Everyone's Man – 53

 

"Give me your house keys and wait here until I get back," Keyes told Bill once he'd arrived at the apartment building.

 

"You think this was some sort of ruse to get us both out of our place so they could see if Colin was there?" Keyes nodded sharply, holding out his hand. Bill walked to the elevator and waited instead. "I'm going with you. If they searched and took anything, you wouldn't know."

 

Keyes crossed his arms, muttering under his breath about damned amateurs as they waited for the elevator. "When we get up there, you do what I tell you. Think you can handle that?"

 

"I'll give it a shot," Bill replied, wondering what the detective expected to happen.

 

When they got to the apartment Keyes told Bill to wait a few yards away. Holding his gun in one hand, he unlocked the door, pushing it open so that it slammed against the wall as he stepped in and to the side. In the silence that followed, he seemed to be listening for anything to indicate someone was there before he methodically checked out each room. When he returned to the front door, he was frowning.

 

"What?" Bill asked as he joined him.

 

"Someone was here and they know Colin was here at some point."

 

"They searched the place?"

 

"Yes. More importantly, they left you a message." Keyes nodded to the computer and Bill realized it was up and running. "Look, don't touch. I have forensics on the way to see what they can find"

 

Standing back a couple of feet from the computer, Bill growled angrily. There were two pictures on one side of the computer's desktop screen: pictures of him and Marc. Across each picture was a large red 'X' and next to them the message, This will be you if you don't send the boy to us. We'll be in contact to let you know when and where.

 

"Short and sweet," muttered Bill.

 

"And to the point. I'll have you moved to a safe house until this is over."

 

Bill started to protest, then saw the wisdom in it. He looked at the pictures again and realized something. "Those were taken within the last twenty four hours, I think, from what we're wearing. And that means they could have followed us to your place."

 

"Damn. I knew there was something about them that set off alarm bells." Keyes called his place. As the phone rang and rang, he began to swear. Finally, Colin answered. Keyes grouched at him for taking so long, then told him not to answer the door or buzz anyone into the building. He explained what was going on. "I don't think they actually followed Marc and Bill there, because if they had, there would have been no reason for them to have come here. But we're taking no chances." There was a long pause, and then Keyes said softly, "You're going to be alright, Pup. Breathe." He continued to talk to Colin, walking away so the Bill couldn't overhear. He ended the conversation by telling Colin he'd be there as soon as possible, even though that would probably be a while.

 

When Keyes had hung up, Bill grinned knowingly. "Pup?"

 

Keyes shrugged, smiling. "Yeah. 'Pup'."