Page 112 of Witness 8

‘Was it my fault one of your colleagues wanted you dead and led you to walk into that trap? No. You were lucky I was following you. It was me that pulled your near lifeless body out of there and called a paramedic. You’re alive because of me.’

‘You mean I nearly died because of you.’

‘Don’t you see? We are the same. We’re linked. Now, we have a common goal. Young Ruby’s machinations are causing all kinds of repercussions.’

‘You were given a contract to kill her. Who hired you?’

‘Oh, come now, Gabriel. You know my methods. It’s all done through the office. I’m not great at customer care, nor administration. I take the call; I pull the trigger. Someone else handles the paperwork.’

‘Call your office, or your guy, or whoever deals with your shit. I want the name behind the contract. And Ruby Johnson has to keep breathing until I can prove my client is innocent.’

‘I’m not entirely sure that is ethical,’ said Mr. Christmas.

‘You’re a professional hitman. I’m not sure you can claim the moral high ground here.’

‘What if I said no.’

‘You’ll sayyes,’ said Lake.

Mr. Christmas tilted his head to one side, said ‘Why?’

‘Same reason you pulled me out of that building.’

He considered this for a moment, said, ‘The identity of my principal shall remain confidential. However, in the spirit of this conversation, I shall allow Ms. Johnson some additional time. Just as I am permitting your employer.’

Lake gritted his teeth, said, ‘Thank you. Eddie isn’t my boss. He’s a friend.’

‘And yet you didn’t tell him about me.’

‘We all have secrets.’

‘Indeed. Now, if you don’t mind, I do have to relieve Ms. Johnson of the funds she has so readily and fruitfully acquired. Give my regards to Mr. Flynn. I’m sure I will meet him again soon.’

As Mr. Christmas opened the passenger door and turned to get out, Lake thought about making a move for his weapon. The man’s back was turned. He was vulnerable for one, maybe two seconds. Enough time for Lake to draw his pistol and put three rounds in the hitman’s back. Two in the lungs. One shot in the spine.

Mr. Christmas gently closed the passenger door of the Aztek.

Lake’s fingers crushed the steering wheel. Then he relaxed his shoulders, cleared his mind for a second, inhaled deeply and tried to get his heart rate below one thirty. The cold pain in his shoulder eased. After a few seconds, he took out his cell, calledEddie. Told him everything that had happened. The bag. The money. The hit. He didn’t relay the entirety of the conversation. The part about Mr. Christmas saving him from the last shooter in the stash house, he kept that to himself for now. Eddie had already seen the photos Lake had sent of Ruby and asked him to send them to Bloch too.

‘Where is Christmas now?’ asked Eddie.

‘He’s just crossing the street to go into Ruby’s building.’

‘I’m on my way.’

50

Eddie

I ended my call with Lake in the hallway outside the courtroom. I went inside, sat beside Kate.

‘The People call Ansen Bude . . .’ said Castro.

‘Bude is the latent-print expert,’ whispered Kate.

‘I was hoping we wouldn’t have to deal with this today,’ I said.

‘What are we going to do?’ asked Kate.