7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 169

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  170

  w e b b h u b b e l l

  had said about breaking cover and someone putting a contract out

  on me, and described Roger. The detective left immediately to put

  out an all-points for Roger, and I asked Debbie to tell us how she’d

  found me.

  “We were still going through Micki’s files, when Clovis called to ask

  if we’d heard from you. He was worried because you didn’t answer

  your phone and you weren’t at the hotel. Your bed had been slept

  in, but your room was empty. Maggie joked that you were probably

  flirting with Moira at some bar and had forgotten your phone. Sorry,

  Jack, that’s what she said.”

  Maggie raised her eyebrows, clearly not by way of apology. Boy, was

  I glad none of them knew the whole story.

  Debbie continued. “Thirty minutes later he came into the office

  looking like the world had come to an end. He couldn’t find you

  anywhere. He was convinced you’d been grabbed, and while he was

  calling Sam, the police, and every spare body he had to look for you,

  I slipped away to make a call.”

  Sam interrupted “And just who did you call?”

  “Novak.”

  Sam frowned harshly, but Debbie held her ground. “I know, I know.

  Micki will be pissed, but I couldn’t think of anything else I could do

  to help. look, I know everybody else thinks Novak grabbed Micki, but

  I don’t and neither does Jack. Why would he kidnap Jack? It doesn’t

  make sense. So I thought maybe Novak knew who was trying to frame

  him and where they might have taken Jack.” She licked her lips, now

  a little unsure of herself.

  Maggie leaned over to put her arm around her. “What you did saved

  Jack’s life. You have nothing to be sorry for. Tell us what he said.”

  “He took my call right away. He was scary-angry, not at me, but at

  what had happened. He’s not about to be anybody’s fall guy. He told

  me to sit by the phone. About ten minutes later, he called me back

  with a few locations where Jack could be. I told Clovis and, thank God,

  we found Jack at the one he said was the most likely.”

  Hands on his chin, Sam mouthed a quiet “wow.” “Debbie, have you

  talked to him since then?”

  She looked at Maggie, who nodded her encouragement.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 170

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  171

  “I called him once we got to the hospital. He’s in Dallas. You can

  contact him at the same number. He’ll tell you everything he knows.”

  “You’re damn right I want to ‘contact’ him. He led you directly to

  Jack. He’s behind every bit of this. He put out the contract on Jack—

  I’d bet a million bucks on it.” Sam shoved his hands in his pockets in

  frustration.

  Debbie shrank back, finally unnerved by Sam’s angry tone.

  I thought a minute. “Debbie, how were you able to reach him so

  easily?”

  She looked nervously at Maggie, who again nodded.

  “After Micki was kidnapped, a girlfriend called me who still works

  for Novak. She told me that Novak was in a total rage that he could

  be on the hook for Micki. She gave me his cell number—in case I

  needed it.”

  Sam looked at me. I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask the next question in

  front of Sam, but what the hell—I needed his help if I was ever going

  to figure the whole thing out.

  “Did he say anything else other than what you’ve just told us?”

  I caught her furtive glance at Sam.

  “Sam’s okay—he’s on our side,” I said.

  Sam was “the law,” and she still looked uncomfortable. “He wants

  to meet with you—just you, me, and him alone, when you can travel.”

  “No fucking way!” Sam burst out.

  “Clovis, set it up,” I replied with equal emphasis. “I’m just fine.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 171

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  34

  D

  “Jack, I can’t let you do this. Novak’s a prime suspect in Micki’s abduc-

  tion and now yours. What if he told Debbie where to find you? Who

  better to know? He wants to get his hands on you—and Debbie, too.”

  I tried to interrupt, but Sam held up his hand.

  “Hear me out. Novak is worse than a thug. He’s been heavily

  involved in the sex trade for years. I’m talking about little girls being

  sold, raped, and abused. And not just girls he brings over from

  eastern europe—twelve year olds have been abducted right here in

  Arkansas. His guys target malls, concerts, and theaters—anywhere

  young teenagers are likely to hang out. This isn’t some guy in a grey

  suit stealing money from other guys in grey suits. I’m talking about

  a murderer and a pimp—a man who would just as soon cut your

  throat as look at you. You’d be a sitting duck. Micki has been terri-

  fied he would snatch Debbie, and now you’re going to hand her over

  on a silver platter? If something were to happen, Micki will kill you

  if Novak doesn’t.”

  “okay, I won’t ask Debbie to go, but remember, it was Moira who

  just tried to kill Micki and me and frame Novak for it. I don’t think

  for a minute that Novak hired Moira, but he might just know who did.

  Who better to know? Clovis has been all over town trying to find out

  who’s responsible, and he’s turned up zip. So it’s time to go to the

  source. If he hadn’t volunteered, I would have found a way to ask him.

