Turning to the other woman, he asked, "Are you going to give me a hard time,
too?"
Shaking her head slightly, she said, "No. I didn't think we should leave,
but Judy..."
Interrupting her, Cade said, "Cool. Let's go, then."
Putting his arm through hers, he led the way back to the restaurant. After a
moment, Judy followed. Cade turned the ladies and Judy's purse over to Avery,
then stepped away from the group to have a look at the street below the window.
The street was empty of people. Between the blonde hauling the car upstairs,
the gunshots, and the blast in the sky, most of them had at least had sense
enough to get off the sidewalks and under the cover of the Rivage's
drive-through.
The rent-a-cop who'd been directing foot traffic across the street between
the hotels was one of those under cover. Cade whistled to get his attention and
pointed to the body on the sidewalk, then yelled that he should keep people away
from it. The guy nodded and headed toward the body. Cade went back to Avery, who
was talking to someone on his radio.
Avery finished his immediate conversation, then turned to Cade and said,
"Teams five and nine got lucky, too. Two dead and one in custody. The guys on
the roof are coming down, so we'll have some help here in a few minutes."
Nodding, Cade said, "I'll go out and keep the tourists away from the one on
the sidewalk."
Extending a hand, Avery said, "Okay. Hey, if I don't see you again, it's
been good working with you. Why won't they tell us where you extra guys came
from?"
Shaking Avery's hand, Cade said, "Damned if I know. I'm from Florida, if it
helps any."
"Oh, yeah," laughed Avery. "That helps a bunch."
"Great. Later, then."
Moving past the coffee bar, Cade stopped and looked around for the
attendant, then knocked on the counter. A man in a suit separated himself from
the crowd by the door and came to say that the coffee bar was closed.
"You're management?" asked Cade.
"Yes, sir. Look, we're rather busy at the moment..."
"I'm the guy who shot out your window and I have to go guard a body on the
sidewalk. How much is a coffee to go?"
The man seemed to have to find a way to attach the two concepts in his mind
before he said, "Uh, just take one, sir."
"Thanks. Why not offer all those spooked people a cup, too? It'll look great
on your record if you take charge and keep them quiet and happy until all t