The Lost Angel by Adam C. Mitchell Read Free Book Online Page A

talking. He had seen a couple running from the hotel, leaving most of their belongings behind.
    Jack hoped to take a look at the luggage, but the brains of the hotel had sent them to the Salvation Army. The bellboy had followed them to a small backstreet but they vanished into one of the many doors and he’d lost them. Jack was impressed by Ezra. A kid like that would do well in this game. He jotted down his details in his notebook. Who knew, he might give him a job in the office one day.
    Jack made a quick telephone call to Victor, only to learn he had not only known about the hotel but had ordered the hit. It would have been nice if Victor had shared Kovakx’s location from the start, but Jack kept his grievances to himself. He was sure Victor had his reasons, like making sure he earned every cent of the ten grand he’d promised. He did drop a clue about the couple’s destination before hanging up though, so the call wasn’t a total waste of time.
    He took a cab downtown. It cost more than the price of his train ticket from Central.
    Downtown was a built up area, a mass of doors, garbage cans and broken yard gates. The only sign of life was the stray mongrel spending a penny against a hydrant. He was just starting to think Victor had given him a red herring when he noticed the crumpled flyers scattered across the floor.
    With nothing else to go on, he hit the sidewalks in search of the gym. It was as good a place to hide as any. He made it his business to ask around and struck lucky. He found a nightwatchman, an avid boxing fan. Jack told the nightwatchmen just enough to peak his interest and, he recalled seeing a new face at the boxing tournament who just happened to match Kovakx’s description. For the price of a box of Lucky Strikes, the nightwatchman let him into the ramshackle gym and gave him the key to the flat above.
    The old flat came up trumps, with the telltale signs of trouble. Broken furniture, wood splinters, and the chairs cut to ribbons, plus the door had been forced. In the dingy mouldy bathroom, some old dressings lined the bin. This had to be the place.
    The thrill of the chase urged him on. After another look around, he saw an open bottle of Pellar’s stout. He picked it up and was about to take a taste, but as he reached the door, he put it back. Jack felt good for the first time in ages. He lit a cigarette and mulled over the scene. Pinned to a mirror was another fight flyer. This one advertised a venue in Frisco, but Jack needed to be sure before taking a chance like that. He couldn’t afford to travel all that way for nothing.
    He headed down the stairs and into the gym. After a quick look around, he entered the small back office, picked up the phone and checked in with Renetti, just in case he’d heard anything else. In truth, he needed some more money wired his way. He needed money for a hotel and gas. He’d given all he had left to the conductor. His pockets were dry. “Operator? Yes Central City, 487-302, Renetti, please.”
    The line crackled into life as Victor’s gravelly voice came through. “Maloney, nice of you to call. Good news I hope?”
                  “Victor, yeah, I got news. I’ve tracked him down to a small gym. Well, the outfit’s on a tour, but I reckon he’s with them. Oh, and Vic, I need more green. This case just got expensive…”
    “You’re as good as I’d hoped. You’re right, you know. Kovakx’s tied up with that two-bit fight show. I had a tip-off to that effect myself.”
    Jack gripped the phone tight. Something else he’s not told me.
                  “You go to San Francisco, get him and finish this once and for all. Your money will be waiting for you as promised, and I’ll send another hundred your way. Spend it wisely. Any more’ll come out of your cut.”
    The line went dead. Charming. Jack chuckled.
    * * *
    Kim leaned over and kissed Eddy. He looked into her eyes; the warmth of the kiss filled him. He took her hand