  Novak’s not stupid. If something happens to me, he’ll be in jail for the

  rest of his life.”

  What could he say? He knew I was right.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 172

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  173

  “Clovis will be in charge of arrangements, and I won’t go unless

  he’s satisfied.”

  Debbie spoke up. She seemed to have gotten a second wind. “I’m

  going, too. He doesn’t frighten me. He’d be a fool to do something in

  plain view, and Novak’s no fool.”

  Clovis was ready.

  “I’ll coordinate everything with the little Rock and Dallas police.

  Whoever is behind all this has no qualms about killing. Novak wants

  this meeting because, for once, he’s scared. Someone is trying to set

  him up for a murder rap—most likely the same someone who’s moving

  in on his operation. Micki and Jack are alive today because we got

  lucky twice. We can’t risk giving someone a third bite at the apple.” He

  paused and threw me a bone. “Who knows? Jack here is pretty good on

  his feet—maybe Novak’ll slip, and you’ll finally get him.”

  Sam twirled the pen in his hand, staring at the blood pressure

  machine. The tension was palpable. I heard a little noise, and realized

  that eric had slipped in and was sitting silent and unnoticed in the

  corner.

  Now he rose, his countenance one of both dismay and disgust.

  “Are all of you crazy? I feel like I’m in a bad dream.” With that, he

  stalked out.

  We stared at the door in silence and regret for a few seconds, before

  Sam recovered and said, “He may be right—we may all be crazy, but

  we can’t just do nothing. And Clovis is right about one thing. So far,

  we’ve got zip. God help us all if something goes wrong. Jack, you get

  to deal with Micki—have fun.”

  Clovis and Debbie left to make the arrangements, Sam to worry

  some more. Maggie and I sat waiting while the painstaking hospital

  checkout process lumbered forward.

  I looked at Maggie. “You’ve been quiet.”

  Maggie was too proper to cry in public, but her eyes were full.

  “It’s just you and me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “What’s with you and this death wish? If Beth were here she’d be

  going through the roof. First, it’s Micki, and now you who’ve barely

  escaped death. And what’s your response? You fly off to Dallas to meet

  with the head of the Russian Mob?”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 173

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  174

  w e b b h u b b e l l

  “Do you have a better idea?”

  “leave little Rock and never come back. every time you set foot

  in this town you dance with death. We have a nice thing going in DC.

  Walter’s foundation is doing good work. You have a thriving antitrust

  practice. Why come here and get yourself killed?” Now the floodgates

  were open.

  I wrapped her in my arms. “Maggie, let’s get out of here. I’ll explain

  why this is all so important. I promise.”

  We’d been at the hospital for more than three hours, and I was

  ready to leave. I left the papers on the bed and walked through the

  doors of the emergency room to find Clovis and Debbie waiting.

  “Wait a minute. Has the doctor signed the orders? Can you just

  leave?”

  “He’ll get around to it. Now he doesn’t have to hurry. I’ve had a

  tough day, and Maggie and I both need a drink. You can stay, but

  we’re leaving.” I wondered idly why Americans feel so bound by hos-

  pital bureaucracy. I know it’s all about liability, but, jeez, why does it

  have to take so interminably long?

  Clovis looked rattled, but said he’d bring the Tahoe around. We

  drove to the Armitage mostly in silence, each of us occupied with our

  own thoughts. I gave Clovis the key card to my room and suggested

  he and Debbie continue to work out the details of tomorrow’s trip.

  Maggie and I found a quiet corner in the bar. She ordered a Glenlivet,

  no ice. I had no idea what was in my system but figured a glass of pinot

  noir couldn’t do it too much harm.

  Maggie excused herself to “freshen up”—the correct english-

  woman had returned. I thought about what I wanted to say to my best

  friend, my business associate, and the one person I could always trust.

  After she had settled back into in her chair I took a sip of wine and

  said, “The long and the short of it is that I came here because Doug

  Stewart was a friend of Angie’s. I had no reservations about Micki

  representing him. I came more out of loyalty and the need for a little

  change of scenery, not because of some death wish.”

  “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean it. But this thing’s such a dog’s

  breakfast—I admit I’m scared.” I took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 174

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  175

  “No apologies. I deserved it. I don’t know why I’m not more scared.

  Yes, I got swept up in the circumstances and events until I almost got

  myself killed. Yes, I was careless–once again, I let bedroom eyes and

  a nice figure get the best of me. I had a feeling Moira was our mole,

  but I thought I could outsmart her. Maybe I thought I could turn her.

  okay . . . I was a fool.” She’d rolled her eyes in disbelief.

  “I was wrong and foolish and almost paid the price. Thank God and

  Debbie, I didn’t die, but I owe it to Doug, liz, Micki, and Debbie not

  to run away scared. And I owe this to Angie. She believed in Doug, and

  she saw this coming. It mattered to her, and I wasn’t paying attention.

