Адяков Андрей Вячеславович : другие произведения.

The Timer

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Школа кожевенного мастерства: сумки, ремни своими руками
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  • Аннотация:
    Чарли Бэнтон, музыкант, так и не оправившийся от загадочного исчезновения своей дочери, получает конверт, от таинственного незнакомца. В котором находит пистолет, удостоверение агента ФБР, а так же дело о пропавшей девушке. Раскрывая его подробности, ему придется столкнуться с миром жестокого криминала. Где пощады нет никому!
  Copyright Owner. Writer - Adiakov Andrei
  
  The Timer
  
  Chapter 1
   Fame, big money. All this is coming. And ultimately, having all this, but without love, good friends, ordinary worldly happiness, a person loses all sense of life. Certainly, the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs are also pushing it, but they only speed up the process of making such a decision, how to settle scores with life. The demons inside of us begin to rejoice at such thoughts, and will do everything that we would eventually accept the only true solution for them. And they will find another lost soul, and they will happily rub their hands in anticipation ...
   The last concert was played almost a month ago, the plans for recording a new album, and a tour of the cities. A whole month of free time. But today's date, the sixteenth of April, only made us remember the anniversary of the disappearance of her daughter. Gathering a small travel bag, Charlie went to the bus station. The bus schedule indicated that the next flight to Syracuse, New York in an hour. After buying the ticket and after registering, Charlie sat on the bench, and tried to sleep. He has long been tormented by nightmares, strange dreams, one of the last, his daughter is somewhere alive, and asks to take her away from here. But where is she? The place does not seem to find out, it's dark. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and grabbed it sharply, turning, Charlie saw a frightened girl in the Greyhound uniform.
  - "Mister, are you all right?"
   - Yes, I'm sorry! Charlie looked at his watch. There were fifteen minutes left before the bus was sent. Taking his place, he again fell asleep, hoping at least to get some sleep.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 2
   The city was met with torrential rain. He has been here, and more than once. This is the city in which he grew up. Over the past twenty years, of course a lot has changed. There were new buildings, reconstructing the bridge. But on the whole it is the same hole in which people and people are drinking and killing each other, most often on domestic soil. Once Charlie was lucky to leave here, and become a famous musician. Leaving the bus, he headed towards the standing taxi cars, passing people did not recognize him, and it was for the best. A heavy rain washed away the path, leading seems to a myriad of crosses and monuments. Passing by them and reading the dates of people's lives, you involuntarily ask yourself what kind of people they were? From what did they die? Slipping along the wet grass, Charlie reached the grave of his daughter, who was on a low hill. Now only a heavy, marble stone reminded us that a part of Charlie himself was buried here. The water rained down from above, to a lonely man standing, bending his head above the gravestone. The next destination was not a large, cheap motel in the north of the city. Late evening. Arriving by taxi, and having paid off with the driver, he registered in one of the rooms of this motel.
   "Your key is Mr. Banton, room 208." We have breakfast from eight to nine in the morning. Have a nice rest! Said the young guy-administrator, with the appearance of Briolin, from the film with John Travolta. It's a little amused Charlie, and he, restraining the smile, thanked the administrator and went to his room. Closing the door, he turned on the TV, according to which a politician promised a good life, decent wages and peace throughout the world. After pulling out the bag from the bag, Charlie gently took out a few tablets, then threw it into his mouth, and swallowed them. On TV continued to show news about politics, military conflicts, victims, among civilians, killed soldiers. But it was not given in Charlie's brain, all this information passed him, and he just sat in an armchair and looked blankly at the flickering screen of the TV. Suddenly, some people appeared on the screen, they peered over this side of the screen, shone brightly with a flashlight, but what they were talking about was incomprehensible. Instead of them a young girl appeared, who, with tears in her eyes, repeated the same thing, too.
   - Do not! Please! No!
  Finally he fell asleep. But he was awakened by loud blows at the door, it was already seven o'clock in the morning. The blows to the door did not stop.
   - What a hell? Who's there?
   Charlie grumbled, and sharply opened the door, preparing to pile on the annoying knocking at his door. On the threshold stood a man in a raincoat, and in a black suit, in his hands was a large envelope, which he handed to Charlie.
   "Mr. Banton, hold the envelope, all the information you need is in it."
   "What kind of envelope?" What is there? Charlie asked in confusion.
  - I do not know, I was only asked to deliver it to you. Good luck!
   Charlie gazed intently at the envelope, on which his name and surname were written. On the reverse side, there were no inscriptions. Thinking that it was some kind of mistake, Charlie went downstairs to the reception desk. But instead of yesterday's guy-administrator, now was completely different. Not giving much importance to this, Charlie asked.
   "Did you see where the man in the black cloak went?"
   "What man?" I have not seen anyone here.
   "Can we see the surveillance cameras?"
   - Oh sure. With these words, the administrator showed the cameras, having rewound them at the right time. But on them, there was no man in a black cloak!
   - Are you sure that someone was here? Have you lost something? Can call the police?
   "No, no, it's all right!" Thank you!
   Once more, looking around, Charlie went to his room.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 3
   Closing the door and looking out the window, Charlie opened the packet. There was an ID of an FBI agent with his photograph, a gun with two magazines and a silencer, five packs of one hundred dollar bills, and also an inscription for the agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tommy Brighton. It was written about the loss of a girl. With attached photos. Her face seemed to him familiar, somewhere he probably saw her. The girl was named Elizabeth Fowley, twenty-four years old, was born in Lansing, Michigan. According to the parents, March 10 last year, went to New York, to study, after that, nothing is known about her, and her tracks are lost.
   As a child, Charlie loved detective stories and dreamed of becoming a policeman. But his passion for music made him a popular singer-musician, although he still liked to watch detective films and read similar literature.
   But what happened now, did not fit into Charlie's mind. He's an FBI agent who needs to find the missing girl? What the hell is going on? Is this someone's joke? Prank?
   Down again to the reception desk, Charlie asked for help in finding the phone of the New York Police Department.
   "Any trouble?" Why the police in New York? We can contact our department.
   - Everything is fine! Just give me the police number of New York, please.
   "All right, one minute." But, find it, write it down. Keep a pencil and a sheet.
   Charlie dialed the number. At that end, a pleasant female voice responded to the New York police department.
   - How can I help you?
   - Hello! I would like to know about the missing person, do you have any information and can you confirm the loss? She's a girl, her name is Elizabeth Hawley, twenty-four, from Lansing, Michigan. On March 10 last year, according to the parents, went to New York, after which nothing is known about it.
   - And who are you? Why do you need this information?
   "I'm an FBI agent, Cha ... Tommy Brighton."
   "A minute, I'll look at the list." Yes that's right. But at the moment no information about the whereabouts is known. The search continues.
   - Thank you!
  Charlie hung up.
   "So you're from the FBI?" Are you looking for someone here?
   - A? What? No, not here. Thanks for the phone, all the best!
  He went up to his room. I opened the envelope again with the case. But there were more questions than answers.
  
