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"Does the name Matthew Hazzard mean anything to you?" |
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Jack felt his stomach twist but said nothing. |
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Mars made a little nod. "Okay, then. Matthew Hazzard is a twelve-year-old boy who is in considerable danger, and I have reason to believe that you know what I am talking about." |
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Jack badly wanted to believe this guy, to open up to him, but he also realized he should fight the impulse. |
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"Maybe you figure wrong." |
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Jack wanted a smart comeback, but all he could come up with was: "Because I don't like people probing into my business." He could see the guy was not impressed. |
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"Mr. Perry, I'm investigating the possibility that your former associates were murdered. In a sense I'm working for you, too." |
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The guy knew so much, but how? "I don't need your protection." |
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"I think you do, and it's because of what you know. It would make sense if you simply answered a few questions." |
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"Julius Wick . . ." The name just slipped out of his thoughts. God-damn . . . he was losing it . . . |
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The son of a bitch, it had to be him. Otherwise, why was he razored out of the photo? |
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"Mr. Perry, I don't know who Julius Wick is, but I do know that a young boy's life is in danger. And every minute we play twenty questions, the more the danger increases. If you are not going to cooperate, then please let me leave." |
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Jack looked at the business card, then waved the gun at him. "Put your hands back on your head and lie face down on the ground." |
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"You heard me." He had to get it back, let this guy know he knew what was going on. |
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"Just what do you have in mind, sir?" Jerry Mars did not smile as he lay down as told while Jack went into the trailer and came back out with a portable phone. |
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"If you're calling the police, you'll only bring attention to yourself." |
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He was right about that. Jack punched the number on the card. It |
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