Chapter 26

Every light in the big metal building was on. Doug, Jeffery and the rest of the crew stood around a big cage holding the three, free range LDs. They huddled together in one corner.

“We’re hungry, Daddy,” the two small LDs said in unison to the big one.

“Give the girls something to eat! They’re starving,” the big LD demanded.

Doug took off his hat and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “They’ll get something to eat here in a minute.”

The big LD stood up, “You murdered us. You kidnapped us. Now you’re starving us. What is wrong with you people?”

Jeffery laughed his noise. “People? Whose people? We’re just LDs, like you. Just trying to make a living. Just trying to make a better future for ourselves and our families.”

Doug had his hat back on. “Well said Jeff. I’m impressed.”

“Bunch of crap if you ask me?” one of the LDs said.

“Not asking you, Jim,” Doug responded. “You all go get the girl and bring her out here. Let’s get this over with. And don’t bite her!” he ordered.

Jeffery led the crew over to the office. He slid back the bolt quietly and opened the door.

The lights were off in the office. The opened door formed a long, bright rectangle on the floor. Jeffery was first into the room. The others followed in quietly.

Ruth was asleep on the couch. The LDs surrounded it. Jeffery spoke up, “Miss. It’s time to wake up. Miss.”

“Have to talk louder than that to get past the snoring,” Jim said. Several of the LDs laughed.

Ruth opened her eyes and quickly sat up. “What’s happening?”

“Time to get up Miss.” Jeffery answered.

Jim mocked Jeffery in a high-pitched voice, “Time to get up Miss.”

The same four LDs laughed again. Ruth looked around at the LDs surrounding her.

“Is there enough of you?” Ruth asked.

“I hope so Miss,” Jeffery answered. “If you’ll come outside with us, please.”

“Please,” Jim mocked again.

“Jim, you need to shut up. No need to be mean to anyone,” Jeffery said.

“She’s just another LA, Jeff. Let’s get it over with,” Jim replied.

Ruth stood up from the couch and smoothed out her clothes. She looked for her shoes, found then and stepped into them. “Yes, Jeff,” she said, “Let’s get it over with.” She stepped through the circle of LDs and walked toward the door.

Jeffery looked at Jim, “Just another LA. Right, Jim?” Jeffery followed Ruth to the door. The LDs looked around at each other, grinned and followed after Jeffery.

Ruth exited the office, stepping out onto the concrete floor. Doug was waiting with his back turned beside the cage with the three LDs in it. She started towards him, her shoes sounding on the concrete.

Doug turned around at the sound. Ruth was walking to him and the crew followed after her. “What the hell are you men doing?” he shouted. “You are supposed to be bringing her!”

“She’s got feet, Doug,” Jeffery answered. “She’s not running off anywhere.

Ruth stepped up to Doug. He was slightly shorter. “This must be the ‘breeding stock’ then,” she said looking at the three LDs in the cage.

“Yes, ma’am,” Doug answered. “You’re going in there with them.”

“Doug, you don’t have to talk like that,” Jeffery said.

“It is what it is,” Doug stated.

“Whatever,” Ruth said. “Let’s do this.”

“Guys, get the door for the lady,” Doug ordered. “And don’t let those three out.”

The three LDs in the cage watched Ruth walk to the cage door. One of the crew unlocked the door and opened it for her. She stepped inside and he locked the door behind her. Everyone had their eyes on Ruth.

“My name is Ruth. What is yours?” she asked her cage mates.

“Jerome, Jerome Teague, ma’am. These are my daughters Kayla and Kaylie.”

“Nice to meet you Mr. Teague, girls,” Ruth said. “What are we doing here?”

“I don’t know, ma’am,” Jerome answered. “We were living out past Throckmorton, my wife and three daughters. We were attacked one night. They killed us. My wife Kay and oldest daughter Kate didn’t come back. Then some cowboys in helicopters herded us up. Kidnapped us. Brought us here.”

“Daddy, I’m hungry,” one of the little LDs said.

“Me too, Daddy. Awfully hungry,” the other stated.

“She smells good,” the first added.

“You girls behave,” Jerome said. “That’s no way to talk around a nice woman.”

“But Daddy,” the second one whined.

“Let the girls go. The lady’s tough,” Doug said.

Jerome pulled his daughters to him and held them tightly. “Gives these girls some synth. I know you have some. I’ve seen these guys eating it.”

