and Riley knew he was thinking the same running thoughts that had kept him awake.
“Step easy. He might be up to something.”
“He sounded believable. I think we might have her.”
“Step easy anyway. All right?”
“Of course.”
“Hang on.”
The old man cleared his throat, and sounded as if he was choking. He coughed up something phlegmy, and then he was fine.
“These damn allergies. Worse every year. You have allergies?”
“Sometimes. In the spring.”
“I’m a snot machine. And this stuff they sell? Nothing works. Puts me in a damn black mood.”
“Sounds awful.”
“It is. Now listen, been thinking about this, and I want to say something. I never should have hired someone out there, no matter his reputation. You tried to tell me, but I didn’t listen. I was wrong. I apologize.”
Riley was touched.
“No need, sir. Please.”
“Okay, well, I do. Now one more thing.”
“Yes?”
The old man’s voice turned hard.
“Clean this mess up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m tired of this bullshit. Girl or no, clean it.”
“I hear you.”
“Hicks and his boys, whoever else knows. They gotta go.”
“No witnesses.”
“Tonight.”
“Yes, sir.”
“If you get the girl, bring her here. If you don’t, no matter. I hunted her goddamned mother for twenty-five years. I’ll damned well hunt her.”
“We’ll find her.”
“You’re damned right we will. Call me when it’s done.”
“Have a good night, sir.”
The old man hung up.
Pitchess looked over. Riley started to say something, but thought better of it. They were on the freeway, moving west. Before them, a river of red taillights stretched to the sea. Riley imagined they were glowing red lemmings, marching toward madness. He thought they were beautiful.
47.
Joe Pike
Pike put the call on speaker. Cole held the phone as Pike drove, weaving through traffic like an open-field runner. Pike fired a growl at Stegner.
“Don’t speak.”
Cole jabbed Stegner’s head.
“He means it.”
Isabel answered with a cheery greeting.
“Don’t be late for dinner, honey. It’s getting—”
Pike cut her off.
“Isabel. They’re coming. I want you to leave the house.”
She didn’t respond.
“Did you hear me?”
“Where should I go?”
Her voice was small, like a whimper.
“Elvis and I are coming. We’re on the way. When I hang up, I’ll call Detective Braun. The police will come.”
“How did they find me?”
Cole shook his head. Don’t mention Carly.
“Leave the house now. It’ll be cold, so grab some robes. A couple of beach towels. Something warm.”
“Where am I going?”
“The beach. It’s dark. Walk to the water. When you’re facing the water, turn right.”
“Turn right. Okay.”
“Turn right, and walk. Count houses. At the fifth house, you’ll see a lifeguard station.”
“Will someone be there?”
“No. Not at night, but you’ll see it. I’ll come for you at the lifeguard station. Wait for me. Don’t leave. Stay at the lifeguard station. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Leave now. Grab the robes and go. Take your phone. I’ll pick you up at the lifeguard station.”
“When?”
“As soon as I can. Go. Leave now. I’m coming.”
“I love you.”
The line went dead. She was gone.
Pike said, “Braun. The number’s in recent calls.”
“LAPD doesn’t serve Malibu. Malibu contracts with the Sheriffs.”
“Braun can coordinate.”
Cole found Braun’s number and dialed. Braun’s phone rang once before his voice mail answered.
“Braun, it’s Pike. Isabel is in danger. This is an emergency, Braun. Call me.”
Cole lowered Pike’s phone, and dug out his own.
“I’ll call the marshals. Maybe we’ll have better luck.”
Pryor Gregg answered on the first ring.
“That you, Cole?”
“Want your bug back?”
“What do you want?”
“Pike’s here. You’re on speaker. We know where she is, and we know where Kemp’s killers will be. You interested?”
Gregg shouted for Steinaway.
“Damn right I’m interested.”
Cole filled him in and told him about the fish shack.
“Coordinate with Braun. Don’t charge in with the cavalry. We don’t want to scare them off.”
“Don’t tell me how to do my job.”
“I think I just did.”
Cole lowered his phone.
Pike adjusted the rearview to see Stegner.
“Sit up.”
Stegner squirmed into an upright position, leaning forward because his hands were behind his back.
“What?”
“Hicks said the cowboys are coming. How many?”
“Four, maybe. If Riley comes, four.”
Cole twisted around to see Stegner.
“Muscle?”
“All I’ve ever seen them do is stand around.”
“So you’ve seen them.”
“Once. When they came in. Hicks and I picked them up. Brought so much stuff, we needed two cars. I drove the second.”
Pike glanced at the mirror.
“What kind of stuff?”
Stegner made a smirk, hidden in the shadows.
“Long duffels. Hard-sided cases. Heavy as hell.”
Cole glanced at Pike.
“Muscle.”
Cole looked back at Stegner.
“What do they look like?”
“Shitkickers. That’s why we call them cowboys. Got the boots, got the big buckles. They’re big, too. Real big boys. Jumbo.”
Pike didn’t care how big they were.
“From Texas?”
“No idea.”
“You met their plane. Where’d it come from?”
“Dude. We picked them up