Page 37 of Better Watch Out
Frannie didn’t wait for his answer and headed toward the table that had just opened up, near the Christmas tree, forcing his decision. At least the giant tree provided coverage on one side. Andrew sat, positioning himself facing out to keep an eye on the remaining open area. He had a job to do. Frannie was part of the job.
“So you worked together?”
Andrew’s cell phone chirped with a message. “Excuse me.” He pulled it out of his coat pocket. His muscles tightened when he saw the message was from Doug.
FBI was finally able to get a clean image of the man from the bookstore. Jimmy Strazza. Connected to Adonis family. Did time for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a judge. Agent Simpkins is working on locating last known address.
The Adonis family. Andrew didn’t need any more details. New York had seen a decline in large-scale activity from organized crime families but the Adonis family was still making headlines for illegal activity, including extortion and the attempt by Angelo Evola on Andrew’s life.
Palming his phone, Andrew rose to his feet. “We need to go back to the hotel.”
“We do?” Frannie looked up at the Christmas tree. “I was hoping we could wait until it got a little darker so we can see the lights.”
The afternoon sky had become darker with the thick cloud cover but Andrew wasn’t willing to wait. “No, I should get you back. I don’t want you to miss the carolers, remember?”
“Oh yeah.” Frannie gathered her coffee and her small shopping bag but instead of walking with him, she headed toward the front of the Christmas tree.
“It’ll be easier to pick up the Uber if we cross the street back this way.”
“I just want to take another photo of the tree.”
Frannie retrieved her cell phone from her coat pocket. She positioned herself, or tried to, for a selfie capturing the tree but from the wrinkle in her nose, she wasn’t getting what she wanted.
“Here, let me take it for you.” The quicker he helped her get the photo, the quicker he could get her off the street.
“Thanks.” She handed him her cell phone, set down her bag, and then moved backward.
Andrew stepped back to get as much of the tree in as he could as she struck a pose, raising her hands in the air. She sent him a million-dollar smile that easily dimmed the beauty of the tree behind her.
He snapped two shots and then moved toward her. “I think those will work.”
“Just one more.”
Frustration moved through him. “We really should—”
“I need a photo with you.” She cut him off and took hold of his hand, pulling him to her. “My sister-in-law wanted a visual of the man I pepper-sprayed.”
Andrew was about to argue that she didn’t actually spray him but the words were quickly forgotten when Frannie moved in front of him, pressing her back against his chest so close he was sure she could feel his heart pounding.
“Say cheese, Bishop.”
“Cheese Bishop.”
Andrew looked at their image on the cell phone reflecting back as Frannie snapped a photo of the two of them smiling, but instead of looking at the camera she’d caught him looking down at her.
“Oh, um, you weren’t looking.”
Oh, he was looking, all right.
“Do you want to take another one?” Frannie looked up at him. “We could ask someone to take the photo.” She lowered her voice. “Unless you think someone would take off with my phone.”
“I don’t think—” Out of his peripheral, Andrew’s gaze locked on a man tucked by some trees, looking in their direction. He moved to the side to try and get a better look but the crowd had grown thicker, filling Bryant Park with tourists and New Yorkers taking advantage of the snow day.
“Something wrong?”
Andrew waited for a break in the crowd but when it came, the man was gone. “We should go.”
Leading her toward 42ndStreet, Andrew pulled his cell phone out but kept actively searching those walking around him. He checked for the closest Uber … three minutes away.
