Page 58 of Count Down

“What does that mean?” She asks.

I just shrug in response. I head back out of the bathroom to my wardrobe. I’m part dressing for an assassination, part for attending Gina’s performance. I decide on a black suit with a black dress shirt and black tie.

“You look like a mafioso,” Gina says when she comes out of the bathroom.

“What does that mean?” I joke.

She just shrugs.

We head downstairs and meet Lexi. She’s wearing slacks, a navy blouse, and a light jacket. The three of us must make a strange crew.

I stow my bag under the floor of my trunk, with the spare tire. Gina doesn’t ask me any questions as I pack it away. She just watches me and waits. I know she doesn’t want to think about the things I have to do tonight. And I don’t want to talk about it either. When I close the trunk floor, she puts her bag in. I’m pretty sure hers doesn’t need to be hidden. I don’t think she’s got any firearms in there.

When we get to the theater, I park and walk in with Gina and Lexi.

“I don’t think I should go backstage,” I say when we get into the lobby.

Gina nods.

“I’ll stay with you while you rehearse and get ready,” Lexi says to Gina. “Until the show starts.”

I nod to Lexi. After last night, she understands the danger Gina is in. “If you need anything, text or call me,” I tell Gina.

Gina wraps me in a hug. “Be back before my performance.”

“I will,” I promise. I kiss her, hoping it’s not goodbye.

Gina and Lexi head backstage. I head to the bar in the lobby. It’s closed, but there’s a stack of programs for tonight’s show on one of the high-top tables. I grab one and open it as I walk back to my car.

Show starts at 7:30. Free Fall, Gina’s piece, is the final performance. I need to be back by 9:00 to be sure I don’t miss it. It’s just after 5:30 now. I’ll either be back in three and a half hours or… not at all.

When I get back to my car, I text Ethan Pace.

Good to go for tonight?

A minute later he texts back.

Everything’s ready.

Sounds like he was able to tip off someone at the District Attorney’s office about the deal we’ve got going on with the Russians.

I send him my reply.

Let me know how it goes.

Now I’ve got to warn Raf. I need to put a dent in the Russians. Getting a few of their top guys busted on a big arms deal will certainly do that. But it’s a deal that Raf and I helped negotiate. The last thing I want is Raf to go down with them.

I dial Raf’s number.

“Hey,” he answers.

“Change of plans for tonight,” I say.

“Huh?”

“You’re not going tonight. Put one of your other guys in for you.” I tell him.

“Uh,” he sounds skeptical. “Did you talk to Mateo about this?”