Free Fear City by F. Paul Wilson Page A

something without even trying. How can you risk that?”
    â€œI’m not risking anything.”
    Drexler grabbed his coat and his cane. “I can’t stay here any longer.” He pointed the silver top of the cane at Nasser. “You come with me. We have matters to discuss.”
    Nasser glanced at Trejador. Both were his superiors, but the Spaniard had seniority. Trejador gave a go-ahead shrug.
    Moments later Nasser found himself in the hotel hallway with a very agitated Drexler.
    â€œCome!” he said, grabbing his arm and tugging him toward the elevators. “I want her followed!”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œWherever she goes.” He jabbed the elevator’s DOWN button repeatedly. “I want to learn who she is and who she knows—everything about her!”
    â€œShe’s just—”
    â€œWhat? Just a prostitute? You don’t know that. She may have a second line of business—like blackmail. Or worse. Did you ever hear of Mata Hari? We can’t risk this.”
    When the doors parted he fairly pushed Nasser into the car ahead of him and stabbed the LOBBY button. The car made an uninterrupted descent, and as the doors opened he propelled Nasser into the lobby.
    â€œHurry! She’s probably waiting for a cab out front. Don’t let her get away.”
    Nasser rushed through the lobby and emerged onto the sidewalk just as a bellman closed a taxi door behind Danaë. Nasser ran to the line of waiting cabs and jumped into the rear of the first.
    â€œYou have to wait your turn, mister.”
    â€œA hundred dollars if you follow that cab to wherever it’s going!”
    The taxi lurched into motion and caught up to Danaë’s in no time.

 
    THURSDAY

 
    1
    â€œOkay, you two guys listen and listen good,” Tony said. “Because here’s how it’s gonna go.”
    Vinny had better things to do but Tony the Cannon had called the meeting for eleven this morning and wasn’t taking no for an answer. Since Tony, sick though he was, hadn’t stepped down as crew boss, Vinny obeyed. He showed up at Tony’s appliance store on Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park a couple minutes early. He was surprised to find Tommy already there. Tommy glared. Vinny stared.
    â€œNow I know things ain’t good between you two,” Tony went on, looking small and frail behind his desk, “but that ain’t gonna interfere with business. And speaking of business,” he said, focusing his hard dark eyes on Tommy, “you’ve been fucking off.”
    Tommy spread his hands. “The business just ain’t out there, Tony.”
    â€œBull shit ! Don’t try to gimme that. You just ain’t been lookin’. Just this morning I got a call from an old customer about someone who wants a loan. So you know what? You’re gonna go meet him at the taxi depot, and you’re gonna check him out.”
    â€œSure, Tony.”
    â€œName’s Mahmoud or something like that.”
    â€œMahmoud?” Tommy made a face. “We’re loaning to ragheads?”
    â€œWe’re loaning to guys who can pay back. If this guy can pay back, you make the fucking loan.”
    â€œAwright. Gotcha.”
    â€œAnd Vinny’s going with you.”
    Shit.
    â€œAy, Tony—” Vinny began but Tony karate chopped the air.
    â€œYou’re both gonna spend some time together and iron out this beef you got with each other. But I’m setting some ground rules. First off, Vinny’s junkyard stays his and his alone.”
    â€œBut—”
    Another karate chop. “Vinny bought it. He let you in by the goodness of his heart as a favor to me. You left the business on your own. You don’t go back unless he wants to take you back.” He looked at Vinny. “You want him back?”
    â€œNo way.”
    â€œThen that’s settled. But here’s what you will do: You’ll help Tommy get the loan business