“Can’t do that mister. Orders are orders. You need to let them go,” Doug ordered.

The girls struggled against Jerome’s hold. “I won’t let you corrupt them. What you’re doing is evil.”

“Maybe that,” Doug answered. “But it is gonna happen.” He reached behind his back, up under his shirt and pulled a .45 automatic out from his waistband. “If I have to blow your head off to set ’em free, that’s what I’ll do.” He stepped close to the cage and pointed the pistol at Jerome’s head.

“No,” Ruth shouted.

Chapter 27

North in-bound traffic on Hawn Freeway was filling with early morning commuters. South bound traffic was almost non-existent. Rafie had the Camry flying south, weaving around the occasional car. Keaton held onto the door’s armrest to reduce his motion.

“We are about five minutes out, Mr. Keaton,” Rafie said. “You should call her now.”

Keaton nodded and pulled out his phone. He found the number and called.

The phone rang twice, “Where are you, Keaton?” Escobar asked.

“We are exiting Hawn right now,” Keaton answered. “Where are you?”

“I’m standing just off the property. Eyes on it. Waiting for you.”

“Damn,” Rafie stated.

“Tell your driver to not talk so loud when he gets here. Everyone will hear him,” Escobar said. She added, “This is close to home.”

“Right. Hang tight,” Keaton replied. He ended the call and put his phone away. “You heard that, didn’t you?” he asked Rafie.

“Yes, sir. Your partner has good ears. I ain’t that loud,” Rafie replied.

“I’m just saying...” Keaton grabbed the hand hold as Rafie made a hard left at speed through a big intersection.

“I got it, Mr. Keaton,” Rafie said. “Another left up ahead and you’re there.” Rafie braked hard, slowing the car down. He made the turn and then let the Camry idle down as it drifted along the street. Rafie killed the car lights and pointed off to his right to a car parked in a deep shadow next to a warehouse. A figure moved beside the car.

“That’s her,” Keaton said. “Pull in to her left. Are the interior lights going to come on when I open this door?”

“No, sir. They’re off.”

“Good. Escobar and I will move up to the building. You keep your motor running. If anything happens, get the hell out of here. Don’t wait for me. Don’t call the police. I don’t want you caught up in this. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, sir. Roger that,” Rafie answered. “I’ve always wanted to say that.” He stopped the car and Escobar moved up and opened Keaton’s door.

“Do what I said,” Keaton ordered over his shoulder as he got out of the car.

“Yes, sir.”

Keaton closed the car door quietly. Escobar moved up close and whispered, “That’s the building there in the back. Hopefully, no one is watching. We can stay close to this wall then work our way around the edge of the lot. It’ll give us pretty good cover. We need to move before the sun comes up. You brought that Glock didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Keaton answered. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Alicia.”

“I don’t want it to be your last either,” Escobar said. “When we get inside, follow my lead. We are not trying to kill everyone.”

“Yes, boss,” Keaton grinned. “Lead on.”

Near the warehouse tall weeds identified the edge of the graveled lot. Escobar pushed through them with Keaton a step behind, in her footsteps. At the back edge of the building the lot was edged by scattered trees and undergrowth. Escobar moved into the darkness of the trees, Keaton still a step behind.

The sky was beginning to lighten when they reached the edge of the big metal building. There was no cover between the edge of the lot and the dock door. The entrance door was just the other side of the dock door. Escobar stopped.

“The door opens from the left,” she said. “I’ll take that side. You open the door and I’ll go in, crossing to the right. You go to the left. Okay?”

“If it’s locked?”

“I guess we knock,” Escobar answered. She moved away from the shadow of the trees and out against the sheet metaled wall, Keaton following.

Escobar took her position to the left of the metal door. She drew a Beretta out from under her jacket with her right hand and reached out with her left to test the doorknob. She nodded at Keaton and released the knob slowly.

Keaton held the Glock in his left hand. He moved up closer to the door and grasped the knob in his right hand and looked to Escobar for her ‘go’ instruction.

There was a gunshot followed immediately by a scream from inside the building. Keaton jerked the door open and Escobar went in gun up, crossing to the right. Keaton followed her in, crossing to the left, staying against the wall.

There were figures inside a big cage. A man in a cowboy hat outside the cage held a pistol. Several others stood watching.

