From Manhattan With Revenge Boxed Set by Christopher Smith

consideration.   You’ll make the calls?”
    “I said I would.”
    “I appreciate it.”
    “Watch your back, Carmen.   Keep an open mind.   And stay
in touch.   I’ll do what I can from
afar.”

 
 
 
    CHAPTER FOUR

 
    She hurried down the corridor, hoping she was wrong but knowing
in her gut that she was right.   She
rounded the corner and looked for him at the bar.   He was gone.   So were their drinks.   The bartender caught her eye and held up
a piece of paper for her.
    She had no time for this.   She had to get out of here now, while she still had a chance, but she
needed to know what he wrote to her since it might inform what she did
next.   She walked over to the
bartender, a stocky man somewhere in this thirties whose dark hair was slicked
back in such a way that it revealed a handsome face.  
    “My husband,” she said.   “How long ago did he leave?”
    “Ten minutes?   He
wanted me to give you this.”
    She took the note and opened it.   Five words inside:   “Sorry.   I had no choice.”
    She looked behind her, saw nothing out of the ordinary then
turned back to the bartender.   “Did
you happen to see him use his phone?”
    “I did.”
    So, he called ahead.   Or they called him.   Either
way, he told them she was here.   But
why?   If they wanted her dead, he
could have shot her an hour ago.  
    Because they want to bring you in.
    It was possible, but why?   She was partly responsible for Laurent’s death.   Did they want to have their way with her
before they killed her?   Katzev
might want to do the job himself.   She could see that happening.   Or they might think she has information she shouldn’t have access to,
though she didn’t know what that could be.
    She needed to leave, but she couldn’t go out the front
entrance.   Not even the side.   Soon, this place would be surrounded by
them, if it wasn’t already.
    “Your husband said you had fifteen minutes,” the bartender
said.   “I’m not sure what he meant
by that, but it might mean something to you.”
    “It does.”   Why was
he tipping her off?   Was he forced
into this?   Or was it to make her
feel a false sense of security?   With five minutes on her side, she might think she could get out now and
escape them, when in reality, they’d be right outside waiting for her.   This could be a trap.   “I didn’t see him leave.   Which way did he go?”
    “He asked if he could use the service exit.   Sounds strange, but I’ve had stranger
requests.   We accommodated
him.”  
    Trap.   “I see.”
    He paused.   She
could feel him studying her.   “Are
you in some sort of trouble, Miss?”
    Use him.  
    “I am.”
    “What kind of trouble?”
    “I told my husband I was leaving him tonight.   He told me I wasn’t and that he’d make
sure of it.   I know what that
means.   He’s abusive.   He’s had me dealt with before and he’s
going to do it again.”
    “Is there anything I can do?”
    “Can you get me into a room?”
    “You’d need to check in—”
    “You asked if you could help.   I need to get into a room right
now.   He’s called people to come here
and reason with me, if you get my drift.”
    “Miss—”
    “It’s important.”
    “I don’t have that authority.”
    “Then do you have some place I could hide?   A storage area?   A conference room I can step into?”
    “For how long?”
    “An hour?   Men are
going to come here.   They’re going
to ask if you’ve seen me.   I need
you to tell them that I left the moment you gave me the note.   If they harass you, tell them you’ll
call the police.   They’ll leave if
you say that.   They won’t want any
trouble.”
    “Why don’t we just call the police now?”
    “Because they won’t get here in time.   My husband left quickly for a
reason.   He used the service exit
for a reason.   This note is a
threat.”
    He looked at the note in her hand, then down the length of the
bar, where