kid." He nodded toward Deputy Thompson.
He looked around at the others another moment, trying to think of something to say. Then he grabbed up the Blazer keys and stomped out into the rain.
They could just hear the Blazer's engine start over the storm.
"I don't get it," wondered Kirk out loud. "What was he so mad about?"
Annabelle smiled. So did Jack and Cat.
"He wasn't really mad, dear," Annabelle assured him. "He was just worried about Cat."
Kirk nodded slowly. "So that threat..."
"Oh, that wasn't a threat," Annabelle said quickly. "That was a hug."
Kirk looked at her. Then the dawning showed in his eyes. He smiled.
"Oh, I get it. Carl's shy."
Cat and Jack nodded at each other.
"Well," muttered Cat, "that's one way of putting it."
Felix didn't much care how they put it.
"Let's get going," he said.
"Okay," replied Jack. He looked at Davette. "Which way at the stop sign?"
She looked up vaguely, still clearly disturbed at where she was.
"Uh, why don't you turn right? No... Yes, right. And then..."
Felix shook his head. "Go straight. Then take the nex... Never mind. I'll drive."
And he climbed over into the driver's seat.
Jack studied him. "You know this area?"
Felix shrugged. "I grew up about three blocks from here."
And Davette's head came up quickly. "You did?" she whispered.
He smiled at her and nodded.
"Where?" she asked.
"DeLoche Avenue."
Davette's head tilted toward him. She smiled.
"How nice," breathed Cat. "They're both aristocrats."
"Cat," snarled Felix, starting the engine.
But Cat held up both palms in the air. "I know. I know," he said. And then he added. "But it's still sweet."
Felix snarled as he made the motorhome move through the rain.
"We need to stop here," announced Annabelle as they passed a shopping center a few miles later. "There. At the pharmacy."
Jack frowned, looked at his watch. "What for?"
"That," purred Annabelle sweetly, "is none of your business. Felix, pull up close so we don't get wet and... Jack?"
She held her palm out to him and pointed to it with a long fingernail. Jack shrugged and dugout some money and started piling bills onto her palm. When she had about three times what they needed, Annabelle said, "Stop. We'll be right back."
Then she and Davette were out the door and tripping through the rain to the brightly lit automatic doors.
The men just sat there, not talking, just waiting for the women to spend the money. Jack watched the deputy find himself a comfortable spot on the motorhome's sofa. Even in civilian clothes, the kid still looked like he was wearing a uniform.
I ought to talk to him about paying him, Jack thought. But he doesn't seem worried about it. Just slipped right into us. We were lucky.
Felix sat drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, looking anxious but unworried.
Even you're coming along, Gunman, thought Jack next. That is, as far as you're willing to come.
"Think they'll remember cigarettes?" Cat asked suddenly.
Kirk waved at the smoky air. "Hope not."
They remembered. Felix cranked up the motorhome and they steamed through the rainy city to his bar. He was worried about the Antwar. He'd only had one chance to talk to them since he'd been with the Team, and he knew what happened to the staff of a cocktail lounge without someone standing over them. He had some pretty good people, but still...
Damn it was raining! And the thunder and the lightning - it took him thirty minutes to cross town, using his headlights the entire time.
It really does look like nighttime out there, he thought as be finally pulled onto his Street.
Cat was sitting behind him playing with Carl's detector.
"Hey, Felix! Maybe I'll quit, too, and write a book."
"Smart move," said Felix.
"It'll be all about a gay vampire."
Felix frowned, Jack and Annabelle looked at one another and groaned.
"You want to hear the title?"
"Sure. What's the title?"
" 'The Tooth Fairy,' "replied Cat happily, just as Felix pulled the motorhome up to the Antwar's front door and...
And the detector in Cat's hands went wild.
Beep-Beep-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-... and Felix yanked the wheel away from the curb tromped on the gas and the huge motorhome skidded, righted itself, then vaulted down the street, fishtailing at the first turn.
But Felix didn't let off. He knew what that meant! He knew! And he made that bloody jump!
"Felix!" Jack yelled to him a few blocks later. "They aren't coming!"
Felix's foot hesitated over the throttle.
"You sure?"
"Sure! Slow this thing down."
Felix reluctantly obeyed, slowing it all the way down, finally pulling over to a stop at the curb and turning off key. Then he just sat there, in the silence