  Chapter 4
   - So, okay, the girl really disappeared, I have a certificate for the name of the FBI agent unknown to me, but for some reason with my photo, and it was I who should find her. Mmm... interesting. Well, I'll go to New York, maybe I'll learn a little more.
   Picking up his bag, Charlie picked up the tablets from the table, which he put in his pocket. The TV continued to work. Now there is some scientist, maybe just a charlatan, telling about travels beyond the bounds of his mind. The stars flew on the screen, followed by various inserts from photos with waterfalls, forests and other beauty of nature. Turning off the TV, he again went to the reception desk to pay for the number.
   "Room 208, how much from me?"
   "208, so." You have already paid for a week.
   - Yes? It's strange. Oh well. Thank you!
   - You are welcome!
   The young, administrative guy sat down on the armchair and stared at the TV screen, where the same scientist continued to talk about what was sometimes hidden from us.
   The road to New York took quite a bit of time. In New York, he also had to visit. Here began his career as a musician. Here lived his ex-wife, with his son. So he knew the city was not bad. I was thirsty all the way, so when I got off the bus, he first went to the nearest store, bought a bottle of water. At the cash register of the store, there was clearly not a young, battered-up seller, with long hair that was already shining with greyness, and with tattooed hands. He sometimes looked at the image on the TV where the Charlie band clip was shown, and shook his head to the beat, the seller obviously liked this music. At this point, Charlie was already at the ticket office with a bottle of water, and his thought was that now he would recognize him, ask for an autograph, make a joint photo. He has already prepared a phrase, like yes-yes, it's me, here's an autograph, a photo? Come on, of course! But no, nothing like this happened. The salesman looked at him, muttered that you had a dollar, and then shook his head to the rhythm of the music, every now and then, glancing at the TV. This surprised Charlie. How? He did not recognize him? It's strange. It was not ordinary, but for some reason he liked it. For all his musical life, he was rather tired of the crazy fans, and lately, he wanted peace and quiet. Although the concerts, which were attended by thousands of people, gave him great satisfaction. They first shared their irrepressible energy, and then they took it away, leaving devastation behind themselves.
   Leaving the store, Charlie headed to the nearest police station. At the entrance, he handed over his check bag, got it back, he went to the policeman sitting at the table and showed his ID to the FBI agent.
   "Are you on any business, Mr. Brighton?"
   - Yes, I need to talk to a detective who is looking for missing people.
   "Go to the third floor, the office is three hundred and ten, you need detective Dawson."
   There were three people in the office, two were talking on the phone, and one was assiduously typing some text on the computer keyboard.
   - Hello! I need Detective Dawson.
   The man typing, looking up from the computer. And looked up at the stranger.
   - It's me. How can I help you?
   Charlie took an identification card from the inside pocket of his jacket and opened it.
   "My name is Tommy Brighton, I'm from the FBI, I have a case for looking for a missing girl, I was told that you can help me."
   "Come in, sit down." What girl?
   - Here you have it.
   Charlie handed the envelope with the file and photos. The detective, frowning, carefully read the contents of the dossier and looked at the pictures.
   - Now I'll look, I think, I remember something.
  After a couple of minutes of searching on the computer, the detective confirmed that he really remembers this matter, despite the fact that it's been almost a year now.
   - Yes, I remember there was a statement about the search for a girl, here it is written that I saw her last time, on April 14th, in a bar called "The Black Comet", one of the guards of this bar remembered her, but with whom she was, one or not, what time he left, he never remembered. After that, I have no information about her whereabouts at the moment. If you want, I can make copies of my information.
  - It will be useful. Please do. - Yes, I can see somewhere all the statements about missing people in the last year, do you have such a database? And I'm also interested in the archival numbers of the main newspapers, unless of course you have such information.
   - Of course, you can take this place, now I will open the base, and I will show a place where you can see all the archives of newspaper issues.
   Charlie hoped to find any data about who Tommy Brighton was, and if he was not dead, perhaps he was on the list of missing people. Having flown through the newspaper for a couple of months, last year since the date of Elizabeth's disappearance, nothing has been found about the murder of Tommy Brighton. Perhaps he was still alive, or dead, but the corpse so far has not been found. Then he began to study the statements about the missing people. Finding an article about Elizabeth, who did not tell anything new, Charlie took this as the starting point of his further search, and yes! The result did not take long to wait! The FBI agent, Tommy Brighton, his photo, where he is from, the signs on which number you can call, if his location is found, disappeared without a trace. (Well, the detective did not remember that name, thought Charlie). He sprinkled the table, found a pen and paper, and copied everything that was written about Tommy Brighton. Having received copies of the documents about the missing girl, Charlie went to the exit, thanking the detective for help. Near the site was an old, painted and painted bench, which, apparently, was already tired of putting in order the city services. Sitting on it, Charlie began to carefully study the papers that he received. In them he found a note about a survey of witnesses, the same bar where the last time the missing girl was seen. The witness was called Larry Simmons, it is indicated that he works in the guard of the "Black Comet" bar. There was a premonition that it was he who was holding something back. The telephone number and the name of another person, the visitor of this institution, who also called the police, when he saw the announcement of the loss of Elizabeth Fowley, was also specified.
   - Excuse me, can you tell me where the automatic telephone is?
   Slightly embarrassed, he asked the patrol policeman, Charlie.
   - At that angle, turn right and immediately it will be in front of you.
   The policeman showed his hand, handsome, with a serious face. This is a bearing, thought Charlie. You need a little more courage, and even the question about the phone, he asks in a shy tone. Apparently, he does not have very pleasant conversations, in which he is unlikely to be offered tea and biscuits. Thoughts about food, responded in his hungry stomach, in the last six hours he did not eat anything. So, at first at least something to eat was the first priority. He also thought about why he was involved in all this? It's not even his business, although the inscription on the document from the envelope said the opposite, but still. But on the other hand, something was driving him, arousing interest in him, as if someone were controlling him. Opposite the place where he sat and studied the documents, there was not a big, old shop, with a sign of hot dogs, burgers. This attracted the attention of Charlie, since there was a much stronger desire, and there was no desire to seek something. Therefore, having bought a pair of hot dogs and a hamburger, taking a glass of cola, he decided to sit again on the same bench and read the case more attentively. But it was not possible to find more interesting things in it, the only clues and opportunities to learn a little more than what he now knows is to make a call to the bar's visitor and pay a visit to the guard, in the hope that he is still working there. After eating, Charlie threw the glass and napkins into the trash can and walked confidently toward the phone booth.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 5
   Dialing the number, he heard an answering machine on the other end, and he was ready to hang up, but the automatic voice interrupted.
   - Yes, Hello.
   - Hello! Is this Jimm Stones?
   - Hello, that's right.
   "My name is Tommy Brighton, I'm from the FBI, I have a few questions for you."
   "What kind of questions?" I'm listening to you.
   "I'm on the case of a missing girl, I have evidence that you saw her on April 14th of last year, at the bar" Black Comet ", her name is Elizabeth Fowley, maybe you'll remember any more details?
  "I told the detective everything from the police, but I can repeat it to you." Yes, I remember this girl, there was a man with her. I was there for quite a long time, and I remember that it was already nearer to the night, she was very drunk, she introduced herself a little defiantly, this was remembered. A guard came to them, and this man was talking to him about something. Then, they took this girl, and got out of the bar. What happened next, I do not know, since I did not follow them. I have no more information. Unfortunately, I can not help you.
   - Thank you, your information was very useful. Have a nice day!
   - All the best!
   After hanging up, Charlie reflected for a few minutes. What kind of man was with her, why did the guard not mention anything about him, in his testimony? In any case, it is necessary to pay a visit to the bar "Black Comet", and talk with this guard, maybe he will be able to remember something and describe that man, maybe he was a frequent visitor in this institution. In the telephone directory, Charlie quickly found the address of this bar. It was located at the other end of the city, so the most convenient way to get to it was the metro, which was very near.
  
  
  
