Free Private Heat by Robert E. Bailey Page B

up, yet.”
    â€œLooks like they want you to stay there for a while.”
    â€œAin’t like I was going anywhere. How good is the film?”
    â€œI’m shooting low light. The faces could be better, but there’s no question about the license plate.”
    â€œI think the statute of limitations will hold up for a couple of days. Give me a shout when they come back.”
    â€œRoger that,” said Ron. “Seven out.”
    â€œSix out.”
    Karen stood waiting in the doorway. As I brushed by, she said, “I wish that had been Arnie on the phone.” She smiled. “I’d like to have seen his face.”
    â€œWell, even if it wasn’t, the introductions are over and so is the slap and tickle. From here on, the winner keeps the marbles.” I slid off my jacket and started out of my shirt.
    â€œJust what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
    â€œNow, that is conceit,” I said. I unzipped the duffel bag and extracted a vest.
    â€œI thought only the police could have those.”
    â€œCommon misconception,” I said as I dropped the vest over my head and Velcroed it snug. I put my shirt back on but threw my tie and tie clip in the duffel bag with the spent pepper gas can.
    â€œYou sprayed that all over Randy, didn’t you?”
    â€œYes ma’am, I did.”
    â€œOh, God! Randy’s going to be so mad. Chuck and Paulie are gonna egg him on. They always do.”
    I unwrapped the second can of gas and put it in my pocket. “So you think Randy will be back?” I locked my eyes with hers.
    Karen blushed red and rolled her eyes up and to the right.
    â€œIf you’re gonna lie, don’t bother. Chuck and Paulie slashed the tires on my car but I can catch a ride with Ron.”
    â€œMaybe. It’s just—I wanted him to come back to … me.”
    â€œWhen Randy comes back,” I said, “two things are not going to happen. Thing Number One is that he is not going to kill or injure me or you. Thing Number Two is that I am not going to kill or permanently injure him or anyone else.”
    â€œI didn’t mean for things to happen this way.”
    â€œKaren, I don’t think you were ever in charge.”
    Karen looked forlorn.
    â€œThings were probably out of control before you got involved. Now, I have to know. Do I have to watch my back just to make sure you don’t brain me?”
    â€œNo,” she said and studied her feet.
    â€œGood,” I said, and held up the third vest for her to inspect. “Since you’re on my side, I need you to wear this.”
    Her face lit up as she reached out and took the vest. I watched her wrestle with it for a while. I’d have worried had she donned it like a trooper. She didn’t.
    â€œTurn around,” I said.
    â€œI don’t want you to touch me.”
    â€œI’m just going to straighten out the vest, turn around and raise your arms.” She did, and must have felt my breath on her neck—and a very nice neck it was—because her skin flushed.
    I cleared my throat, stepped back a little, and peeled the sides loose. When I got the front and back level, and the sides evenly spaced, I handed the straps around. “Hook ’em up,” I told her. “Not too tight, but it should move with you as you breathe.”
    â€œI want to see this in the mirror,” she said. She turned and started for the bedroom, her face glowing.
    â€œPut a shirt on over it,” I said. “That way the bad guys won’t drill you in the forehead for openers.”
    She came back wearing a giant gray sweatshirt with the arms torn off at the shoulders—had to be Randy’s. It hung so low on her body that you had to check twice to be certain that she was still wearing her shorts, such as they were. I shook my head.
    â€œWhat?” she said.
    â€œNothing, it’s fine,” I said and laughed in spite of myself.
    Her face