“Dallas Police!” Escobar shouted as she and Keaton continued to move away from the door and each other putting the group into a crossfire.

The cowboy hatted man raised his pistol and fired at Escobar. She dropped to one knee and returned fire. The man fell backward onto the floor with the impact of the bullet. His hat rolled away.

All the figures around the cage raised their hands. Several shouted, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!”

Inside the cage Ruth turned to face Escobar, “Don’t hurt these kids. They’ve not hurt anyone.”

“Keaton. Get the girl out. You guys hit the deck! On your stomachs! Hands behind your heads!” Escobar shouted as she closed the space between her and the cage.

Keaton covered Escobar as she moved beside the prone figures. He reached the cage. “Where are the keys?” he asked.

“Doug, the cowboy guy had them,” Ruth answered. “Hurry, these girls are hungry.”

Keaton looked at the small LDs. He motioned Ruth away and shot the lock. It fell open. He pulled the cage door open, and Ruth stepped out.

“What about the girls?” she asked.

“What about them?” Keaton answered.

“They’re starving and they just lost their dad.”

Escobar stood over the prone figures. From his spot on the floor near Escobar’s feet Jeffery said, “There’s Synthmeat in the office frig.”

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Ruth said, “I’ll get it. Watch the girls.” She ran off to the office in the back of the building.

Keaton looked in at the two LDs. They crouched next to the dead LD. They bared their teeth at him. “She’ll want to take these two home with her,” he said to Escobar.

“What for?” Escobar answered.

“She has a soft heart.”

“Whatever. She needs to be out of here before I call it in.”

“Right,” Keaton answered. He looked to the back of the building. Ruth was running towards him with a plate full of meat.

“I’ll give it them,” he told Ruth when she got close.

“No you won’t,” Ruth answered. “I don’t trust you with them. You can call Phillip and have him come pick us up.”

Keaton motioned towards Escobar. “The officer says you need to leave. Rafie’s outside. He can take you home right now.”

“That’s fine. The girls are coming with me. Will that be okay with Rafael?”

“He’ll be fine,” Keaton said. He got his phone out and called Rafie. “He’ll be at the door in a minute, Ruth.”

Ruth was kneeling beside the eating LDs. “Girls, we need to go. You’ll have to leave your father here. Okay? This man with me will take care of him. There’s nothing we can do for him now.”

Ruth stood up with the remaining Synthmeat and moved to the cage door. The two LDs watched her then they stood up and followed her. “Okay ma’am,” one of them said.

Keaton opened the cage door and the three walked out and headed to the door.

Escobar finished patting down the last of the prone figures. “These are all LDs,” she stated. “I’m not sure about the one I shot.”

Keaton watched Ruth and her wards leave. When the door closed behind them, he walked around the cage to where Doug lay. He shot Doug in the head.

“What the hell?” Escobar shouted.

“I wasn’t sure about this one either,” Keaton answered. “I am now. You can tell your bosses we both shot him when he fired his weapon. These guys won’t dispute it, will you?”

The guys on the ground all agreed with Keaton.

Escobar said, “Great. Makes me look like a bad shot.”

“You can claim the head shot,” Keaton told Escobar. “They won’t autopsy this thing. Now let’s ask these guys where they’ve been getting their meat.”

Chapter 28

Ruth leaned up over the back seat of the Camry and said, “Rafael, just pull right up to the door and honk a couple of times. Someone will come open it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Rafie answered.

Ruth sat back in the seat beside the Twins. “Don’t be scared when Rafael honks, okay? We just need to make some noise so they open the door and let us in.”

“Is this your house?” Kayla asked.

“It’s big,” Kaylie added.

“Well, it’s my family’s house. I’ve lived here my whole life,” Ruth explained.

Rafie sounded two short honks from the Camry’s horn.

Ruth said, “They may not have heard that Rafael. Wait a couple of minutes them blast them.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Rafie grinned.

“It is a big house,” Ruth continued talking with the Twins. “We have lots of extra bedrooms. So I want you to stay here with me for as long as you like. You each can have your own rooms even.”

“Super,” Kaylie almost shouted.

“Will Daddy be coming?” Kayla asked.

“No, honey. Your dad won’t be able to join us,” Ruth stated. She reached up and smoothed Kayla’s hair with her hand. “But we’ll talk about him a lot. Maybe all the time. Will that be okay?”