  Chapter 6
   It was an unremarkable institution on the outskirts of the city, with a sign on which it was indicated that they were working until the last visitor, as well as an invitation to a strip striptease, every evening. Now was the day, there were not very many visitors. A couple of people were at the bar, a few more sat in different places. Another two discussed something at the billiard table, one of them held a cigarette in his teeth, and carefully rubbed the tip of the cue with chalk. Charlie went to the bar counter, behind which was a young-looking bartender with hair tied in a ponytail, diluting something in bottles.
   - Good afternoon. Can you tell me, does Larry Simmons work here?
   - Kind. Yes it works.
   "Is he here now?"
   "Not yet, in about twenty minutes."
   - Thank you!
   - Yes, not at all! Will you order something?
   - Coffee, without milk, with sugar.
   - Good. I will bring it now.
   In anticipation, Charlie looked again at this bar. In the corner he noticed a hanging TV on which American football was broadcast. Without sharing the love for this game, he was now staring intently at the screen, realizing that he liked this sport. Strange feeling, but he even knew these teams, and that show a match between Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, whose composition for some reason he knew by heart.
   "Your coffee!"
   These words were brought back to reality. The barman moved the cup, and again took up his previous business, mixing and shaking something. Charlie poured sugar into the cup, and stirring with a spoon, looked around. The door of the black entrance opened and a man entered.
   "That man is Larry Simons."
   The bartender said, pointing to a tall and stocky man, about forty years old. Charlie put aside the unfinished cup of coffee and put five bucks on the counter.
   - Hello! My name is Tommy Brighton, I'm from the FBI.
   He showed Charlie's ID and put it back in his jacket pocket. The man was intently, with surprise, and somehow angrily looked at Charlie.
   - Yes it's me. What you need?
   - I about the missing girl, in April of last year, her name is Elizabeth Foley, here is her photo. You gave evidence to the police, and said that you saw her in this bar. I would like to know if you remember any more details, moments?
   "I've already told the police." Yes, I saw her, she was not much drunk, broke the glass. But she paid for it, and nothing else remarkable happened. With whom she was, what time she left, honestly, I do not remember. There was a lot of people that night. Are there any other questions?
   - No, thanks for help. All the best!
   Charlie looked into Larry's eyes, but nothing showed on his face except scorn and aggression, which he held back. He obviously does not talk, but why? Does he have anything to hide? We ought to find out, in another situation, to follow him. With these reflections, Charlie left the bar and thought that it would not hurt to rent a car, so it will be much more convenient. Again the telephone directory came to the rescue.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 7
  Charlie rented for a week, the old Cadillac Eldorado, cherry-colored. After inspecting the salon of the car, he found an open pack of cigarettes, in the glove compartment, a few cents that lay on the floor and quite stylish glasses, on the shelf, at the bottom of the car radio. Without wasting time, he went to the side of the bar "Black Comet", before arriving at a cafe with burgers and pies, taking two packages of food, so as not to leave the car. The spot for surveillance of the guard, he found inconspicuous, not far from the black entrance, since, Larry Simmons, entered from the black entrance to the bar, from there one could observe, and go to the toilet on need, without going far, and not attracting attention. The main thing is that he would leave too, from the black entrance, otherwise all his surveillance will be wasted time. Time for eating and listening to jazz, it was still very long. After inspecting the rented car again, Charlie found an old newspaper, fifteen years old, in the back of the seat. His attention was drawn to the article by the scientist Benjamin Harrison, devoted to the transfer of souls, their missions, completed cases. Somewhere he had already heard about it. And I've already seen this man. Yes! This is the same scientist, from the TV! Wow, as he has been doing this for a long time, in the last few days, I have already come across him for the third time. The evening was replaced at night, then the first rays of the sun, lit up the windows of houses and cars. People have already left the bar before, but they were not the waiters, not the cooks, but maybe someone else. I wanted to sleep. And so, the door opened again, shaking hands with someone, Larry Simmons came out. He headed for the parked Lincoln bar, then the car started. After letting go of him, Charlie started his Cadillac, and sat on his tail, trying not to attract attention, forcing ahead of another car, but keeping Lincoln, Simmons, in sight. The journey took about twenty-five minutes. It seems that this was the house in which he lives. Charlie stopped not far from his house, and decided to wait a few minutes to inspect the house outside to see if there was anyone else in this house, or now Larry Simmons alone. After waiting about ten minutes, but without knowing anything, Charlie decided to go for a trick. He noticed that Larry did not put his car in the garage, but parked next to the house, putting it on the alarm. There was no one on the street, but it was necessary to act as quickly as possible. Charlie hid behind Larry's car, from the invisible side of his house. Sitting next to the front wheel, he hit his fist on the car's wing. There was a loud alarm sound, which soon ceased. Apparently, Larry looked out the window, and turned off the alarm. After waiting a couple of minutes, Charlie again hit. And again the alarm sound, calmed down after a short time. Charlie listened in silence. He must go to his car! Another blow, again the alarm was very quickly disabled. And there were footsteps, muttering curses. When Charlie realized that he was already very close to him, without getting up, lightning struck him in the groin, and knocked his feet, while striking him in the jaw. After receiving a knockout, Larry fainted. Then Charlie threw his arms, on his shoulders, and carried, as if drunk in the direction of the house.
  Chapter 8
  Cold water quickly led Larry to the senses. He tried to get up, but was tightly bound to his hands and feet.
  "You were killed !?" Is not it so? I was told about this! What a hell?
  - What are you talking about?
  "You were already here a year ago, with this investigation." Did you forget your memory?
  "I do not remember anything, I see you a second time." I do not understand what you mean.
  - You came to the bar, asked the same questions, and what's more, you already began to bore some people. I heard that you were ordered, and killed.
  "Who ordered me and killed me?"
  - How should I know?
  "But I know that you lied to me, and it's not good." Why did you say that you did not see anyone with Elizabeth? I know for sure that you helped accompany her to a taxi, along with some kind of person. In your own interests, do not try to deceive me and tell me honestly.
  - And if not? What then? What will you do?
  Larry snarled, spitting blood from his broken lip to the floor.
  "But if you do not, you will not have any sweetness, and then forensic experts will long wonder what kind of person is in front of them." So, choose.
  "If I tell you, in any case I'm an undead." So, you went!
  - You should not be so, so what do you want with this? Look, what a big house you have, a steep car, surely the girls are whole crowds. And you now want to lose all this?
  Charlie took a deep breath. He looked at the watch with the second hand hanging on the wall.
  "I give you just a minute to think."
  "I repeat, I've gone to hell, I will not tell you anything!"
  "Oh, time's up, it's time for sincerity and honesty!"
  With that, Charlie grabbed an empty plastic bag from the table, wrapped it around Larry's head, tied it tightly with a rope, removing the air from it, and began alternating strokes on his face and stomach. A minute later, Charlie took the package from Larry's head.
  - Well? It helped you to remember the name of this person, and how to find it?
  Larry's face was swollen, his lips became even more broken, blood blew from his nose, panting and spitting out a large blood clot, he confidently uttered.
  "Fuck you asshole!"
  - And I thought you were a smart guy, okay, apparently you like it.
  Pulling the package back on his head again, Charlie did not beat him anymore, but just looked at the clock, which counted down seconds again. Two minutes passed when Charlie took off the package again. Swallowing greedily, Larry said.
  "Enough, I'll tell you, I'll tell you." This is Ben Lowell, he is a pimp, is engaged in the delivery of girls and collecting money from prostitutes.
  - Come on! Where can I find it?
  - He sometimes comes to the bar "Black Comet". He's in business with my boss. But where he dwells I have no idea, honestly, I do not know.
  "Your boss, the owner of this bar?" What's his name?
  "Barney Benjamin."
  - Now you call him, and you say that you urgently need to meet with him and talk, and let him come to you, that you will explain everything and so it is necessary. You'll do something stupid, it'll be your last, do you understand?
  "Yes, but you will regret it."
  - I know I know. Speak the number!
  The conversation did not take long. Charlie took out a pistol, took out the store, made sure that the cartridges were in place, screwed the muffler, then lowered it from the fuse. Then he opened the fridge, rummaged in it for a while, in search of food. To find out a few boiled eggs, two sausages and a bottle of milk, pulled it out of the refrigerator and sat on the floor, snacking on the found food in anticipation of Barney Benjamin.
  Chapter 9
  I did not have to wait long. Forty minutes later, a doorbell rang. Charlie joined the inspection hole, and saw a bald and slightly overweight man about sixty years old, his hand stroked his back from behind. Probably there was a gun, you need to be careful and do everything quickly. Charlie gestured for Larry to answer that he was opening the door.
  - I'm coming. Now open.
  Charlie opened the door, and immediately put the gun to Barney's head.
  "Only without jokes." Hands by the head, pass!
  Benjamin glanced at Charlie angrily, raised his hands and went into the house. Charlie came from behind, not removing the gun from the back of Benjamin's neck, took out his pistol, and hid it under his shirt. Then he searched him, but he did not find any more weapons.
  - Move towards the kitchen, it's right and immediately to the right. There is already waiting for your friend. He already told you that we need to talk. "You can sit down."
  Charlie kicked a chair in his direction.
  "Did not they finish you off?" Or have you risen from the dead?
  Benjamin asked without showing signs of excitement or anger.
  "I do not know what you're talking about, and I do not care." Tell me more about Elizabeth Fowley, who was at your bar a year ago, and then disappeared without a trace, and no one else saw her. And how do I find Ben Lowell?
  - If you still did not fall down, then just this someone made a big mistake ... I'm not going to tell you anything, like this damned piece of shit. So you just go in the ass with your questions.
  - Are you sure? That you do not want to tell me anything interesting?
  "One hundred percent." I will not tell you anything.
  Charlie lowered his head down, nodding approvingly. But suddenly he raised his hand with a pistol and shot Barney's foot.
  - Bastard !!
  At that moment another shot was heard in the other leg.
  "You fucking asshole!"
  - I do not have much time. I want to know where I can find Ben Lowell, so will you help me?
  Charlie went to Barney, and stepped on his foot, on his shot through the leg, to the place where a brown-red wound had trickled. A scream of pain, stunned Charlie, you need to finish it sooner, someone can call the police.
  "Oh, you're a freak, okay, I'll say enough!" I know that its main point is in Brooklyn, 3rd Avenue, a small street. So he comes there, his girls are there.
  "You see how easy it is for you to contact." Unknown strength and anger came to Charlie again. And he said, quietly and without regret.
  "Well, that's all." I have to go. Share a hello!
  He pointed the gun towards Larry and Barney.
  - What? No!
  Charlie hurried out of Larry's house, then opened Barney's car and searched it, discovering two packages of white powder, it was clear that they were drugs. One of these bundles, he buried in a flower bed, on the site of Larry. Returning to the house, he threw another package at the feet of the connected. He did not kill them, it did not make any sense, but to frighten, that was enough. Then he found the nearest telephone machine, called anonymous police in the house of Larry, saying that a strange person came to the house next door. And asked to call a patrol. Hanging up, Charlie sat in his Cadillac parked near the house. Headlights turned on, and the car, sliding on the tires, began to move on the wet asphalt.
  
  
  
  Chapter 10
  The clock is three nights. After passing through the third avenue, Charlie noticed several prostitutes standing at the entrance to the bar. Probably among them is the one that can, saw Elizabeth, since their pimp was seen with her. But in any case, most of all Charlie was interested in the pimp himself, which of course now was not visible nearby, but Charlie already had a plan to meet with him. He left the car nearby and walked over to the girls.
  - Hello beauties! How was your evening? All perfectly?
  - Hi! Everything is super!
  - Class! And who among you, let's say so, is more experienced and knows this street the longest?
  "Oh, it's for Lucy, she's been guarding this street for a long time already, she's standing there, come to her."
  Charlie walked over to the girl who was standing at a distance from the rest.
  "Lucy?" How long have you been here?
  - Yes, my name is Lucy, what does it mean for a long time?
  "I meant, you were here a year ago, and maybe more?"
  - Yes, I have been here for two years. Why do you want it?
  - I love experienced girls!
  "So you need Rosemary then, I do not know exactly how many years it's been working, but I've been much longer."
  "Exactly on this street in your company?"
  - No, she came to us recently, she was in a different place. "Okay, did you come here to rush in or something?"
  - I like you, do you have apartments?
  "Of course, come with me."
  
  
  
