Bailed Out (The Anna Albertini Files #2) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,109
man dressed in overalls poked his head in. “We have almost all of the coffins loaded up and will be done in a few. Does the plain pine one with the embossed flowers go?”
“Yes,” Krissy said, stiffening. “Thanks.”
The guy disappeared. He was kind of cute with a goatee and firm build. Maybe there was hope for Krissy after all. He seemed decent, and she was blushing a little bit.
“Want to grab lunch?” I asked.
“I would, but I have to get this finished.” She gestured to the paperwork.
I tried to think of a way to suggest she ask the hot guy to lunch. “Why are you getting rid of coffins?”
“They were faulty. Can you believe it? The seal wasn’t working.” Now she sounded disgusted. “Can’t anybody do what they’re supposed to these days?”
I gave her a sympathetic smile. “Give me a call when things calm down, and we’ll plan that trip.” I turned to head to lunch.
The door opened again, and another man walked through.
Then everything happened in slow motion. My brain clocked him, reality hit, and I yanked my gun out of my purse and pointed it right at Rhino. “Krissy? Get behind me.”
Rhino stepped back and then his chin jutted forward. “Well. If it isn’t the bitch who’s too good for everyone.”
Krissy looked up and between us. “What’s going on?” She pushed to her feet and the bruises along her arm scrunched. “Rhino? What are you doing here?”
“Behind me, Krissy,” I ordered, keeping the gun level. “Then call the police. Right now.”
Rhino apparently found his balls because he took a step toward me. “I don’t think you’ll shoot me.”
“The last guy who said that ended up with lead in him,” I gritted out, widening my stance for better balance. “I’ve been training with a gun since I was strong enough to hold one. Don’t think for a second I couldn’t put one between your eyes.” Even so, I aimed for center mass as I’d been taught. “You’re a jackass, Rhino, and my day would vastly improve if you give me reason to shoot you.” He’d obviously shown up to take Krissy, since she probably had that stupid tattoo.
Okay. The police should be there in fifteen minutes or so. “Call 9-1-1, Krissy.”
“Yeah. That’s not going to happen.” The barrel of a gun pressed against my lower spine.
I blinked. Confusion rioted through me. “Krissy? Rhino is the bad guy. What are you doing?”
She sighed. “Rhino? Lock the front door.” Then she pushed me with the gun. “Drop your gun, Anna. I haven’t been training for long, but I’m pretty sure I could cause some damage with a bullet to the spine. Certain of it, actually.”
I lowered my weapon as realization slapped me. “What are you doing?”
“Walk into the display room,” she ordered, prodding me with the barrel. “Rhino? I said to lock the door.” The snap in her voice made me jump.
Rhino grabbed my gun and then moved past us to lock the door. I stumbled into the coffin display room and tried to wrap my head around the fact that Krissy Walker had a gun in my back. The display coffins were in place, and only two of the newer ones that I’d seen last time still remained. The shrink wrap had been removed.
“Sit down.” Krissy shoved me.
I tripped and sat down next to a display coffin. “I can’t believe this.”
She smiled, and with her bruises, the sight was ghastly. “Oh, I’m sure.”
The cute guy came into the room and looked at the situation. Any hope I had that he’d help me out disappeared when he turned back to Krissy like I wasn’t even there. “We’re all loaded up. The buyer is ready to take delivery at eight tonight, so we need to get on the road.”
I blinked. “Delivery? Oh, Krissy.” Facts from the other day at the compound ran through my brain. “You have the other half of the converter shipment.”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “The converters are made up of three tiny metal pieces that you attach to a Glock that turns the weapon into an automatic. It’s so simple.”
“You deliver illegal goods in coffins,” I murmured. It was brilliant, actually. Coffins as a delivery system.
Rhino came back into the room.
Krissy continued. “It’s also an efficient way to transport rifles and explosives because of the shrink wrap. Inspectors rarely want the mess of unwrapping everything to get a peek.”
Rhino looked me up and down. “Please tell me I get to have some fun before you put her in the oven.”