Kayla nodded her head.

“Rafael, the horn again please,” Ruth instructed.

“Yes, ma’am,” Rafie answered. He depressed the button on the steering wheel and held it several seconds before releasing it. He waited a couple of seconds then depressed the button again.

The front door swung open. Rafie released the button. Hobson stepped out.

Ruth pointed at Hobson. “Girls, that’s Mr. Hobson. He runs the house. If you ever need anything ask him, Okay? Let’s go say good morning.”

Ruth opened the car door and gently pushed Kaylie towards it. Ruth followed behind Kaylie pulling Kayla gently along with her. When all three were standing outside the car Ruth instructed, “Now, all together. Good morning, Mr. Hobson.” The Twins chimed in.

Ruth led the Twins up to the door.

“Ms. Ruth. Ladies,” Hobson said.

“I hope we didn’t wake you Mr. Hobson,” Ruth laughed. This is Kaylie and Kayla. They are going to stay with us for a while.”

Hobson looked at the Twins and said, “My pleasure Ladies.”

The Twins giggled.

“Please show them up to the second floor. They may want to share the double room or they may want to each have their own room,” Ruth said with drama.

“Certainly, Ms. Ruth,” Hobson answered. “This way Ladies,” he said to the Twins and motioned them forward.

“I will stop and talk to Chef,” Ruth stated. “The girls have some special dietary needs. When I have that arranged I’ll be up to help them settle in.” She looked at the Twins. Maybe a hot bath?”

“Yes, Yes,” the Twins answered.

“Together?” Kayla asked.

“Bubble bath?” Kaylie followed.

“Yes, of course. To both questions,” Ruth laughed.

She then looked at Hobson. “Is my father in?”

“Yes, ma’am. He is in the study.”

“And Tristan?”

“He is still in his room, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Hobson,” Ruth replied.

She looked at the Twins, “You two go! I’ll be there in a minute.”

The Twins ran into the house with Hobson hurrying after.

Ruth turned around to Rafie in the car. “Thank you again, Rafael. When I find my purse I’ll pay you.”

“No problem, ma’am. I know where you live,” Rafie grinned.

Ruth laughed and waved then went inside.

Rafie drove away crunching gravel under his tires.

Morning light filled the hallway. The Twins voices came from the upstairs. Ruth knocked on the study door.

“Come,” Davies answered.

Ruth opened the door. The light from the hallway lit an area that reached the desk where her father sat.

“Good morning, Ruth,” Davies said.

“Morning, Father.”

“Formal. What did I do?” Davies asked.

“You didn’t send anyone looking for me,” Ruth stated.

“Tristan assured me you were fine,” Davies answered. “Aren’t you fine?”

“Yes, Father,” Ruth replied. “We have guests in the house. Two little girls I think you will enjoy meeting.”

“It will be nice to hear little voices in the house again.”

“Yes. I need to talk to Chef,” Ruth answered and walked out of the study closing the door behind her.

Chapter 29

The tall, LD detective looked away from Keaton and said, “What are you doing here?”

Keaton answered, “I was looking for a missing client.”

The detective said, “I wasn’t askin’ you gumshoe. I was talkin’ to Detective Escobar here.”

“I was helping Mr. Keaton look for a missing client, Detective Wanczyk,” Escobar answered.

“I didn’t know we could moonlight, Escobar.”

“Keaton knew my father, Wanczyk. I got a debt there.”

“Let’s hope it’s paid,” Wanczyk said. “Tell it to me again.”

“Mr. Keaton called me a few hours ago and asked me to give him some backup. He was looking for a missing LA client and thought she might be here. I met him outside near the street. We worked our way to the door. When we heard a gunshot we went inside. The guy in the cage was shot, like you see him. The guy over there with the gun in his hand saw us and took a shot at us. Mr. Keaton and I both returned fire. Looks like we both hit him. And it looks like I need to get back out on the range,” Escobar stated.

“Where’s the missing LA?” Wanczyk asked.

“She wasn’t here. Just those guys your men have over there looking guilty of something. So I called you,” Escobar answered.

“Yeah. It looks like a chop shop. It must be new to the area or I would’ve heard about it,” Wanczyk answered.