  Chapter 11
  The apartments were a cheap hotel, with a half-burnt neon sign. It is unlikely that the venerable citizens and wealthy people were settled here. Behind the counter was a fat man reading a newspaper, tearing himself away from it, he looked around the visitors with studying eyes, and then again began to read. The room was on the third floor and looked quite neat and tidy, it was accurately cleaned and cleaned up.
  "So, what do you prefer?"
  - Classics, everything else is not interested.
  "An hour is a hundred dollars, money at once."
  "No problem, take it."
  Charlie gave a hundred dollar, which the girl quickly moved, put it in her purse.
  - Well, undress, or do you prefer in clothes?
  "Ah, yes, of course, but listen, I have a question for you." Do you know a girl named Elizabeth Fowley?
  "Are we going to fuck or talk?"
  - Now I would like to know from you, did you ever see Elizabeth Fowley, here is her photo. And you can keep the money.
  - Yes, I saw her once. Who are you, why do you need it?
  "With Ben Lowell?" Do you work for him?
  - Yes, I work for this asshole.
  - And how can you meet with him?
  - Well who are you? A cop?
  "Almost, I'm from the FBI." I'm looking for this girl. I have information that she was with Ben Lowell, shortly before her disappearance.
  - Clear. At six in the morning he should be here, collecting money. Will you arrest him? Or is it better to punch him several times?
  "No, I'm not going to arrest him." But to cut, well, this is how he will behave. Does he have a gun?
  - Yes.
  "How do I know if it's him?"
  "You'll understand that it's him." But I'll drop my purse when I see it. Be careful, it is very slippery type.
  "Why did not he please you?"
  "This pig is constantly paying less than promises." And some girls get from him. But I am that, I can stand up for myself. And it seems he is even afraid of me.
  - Of course, I would like to give him several times over the face, but this is by the circumstances. Good! Thank you! Well, are we going? I still have a lot of work ...
  Chapter 12
  He wanted to sleep, but not the time, now you need to meet this pimp. It is desirable of course without shooting. Time lasts a very long time ... It's already six in the morning, it's time already. But now a black "Mustang" approaches the standing girls, and from there comes a short guy, wearing sunglasses, a black leather jacket and a brown shirt. It seems to be Ben, although there is no certainty yet. The observation continues. The guy comes to each of the girls, and they, opening their handbags, give him cash. All doubts went away when Lucy accidentally dropped her clutch. It's time! With a confident gait, holding his hand on the gun, Charlie quickly headed toward Ben Lowell, who grumbled about the girl's sluggishness. But before he could reach about twenty meters, Charlie heard that someone was calling him, a husky voice behind him, asked:
  "Hey, man, did not you lose it?"
  Charlie turned around and got a blow from behind on the back of his head, with a rubber truncheon.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 13
  It was a room, covered with posters of naked girls and sports cars, it had a sofa, a table with a pile of some papers and in the middle there was a chair to which Charlie was tied, gradually coming to himself.
  "And you're a tough bastard!" I personally gave the job to these idiots to sew you up. Or was that twin brother? A? Harry? Do not you know?
  The man with a stupid expression on his face shrugged his shoulders.
  - Yes, like this is the same federal. I remember, we checked his documents when they were doing your job. Everything was done, as it should, burned the corpse in the oven. Some devilry.
  "I do not know what or how you did, but now I'm very struck." "And so, listen to me here." Larry Simmons and Barney Benjamin were arrested today, I know this is your handiwork, and okay, I do not care for these pieces of shit, but where's your mother the powder Barney drove for me? The police who tied them, found only one package in the house of Larry, hence the conclusion, the second you have! So what games did you play with me? Where is the product?
  Charlie was still ached with the back of his head, and the blow fell into his jaw. It hurt to speak. But you need to think quickly, he realized that this is his opportunity, get out of here alive, and even learn something about the missing girl. It was necessary to really play the game, but very dangerous, where a mistake can cost a life.
  "Yes, I have it, but I offer you a deal, you tell me now where I can find Elizabeth Foley, and I'll give you your powder, without me you still will not get it, the bank will give it to me only, and no receipts."
  - The deal. You dictate the rules. Oh well! What kind of bitch are you talking about?
  "I have a jacket in my pocket, I have a picture of her, you can see."
  "Hell with you!" Harry, did you search him, what kind of photo?
  "Yes, I'll show you, look!"
  "Ah, yes, I remember that whore!" I sold it to another.
  - Who, name the name, how to find it?
  - Roberto Falconi, but you never get it. Even I saw him only once, he communicates only through his people. I do not know anything more, except that he is very selective in terms of girls, in a word a pervert who did not see the light. But here he paid, as much as ten thousand dollars. And it was for that, the girl is good!
  - It's necessary that you bring me with his man, tell him, I want to buy six girls, I pay for every 2 thousand dollars in cash. I'll meet him tomorrow at eighteen in the evening, in a car rental parking lot, Warren Land Car, there's a place to smoke, so I'll sit on the bench, I think he'll take me.
  - You want too much! Can you give them more money?
  - Do you want to deny, or do not you need a product? I'm not asking you for money, just do it and that's it.
  "Okay, you bastard, do it your way."
  Ben dialed the phone number, and gave everything that Charlie had said to him, nodding his head back, he covered his pipe with his hand.
  "She says she can not tomorrow, how about the day after tomorrow?"
  - Well, the day after tomorrow, there, at the same time.
  After the conversation, Ben spoke with Charlie.
  - "He's interested." His name is Chuck, he said he'll come and talk to you. And now, we'll go to this bank, where you hid the powder. And if you lied, I personally will find this girl, and I'll shoot her head, with my favorite glock.
  Three people hurried to the car. Behind the wheel sat a tall and thin man. The other two sat in the back seat.
  - "Harry, drive carefully, only the cops were not enough, and you show us the way."
  Flickering the lights in the rain-filled puddles, the car drove along the broken road, along the long, high fences with barbed wire, huge warehouses.
  
  
  
  Chapter 14
  - What kind of car overtakes us?
  The pursuing car at full speed, crashed into the back of the car in which Charlie was. Both drivers hit the brakes.
  "What the hell is he doing?" He crushed my Mustang, son of a bitch! "Hey, go and get over this asshole!"
  Flicking the pistol shutter, Harry walked to the battered car, peering at someone behind the wheel, the car door opened sharply, the last thing Harry saw and heard was the hand with the gun, and the sound of the shot that hit him in the heart.
  - What! What a hell!
  Bean's face froze, he jerked the door handle, completely forgetting Charlie, and the gun pointed at him. And again, Charlie took a lightning-fast decision, although it was very strange, who was this man, that he caught up with them and killed Harry? Charlie drew a pistol from his hands with a sharp movement and kicked him forward. He flew out of the car and fell on the asphalt. Charlie hurriedly left the car, and keeping Ben in sight, peered at the mysterious savior, or maybe vice versa. And he recognized this man, which caused surprise. It was that same prostitute who pointed it at the pimp.
  "Lucy, what are you doing?"
  Bewilderment over what was happening, frozen on the face of Ben Lowell.
  "It was your death, fucking freak!"
  "Hey, wait, wait."
  Charlie shouted, gesturing to stop. But the girl, ignoring the request, aimed exactly at Ben's head. Shot. And a stream of blood flowed along the asphalt to the side of the road, making not a large stretch of green grass, blood-red.
  - And good. How did you find me? And why did you do it?
  - Do not you remember me? You came about a year ago and just asked about this girl. I remember you, you seem like a good guy, I have such a conviction. And as for these bastards, I have long wanted to do it already. Not I, so somebody else, would have pierced them, their empty heads. We need to get out of here!
  "Yes, just wait."
  Charlie hastily searched the jacket of the murdered Harry, found in it his car keys, a FBI ID and took his pistol.
  Chapter 15
  - Let's go through the forest, away from strangers
  - Good idea, we are running!
  Charlie and the girl ran into the thicket of the forest, next to which was a sign "Entrance closed, private territory."
  "You shoot well, where did you learn?"
  - This is my grandfather, in the war was a sniper, then he liked to shoot at banks, and taught me the accuracy of shooting. I really did not think that one day it was necessary.
  - Yeah, really. "What are you going to do now?"
  "I'll help you find your girlfriend, and then I'll go to my sister's house in Oklahoma." Maybe she will help with the work, but there you look and find a man, I will marry, and there will be children, fine?
  "It's a good deal, but only I'll look for her alone, it's very dangerous, and I do not want to involve you in it."
  - Judging by the latest events, my help is very useful. And that's my business, what to do next!
  The drizzling rain smoothly passed into the downpour, covering the girl with a jacket, Charlie saw the hut, most likely it's the Ranger's house.
  "Get out there, quickly!"
  The light in the house did not burn, and the small castle that hung on the door made it clear that there was nobody in the house. With one strong movement, Charlie jerked the door, but the lock did not yield, then again, and once again, swinging the door, the metal plate succumbed, but the door still did not open. Not much effort, and the plate clattered against the lock and the door opened. After letting ahead of the already pretty wet girl, Charlie followed her, and closed the door.
  "Take off your wet clothes!"
  - What? No!
  - Do you want to get sick? What kind of restraint?
  - I am not ashamed! But what will I wear?
  Charlie took a warm jacket off the hanger.
  - Here you are, it's just your size.
  Seems lately, Charlie smiled for the first time.
  "And I'll fire the fire for now."
  In the house lay the harvested wood, chips and liquid for ignition. On the shelf were cans, with meat, vegetables. So this house could hardly be called abandoned. Charlie found the matches, threw the chips into the fireplace, and poured out not a lot of kindling. The fire was gradually inflamed, and after a while the pleasant warmth from the fireplace began to spread to the whole house. Lucy was still trembling with cold, went to the fireplace and extended her hands closer to the fire.
  "Give your clothes here."
  Lucy held out her jacket, trousers and a white shirt. All that she was wearing was her underwear. Charlie neatly hung everything close to the fire and sat down to dry himself and his clothes, which he did not take off.
  - I'm hungry, will you have something?
  - What can you offer?
  Charlie went to the shelf with cans.
  - We have stewed beef and beans in tomato sauce.
  The girl made a pensive face.
  - Perhaps, beans.
  - And I'm singing beef.
  Rummaging around in the table, Charlie took a knife and spoons from the box. Opening two cans, he returned to the fireplace again, holding out a jar of beans to the girl.
  - Thank you!
  Charlie nodded in return. The rain outside the window intensified even more, hitting the windows and the slate roof of the house with dead shells, in the form of huge drops. The house was dark, and only the light from the fire and bright moon, outlined the contours of the fireplace and the girl in a huge jacket, from which only her face could be seen. Charlie looked at Lucy, and in this light, she seemed to him unusually familiar, as if he had known her for a long time, he felt her carelessness, kindness and tenderness.
  Chapter 16
  "Who is this girl you are looking for?" You know her?
  "No, I do not know anything about her except the materials of the case."
  "Then why are you so eagerly searching for her?" I thought that in the police, such cases are clearly not the first places.
  - I dont know. In general, I'm not a policeman or an FBI agent. It sounds strange, but just a day ago, I received an envelope from a stranger with this case. I do not know why, but I have to find it.
  "Wait, you were already here a year ago, with the same investigation." What are you talking about? Who are you then?
  - Do you know the pop-punk band The Timer?
  - Yes, I heard. And I saw. They were often shown on TV.
  "Well, I'm Charlie Banton." Vocalist and songwriter of this group. If you saw, I'm so different from what is shown on the screen?
  - No, it's not you. I remember what he looks like. And immediately recognize him. Why are you impersonating him? Who are you?
  Charlie went to the mirror that hung at the door. On the other side, did he see himself, what was she talking about?
  - What are you talking about? I am me. Wait, hold on!
  He pulled an agent from the FBI out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Lucy.
  - Well, what can you say? Is not the photo Charlie Benton, that is me?
  "No, it's Tommy Brighton, that is you." As I suppose. Otherwise I can not understand anything.
  - What a hell? What kind of nonsense?
  - I don`t know. And is it really important who you really are? A musician, an FBI agent or someone else. If you feel yourself as one with yourself, does something else matter?
  - Difficult question. On the one hand it has. On the other, it does not matter. Tell me about yourself, why are you engaged in prostitution?
  "We needed money." I thought, a good salary, especially not bothering. In general, I planned to enter the university, the faculty of fine arts, I liked the paintings of the opening commission, but I almost did not know the story. Well, you know, the biography of Vincent Van Gogh, for example, just what business the biography has to do with the drawing, I could not understand. In a word, they did not accept me anywhere, and I did not want to return home, and there was nowhere, I do not have parents. I have already spoken about my sister, live with my husband and children in Oklahoma, I will go to her, I was not even there ever.
  - And why not try again to study? Maybe somewhere else? If you really have the ability.
  - May be. I do not know. I thought about that.
  - Think about it, our lives go so much for nothing. And so, I need to visit one place tomorrow, to fly more precisely by plane, I do not think it's dangerous, if you want, you can fly with me, do you have a passport with you?
  - Yes, but where to fly? What place?
  - Lansing, Michigan.
  - And what's there?
  "The parents of the missing girl, and the same missing Tommy Brighton, whose identity I have now."
  - And what about Tommy Brighton, where did you get his ID from?
  "He's dead, Ben's people took him away, and the corpse was burned."
  - It's horrible. I do not care now and I have a lot of time, so that flew, but what will I do there?
  "Have not thought of yet, have thoughts?" I'll be glad to hear, but I'll think about it, there's still time. And now you can sleep, and I'll guard the house, in case anyone comes here.
  The girl settled herself at a safe distance from the fireplace, pushing the old, faded armchair, with the shabby edges of the armrests, and Charlie pulled out the gun, flicked it off, and stared at the door. The pleasant warmth that emanated from the flame enveloped his whole body, and he wanted to sleep.
  Chapter 17
  The bright sun shone in his eyes, Charlie himself did not understand that he fell asleep with a gun in his hands. Lucy was still asleep. Lateral vision, he saw a man sitting on a chair with a gun in his hands, directed towards him. Before he could turn, he heard a voice.
  "Do not move, put the gun and kick it with your foot forward, otherwise I'll knock your head off, and I'll be right." Who are you?
  "I'm an FBI agent, Tommy Brighton, I'm looking for a missing girl." It so happened that in the rain we had to go through the forest, we saw this house, yes, we had to break the lock, but we did not steal anything and I'll pay you. I can show my ID.
  Charlie drew his hand to his pocket.
  "Hey, I said do not move!"
  The man with the gun came close to Charlie and put a muzzle to his head.
  "You'll fight, and your brains will be on this floor." Where's your ID? In what pocket?
  - The inner pocket, in the jacket on the left.
  Looking at the document, the man threw him next to Charlie and lowered his gun.
  "Well, I believe you, you can stand up." My name is Stanley. I guard this reserve. What kind of girl are you looking for? She was around here
  "I do not think she was here once, I can show her picture."
  Charlie handed the photo. Her name is Elizabeth Fowley.
  - No, I have never met her. Maybe you want to eat? Or drink tea and coffee?
  - It would be great, we certainly already ate two cans from your shelf, but I will pay, there is no problem.
  - C'mon! You do not need money. Consider that you are my guest, although of course the castle will have to be repaired. Okay, now I'll put the kettle on.
  It was still about half an hour, the time that Charlie spent talking with the ranger. Lucy opened her eyes and stared in amazement at the two people sitting at the table.
  "It's all right, it's Stanley, the owner of this house." Will you have tea or can you coffee? While the kettle is still hot.
  The girl stood up and looked at her clothes hanging by the fireplace.
  "I would drink coffee, but first I need to get dressed."
  The man embarrassed, pointed to the door with his hand.
  "Here's the room, it's open, you can get dressed up there."
  - Thank you! Tommy, will you pour me some coffee? Two tablespoons of sugar, please.
  - Oh sure!
  The girl nodded in response, quickly grabbed her things, and disappeared into the room, closing the door.
  
