He looked Ernie in the eyes. “I know you want to call Amber. I’m not even gonna tell you not to. But be careful when you do it. Make sure she calls you back from a pay phone to your cell. Don’t use the phone in here. Keep your conversation under thirty seconds. Don’t do anything until we’ve had a chance to work out a plan. I’m serious, Ernie, stay put. Everything’s going to be fine if you keep your cool. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Ernie nodded.

“One more thing.”

“What.”

“If the owners of this place show up, don’t kill them.”

“Yeah, yeah. I won’t.”

As Leonard drove away from the cabin, he looked in the rearview mirror and wondered if he’d ever see his brother again.

Chapter 20

Chapter  20

Rather than order room service, Nathan and Harv decided to head downstairs to Dawson’s American Bistro, a nice place with a classy atmosphere. The hostess seated them in a corner table. A few couples, engaged in quiet conversation, were present.

They hadn’t been real talkative with each other, and for good reason. They both felt deeply. Nathan took a swig of iced tea and again wondered why Frank Ortega hadn’t told them the truth. Ortega must’ve thought they wouldn’t take the assignment. The truth was that they would have helped him find his grandson, no matter what his motivation had been. None of this deception had been necessary. He really felt bad for Harv.

Nathan set his glass down. “You okay, partner?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just embarrassed I got us into this mess.”

“Harv, forget about it.”

“I can’t. I’ve known the Ortegas for over twenty years. Maybe I should’ve seen this coming.”

“Be careful, you’re starting to sound like me.”

Harv raised his glass in a toast. “I consider that a compliment.”

Nathan smiled and clinked his glass. “Everything’s in place, we’ve done what we can. Let’s hope Ernie takes the bait.”

“He probably knows it’s a trap.”

“No doubt he does.”

They both turned at the same time and saw their two FBI friends enter the restaurant. When Grangeland noticed them sitting across the room, she seemed to hesitate. Nathan was sure they weren’t here to keep an eye on them: that game ended in a wrestling match. He motioned them over with a nod. Harv switched sides and sat next to him.

“Will you join us?” Nathan asked.

Grangeland managed a smile. “Are you sure? We don’t want to impose.”

“Not at all.” Both he and Harv stood as Grangeland slipped into her chair.

“Such gentlemen,” she said.

Ferris seemed all-business. To each his own. Nathan addressed Grangeland. “Are you okay? No broken ribs, or… other damage?”