Shanahan and Derek had never met. To overcome that difficulty Shanahan had described himself so that Derek might recognize him. But to make certain Derek would identify him. Shanahan had also said he’d carry a bible. Derek had said he’d thought a bible was a nice touch. He added that he’d be carrying a black briefcase.
The door to the jetway for the Chicago flight opened and was secured by an agent. Almost immediately the passengers began disembarking. Shanahan picked up the bible and stood. He gazed at each passenger expectantly.
The tenth person looked promising, although the individual’s appearance was not anything like Shanahan had expected. The man was thirtyish, slender, blond, and deeply tanned. He was dressed in a pinstriped business suit and carried a black ostrich briefcase. Sunglasses were perched on top of his carefully coiffed head. The man halted just inside the terminal and swept the area with his blue eyes. Sporting Shanahan, he walked directly over.
“Mr. O’Brian?” Derek questioned. He had a slight English accent.
“Mr. Leutmann,” Shanahan said. He was taken aback. From Derek’s phone voice he’d expected a dark, heavyset. physically imposing individual. The man in front of him resembled an English aristocrat more than a hired killer.
“I trust you brought the money.” Derek said.
“Of course,” Shanahan said.
“Would you mind handing it over,” Derek said.
“Here in the terminal?” Shanahan questioned. He looked over his shoulder nervously. Shanahan had hoped to discuss the money issue in the privacy of his car in the parking garage. He was supposed to try to negotiate down both the down payment and the fee.
“Either we’re in business or not,” Derek said. “It’s best to find out immediately to avoid hard feelings.”
Shanahan removed the envelope he had in his inner jacket pocket and gave it to Derek. It contained five thousand dollars, half of the ten K the killer had demanded. There was no way Shanahan was going to try to bargain in public.
To Shanahan’s horror, Derek put down his briefcase, blithely tore open the envelope, and counted the money. Shanahan anxiously looked around. Although no one appeared to be paying them any attention, Shanahan was acutely uncomfortable.
“Excellent,” Derek commented, before pocketing the cash. “We’re in business. What are the details you are supposed to provide me?”
“Could we at least start walking?” Shanahan managed to say despite a dry throat. Derek’s nonchalance was unnerving.
“Of course,” Derek said. He gestured down the concourse. “Why don’t we proceed to baggage claim?”
Thankful to at least be moving, Shanahan started out. Derek stayed abreast, treading lightly on crepe-soled loafers.
“You have checked baggage?” Shanahan asked. It was something else he didn’t expect.
“Of course,” Derek said. “The airlines frown on firearms in the cabin. In my line of work, one has little choice.”
They were walking along with a stream of other arriving passengers. To their left passed an equal number of people clutching tickets and hurrying in the opposite direction. There was no privacy.
“We have a car for you,” Shanahan said.
“Excellent,” Derek said. “But at the moment I’m more interested in the identity of the quarry. What’s the name?”
“Reggis,” Shanahan said. “Dr. Kim Reggis.” Once again he scanned the faces around them. Thankfully there were no signs of interest or recognition. “Here’s a recent photo,” Shanahan said. He handed the picture to Derek. It wasn’t very good. It had been copied from a newspaper article.
“This is quite grainy,” Derek said. “I’m going to need more information.”
“I’ve put together a bio,” Shanahan said. He handed the paper to Derek. “You’ll notice it has a physical description of the man. There’s also the year, model, and type of his car along with the tag number. You have his address, but we have reason to believe he’s not staying there at the moment.”
“This is more like it,” Derek said as he scanned the sheet. “Yes, indeed. Very complete.”
“We believe Dr. Reggis spent last night at his former wife’s residence’ Shanahan said. “She bailed him out of jail yesterday morning.”
“Jail?” Derek questioned. “Sounds like the doctor has been misbehaving.”
“That’s an understatement as far as we are concerned,” Shanahan said.