  Chapter 18
  Passing to the exit from the reserve, albeit uninvited, but still very respectable guests, the ranger wished them luck, then jumped into his Chevrolet Tahoe, and after a while, disappeared in the thicket of the forest, driving along a rolled road littered with fallen foliage and broken branches.
  "We need to hide weapons, it just will be useful for us."
   On the road I managed to catch a car, with the driver who agreed to give me a lift to the airport, not for free, but Charlie still had cash, although Lucy also intended to pay the trip too. On the way, not far from the airport, Charlie asked to stop the car, and going up to the gutter, gently put two pistols wrapped in a plastic bag and burlap, inside the pipe, in the hope that the water would not soak them. Having reached their destination without losing valuable time, they hurried to the ticket office, where they bought two tickets to Lansing. It was about three hours of flight, not exactly perfect for sleeping, but there is still time, in order to sleep, this Charlie was not very strong in recent times.
  **
   A familiar man, in a vest, shirt and tie, was sitting opposite Charlie.
  "Well, hello, Charlie!" Are you all right? How are you feeling?
  - Who you are? I've already seen you somewhere. Exactly! You are a doctor who talks about the transmigration of souls.
  - Yes it's me. My name is Benjamin Garrison. You're doing fine, keep up the good work! But remember, you are in two minds, do not miss anything, do not let one of them take it up.
  "But how can I do this?"
  "You know everything, my friend, you are doing everything right." But you have very little time left, only three days.
  Suddenly, the doctor's voice fell silent. The room was filled with bright red light, the door opened and a huge wolf ran into the room. Scorching, and growling, he walked from side to side. The doctor smiled and pointed to Charlie, and the wild beast rushed in his direction. The last thing he could do was close his hands and ...
   Charlie woke up, panting, with a dry throat. Lucy was sitting next to her. Soon arriving, you need to put yourself in order. With these thoughts, Charlie went to the toilet booth, next to him was a cooler with cold water, drained three glasses, Charlie felt a pleasant revival. The toilet was free, he entered and closed the door on the bolt, he washed himself and then looked in the mirror and said quietly.
  - Who am I? Hell?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 19
  At the exit from Lansing airport, several taxi cars were already standing, so taking the first one, and telling the address, Charlie and Lucy drove to the house where Tommy Brighton lived.
  "I'll stay in the car, and you'll find out about Tommy, maybe he showed up, not long ago, something else, say you're his girlfriend."
  Arriving at home, Charlie stayed in the car watching from the window behind Lucy. A large lawn at the entrance was overgrown with uncut grass, which already indicated that in this house, probably, no one lives. Lucy rang the doorbell, then knocked, but there was only silence in response, when she was about to leave, she heard a voice. It was an elderly man sitting on a chair with a newspaper in his hand, who noticed the girl and did not get up and asked.
  "Are you looking for someone?"
  "Yes, I need Tommy Brighton."
  "He's been gone for a year now, they say he's gone missing." But you can find out from his mother, she lives here nearby, I can write you an address if you want.
  - O, sure! Thank you!
  Bursting in her purse, Lucy took out a pen and a piece of paper, and handed it to the old man.
  "Hold on, maybe you'll find out something."
  - Thanks again! Have a nice day!
  - And you too, good luck!
  Sitting in a taxi, Lucy handed a sheet of paper to the taxi driver.
  "Well, are we going there?"
  - Yes, and soon, we have not enough time.
  The trip took no more than twenty minutes, the car stopped. Lucy left the car again and headed toward the house. Only here the lawn was already trimmed accurately, and behind the fence the woman in the straw hat bent over was engaged in garden flowers.
  - Hello!
  The woman turned around, got up and went to the fence.
  - Good afternoon!
  "Does Tommy Brighton live here?"
  "Not really, but I'm his mother, who are you?" Why do you need it?
  - I...
  At that moment, Charlie got out of the car and looked at the woman with surprise.
  "My name is Lucy Miles, I'm an FBI psychiatrist, your son got head injuries, and now he remembers almost nothing, maybe we'll come to you, and I'll tell you in more detail?"
   The woman, dropping the pruner, cried and ran to Charlie.
  "Son, you're alive!" What happened to you?
  Charlie hugely embraced the woman, and looked at Lucy. She went to the taxi driver, paid for the trip, turned and gestured toward the house.
  "Come, I'll explain everything to you."
  
  
  
