Free Songs for Perri by Nancy Radke Page B

things. He had followed her as Joe, knowing she would be less likely to spot that character. He had noticed Junior hanging around and decided he should discourage the youth again, when it was convenient.
    As Joe, he was near enough to see the puzzle magazine Perri bought. Guessing her intent, he ducked out of the hotel and headed for where he had last seen Walt, at a tourist restaurant a few blocks away. Walt would wait for several hours at one location, then move on to another place...each time taking a spot which was easily seen.
    He was sitting at an outside table, facing the street, when Hugo arrived in the character of Joe. Walt pushed a tall glass of iced lime juice over to him. "Here. You look like you need this. I've had so many, I'm about to float."
    Joe ducked the low-hanging palm fronds that shaded the table and sank into the next chair, where he could also see up the street. "Thanks," he said as he took a long drink. "I haven't had time to get anything. I think Perri's taking a rest. She took a puzzle book up to her room with her."
    Walt drummed his fingers on the table top. "Good. Go ahead and order."
    "Any luck?"
    "No. I wonder if Owen is still in Mazatlan. He would know I'd come and look for him here. If he could, he'd drive around until he saw me."
    "He might have just missed you. Or been injured."
    "Or killed. Owen didn't send that postcard for fun. I wish I had more information, to know just how dangerous the situation is. I sent Perri another note. Does she show any sign of leaving?"
    "No. Shouldn't you just go see her? Tell her to leave."
    "Maybe I should. She's probably staying here to give me a hand interpreting. I'll tell her Joe is helping me."
    "That should do it." Joe turned to wave at a waiter and caught the movement of a long object being thrust out of a car window as it approached. His mind identified it even as his eyes searched for the waiter. Machine gun!
    "Look out!" He yelled the words automatically, then grabbed an unsuspecting Walt and threw him to the ground as the gun was fired. Reaching up, he tipped the table over as a shield, sending the dishes shattering to the pavement.
    "What happened?" Walt asked, bewildered.
    Joe waited until the car had gone by, his heart racing. "Someone used us for target practice. Let's get out of here."
    He hustled Walt into the restaurant and out the other side. They waited for a few seconds, then walked slowly along the beach back to Walt's hotel, not relaxing until they were inside his room.
    "Well, we no longer have to wonder if it's dangerous," Joe said as he closed the door.
    "Right. Someone knows you. Or me. We don't know who they were shooting at."
    "They'll have us linked now, so it doesn't matter."
    "Should I change rooms? It might draw more attention to me."
    "No. I didn't see any one who looked suspicious as we came in. I think this place is still safe."
    "We've got to get Perri out of here. Now."
    "Right. Tell her." Joe said, glad that Perri would be warned. He didn't believe in keeping people in the dark.
    "You'll have to go. I can't. I don't dare let them see me with her. It might put Perri in danger, too."
    "Okay."
    "Stay with her until she leaves."
    "Only if you promise to stay here, where I can contact you. I'll get her on a plane, then come back."
    "Good enough. Put her on any plane that's leaving. I don't care where."
    "Okay. I'm off." He stared for a moment at the widening stain on Walt's shirt. "You're hit!'
    "Where?"
    Hugo helped Walt take his shirt off. Thankfully, it was a minor wound, but one that had to be treated. "Let's get you patched up. Hopefully, Perri will stay near the hotel like she's been doing."
    Perri stared out her window at some low flying pelicans. It had been four hours since she had come up to her room. Six puzzles were finished and another started. She wished something would happen. She was never much for waiting.
    The phone rang.
    "Hello?"
    "Hello. This is Crystal," the caller said.
    It sounded like the same man