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by Robin Cook

  To his frustration, it took Jack a few minutes to locate his basketball gear. When he finally did, he dressed quickly. The finishing touches were a dark blue Nike headband and an old hooded sweatshirt.

  He then ran into the kitchen to grab a quick drink of water. Then the wall phone rang.

  Jack debated whether to answer. His first thought was to let the answering machine get it, but then he remembered that he got few calls at home other than from Laurie. Thinking it might be her, he picked it up.

  "Hello, " he said briskly, but there was no response. He said hello several times. What he heard was just what he'd heard through the receiver at the office, down to the sound of rushing water and even a distant automobile horn. Disgusted, Jack hung up.

  He got only a few steps out of the kitchen when the phone rang again.

  On the off chance there had been a mechanical problem, he went back and picked it up again. He was glad he did. It was Laurie.

  "Did you just try to call me two seconds ago? " Jack asked.

  "No, " Laurie said. "Did your phone ring? "

  "It's not important, " Jack said. "What's up? I'm just on my way out to play B-ball."

  "I know better than trying to keep you from that, " Laurie teased. "I just wanted to let you know that it's going to be just you and me tonight. Lou can't make it."

  "His loss, my gain, " Jack said.

  "You flatterer you! " Laurie joked. "Anyway, he did offer to call the restaurant where I wanted us to go.

  So I know we'll get good service.

  They love him there."

  "Sounds good, " Jack said. "Tell me, has Paul been pestering you? "

  "Haven't heard from him since he left the office, " Laurie said.

  "Good."

  "See you at eight, " Laurie said.

  "I might be a shade late, " Jack said. "As I said, I'm only now just heading out. But I'll play only one game, and I'll call you before I leave."

  "See you then, " Laurie said. "Remember! No bike! "

  "Aye, aye, sir!"

  " Jack said. He hung up the phone.

  Jack ran out to his closet and searched around the cluttered space for his "kicks, " as Warren called sneakers. Impatient to get them on, Jack didn't even bother to lace them before rushing out his door. He was about to close and lock it when he heard his name called out loudly from down below. Not recognizing the voice, he leaned over the banister to take a look. Three men were looking up from the ground-floor hallway, and when they saw Jack, they immediately started up the stairs. They came at a run, their boots making a fierce clatter against the bare treads. The one in the lead was a blond fireman in a blue uniform.

  Jack put his head back and sniffed for smoke. He sniffed again after turning his head in the direction of his apartment, but still couldn't smell any smoke. When he looked back down the stairs the lead man was already on the last flight leading up to Jack's level. But instead of carrying a fire axe or some other appropriate piece of firefighting equipment, he was clutching a gun.

  Jack backed up into his doorway, totally confused. The other two men were in black leather jackets, not firemen's uniforms, and had shaved heads. Then Jack saw that the one bringing up the rear was carrying an assault rifle!

  Curt stopped six feet away from Jack and knitted his brows. "You are Jack Stapleton, aren't you? " he asked, looking Jack up and down.

  "No, he lives on the next level up, " Jack stammered. He backed into his apartment and started to close the door.

  Curt quickly stepped forward to get his foot inside. He pushed open the door and stepped in. Jack backed up. The two skinheads crowded in behind. The one with the rifle had a swastika tattooed on his forehead.

  Curt's eyes quickly swept the spartan room. He glared back at Jack and studied him. Curt was clearly confused. "I think you're Jack Stapleton, " he said.

  "No, I'm Billy Rubin, " Jack said, pulling the name out of nowhere.

  "Jack's directly above me." Jack lamely pointed at the ceiling.

  "Captain, there's a bike leaning against the wall, " Mike said.

  "Yeah, I saw it, " Curt said without taking his eyes off Jack. "But this doesn't look like a doctor's apartment, and I can't be a hundred percent sure with his guy's get-up. Take a quick look around for an envelope or something with this joker's name on it."

  "I'll be happy to give Jack a message, " Jack said. He eyed the gun in Curt's hand as well as the rifle in Carl's.