  Chapter 20
  A beautiful two-story house was not only outside but also from the inside, made according to a classical motive, with antique furniture, a large oak table and softly crackling embers in a brick fireplace.
  "Jack!" Tommy's back!
  A tall, stocky man quickly got up from his chair and threw the book on the table.
  "Tommy?" Where have you been? Are you all right? Where's Elizabeth?
  Again Lucy spoke first, she had already entered the role of psychiatrist, and therefore was responsible for Charlie.
  "Everything is fine with him, he just lost his memory and is now undergoing a rehabilitation course."
  The woman closed the door and put her arm around Charlie.
  "Do not stand there!" Come in, sit down! I'll put the kettle on!
  Lucy took Charlie's hand and went to a small couch.
  "Tell me quickly!" What happened to him? How does he feel? Tommy's son, do not you recognize us?
  Charlie neglected his head and silently looked around the room, she seemed familiar to him, as if he had been here before, his attention was attracted by a picture framed on the table. Approaching closer, he took it in his hands, and his surprise was limitless.
  The woman approached Charlie and spoke to him.
  "Yes, Tommy, this is you and your sister, Elizabeth, she disappeared, and you searched for her, then disappeared yourself." "So what happened?" Tell me!
  - We found him unconscious, he does not remember anything, with him there was only a case of a missing girl, this case is now being handled by another agent, and as far as I know, there are successes in this matter, but so far I can not say anything to you, and how Only we will find it, we will certainly inform you. I thought that Tommy might remember something, parents, familiar places.
  "Come on, Tommy, do you recognize your parents?" House?
  "No, are you my parents?" Hell, I can not remember.
  "Yes, I am your mother, and this is your stepfather, Uncle Jack, Elizabeth's father!"
  "Where's my father?" And this girl from the picture, she means my half-sister?
  "I broke up with your father twenty-five years ago, he left and I did not communicate with him any more." That's right, Elizabeth is your half-sister.
  "No, I do not remember anything." And where is Elizabeth now?
  - She went to New York, go to university, find a job. But already a year, she does not get in touch, no one knows where she is, she was searched by the police, but you were an agent of the FBI, went to her search, but you disappeared, we could not find a place.
  Lucy looked at her watch, then at Charlie and spoke to Mother Tommy.
  "Now we have information about where Elizabeth might be, but that's all in the investigation, as long as we can not say anything, as soon as we find your daughter, we'll let you know immediately." And now it's time for us, and remember, no one should know that there was Tommy, even the police, this is the FBI's job. He will be under our care for the time being, but when you can see Tommy again, I can not say.
  Lucy took Charlie's hand again and went to the door.
  - Can you call a taxi to the airport?
  The woman again with tears in her eyes, embraced Charlie.
  - Sonny, we are always there, if you can, call, come!
  "Yes, Tommy, we are waiting for you, come back soon."
  The men hugged Charlie as well. - I'll call a taxi, we'll hold you.
  - No, it is not necessary, it will be better.
  Fifteen minutes later, the taxi car was already driving away from the house, Charlie waved a hand to the "parents" on the porch and the car went to the airport.
  - You are clever, excellent with everything figured out, thanks!
  "You understand that you gave them empty hopes, they will never see your son again."
  - I know...
  Before meeting Roberto, there were five hours left. All the time in flight, he slept or looked out the window, only for a moment Lucy distracted him from these occupations, one question. Where are his parents? In response, she heard that they had been gone for a long time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 21
  Reaching the airport, but before taking the pistols, which were still there, in the pipe. Charlie and Lucy sat in the rented Cadillac, which was parked, where he and his left. In a place authorized for this, otherwise it would have been taken to the parking lot for a long time.
  - We have an hour before the meeting. I'll go there on foot, that's the address of the car dealership, get up somewhere near, so that you can see the territory, it's beyond the mesh fence. But do not get out of the car! You have a gun, just in case. I'll leave my own here, too, anyway, they'll take him away when they search. I'm likely to go along with him, so, without attracting attention, you'll sit on his tail. - Be careful! And please, it is advisable to refrain from shooting, the more everything should go smoothly.
  Charlie got out of the car, and went to the car dealership, on foot for about thirty minutes, it was still a long time, to be refreshed and pondered this meeting. The case took a serious turn, he could just be shot in the head, and no meeting with Robert Falconi will not take place. But Charlie on the run managed to come up with a win-win option, where he not only can not refuse to meet him in the meeting, but also helpfully bring him to him! The main thing is that meeting with his person was not a ruse, and he would manage to communicate and assure him, in this sentence, and that it costs much more than the money that Falconi has.
  It was getting dark and it was getting dark. Charlie was sitting on a lonely standing stool. A dark figure of a man appeared at the entrance. He approached, sat next to me, took out a cigarette and began smoking.
  - Good evening. A great time to rent a car for six girls?
  - Yes, that's for sure.
  "The money with you?"
  "Almost, but for my own safety, I do not carry such money in my wallet."
  - Okay! Come on, we have something to discuss.
  Two people, they followed to the car at the entrance to the auto show.
  "So, how are you going to pay?" I need guarantees!
  "I have money." But seriously, I'm not exactly behind this. I'm from the FBI, I can show my ID. On your boss, Robert Falconi, there will be a round-up, of course, they want to take him alive, but in case of resistance, liquidate without any questions. Have been watching for a long time.
  - What? What the hell are you from the FBI? Now, bastard Ben, he sends me the cops. What if I shoot your head right now?
  - Chill out, I understand the whole situation, I did not want to talk on the phone, cause unnecessary and unnecessary suspicions. But believe me, it's serious. You can, of course, finish me off, but you know, they will not only take your boss, but also his associates, you will also have orientations.
  "How did you get on Ben?" Why do you need it? Money?
  - Ben found through his channels, he is a small fish, and the FBI is not interesting. I do not need money, there is something else that I need. But I have to talk to your boss, and I believe you will help me with this.
  "Yeah, what would I bring the FBI with me?" No, it's easier for me to shoot you, and we'll deal with these issues.
  "Do not be silly, I do not think you have anything to do with Falconi." But I could take care of my ass. Do not you want to get wounded while detained or a life sentence in prison? Just bring me with him, you can check, nobody watches us, I do not have bugs on me, I do not even have any weapons with me.
  "Okay, but we'll walk from here, I'll contact the boss." If something goes wrong, I'll shoot you. - Come on out! "Hello, yes, it's Chuck!" There is a serious conversation, I will now come with one FBI agent, it's serious, he says, they graze us, and soon everyone will be taken. "I found out everything!" But he said that he was not interested in the money, but I do not know what exactly. It is clean, no bugs, no guns. I do not watch him for a while, but if anything, I'll finish him off! - Good! We meet in our place! I'll be there in about an hour. - Hey, well, unbutton the jacket, raise your shirt and show your back and chest!
  After inspecting Charlie's body for eavesdropping devices, Chuck also searched his pants and jacket for weapons.
  "You're going ahead, and I'm telling you where we're going." - Now on the way out, to the left, to the metro.
  Charlie, accompanied by a descended into the subway. Lucy followed them at a distance, safe from suspicion. Chuck periodically looked around to see the possible shadowing of them, but inconspicuous Lucy, he did not seem to be suspicious. An hour later, they went to the metro station, which was located on the outskirts of the city, a semi-deserted street, several bars and nightclubs. The place of their destination, was one of the inconspicuous bars, on which there was not even a signboard. At the entrance they were met by a huge guard, whom Chuck slapped on the shoulder, and they went inside. Of course, Lucy could not enter after them, so she crossed to the other side of the street, where either the bar or other night club was located, which works like a cafe, and took a seat at the table opposite the showcase where you could see the entrance to the bar where Charlie entered. And he was clearly only for his people. At the entrance, there were several tables and soft sofas, which housed five or six people. Chuck, ahead of Charlie and knocked on one of the doors at the end of the room. Apparently, someone on that side, looked into the inspection hole, then clicked the lock and the door opened. Another guard watched Charlie, and he followed Chuck down the steps now.
  Chapter 22
  In the lower, basement room stood several poker tables, with standing ashtrays, in which cigars were smoking. The dealer spread out cards, announced bribes and collected chips. A gray-haired elderly man, noticed the newcomers and waved his hand at a free table standing at a distance from the gaming hall.
  "I'm listening to you, what do you know?"
  Charlie sat in a soft leather chair and pulled from his pocket an FBI agent's identity and a photograph of Elizabeth Fowley. Chuck hurried out of the room.
  "I'm from the FBI, they're watching you, and very soon you're going to be arrested, including your people." When and where, I can not say, because I do not know, and no one will give me this information, I do not participate in this operation. Just know and hear.
  - And what do you suggest?
  "You need to lie to the bottom, hide somewhere." I know some of your routes and places of residence. And they do not know about this bar.
  "Still, it's classified, more reliable than the password from the entrance to Fort Knox!" But you do not need money, as I understand it, but what do you want?
  Charlie moved the photo to Robert.
  "This girl, Elizabeth Fowley, she's with you, give her to me." I think this is not a high fee for my information.
  Robert took the photograph and immediately threw it on the table.
  "I remember her, but now I do not have her." I sold it to an Asian friend. He really liked him very much.
  During the last words of Robert, the door opened again, and Chuck entered the room, holding Lucy by the hand.
  "Hey, you bastard, is this your girl?" Do you know her?
  Charlie looked around, and noticing Lucy cursed indecently.
  "Yes, leave her." She is with me. She just covered me.
  Robert, watching this picture, quickly realized that this was only good for him.
  - Very good! Excellent! Now you're on my hook! Well, business takes an interesting turn! "And so, now you have a task, to save two girls at once!" This remains with us, and the one you are looking for will be taken away. But you will need to bring here alive, my old acquaintance of the Asiatic. Can not do it, you'll lose two. But I think you already understood that. I do not intend to help you, you will do everything yourself. Where it can be found, and pick up the girl, I'll tell you. I think there is no need to wait for a positive answer, you have exactly 24 hours for the whole preparation.
  - I will do it.
  - I will wait. And she will stay with me, you will not bring him tomorrow evening, you'll never see her again.
  Robert casually waved to Chuck.
  "Give him the address!"
  Charlie took a piece of paper and asked him to give him the car keys from Lucy. Chuck opened her purse and dumped the contents on the table. Taking the keys, Charlie went after Chuck, to the way out of this underground.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 23
  Thoughts with incredible speed ran through my mind, what do I do now? How can he cope alone? The name of the street with the place where this Asian was, beat in whiskey. So, well, you need to calm down. To start picking up the gun from the car, it's unlikely that Lucy took them with her. Although it would be very cool if she did not take anything.
   Returning to the car dealership and finding a rented car, Charlie noticed only one of his guns, hidden in the storage compartment. Though, so be it! Now we had to think about the plan of action. One he just can not cope, then you must again include wit and cunning. So that he could do something that would make this Asiatic himself give him the girl. He put his head on the steering wheel and struck his head lightly, hoping to drive intelligent thoughts.
  - Right! I know what to do! Now you definitely hit!
  Charlie started the engine, pulled out a map of the city from the storage compartment, looked at the address written on the sheet and found it on the map.
  - Come on! And I'm the head! I know how to think! The main thing that all slipped ... the main thing is to slip as it should ...
  On the one hand there is a busy street, people are walking, many beggars, though it is slightly dusty and littered. But on the other hand, the feeling that you are here alone. It was the building of a bank or some large office that shone with mirror, turquoise glasses. In the neighborhood were the doors of other companies, but apparently they were already closed forever, with a bunch of stickers and all the same dust on the door handles and glasses. Leaving his car next to the building, Charlie walked to the entrance. Entering inside, there was a bar of information in front of him, with a pretty girl of Asian appearance.
  - Hello! How can I help you?
  "Good evening, I need to meet this man."
  Charlie handed the paper to the girl. And showed his ID.
  "Is it your appointment?"
  - No, but the matter is very urgent and urgent.
  The girl dialed a phone number and spoke to someone for about a minute in an unfamiliar language. Two minutes later, Charlie was approached by two strong Asians in business, black suits.
  - What you need?
  Charlie again pulled out his FBI agent identity, which was very useful every time, and a piece of paper with the address and name.
  "I'm from the FBI, I have an urgent matter for your boss, or whoever he is with you." Here I am to him. I do not have any bugs or a pistol, you can search!
  The two men exchanged glances, after which one of them made a phone call, speaking again in an unfamiliar language. Then we again switched to English.
  - Why did you come? Speak now!
  "Tell him that an old friend of his, is going to take him away, I have information that will be very interesting to him."
  After talking for another couple of minutes on the phone, one of the guards turned to Charlie.
  "Get up here and raise your hands."
  Rummaging through his pockets and knocking on his jacket and pants, they also asked to raise his shirt and turn around. In addition to everything, in the manner of the security service at the airport, a metal detector was held over his clothes and head. But nothing could be found.
  "Come with me!"
  Charlie followed one of the big guys. The second one followed them.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 24
  The elevator rose to the ninth floor. In the hall there were many doors, all the same, without any inscriptions and signposts. One of their guards going ahead, stopped in front of one of the doors and opened it.
  "Come in and wait here."
  The second guard remained standing at the entrance, in the office with Charlie. After a while, the door opened, and the first, the departed big man, came in first, and after him, came in not tall, middle-aged Asian. Now two guards stood at the entrance, hands clasped on their chests.
  "Let's get down to business right away." If it's true, it's so important. Who are you talking about?
  "I will gladly share with you what I know." But it's not just that! I do not need money.
  Charlie reached into the pocket of his jacket. But his determined gesture was stopped by one of their bodyguards.
  - Hey! What you have there! Do not move!
  - Calm down, I told you, I do not have a weapon. I want to show the photo.
  - Stay calm! What kind of photo? Where's she? I'll take it myself.
  The bodyguard went to Charlie, and pulled out the jacket's inner jacket pocket.
  - This is it? Is this what you want to show?
  "Yes, show it to your boss."
  A small Asian, having received a photo in his hands, grimaced a grin.
  - Why do you need this drug addict? She completely sank. But to hell with you, I'm listening!
  "I'm glad we agreed."
  - Not yet. But if what you know really has value, you will get it.
  - Right. But this is true, valuable. Moreover, I will even help you. Not much at all, deal with it. "So, I think you know Robert Falconi." And about all your difficulties in communicating with him. But I'm not interested. It so happened that another girl came to him, and that to get her out of him, he asked you for an exchange. He said to bring him alive, to his lair, and what will happen next, I do not know.
  - Stop, stop. This bastard wants to get me? Yes, I'll cover his asshole!
  - Hardly, now he was lying down. And you do not even know where to find it and how to get close to it. I, I will bring you, with your people to him. - Well, what about the hands?
  - I agree! I will destroy him! Son of a bitch!
