Leopold opened his mouth to reply, but a loud noise cut him off. Outside on the street, the unmistakable sound of a large engine revving to the redline and the squeal of spinning tires.
“She sounds like she’s at least got access to a car,” said Jerome. “And unless you happen to know her license plate, we’re gonna need to get moving.” He lunged toward the front door, dragging Leopold and Mary behind him.
“Ow, Jesus!” Leopold buckled under his ruined leg.
“Stop being such a girl,” said Mary, trying to keep up.
Jerome charged through the doorway and on to the sidewalk, the others barely slowing him down. They reached the Mercedes and clambered inside. Jerome gunned the engine and slammed his right foot to the floor, wrenching the steering wheel to the side. The car executed a perfect donut, throwing up a plume of white smoke. Now facing the right direction, the bodyguard followed the tire tracks left by Melissa’s car and took off in pursuit. After less than thirty seconds, he slammed on the brakes.
The traffic on Fifth Avenue was jammed, as usual. A sea of yellow cabs blocked most of the lanes and pedestrians weaved in and out of the stationary traffic. On the far side of the road, horse-drawn carriages filed in and out of Central Park.
“What now?” said Mary. “This car got a phone?”
“Just a Bluetooth connection,” said Jerome. “Needs a handset to work.”
“Well, then we’re just shit out of luck. All this fancy equipment and we can’t even call for help.”
“We’ll just have to do this the old-fashioned way,” said Leopold. He could feel the pain in his leg start to throb. He couldn’t feel his feet.
“Great. Just great.”
“Use your eyes. Look for anything out of place.”
Mary looked out the window. “All I see is cabs. And those damn horses.”
“Look harder.”
“I’m looking, I’m looking. Wait...” she pointed. “There.”
Leopold leaned over and glanced out the window. Across the street, a sleek Aston Martin convertible was parked on the curb. It looked empty.
“She’s in the park,” he said. “She’s on foot. We need to move.” He sucked in a deep breath and reached over Mary, opening the car door. “Come on, you’re going to have to help me over the street.”
“You’re insane. How the hell are you going to catch up with her in your condition?”
“Just help me out the goddamn car.”
“Jesus, fine.” She slung his right arm over her shoulder and climbed out. Jerome turned off the engine and joined them, holding up the other side.
“Faster. That way.” Leopold pointed toward the gates.
“Just shut up and hobble.”
They crossed the road in a hurry, ignoring the angry honks and profanities from the frustrated drivers trapped in their cars. They reached the sidewalk and Leopold kept hopping, driving all three of them toward an empty horse and carriage. The driver looked up as they approached.
“We need a ride,” said Leopold, slipping off his watch. “Here, take this. It’s a Rolex.”
The man stared back at him, wide-eyed.
“It’s worth ten grand. Take it.” He thrust the watch into the driver’s hand. “Just drive.”
The man nodded profusely and clambered into the buggy. Leopold, Mary, and Jerome followed, settling in to the uncomfortable seats in the back.
“Just head into the park,” said Leopold, shouting over the noise of the traffic. “We’ll tell you when to turn off. Go!”
The driver jostled the reins and they set off at walking pace.
“Move faster!” Leopold banged on the wood.
“I can’t, it’s the law.”
“Screw the law.” He felt Mary jab him in the ribs with her elbow and he winced. “Sorry. There’s another five grand in it for you.”
“I’m a cop,” Mary said, taking over. “Don’t worry about causing a scene. In fact, it would help us if you attracted as much attention as possible. And I’ll make sure you get your money, don’t worry.”
“You’re the boss.” The driver coaxed the horse into a brisk canter and they picked up speed. Several people shouted abuse as they were forced to duck out of the way. The scenery whipped past outside and Leopold strained his eyes for a glimpse of Melissa Gordon. He gritted his teeth as the clatter of the horse’s hooves reinvigorated the pain in his skull.
“How the hell are we going to find her in this crowd?” Mary asked.
“The park’s full of tourists and joggers,” said Leopold, raising his voice above the cacophony. “Use your eyes, like I told you. Everyone is wearing sweat pants or shorts, maybe a baseball cap if they’re feeling dressy—it should be easy enough to spot a woman in two-thousand-dollar Chanel and four-inch heels.” He pointed outside. “Look, over there.”
Ahead, the path veered off to the right. Most of the pedestrians were heading in the opposite direction, toward what looked like a farmers’ market. A brass band was set up in the middle of the lawn, playing some kind of Dixieland melody that Leopold couldn’t quite make out over the noise of the horseshoes on the asphalt.
“Turn right here,” said Leopold, addressing the driver. “And don’t slow down.” He felt the carriage tip to the left as they swerved.
“We’re going the wrong way,” said Mary. “She’ll hide in the crowd.”
“This woman is on the run—instinct is taking over. Trust me, she’ll aim for the most secluded route out of here. And that’s where I’m taking us.” He felt the buggy hit a pothole and nearly slammed his head into the ceiling.
“I hope you’re right. By the time I find a cell phone and get a unit over here...” She paused mid-sentence. “Wait a minute, what’s that?”
Leopold squinted through the gap in the carriage, looking past the driver out front. Ahead, a figure was speed walking in bare feet, a pair of high heels clutched in one hand. A woman, dressed in expensive clothes. She turned her head as they drew closer.“That’s her!” Mary shouted. She instinctively reached for her hip. “Dammit.”
“We can do this without resorting to firearms,” said Leopold.
“Says the man with the shattered leg.”
“Your legs look pretty good to me.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.”
He rolled his eyes. “You got this or not?”
“Relax,” said Mary. “The bitch is mine. Just get me close enough.” She assumed a crouching position near the doorway and knocked on the wood. “Keep it steady.”
“Doing the best I can,” the driver shouted back. “Just don’t mess up my cart.”
Ahead, Melissa started to run. Her pace was surprisingly quick given her bare feet.
“Dammit, she’s seen us.” Mary grabbed hold of the door frame and tensed. “Can’t this thing go any faster?”
The driver yelled something Leopold couldn’t make out and he felt the buggy lurch as their speed increased.
“That’s it. Keep her steady.”
The noise of the horse’s hooves on the path intensified. They drew closer. Mary was almost hanging out of the carriage, a look of intense concentration on her face. They were almost level with their target.
“Now!” Mary leapt from the buggy as they pulled within a few feet, her arms spread wide open. She landed hard, knocking Melissa onto the ground. Leopold heard a shriek of pain and saw the two women tumble over a grassy bank and into a ditch. They disappeared from sight.
“Stop the cab,” he shouted. The driver obliged and Leopold almost fell out of his seat as the buggy screeched to a halt. His injured leg hit the wall of the compartment, sending more firecrackers off in his head.
“You all right?” Jerome asked, lifting his boss up under the arm.
“Yeah, I’ll live. You haven’t got any morphine on you, by any chance?”
“Over there.” Jerome ignored him, pointing toward a wooded area twenty feet away. “Feeling up to some exercise?”
Before Leopold could reply, Jerome grabbed ahold of him and clambered out of the carriage, setting off at a jog with his employer in tow. They reached the grass in just a few seconds—despite repeated pleas from Leopold to leave him behind—and Jerome let go.