  "Thanks, wise guy, " Curt snapped. "Just stand there and be patient for a sec." Jack thought briefly about taking his chances by running into the bedroom and diving out the window, but he dismissed the idea as impractical, since he was on the fourth floor. He'd only get hung up on the fire escape.

  "Why are you looking for him? " Jack asked.

  "He has business with the People's Aryan Army, " Curt said. "Serious business."

  "I'm sure Jack isn't involved with any army, " Jack said.

  "He's very much against war and violence."

  "Shut up! " Curt said.

  "I found something, " Mike said near the bedroom door. He had picked up Jack's trousers and was struggling to get Jack's billfold out of the back pocket. He pulled it free and flipped it open. He whistled when he saw the medical examiner badge and held it up for Curt to see.

  "Just check the name, for crissake, " Curt snapped.

  "Maybe we should discuss this business you were referring to, " Jack said.

  "There's nothing to discuss, " Curt said.

  "Ah, here's a driver's license, " Mike announced. "And the name is Jack Stapleton all right."

  "Jack frequently uses my apartment to change in, " Jack offered.

  Suddenly there was more clatter of heavy boots on the stairs out in the hallway. Steve's voice shouted up, "Hold up, Curt. There's been a misunderstanding! " Curt's brow furrowed. He momentarily glanced in the direction of the open door but then immediately returned his gaze to Jack. Seconds later Steve, Kevin, and Clark stumbled into the room.

  Behind them were three other figures who leaped into the room, spread out, and shouted for everyone to freeze.

  Curt spun around to find himself staring into the barrels of three Tec machine pistols.

  "Don't even think about it, " Warren warned as he zeroed in on Curt.

  For a tense moment no one moved or breathe.

  "Okay, Spit, " Warren said, breaking the silence. "Get the pistol and the rifle." Spit eased forward, holding his machine pistol in his right hand. He collected first the handgun, which he pocketed, and then the rifle. He stepped back.

  "Now I want all you dudes to line up facing the wall, " Warren commanded. He motioned with his gun.

  There was a delay as a sneer spread cross Curt's face.

  "Hey, man, you either do as I'm telling you or the story's over, " Warren said. "You know what I'm saying? "

  "Sorry, Captain, " Steve said. "They came out of nowhere."

  "Shut up, " Warren yelled. "This ain't no rap session here." With defiant arrogance, Curt stepped over to the wall, leaving his hands on his hips.

  "Spit, pat em down, " Warren commanded.

  Spit put down the guns he was holding and went to each of the men facing the wall and searched for concealed weapons. He found nothing and stepped back.

  "Okay, turn around, " Warren ordered.

  The men did as they were told. Except for Steve, who was clearly terrified, all the others had assumed brazenly bored expressions.

  "I don't know where you white trash are from, and I don't give a shit, " Warren said. "The point is, you don't belong in this here neighborhood.

  Now I'm going to keep all this firepower you brought here, but that's it. Nobody's icing nobody."

  "Excuse me, Warren, " Jack said. "I think we should call the police."

  "Shut up! " Warren snapped with venom equal to that he'd directed a few moments earlier toward Steve.

  Jack shrugged and took a step back. He knew Warren enough to know when he was pissed, and he was pissed now
.

  "Now I want you people to take your white asses down to your wheels and split, " Warren said. "And believe me, if any one of you show up in this neighborhood again, that's the ball game. You'll be gone, no questions asked. And we'll be watching. You hear what I'm saying? "

  "Warren, " Jack said. "I.. ." Warren spun around. He jammed a finger toward Jack's face. "I said for you to shut up, " he snarled.

  Jack took another step back. He'd never seen Warren show such rage.

  "Flash, " Warren said in a more normal voice. "You and Spit take these white honkies down and see that they leave the neighborhood. I've got to rap with the doc here for a few minutes." As the group silently fled out, Warren turned to Jack and glared at him. Jack squirmed. He didn't know what Warren wanted him to say.

  With the Tec pistol held in his left hand, Warren used his right to give Jack's shoulder a series of repeated angry shoves. Jack was forced progressively backwards until a final shove made him collapse onto his couch. Warren hovered over him.

