Maximum Commitment (Sin City #13) - Tricia Owens Page 0,57

tensed. “It’s a message from Theo.” He handed the phone over to Ethan.

“This can’t be good,” Ethan mumbled as he pulled up the message. Earlier, Max had instructed Veronica to remain by Theo’s side no matter what his plans for the evening ended up being, but Ethan had his doubts that she’d succeeded.

I thought you should know. I’m putting an end to this.

“Oh, no,” Ethan breathed. His heart began galloping in his chest as he quickly called Theo’s phone. “He might have gone off the deep end,” he told Max as the line rang.

Frowning, Max pulled out his own phone and called Veronica. Ethan listened to his own call go to voice message while Max spoke to the other agent.

Frustrated, Ethan sent a text to Theo. Where are you? Please call me. Don’t do anything until you call me.

“He slipped out from under Veronica’s watch,” Max said as he ended the call with her. His displeasure radiated off him in waves. Ethan inwardly winced for Veronica and the dressing down she was going to receive when Max returned to work the next day. “She doesn’t know where he intended to begin his ‘sightseeing’.”

“I’m sorry, Max.” Ethan felt terrible. “All this drama—I’m at least partly to blame for it. Theo might not have done this if he didn’t feel I’d be an audience to it.”

“You don’t know that. Don’t take the blame for another’s bad behavior. I’m calling his agent.”

Squeezing the back of his neck where tension was building, Ethan began texting again.

Theo beat him to it.

You wouldn’t believe me.

Ethan gasped and erased what he was working on to type back, I believe you. Where are you?

I’m handling this on my own.

Please don’t. Let me help you, Theo. Let me talk to you.

It’s too late.

Ethan stared at the words in dread. It’s never too late, Theo. Where are you?

For several excruciating seconds there was nothing. Ethan considered calling him again.

You have to hurry.

He didn’t know what the directive meant, but he’d figure it out along the way. I’ll go right now. Just tell me where.

Parking lot of the Fashion Show Mall. In the southeast garage.

The location was unexpected and Ethan didn’t like that it would be deserted at this time of night on a Sunday, which was probably Theo’s intent.

I’ll be there in less than 10. Wait for me, Theo.

Hurry.

Ethan looked up just as Max was ending his call with Theo’s agent. Max could read Ethan’s expression.

“Where is he?”

“At the Fashion Show. He keeps telling me to hurry.”

Ethan moved to the bedroom to access the gun safe, but Max caught him by the elbow. “We’re both going and we’re wearing vests.”

Ethan met his eyes. “Okay. But let me talk to him before you show yourself.”

The fingers on his arm tightened. “I won’t be far.”

Ethan smiled tightly. “I wouldn’t expect you to be.”

~~~~~

Ethan felt like a reporter meeting up with a government whistleblower as his steps echoed throughout the parking garage. The mall sat on the Las Vegas Strip, so colored lights from the nearby casinos kept the garage from being uncomfortably dark, but Ethan still felt very much alone as he walked, even though he wasn’t.

Sweat beaded on his forehead and he could feel it dampening his undershirt beneath the bulletproof vest he wore. The vest felt excessive, but Theo’s state of mind was a mystery. Either this whole thing was another farce, or Theo was in a dangerous mood.

After walking two levels and finding no cars, Ethan stopped and brought out his phone.

I’m here. Where are you?

Across the street. At Treasure Island.

Ethan’s eyebrows lifted with frustration. Why did you tell me to come to the mall?

Walk across the street. Be careful. Make sure you aren’t followed.

Warning bells rang in Ethan’s head. He brought up another number on his phone.

I don’t think Theo’s here to hurt himself. He’s at TI. I’m going over there.

Max didn’t text back as Ethan descended to the ground level. Ethan wasn’t sure where the other man was, but he was confident Max was within shouting distance. He counted on Max to be discreet while Ethan crossed Spring Mountain Boulevard to enter the Treasure Island property.

As tourists streamed past him, Ethan sent another text to Theo. Where are you?

Walk toward the parking garage. Take the stairs. Level three. I’m at the northwest corner.

Growing more and more irritated, Ethan followed the directions up to the indicated level. The garage was active with cars and hotel guests unloading luggage from their vehicles. Ethan didn’t understand why Theo would be