  - Do whatever you want. But everything else does not concern me. I'm taking the girl from you. Then another girl from Robert, and leave, another, not in my interests. But I must bring you to him, under the guise that you are in my hostage, you will be allegedly connected, but your hands will be free, and your people will go there unhindered, I will explain by the location of his guards in the building, the more it is not at all large . We do not have much time, we need to do this without delay, better right now.
  The Asian said something to one of the nearby guards in his own language.
  "Now they'll bring her here."
  Chapter 25
  An hour later, the door of the room where he was sitting in a chair, propped his head in anticipation of Charlie, opened, and Elizabeth was brought into the room unconscious. She was just as beautiful as the picture, only now her pallor, said that she is not in the best condition.
  - Hold on! You'll carry it yourself. She's alive, but along the way under the dose. The devil only knows when she will recover.
  Charlie picked up the girl in her arms.
  "Call your boss, I thought about the plan." Although I'm ready to listen to your suggestions. If they are of course available.
  A guard came into the room, along with a short Asian man who sat next to Charlie.
  "Well, as I understand, you must bring me to him." I'll have to portray my kidnapping.
  "Yes, I'll tie you up, but it's easy, the gun will be with you, the mouth is sealed." Nothing should be suspicious. Your people, keep it in the distance, do you have the opportunity to somehow communicate with them?
  - Yes, I will give them a signal with the help of a phone that will be in the back pocket.
  - Excellent, the girl will go with me. As I said, I'm taking another girl from Robert, and calmly leaving, your showdowns do not concern me.
  - Have agreed. But in any case, you're on my record. So you can not turn in your own, without getting yourself dirty.
  "I do not need anything." Just pick up the girls. And I never knew you after that, and I'm not even going to have anything to do with you.
  - Well, then, go ahead, for the cause. Do you have a car?
  - Yes, she is standing at the entrance.
  After giving the last commands to his guard, the Asian plopped down in the backseat. Charlie, neatly planted Elizabeth still unconscious in the front seat, fastened her seat belt. His heart was beating wildly in the chest, and perhaps the last stage was in this endless affair. There was very little time, most importantly, that he managed to take Lucy back and calmly leave. Opening his door, Charlie leaned on it, taking a deep breath of a fresh autumn wind.
  - Hey! Well, you of that there! We go?
  Jumping off the seat, the Asian shouted. Charlie restrained himself in order to answer him something rude, much less give him between his eyes. Sitting behind the wheel, he looked around and in the rear-view mirror. The escort was already ready, now it's up to him, to bring this bastard to another, what will happen next is not his business. Charlie drove slowly, concentrating wondering if he could trust the people of this Asian? Leaving Elizabeth in the car. Will Falconi's people let him go? When they see that he delivered them to whom they wanted. Suddenly he wanted to eat very much, already reduced his stomach. Having noticed on the other side of the street a burger, he abruptly stopped the car at the edge of the curb, and the as fastened Asian was sealed in the front seat. Leaving the car and ignoring the curse from the back seat, Charlie walked toward the cafe. Returning in ten minutes, he found the bewildered looks of the guards and the question: "What are you doing?"
  Charlie was silent, putting food on the roof of the car, and with an incredible delight he drank a strawberry milkshake and ate huge hamburgers. After chewing on the last piece and finishing the rest of the cocktail, pulling the air from the glass soundly, he threw everything into the trash can. But pawing through his pockets, Charlie found the pills. Once again, looking at the silvery-shiny blister, he threw them into the trail, behind an empty packet and a glass. And sat behind the wheel. Without explaining anything, he started the engine and struck the gas pedal. Together with a feeling of hunger, uncertainty and fear left. He no longer needed this illusion of tranquility, which the medicines gave him. The evening approached the night, and lights were already on, illuminating the path. In fact, it was very beautiful, two lonely traveling cars, as if making their own way, each time lighting a new light. Very soon it will end. Charlie did not turn around, ordered the Asian to get ready and looked sadly at Elizabeth sitting next to him. An incredibly beautiful girl, and how she managed to get in touch with such scum. He also caught himself thinking that lately Lucy had also met him very beautiful, she had already helped him, pulling him out of the mess, and continued to help him, despite all the danger. And now she waits for her to be released. The fate of two girls, now depends on how well everything goes smoothly. In the distance, there was a street with a bar of Robert Falconi. The car stopped, and after it, and escorting with the people of the Asian.
  Chapter 26
   Charlie got out of the car and went back to the cars of the guards standing a little further away. Approaching the driver, who was sitting at the wheel with a stony face, staring ahead, and now he turned, remaining all with the same expression.
   "And so, take positions, from the main entrance and the black one." The bar is not large, and the emergency exit is to the right of the entrance. One of you should give a hint to the rest that we have entered. As soon as I go out with the hostage from there, and get into the car, you can start. At the main entrance, they have a guard, as if armed. At the black entrance, at any rate, there is no one inside. But it is open or not, I just can not say, if anything, I'll have to crack open the door silently. Further at the end of the room, there is a door leading down into another room level below. She also has a guard. Well, below, you will have to act quickly, if you do everything quietly, no one will hear you, you will have an advantage. From the staff of the bar, I saw only the bartender. But I repeat again, as soon as I go out and get in the car, you can proceed, but not earlier. When I get out, I'll show you on my fingers how many people I counted in the building.
   The driver for the entire conversation, did not say a word. Only at the end of his speech, he nodded several times. And after that, he got out of the car and went to the car behind him, and talked to the driver about something much faster than what Charlie said.
   Charlie sat down again behind the wheel, once again back to the Asiatic, who very figuratively had already portrayed, an immobilized man with a taped mouth. The car drove a little more and parked on the other side of the road from the institution of Robert Falconi. Then the door opened, Charlie pulled the passenger from the back seat, and quickly led him to the entrance to the bar. The same person with a smirk met them inside, and closing the door led him to another security guard, who was standing at the entrance to the minus first floor. After searching Charlie for weapons, he did not search his hostage, which was a very great success, although on the other hand, he was also a hostage, that he was searched? But this was the whole plan.
   Below there were not a lot of people in the clubs of cigarette smoke with a glass in hand, Roberto Falconi was sitting, surrounded by four people in business suits. His running eyes from side to side, said that he was worried, and the attributes in his hands, in the form of a cigar and a revolving glass in his hand, that he was trying in every possible way to suppress this excitement. Here was also Lucy, looking, somewhere down to the floor. She did not even notice the arrival of Charlie. He took an empty chair and planted an Asian on him. Then he called to Lucy, who looked up at Charlie with surprise and rushed to him in embrace. Holding the girl, he turned to Roberto.
   "You can take this piece of shit, and I'm leaving." I fulfilled the agreement.
   - It's nice! I did not think that you would manage, though I believed in you. - You can go! I've never seen you and you have me, too, I hope it's understandable.
   - Rest assured.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 27
   With a confident gait, with the girl by the arm, Charlie again climbed the stairs upward, passing by the bodyguards. His heart throbbed wildly in his chest, his whole body broke down afterwards, and Lucy noticed it too, but even stronger, as if to make it clear that everything was all right, squeezed his hand. Leaving the bar, Charlie looked to the right, the sun was blinding, he raised two hands, one as if shielding himself from the sun, showing eight fingers. There were a few steps to the car, putting Lucy in the front seat, and having opened the driver's door, Charlie was about to get behind the wheel when suddenly the silence of the street was interrupted, perhaps by a characteristic sound for this area. A burning pain pierced his body, and he fell on the asphalt in front of the car, more likely from surprise. Another bullet smashed the side window.
   "Bend down!" Put it down!
   Having rounded the car from the front, Charlie hid. Several more shots were heard, two of which hit the car again, breaking another glass and breaking through the door. It was necessary to understand where the fire was coming from, and how many of them.
  "Give me the gun!"
   Lucy reached for Charlie from the back seat. He pulled a gun out of the glove compartment and held it out. Looking out, Charlie did not find anyone at the entrance, but almost fell under the bullet that whistled a few centimeters from his head, and shattered the brick wall of the cafe. Several bullets also fell into the window of this institution, people fell terribly to the ground. It became clear that they shoot from above, from the roof. Blood flowed a thin stream from Charlie's left side, he clamped a hand over his wound, and breathing heavily, took off his shoe from his leg. There was a lull. Gently stretching out his hand on one side with the boot, he looked out as comfortably as possible for himself on the other. The shot knocked out of the hand an object that seemed to be an arrow in the body part, but the clever plan worked, at the same time Lucy noticed with a quick glance on the roof of the shooter and from the first time managed to hit the head exactly. Sounds of sirens were heard in the distance. Someone called the police.
   "We need to get out of here!" Can you drive?
   - Yes, I will lead.
   "Quickly!" But do not exceed!
   - I know. Good!
   The car, gaining speed, smoothly drove along the street, which was already filled with patrol cars.
   - How is she? Recovered?
   - Not yet, apparently it was pumped up by something strong. We need to show it to the doctors. Otherwise, it can never wake up.
   "I do not know where to go." Do you know where the nearest hospital is?
   - How should I know? We must ask the passers-by. There! Woman, ask her.
  Charlie overcame the pain and opened the window.
  - Hello! Do you know where there is a hospital nearby?
  - Oh no. Hard to tell. Excuse me.
  - Good. Thank you!
   The car again picked up the course, in an unknown direction.
   - Damn, what should I do? Are we going to go now? - Right! There is a card! It certainly has a designation of hospitals, clinics.
   Stretching toward the clothing compartment, Charlie felt a terrible pain in his side, a little more and he would have lost consciousness. But, not giving a look, gritting his teeth, he found a map and gave it to Lucy. Looking out the window, he saw a column with the names of the streets. We're on Fifth Avenue. Is there something nearby?
   The girl took the map, and hurriedly started to drive on the map with her finger. The waiting was delayed.
   "Are you coming soon?" What took so long?
   "Do not rush me, I'm looking for you!" "I say I do not know this city!"
   - Good. Please hurry!
   - Here! Found it! The eastern street is seventeen.
   "Let me see." So-so. I think I understand. Apparently, we go there.
   After passing a few more streets, they saw a sign with the inscription that the hospital would be five hundred meters away. Soon, braking at the gate of the hospital and pulling the handbrake, Charlie turned to Lucy.
   "Take it and carry it." They'll sort it out and help you.
   - What? And you? You bleed. Oh no! We walk together!
   - I can not. Besides, I have one more thing to do. Do not worry about me. Here, keep the address of her house where we went, contact her parents and the police, tell her that you found her on the street, unconscious, and brought her to the hospital. And write down your address and number, I'll find you, and we'll meet, but then.
   - I will not leave you! No!
   "Lucy!" Do not be stupid. Do as I say. Listen to me. Everything will be good. Come on, go! We have little time!
   - Heck. Charlie, promise me you'll come back.
   - I promise, all go.
   Charlie held out a bloody hand. Her lips trembled, and she took his hand and stroked his hand gently with her thumb. I wrote my phone number and address in Oklahoma. Then she kissed her cheek, and, taking Elizabeth in her arms, got out of the car.
   Standing with the girl in her arms, Lucy stared into the distance to the car leaving. And she saw Charlie turn around and with a smile showed a gesture with his finger, from the temple in her direction.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 28
   In the medicine cabinet of the car there were not so many medicines. From the useful found bandage, hydrogen peroxide and an aspirin tablet. Now there was no time to read the instructions, which you can and can not. The pain is unbearable, but it is necessary to endure.
   Making a cheerful look, Charlie pressed the doorbell button. The door was opened by a young, blond girl with bewilderment on her face.
   - Hi. What are you doing here?
   - Hello Mary! I just came to see you.
   "Something's happened to you." You are drunk?
   - No, I'm absolutely sober. It's just ... - I want to apologize for all the bad things I've done for you. I blamed you for Alice's disappearance. I blamed absolutely everyone. Rescuers, her friends. But I know that no one is to blame. I still do not find a place where she could go, I personally searched this damn lake myself. But nothing! No trace. It just does not happen ...
   Tears streamed down his cheeks.
   "Calm down Charlie. Your guilt is gone.
   The girl tenderly embraced Charlie, and wiping her tears asked.
   Maybe you want tea? Coffee?
   - No thanks. If possible, please bring some water.
   - Good. Be right back.
   Only one thought pierced my head. Hold out, hold out, hold out. It's not the time to lose consciousness. The door opened again. On the threshold stood a girl with a glass of water. Charlie held out his hand, and a sad and tired smile appeared on his face.
   - Forgive me. I have to go. Till!
   - Do not cut yourself. We must be strong.
   Not holding her tears, Mary waved her hand in silence.
   Once again I would like to eat, the strength was already running out. To his surprise, Charlie discovered the same coffee shop, with burgers and coffee, which he went to after the visit to the police station. Having parked the car without thinking about the place allowed for it, he walked with a zombie walk into this shop, passing cars kept braking in front of a walking pedestrian as if on foot. Entering the cafe, he sat down at the first place. The world around him did not exist, no sounds, movements, it seemed, did not interest Charlie any more. From afar, a familiar voice was heard, to which the head reacted spontaneously, looking away from where it came from. From the TV, all the same doctor addressed with his speech, but he already forgot his name. Strange his words were addressed to me, thought Charlie.
   - Well, then. You overcame your fears. You did what you had to. He fulfilled his destiny. What will happen next? I do not know. But you're done. A great young man! Now you can go ...
   These last words, soft and warm wave, passed through Charlie's brain, after which the whole body felt light, the pain was gone. Probably, it was bliss.
   "Sir, are you all right?" Are you fine?
   A young waitress, pulling at the sleeve of a man who was leaning slightly off the table, looked at nothing more than a glancing look to the floor. Someone ran up, pushing people, and checked the pulse on his arm and neck, others tried to see what was happening? Meanwhile, the image on the television set went out.
  Chapter 29
   "What do you say to Matt?"
   Charlie Banton. Fourty years. Death came about a week ago, apparently, an overdose of painkillers, that's, we found the tablets on the table. - Of course, an autopsy will give an exact answer, on the cause of death. But I think and so it is clear. - Yes, and we found this, look, it's very strange all this.
   The coroner held out a printed envelope in the hands of the sheriff. Pulling the contents out, he found the case of a missing girl and an FBI agent identity, in the name of Tommy Brighton. At this time, a cheerful voice from a crime report, from one of the TV channels, told about the detentions of large drug dealers and a criminal of the underworld. On the screen under camera flashes, in handcuffs in turn, all the arrested people were wounded into the building of the police station, among which there was not a tall Asian and Robert Falcone. Looking at the girl's photo, the sheriff's eyes shifted to the working TV, the news anchor, now told about the girl who was found a year later, after the disappearance, she can not remember much, so, who knows the details, contact the police. And the photo from the screen was exactly the same as in the sheriff's hands. With a loud voice, he gave orders to policemen and coroners.
  
