Paranoia (Michael Bennett #17)

CHAPTER 87

KEVIN DOYLE CURSED the timing of the car that stopped directly in front of him. It almost completely blocked his view of Island Delight and the bodega. He’d seen Nantes standing on the inside of the glass door. It looked like he was talking to someone inside the bodega. But an older Chrysler minivan with a couple of kids in the back blocked him. They were in line to get take-out chicken.

Doyle didn’t want to call attention to himself by doing something crazy, like backing over the curb and going across the sidewalk. There were too many potential witnesses who could then identify him later. He didn’t want to risk it on what was possibly one of his last days in New York.

Doyle patted the pistol he’d shoved into his belt holster. The gun was a distant backup plan. He had time. If he didn’t see the opportunity today, he could come back tomorrow. That may not have been his preference, but it was an option. He took a deep breath and concentrated on the word “patience.” Patience was the motto of every successful contract killer in the world. If you rushed a job, you’d be caught. It was that simple.

Then he thought about Tammy at the diner. Maybe she was influencing his haste to get out of the city. Romantic entanglements always caused complications. Even ones he wasn’t pursuing anymore.

Perspiration formed on his forehead. Just because he knew he had to be patient didn’t mean he liked it. He’d almost rather be under fire than have to wait like this. Even the cute face of the little girl in the car seat in the van didn’t calm him down. She turned, stared out the window, and smiled at him.

Doyle mumbled, “Tell your mom to move forward.” And just like that, the minivan moved forward one space. It was like magic. Doyle didn’t wait for the next car in line to fill the gap. He pulled out onto the street. This wasn’t ideal, but it was better than being trapped in the parking spot.

He could still see Nantes standing just inside the door, talking to someone. Doyle took a breath and let Nantes continue his conversation. It was probably the last one he was ever going to have.