “He’s the only one I would trust with this.”
    “Thanks a lot,” he said.
    “Present company excluded, of course,” I said, smiling at him.
    He snorted. “Whatever. Why you so gung-ho to protect her?”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “She’s innocent. And she has a daughter to think about.”
    “Project much?” he said. I ignored him.
    “Hi Lou, it’s Niki,” I said into the phone. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in some work tonight.” I looked at Clancy jumping up onto Olivia playfully. “Might run into tomorrow, too.”

Chapter 5

    Gage arrived at my apartment just as I was finishing my third cup of coffee. “Ready?” he said, helping himself to a cup.
    “I’ve been ready since six,” I said. “Where’ve you been?”
    “Getting my casting books together,” he said, taking a sip. “You know, just in case.” He patted the satchel slung across his chest.
    “Boy Scout, huh?” I said, smiling.
    “Be prepared,” he said. “You look like hell.”
    “Thanks,” I said. I had not slept well. I tried Eli’s number after Gage dropped me off, but reached the voicemail again. And there was the cryptic message from the office of Eliza Michaels on the answering machine. It is extremely urgent that the commissioner speak with you, the nervous-sounding administrative assistant said. After I met Eliza I realized why he always seemed terrified. She would be an intimidating boss. I felt relieved to be leaving after just a ten-minute meeting; I couldn’t imagine spending all day with the woman.
    I tapped a finger on the newspaper spread out on the table. “See the papers?” I said.
    “No,” Gage said, coming over and looking at the front page. He grimaced as he saw the headline: Charred Remains Believed To Be Congressman.
    “Guess I could’ve predicted that,” he said. “If Dorrance wants his seat in Congress, he’s gotta prove Bradley’s gone for good, right?”
    “Why are you so sure Dorrance is involved?” I said.
    Gage shrugged. “These rich guys are always up to no good. Especially politicians. Plus, he looks shifty.”
    “There’s something else, too,” I said. I flipped the page to a black-and-white picture of a burning house. “Recognize that?”
    Gage narrowed his eyes. “Bradley’s house?”
    “Sure is,” I said. “I called Lou Craig, Olivia is fine. He’s going to stay with the family a few more days.”
    “Good thing you insisted she leave last night. Saved her life. So you ready or what?” Gage said.
    “You tell me,” I said, pulling up my pant leg to show the little derringer strapped there, then lifting my jacket to show off my shoulder-holster. “Pretty fancy, eh?” I said.
    “You girls and your firearms,” he said. “I’ll get the car.”
    Gage double-parked so I could run from the door to the car. “Thanks,” I said, closing the car door. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket and I looked at the number. I assumed it would be the commissioner’s office again, but the number was unknown. I answered it. “Hello?”
    “It’s Naz,” said the voice on the other end. “Is very important.”
    “Naz?” I said. “I was going to call you later. I need to talk to you.”
    “You come, right now, yeah?”
    “Now?” I said. “No, we’re going-”
    “Nikita, this is not a discussion. You come to me where Sasha disappeared.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Just say you will come, Nikita,” he said. His voice was panicked, strained.
    “Okay, I’ll come,” I said. “We’re on our way.”
    “Just you,” he said.
    “I’m with Bobby Gage,” I said.
    “The big man?” he said. The line was silent for a moment. “Fine,” he said. “But tell him to