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Gypsy! And as long as the damned thieves kept the necklace close, he would be unable get a clear fix on them. He was probably wasting his time chasing after this woman, but it was the only lead he had. He had to have something! Something of theirs to focus on . . . |
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During the Dark Man's reverie, the cabbie had been studying him in the rearview mirror. The driver took in the cut of his passengers' suits, the jewelry on the wrist of the bald man beside him, and remembered their strange accents. "Say, brothers, you interested in meeting some fine young ladies?" |
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When no one said anything, the driver tried a new tact. "How 'bout some primo grass, or a little blow?" |
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"What makes you think we would be interested in drugs?" the Dark Man asked. His tone of voice was neutral, but his eyes had taken on a spark of interest. |
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"Don't get yo panties in a twist. I just noticed you was from out of town. Just came off the flight from Miami, did you?" |
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The bald man glanced over the back of the seat at his leader. He saw the way the skin around the Dark Man's eyes and mouth had tightened and noted how his leader's eyes bore into the back of the driver's head. |
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The Dark Man replied, "Maybe you could be of service to us. Would you pull over for a moment?" |
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Several cars slammed on their brakes and blew their horns as the boxy yellow cab abruptly swerved to the side of the interstate. The cabbie saluted his fellow drivers with his middle finger and eased the gearshift into park and then turned to face the backseat. |
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"Now, I can make you a really fine deal on" |
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The Dark Man had unbuttoned his shirt and was holding out a strange-looking necklace. |
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"What's that, bro, a badge? You ain't the man, are you?" |
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While the driver was frantically trying to recall his lawyer's telephone number, the Dark Man recited a string of alien phrases under his breath. In a moment, the cabbie heard a |
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