  "What's wrong with you, Doc? " Warren demanded. "You haven't caused this kind of trouble around here for two years. I thought you'd reformed. But now tonight this happens. I'm telling you, you're a drag on this neighborhood. You know what I'm saying? "

  "I'm sorry, " Jack said.

  "A lot of good that will do if some kid gets shot because of you, " Warren said. "What was this white trash after you for? I mean, these boys were serious bringing in Kalashnikov assault rifles. Shit! If they'd started spraying those around, a lot of people could have been hurt."

  "Those were Kalashnikovs? " Jack asked.

  "What do you think, I'm making this up? "

  "Where were the Kalashnikovs made? "

  "What kind of question is that, man? What difference does it make?"

  "It might make a difference if they're Bulgarian, " Jack said.

  Warren glared at Jack for a beat before walking over to where Spit had put the Kalashnikov he'd taken from Carl. Warren picked the weapon up and carried it back to Jack. "Well, you're right, " he said grudgingly.

  "They are Bulgarian. What does that mean? "

  "I can't be positive, " Jack said. "But I think it might have something to do with Laurie's new boyfriend."

  "That doesn't sound good, " Warren said. "Did you and Laurie split up?"

  "Not exactly, " Jack said. "And I think the new boyfriend is on his way out, but let me explain." Jack told Warren about Paul Sutherland, and how Jack had probably humiliated the man that afternoon. He mentioned that Paul had threatened him indirectly. He also said that Laurie was concerned the man was dealing with the Bulgarian Kalashnikovs.

  Warren's anger mellowed to a degree as he listened to the story. "I suppose there's no way you could have anticipated that these guys would have come over here.

  "Of course not, " Jack said. "I don't even know how they knew where I lived."

  "That kind of white trash scares me, " Warren admitted.

  "They scare me, too, " Jack agreed. "The blond guy in the fireman's uniform talked briefly about a militia called the People's Aryan Army.

  I'd heard that name on Monday from an FBI agent who's trying to learn about them. Have you ever heard the name? "

  "Never, " Warren said.

  "Which leads me to ask why you let them go? I would have turned them over to the police in a heartbeat. The police and maybe even the FBI would have loved to get their hands on them."

  "You're shocked because you really live in a different world, despite occupying this apartment, "

  Warren said. "You don't understand about gangs. When I let them go, I was thinking of the neighborhood, not the police department's or the FBI's agenda. It's the same way I didn't want any of them to get hurt.

  It's not because I care about them! Shit, no!

  It's because it would start something. They'd be back. It's been my experience that this way they won't.

  Sorta live and let live."

  "I'll have to kowtow to your experience on this one, " Jack said.

  "I'm afraid you didn't have any choice, " Warren said. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  "Now how about some hoops? You still want to run? "

  "I think I need it more now than I did before, " Jack said. He got up on wobbly legs. "I can't promise how effective I'll be. I feel shell-shocked even though no shells have gone off." Warren preceded Jack out into the hall carrying the guns. Jack locked his door and caught up to him.

  "Thanks for being there when I needed you, " Jack said. "Since you've done it before, I think it's my turn next." Warren laughed in spite of himself. "That'll be the day! " Jack rang Laurie's bell and then turned to wave hello to Debra Engler.

  The nosy neighbor responded by slamming her door, which was a feat since it had only been open by slightly more than an inch. Jack turned back to Laurie's and heard the little click that sounded when Laurie opened her peephole. Jack waved. Then he heard all the locks being opened.

  Laurie was in a buoyant mood despite the scene she'd had with Paul.

  She gave Jack an enthusiastic hug before disappearing into her bedroom for her watch and jewelry.

  Tom-2 rubbed affectionately against Jack's leg.

  Jack bent down to pet the cat.

  "I trust you came in a cab like you promised, " Laurie called out from the other room.

  "No, I didn't, " Jack answered.

  Laurie's head appeared around the corner. She eyed Jack accusatively.

  "But you promised, " she said.

  "Warren brought me, " Jack said. "And I hope you don't mind, I invited him to eat with us."

  "Of course not, " Laurie said. "Is Natalie coming, too? "

  "No, just Warren, " Jack said. "In fact, to be honest, he kinda invited himself.

