8
‘We’re coming up tomorrow,’ Raines said into the phone.
He was talking to his second in command at the mountain compound.
‘What time?’
‘After breakfast. Around nine.’
‘Fine with me.’
‘Listen, we need picking up. I’ve got an FBI tail and I don’t want to drive myself. I can lose them easier on foot in town.’
‘Tell me where and when and I’ll come get you myself.’
‘No. You stay put. Send one of the others.’
‘Just one? I mean, what if you get into a tight spot with the Feds?’
Raines thought for a moment. He didn’t want to get into a war in the city. But how did that Rolling Stones song go? You can’t always get what you want.
‘You’re right. Send two and make sure they come loaded for bear.’
‘Copy that.’
‘I’ll be at the diner. The one we usually meet at.’
‘The Fried Egg on Seventeenth and Market?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘You want the boys to come into town and you can call them when you’re set? They won’t be far away. That way you can make sure the Feds aren’t on to you.’
‘Yeah. Let’s do it that way.’
‘Does this mean we’re doing it now?’
‘It does.’
‘Looking forward to it being over.’
‘Me too. Stay sharp, soldier.’
Raines wasn’t sure if he would be coming back to the apartment from the compound so he packed a bag with enough clothes to last him a week. Then he called Matt Horn.
‘We’re going to get picked up in town early tomorrow. Can you meet me at the diner for breakfast?’
‘Sure. What time?’
Raines was glad that he didn’t have to put up with any crap from Horn this morning. They could probably finish this thing off without him, but it would be safer if he was still on board. No loose ends to worry about.
‘No second thoughts now?’
‘No.’
Raines had expected some hesitation from him and was happy that there had been none.
‘Good. Meet me at eight-thirty in the diner. I need to shake the Feds who are sitting on me first. Shouldn’t be too hard. They’re amateurs.’
‘Don’t underestimate them, Seth.’
‘I’ve estimated them exactly. And they won’t give me any trouble.’
‘What do you want me to do if you’re late?’
‘Order breakfast. I’ll call your cellphone when I’m on my way.’
Raines felt that he should say something more than just giving orders.
‘Look, Matt, this’ll be done soon.’
‘You keep saying that.’
Raines sighed.
‘You’re the one who got f*cked over,’ he told Horn.
‘I know.’
‘And I got you out of that shithole hospital.’
‘I said I know.’
‘Nobody else was going to do anything for you. Not the army and not the Government.’
Horn stayed quiet.
‘So this is where we get ours. You understand?’
‘I don’t need a lecture, Seth.’
Raines was surprised by the anger he heard in Horn’s voice.
‘I said I’m in,’ Horn went on, his voice getting louder. ‘So let’s get it over with.’
‘That’s the plan.’