   - Finish quickly! We have a lot of work to do.
   Chapter 30
   The terrible heat in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, hid all the people in their homes, bars and other places where you can wait out this heat. Sweating later, with wet armpits, now and then, stopping and taking a sip of water, the postman was going to the house. Stopping in front of the fence, he looked at the house number, checked it with a sheet in his hand, then climbed onto the porch, and got into the shade, pressed the bell button. Waving himself a large envelope.
   Door opened. On the threshold stood a girl. The messenger was delighted that he was so soon opened the door, but still with great fatigue asked the question.
  
  "Are you Lucy Miles?"
   - No, I'm her sister.
   "She lives here?"
   - Yes, I'll call her now. And you, on what issue?
   "I have a package for her." And let him take any document certifying his identity.
   - Good. Wait a bit.
   The door closed. But after a few minutes, it was opened again.
   - Hello! I'm Lucy Miles. Here's my driver's license.
   - Good. Hold on, this is for you. Sign here right now, in receipt.
   Having received the signature. The man once again took a sip of water and, wishing all the good, left, only to him in a certain direction.
   The parcel was written personally for Lucy Miles, from Charlie Bennett. Opening the envelope, she found a small recorder with a cassette inside. Pressing the button, she heard a familiar voice.
   "Hello, Lucy!" I hope you all are well. Now, as I promised, I am sending you a message. I'm fine, I just need to wait some time. Do not look for the address from which the parcel was sent, I'm not there. Perhaps someday, we'll see each other. I know so little about you, but I think you are very kind and sweet, although you try to hide it all. (Here I smile). Here, it always happens. That you meet a person with whom I would like to communicate more, find out more. But the circumstances do not have this at all. Yes, I also want to say thank you, for helping me find Elizabeth. If it were not for you, I would not have done anything. This is largely your credit, and I only believed the envelope that I received from a stranger. Take care of yourself, you are strong, and brave, this is a fact. Bye then. With best wishes, Charlie Banton!
   The sun on the horizon caught fire with a bright, red flame, scorching this day to its end. Tomorrow again a hot day is expected. There was a loud music, and again a familiar voice, just singing a song, with the words "Let's make our day, drink to the bottom, and tomorrow again war again". The car from which the song played stopped, the driver drooping the glass, muffled not a lot of sound, and with a slightly lost look and confused voice, asked about the hotel, showing a piece of paper on which the address was marked. In which already once in this hour, Lucy smiled and went to the driver, showing the way in the right direction. And the song echoed echoing in a small street, in which, as an appeal, the words "we will be together, so it will be, once and for all".
   The End
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