  You see, I ran into a rather serious inconvenience this afternoon right after I spoke with you on the phone."

  "What happened? " Laurie questioned. She came out from her bedroom.

  Her voice reflected her sudden concern. Knowing Jack as well as she did, she sensed that whatever happened was a lot more than an inconvenience.

  "In Warren's vernacular, I was almost iced by the People's Aryan Army, " Jack said.

  Laurie's lower jaw dropped. "What on earth are you talking about? " Jack gave Laurie a quick rundown of the events that took place in his apartment. When he described the guns, and Warren's timely arrival, she clamped a hand over her mouth.

  "My God, " she said. "What in heaven's name could have prompted such an ambush. I mean, I was the one who posted Brad Cassidy, if that was somehow involved. He's the only connection I know of with this People's Aryan Army."

  "I don't think it had anything to do with Brad Cassidy, " Jack said.

  "It couldn't have, because I had nothing to do with him. To tell you the truth, I think there's a slight chance it had something to do with Paul Sutherland." Laurie's face blanched.

  She sucked in a lungful of air, and her hand returned to cover her mouth in horror.

  "Hold on! " Jack warned. "There's no proof. It's just the only thing I could think of on the spur of the moment, and nothing else has occurred to me since. And believe me, I've been giving it a lot of thought since it happened. The only reason I'm willing to tell you is because you should know even if there's only a shred of possibility it is true."

  "Tell me why it occurred to you! " Laurie said.

  Jack described the three Bulgarian Kalashnikovs Warren confiscated from the men. Then he went on to remind her of Paul's implied threat that afternoon. When he finished, he shrugged. "I know it's extremely tenuous, but that's it." Laurie sank into her art deco chair and lowered her head into her hands.

  "Hey, " Jack said, putting his hand on Laurie's shoulder. "You've got to keep in mind this is all conjecture."

  "Maybe so, " Laurie said.

  "But it makes a certain amount of sense." She shook her head. "How can someone's social life be so tumultuous? "

  "Come on! " Jack urged.

  He g
ave her a series of reassuring pats on her back. "Let's not let this episode get us down. Let's go out and enjoy ourselves."

  "Are you sure you still want to go after the experience you've had? "

  "Absolutely! " Jack said. "Come on! We shouldn't keep Warren and Spit waiting."

  "Where are they? "

  "Down in their cars, " Jack said.

  "Warren insisted on coming and bringing backup on the off chance members of the People's Aryan Army show up for an encore." Laurie leaped to her feet. "You should have told me Warren was waiting." She rushed back into her bedroom.

  "I told you he brought me, Jack called after her. He stooped down to return to petting the cat.

  "Who is Spit? " Laurie yelled. "Or shouldn't I ask? "

  "He's one of the basketball regulars, " Jack explained. "Warren is his mentor and trusts him implicitly."

  "How did he get such an awful nickname? "

  "It comes from one of his less endearing character traits, " Jack yelled.

  When Laurie was completely ready, they took the elevator down to the ground floor and exited the building. They found Warren and Spit directly out front. Laurie and Warren enjoyed a sustained embrace, since they'd not seen each other in months.

  "You're looking good, woman, " Warren said, giving Laurie the onceover.

  "You're not looking bad yourself, man, " Laurie said, emphasizing the word "man." Warren laughed and introduced Laurie to Spit. Spit acted embarrassed for the first time Jack had ever seen. He even turned his baseball hat around to face forward as a sign of respect, another first in Jack's experience.

  "So where's this restaurant? " Warren said. "I'm ready to get stuffed."

  "Come on, " Laurie said. "I'll direct you." The trip to the restaurant went quickly and without incident.

  On Warren's insistence both Jack and Laurie came with him while Spit brought up the rear in his car.

  Initially they talked about the disturbing incident in Jack's apartment, but by mutual consent that soon gave way to more enjoyable topics. Laurie was particularly eager to hear about Natalie Adams, Warren's "shortie, " whom Laurie had not seen since the last time she'd seen Warren. Laurie was glad to hear that she and Warren were getting along fine.