“Escobar, you and your guy can go. I know where to find you. And I can find him if I need to.” Wanczyk spat something onto the concrete floor as he walked away towards the officers holding Jeffery and his crew near the office.

Wanczyk stopped and turned around. “You, guy! Where’s your car?”

Keaton turned around and answered. “It’s out front.”

“Yeah, I saw only one car outside,” Wanczyk replied. “Unless that plumbing van is yours.”

“No. My first name is Bill, not Perry. Maybe someone stole it.”

“Yeah, right. Maybe you should report that,” Wanczyk answered and turned back towards the office and the waiting men.

“Will do, Detective,” Keaton called after him.

Escobar opened the door and stepped out. Keaton followed. The sun was up. A KDLD news van was pulling into the lot. The driver hit the brakes and the van slid to a stop near Escobar and Keaton. The driver climbed out, a well know female LD reporter.

She asked hurriedly, pointing at the building, “Is Wanczyk in there?”

“Yes,” Escobar answered.

The reporter turned and shouted at the van. “Hurry up! Get your ass out here! Wanczyk is probably already smashing heads in there!”

A young LA male scrambled out of the van carrying camera equipment. “Go! Go!” he shouted. “I am right behind you!”

Escobar and Keaton stepped aside as the mixed crew raced into the building.

“Wanczyk won’t get anything out of those guys now,” Escobar stated.

“They weren’t going to talk to him anyway,” Keaton said. “Their paychecks depend on staying quiet. I wonder who called the news.”

Escobar grinned then looked at her watch. “Hell, I need to get to work. I need my paycheck too. Do you need a lift?”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll get a ride,” Keaton answered. “Go get your paycheck.”

“Screw you,” Escobar answered and headed to her car.

“Yeah. See you later,” Keaton said. Escobar started up her car and pulled away.

Keaton pulled his phone out and made a call. “Mr. Hobson, good morning. Did Miss, Ruth make it home okay?”

“Yes, thank you Mr. Keaton,” Hobson answered. “She and her two guests made it home safely. The little ones are taking a bath and Chef is preparing breakfast for them.”

“Great,” Keaton said. “If you don’t mind my asking, who am I working for? Mr. Davies? Ms. Davies? You?”

“Mr. Davies hired you to watch over Ms. Davies. It won’t matter who signs the check. It will not bounce,” Hobson answered.

“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way,” Keaton said. “I just wanted to be sure whose orders to follow if they should diverge.”

“Watching over Ms. Ruth is the only order you have, Mr. Keaton. Do that regardless and you will be fine.”

“Thank you for your clarity, Mr. Hobson. I will do everything I can,” Keaton answered.

Chapter 30

Rafie looked up in the rear-view mirror and said to Keaton in the backseat of the Camry, “They need to give me a parking spot, I’m here so often.” He stopped the car at the front door of ‘The Davies House.’

“They have one around back, the dumpster,” Keaton answered.

“Hey, Mr. Keaton. That’s not nice.”

“Just true,” Keaton responded. “We’re lucky they let us on the gravel.” He opened the back door. “Wait for me. I won’t be long.” And he stepped out of the car and closed the door.

“Yes, sir,” Rafie answered to no one.

Keaton walked up to the door and knocked. Hobson opened the door.

“Good morning, Mr. Hobson.”

“Mr. Keaton. Thank you for calling ahead. Ms. Ruth is waiting for you in the dining room with her two guests.”

“Lay on, Macduff.”

“Yes. This way, sir,” Hobson answered motioning Keaton inside. He closed the door and led Keaton back to the dining room where the Twins were seated together eating breakfast. Ruth sat beside them, watching.

“Mr. Keaton, Ms. Ruth” Hobson announced. He left without waiting for a response from Ruth.

“Good morning, Ruth,” Keaton said. “How are you and your wards doing?”

The Twins looked up at Keaton then went back to their meal.

“Good morning and thank you Bill. We are doing well.”

“Great. I wanted to let you know no one mentioned your name to the police. If your name should come up at some point have your lawyers tell the police there must be a mistake and they should check their sources. No one is going to back a LD’s word over yours.”

“You mean over my father’s,” Ruth replied.

“Yes, Ruth.”

“How did you ever find us this morning?” Ruth asked.

“We were just lucky. Since it was Harlequins that tried to get you before, I followed the only Harlequin lead I had and you just happened to be there. I was just trying to find a bigger list of places to search. Just lucky.”

