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It was getting late in the day, but I knew Shirley would still be in the office. Hopefully, she had been able to track Clara down. I wanted to get her up to speed and see if she had found anything else out. The more information I had, the better my position was, although that wasn’t saying much at this point. I made a mental list of what I needed to do before I skipped town, but at the top of that list was making sure Clara and Shirley were safe. When I walked into the office, Shirley stood up quickly and rushed over.
“Did you find Rey? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. Sounds like Andrade sent some goons after the files, but Rey surprised them and scared them off. But it's not safe here now, Shirls. I need you to pack a bag and go see your family in Jacksonville. Stay there until I say. Can you do that?”
She nodded, wringing her hands together. “And Rey?”
“He’s clean. But there’s a lot more going on. Feds are involved and this is much bigger than just Raul and Marjorie.”
“Of course. Speaking of which, a courier dropped off an envelope from Mrs. Arroyo. Payment in full. I’ve already run it to the bank.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Now I really can put this all behind us. I just need those files and I can be done. Any word from Clara?”
“No. Her office said she was there, but went off following up on a story. Files are in the safe.”
“Okay. Go ahead and go now. You going to your sister’s?”
“Yeah. She’s a pain, but I love her. And I haven’t seen my nephews in a few months. It’ll be good to see them.”
“Okay, I have her number, so you stay put until I call, okay?”
“Of course. Oh, and there's a package for you on your desk. Arrived this morning with the post.”
“Thanks.” I went into my office, and Shirley began packing up. The package was small, wrapped in plain brown paper. It was addressed to me in rough handwriting. It was heavy and thudded back and forth when I shook it. I tore it open. Inside was a small, nickel-plated .25 Colt with pearl grips. Whisper. Clara’s gun. There was a note in the same rough handwriting.
Mr. Duffy,
It is unfortunate that it had to come to this, but you were warned. You have something that I want. I have someone that you do not want to see harmed. Bring the files to the club tonight, hand them over, and we will put this whole ugly affair behind us. And do not involve anyone else in this. There is no reason for more people to get hurt.
It wasn’t signed, but there was no question who it was from. Learco Andrade. The man behind Raul’s kidnapping and the attack on Rey. And now he had Clara. I swore loudly, and Shirley rushed in.
“What is it?”
“The bastard has Clara.”
“Oh no! Eddie…”
“He wants the files, Shirley. He wants me to bring them to him tonight.”
“You aren’t going to give them to him, are you? You have to go to the police! Call Rey…”
I shook my head. “No cops. I have to go alone, Shirley.”
“But it’s got to be a trap, doesn’t it? He’s not going to just let you walk out of there with Clara, even if you give him what he wants.”
“Oh I don’t trust that slimeball any further than I could throw him. But I have to get Clara out of there. I have a plan. Go on and get going. It’s definitely not safe to stay here now.”
“You sure you won't at least call Rey? You’re going to need some backup, aren't you?”
“I’ll be okay, Shirls. Trust me.” I gave her what I hoped was a confident smile. She glared back.
“Don’t you ‘trust me’ me, Eduardo Duffy,” she scolded. “I know you too well. Don’t you go acting the fool and get yourself killed, and Miss Clara along with you!”
“Okay, okay,” I said, pouring myself a drink. “I promise I will be careful. I have an idea, and I think it will work. But I need you to promise me you will leave town immediately. Can you do that?”
Shirley narrowed her eyes at me, paused, and then nodded. “You call me as soon as you are out of there, okay? I don’t care what time it is. I’m not going to be able to sleep until I know you are safe.”
“I promise.”
“Okay then.” She finished packing up her purse, and I handed her some cash.
“For gas and any other expenses.”
“I don’t need that, Eddie,” she protested.
“Take it, please. Just in case.” She paused, gave me a look of concern, and then tucked it into her pocket. With one last glance behind her, she left me alone in the office.
I sat back into my chair and lit a cigarette, flicking my lighter open and closed as I tried to come up with a plan. The bourbon was strong. It wasn’t helping. I pulled Andrade’s files out of the safe and spread them out on my desk, looking them over. It was all there: the bribery, the weapons, the drugs. Everything the feds and cops would need to put him away and shut down his entire operation for good.
There was always the chance that I could get this to them and they could save Clara, but that was too risky. She’d be dead before they got anywhere near Andrade. Even if he knew he was finished, he’d do it out of spite. That’s the kind of heartless bastard he was. So it was up to me to get her out of there without getting killed myself.
I began to put together a plan that just might work. I just hoped my gamble paid off. I finished my drink, crushed out my cigarette, and headed out the door with the files tucked under my arm.
