Page 9 of Better Watch Out
“Hello.”
“Hey, Andrew, it’s Ryan Frost. How are you, man?”
“Good.” Andrew instantly tried to read the tone of Ryan’s voice, trying to detect the purpose of the call even as his gut filled with dread. Was Angelo Evola back? “And you?”
“Better if I was back in the States, which is why I’m calling. I have a favor to ask.”
Andrew blew out a breath and forced his shoulders to relax. “A favor? Man, I thought you were about to tell me Evola tunneled his way out of prison.”
Ryan released a short chuckle. “Angelo Evola isn’t going to find his way out of Attica unless it’s in a body bag.”
It was a morbid thought but one that left Andrew breathing easier since the bookie was captured. Convinced Andrew threw the final game in the Stanley championship, the man didn’t have the money to pay off the bets he owed to the kind of guys that didn’t make their living the legal way. Fearing he’d end up swimming with the fishes, Evola threatened to kill Andrew if he didn’t pay off what he owed. FBI agent Ryan Frost was involved in the case and saved his life.
“I’m happy to return the favor.” Andrew waved away Oskar’s gesture offering a coffee refill. “What do you need?”
“My sister is in New York City and the guy she went there to see dumped her last night and now I need to make sure she gets to the airport for her flight.”
Andrew frowned. “You want me to take your sister to the airport?” How old was this girl? “When?”
“I booked her on a flight out of LaGuardia for two this afternoon.” The line became staticky before Ryan yelled to someone on his end. “Look, I wouldn’t ask but she’s pretty upset. This is her first time in a big city and I don’t want anyone to take advantage of her emotional state.”
In this job, Andrew knew the crime statistics for the city and it wasn’t absurd to be concerned. If it was his sister, he’d be concerned for her to be out on her own too but the timing couldn’t be worse.
“Man, I’d like to but I’m working an assignment that requires my full attention.” Andrew looked at the flight itinerary on his computer screen. Ms. Malone was scheduled to arrive at one and he certainly couldn’t have some heartbroken woman with him when he picked her up. It wouldn’t be professional, especially with the fee Mr. Malone was paying the agency, but telling the man who saved his life from Angelo Evola’s bullet didn’t feel right. He calculated the time he’d need to be at the airport to do a perimeter check of the private runway before Ms. Malone’s flight arrived. “Do you think she’d mind getting to the airport a few hours early?”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” Ryan gave him the name of the hotel where his sister, Frankie, was staying, along with her flight information. “I really appreciate this.”
“It’s no problem.”
Andrew set his cell phone on the desk after he ended the call and ran a hand through his hair. No problem at all.
“Everything good?” Oskar returned with his mug of coffee.
“Yeah, just a little favor for a …” Andrew sat forward in his chair and stared at his computer screen. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Joey walked over. “What is it?”
“Ms. Malone’s flight is going to arrive early. The pilot wants to get ahead of the cold front coming in.”
Oskar shrugged. “So?”
“I just agreed to pick up a friend’s sister and get her to the airport at the same time as Ms. Malone’s arrival.”
“Can your friend’s sister take an Uber?”
Andrew roughed his palm over the scruff on his chin. “I don’t know. Her boyfriend dumped her and I guess she’s pretty upset. Her brother is the FBI agent who helped me with the Angelo Evola situation.” Oskar raised his brows but it was a lot easier to call it asituationthan the failed attempt on his life. “He seems genuinely worried and I want to help.”
“What if I pick her up?”
Andrew shook his head. “I appreciate that, Joey, but I’m sure Ryan’s already told his sister to expect me, so I wouldn’t feel right sending you.”
“I meant for Ms. Malone.”
Oskar smirked. “Joey Rigatoni thinks he’s ready to run lead on an assignment.”
Joey leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been here three months now and I used to protect the vice president.” He sent a pointed look at Oskar. “I think I can pick up the heiress and get her to the hotel where you”—he pointed his pen at Andrew—“can meet us and take over as planned.”
It wasn’t a terrible plan, but last-minute changes left room for mistakes. Still … He checked his watch. They had two hours to work through the details. Andrew met Oskar’s expectant look. “What do you think?”