  I’ve got to see this to the end, but I promise to be more careful. Believe

  it or not, I think I’m close. If I’m right, we’ve fallen into one hell of a

  mess. I need to hear what Novak has to say, and I need to consult liz. If

  they confirm what I suspect, we’ll know for sure what we’re up against.”

  She sighed. "So tell me what you think is going on."

  “Not yet. I need to know whether I’m right or whether we’re back to

  square one. Maggie, either way, I hope you’ll stay. I need you. Micki’s

  out of commission and Clovis has his hands full just keeping us alive.

  So it’s back to the old days—just you and me, kid.”

  “Should I ask Walter to offer Clovis some help?”

  “let’s ask Clovis. Moira’s betrayal has shaken him. I trust him with

  my life, but we’re dealing with real pros. Moira must have been placed

  inside his organization weeks ago. The very existence of Moira sug-

  gests we’re up against more than a drug charge and Dub’s outsized

  ego. I certainly expect you to tell Walter what’s going on. In fact, if I’m

  right we’re going to need his help for more than security.”

  “Really?” She was suddenly excited.

  “Really. Somebody with serious money is behind all this, and it may

  take Walter’s help to flush him out.”

  “You really don’t think it’s Novak or some competitor?”

  “The smart money is on those two, and they’re probably right, but,

  no, I don’t.”

  “okay, I’ll wait, but this time I’m right beside you every step of the

  way. Well, not to see Novak, but everywhere else. I don’t want to be

  anywhere near a sex trafficker.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 175

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  176

  w e b b h u b b e l l

  “on that point, we’re in total agreement.”

  Clovis and Debbie walked into the bar, both looking a good deal

  calmer.

  “We’re on for tomorrow. We fly to Dallas in the morning. Sorry,

  but everyone gets searched. The three of you will meet for lunch at

  Fearing’s in the Ritz-Carlton. I’ll be in the lobby along with Novak’s

  bodyguard, and Dallas’s finest will be posted all over. I’m pretty com-

  fortable this is on the up and up. Novak must feel pretty secure. He’s

  agreed to meet with Sam and one of his detectives afterward.”

  “Clovis, I know this isn’t a set-up. Novak has as much to gain as we

  do if we find the real culprit. Does Sam want to fly down with us?” I

  asked.

  “I asked, but he didn’t think it would look right. He and his detec-

  tive are flying Southwest.”

  “Just as well. I want to go to Memphis to see liz tomorrow after-

  noon. I assume you’ve already spoken to the people protecting her.”

  Clovis laughed. “I have. Apparently liz is not the easiest person to

  protect. I also made sure they were on the up and up—after all, they

  were hired by Moira.”

  “okay. let’s talk about security. You’ve got Paul and his team

  watching Micki. That means you’ve got me, Debbie, and now Maggie,

  full-time. It won’t have gone unnoticed that Maggie was with me in

  oklahoma City.”

  Maggie opened her mouth, but Clovis was ready.

  “I’m not comfortable with Debbie staying at Micki’s office tonight.

  I’d rather have everyone here, so my people aren’t spread out.”

  “She can stay with me. I’m glad to have the company,” Maggie

  interjected.

  “Thanks. You saved me from asking. Jack, I’m sure you remember

  Martin, who provides security for Walter’s company. He’s agreed to

  help with some of his men. Moira made me question my procedures,

  and I need the manpower,” Clovis said.

  “Don’t kick yourself over Moira. She was a professional sent here to

  do a job. You couldn’t have seen this coming,” I said.

  “Clovis, look at Jack—he went daft the moment he saw her.” Maggie

  kidded, not knowing half the story.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 176

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  177

  “You guys leave Jack alone,” Debbie jumped in. “Men are easy to

  seduce, but Moira was a pro. It takes one to know one—I should have

  warned you. But I never imagined she was a hired killer.”

  None of us could come up with an apt response. I wondered . . .

  I broke the awkward silence. “This has been one hell of a day—I

  feel like a big, juicy burger and a cold beer. Sam told me the Buffalo

  Grill has one of the best burgers in town and pretty good cheese dip

  to boot, so let’s go. Clovis, you need some down time— let your men

  take tonight’s shift. I need you at your best tomorrow.”

  His worried face relaxed into a grin. “A plate of extra crispy fries

  sounds good to me, too.”

  “You, too, ladies. Tomorrow I meet the infamous Novak. By the end

  of the day we may know who’s behind this whole thing.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 177

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 178

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  FRIdAy

  April 25, 2014

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 179

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 180

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  35

  D

  Burgers, crispy fries, and cold beer hit the spot, but I was ready

  to crash the moment we got back to the hotel. My head felt like the

  inside of a levon Helm drum. I threw back a couple of Advil, but