Ghosts of Christmas Past by Corrina Lawson Page A

said.
    â€œOfficers, disperse and go back to your headquarters,” Al ordered. “Now.”
    They wasted no time in scrambling to follow that order. Al turned back to Rickey. “I’ll run some interference, but their leader, when he regains his senses, may be pissed. You should relocate.”
    â€œOne of them had a grenade launcher.” Rickey watched the SWAT team pack up. “They’d have destroyed my place and the people in it.”
    â€œI’m hoping they’ll think better of something like that next time.”
    â€œYou never know, I guess.”
    Rickey started shooing her customers away, telling them to go home. A few said they’d stay and help her clean up.
    Alvarez stood next to Al and they waited together until SWAT was completely gone.
    â€œCaptain James, sir?” Alvarez asked. “Can I say something?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI think I’m having fun now.”

Chapter Eight
    Rickey’s husband, the pie cook, led Lucy, Cassandra and Salvatore through the maze of concrete tunnels. They finally reached wooden steps that led up to double doors that had likely served as a cellar delivery entrance once upon a time.
    By the time the doors swung open to reveal the sky, the ringing in her ears had stopped and Lucy could fully hear again. Squeaking metal never sounded so good.
    â€œGood thing I parked around the corner,” Cassandra said. A clang echoed behind them as Rickey’s husband shut the doors.
    They looked around for signs of pursuit. No cops. “Let’s make a run for it,” Cassandra suggested.
    â€œNo, that makes it look like we have a reason to run away. Walk normally so no one has a reason to notice us,” Lucy said.
    Cassandra in her jeans and hippie shirt kinda blended, but Salvatore in his suit sure did not, and the couple kept looking around, obviously nervous and out of place. Noir breathed a sigh of relief when they reached Cassandra’s car without incident.
    Lucy took the passenger seat, leaving the back for Salvatore. He had made noises about wanting to flee the city earlier. She was going to make sure they all went back to the warehouse. She’d promised Al.
    He should have called her and told her what was going on, though, then they could have coordinated better. Obviously, he knew something about all this that he hadn’t said yet.
    â€œI don’t hear sirens or see lights,” Salvatore said. “Looks like SWAT is gone.”
    â€œAl said he’d take care of it,” Lucy said. “He says he’s going to do something, he does.”
    Cassandra pulled away from the curb and glanced in the rearview mirror at Salvatore. “You need to start explaining all this, babe.”
    â€œNo, we need to disappear fast, not talk,” Salvatore said. “I say we go north. To Canada. That’s only a half hour away.”
    â€œIf you run they’ll come after you again. Tell us what’s going on, Salvatore. We can help,” Lucy said.
    â€œI had SWAT after me. I won’t chance that again. Your Al can’t be around all the time.” He looked at Cassandra. “Trust me, babe.”
    â€œTrust you? When you run off and don’t call and I have to fight through grenades to get you to talk to me? Screw that. We’re going to her place—” Cassandra jerked her head in Noir’s direction, “—and you’re going to tell me what’s going on.”
    â€œWhat’s so special about her place?”
    â€œIt’s secure,” Lucy said. “Right now, it’s the only safe place you have.”
    â€œNot so safe once I get through with him,” Cassandra muttered.
    â€œFine. Go there.” Salvatore rubbed the back of his neck. “Ouch, my head hurts.”
    â€œGood. Saves me from giving you a smack upside the head.”
    Salvatore slumped back in the seat. “Sorry.”
    Cassandra looked over at Noir. “You sure