“Very lucky. Girls, this is Mr. Keaton. He and his friend are the reason we are here enjoying breakfast.”

The Twins looked up briefly and went back to the food.

Ruth smiled, “I’m sorry. They are still very hungry.”

“No problem. Little ones eat a lot,” Keaton said. “I was wondering if you would tell me what happened yesterday? How did you get to that chop shop?”

Ruth smiled, “I think I’ll keep my council to myself for now.”

“I thought you might say that. Well, not exactly that,” Keaton grinned. “That was nicely put.”

“Thank you,” Ruth answered. “But I was wondering if you could help me find out about these two little girls. If they have any family? Anything. All they have revealed is their first names, Kaylie and Kayla.”

The two girls looked up and grinned at the sound of their names then they dove back into their breakfasts.

“I don’t really want you to find anyone. I am already very attached to them. But I would hate for someone to show up and have a claim to them.”

Keaton nodded, “Of course. I’ll see what I can find out. Is there anything else I can do?”

“No,” Ruth answered. “I think that’s all. Except you could send a bill. I want to be sure Rafael gets paid. He was so helpful.”

“Rafie is always so helpful,” Keaton answered. “I’ll get my expenses gathered together and send you something this evening. Will that do?

“Wonderful. And please add in something for finding out about the girls,” Ruth stated. “Or should we keep that separate?”

Keaton smiled, “I do my own taxes. It’ll be alright.”

“How convenient,” Ruth said. Her right hand moved under the table and she added, “Hobson will show you out.”

“Okay?” Keaton answered.

“I buzzed him from here under the table,” Ruth said. “Mrs. Ford knew how to run a household. There is a button under the table for every room in the house.” Ruth smiled.

Keaton returned the smile and waved at the Twins, “Nice meeting you.”

“Girls, say bye to Mr. Keaton.”

“Bye,” they said in unison.

Hobson entered the dining room.

“Please show Mr. Keaton out,” Ruth instructed.

“Yes. Ms. Ruth,” Hobson answered. “This way, sir,” he said pointing towards the hall.

Keaton moved in that direction. When he and Hobson were out of the dining room Keaton asked. “Is Mr. Davies in?”

“I am afraid not, Mr. Keaton. But Mr. Martin wishes to speak with you if you have time?”

“I have time,” Keaton answered. “All the time in the world.”

“This way them,” Hobson said pointing to the left, away from the front door.

“This is Mr. Martin’s office,” Hobson said indicating a door on the ground floor near the rear door. He knocked on the door and opened it for Keaton. Keaton walked in and Hobson closed the door behind him.

It was a small, windowless room, brightly lit, with no decorations on the wall. Martin stood up from his desk and pointed to the visitor’s chair. “Have a seat Mr. Keaton. I think we got off on the wrong foot the other night.”

Keaton sat down and smiled, “I only have wrong feet, Mr. Martin. I apologize for them and any misunderstanding they created between us.”

“Great,” Tristan laughed. “What happened to Ruth last night? She won’t say a thing to me.”

“She is keeping her council from me also,” Keaton answered.

“And she has those two LDs. Where did they come from?”

“Well,” Keaton said, “She did ask me to find an answer to that question.”

“Did she? She brings two waifs home and treats them like princesses.”

“They are cute,” Keaton answered.

“Of course they are,” Tristan smiled. “It’s just all confusing. Would you be willing to let me know what you find out? For a fee, of course.”

“Of course, Mr. Martin. If Ms. Davies allows me I will relay everything I find out to you.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to infer anything other than with her permission,” Tristan responded.

“Well, great then,” Keaton said standing up from the chair. “Sorry, I need to get home get some rest. It’s been a long night and I am not young anymore.”

Tristan stood up, “Thank you for your time, Mr. Keaton. Enjoy your morning.”

“And you, yours,” Keaton responded. He opened the door and stepped out into the hall where Hobson waited not far from the door.

“Which way out of here Mr. Hobson? I need to get home.”

“This way, sir,” Hobson said pointing the way down the hall.

***

Rafie dropped Keaton off at the curb and watched until he stepped inside before driving off.

Keaton walked through the lobby, past Alice’s and up the three flights of stairs. In his darkened back-room Keaton took off his shoes and hung his jacket on a chair. He loosened his tie and collar and laid down on the couch.