Public Secrets Part 317

Blackpool and Jane could keep the money and everyone would be happy."

She wasn't worried about the height any longer, or about the gun. With

the wind in her hair and the sun dropping lower at her back, she stared

at him. "You're telling me my brother was killed to sell records?"

"It was an accident. Blackpool was clumsy. You came in. It was a poor

set of circ.u.mstances."

"A poor set She did scream then, loud and long as she struck out at him.

BACKSTAGE OF THE auditorium was in chaos when Michael rushed in. In the

audience a cheer rose up as another winner was announced.

"Where is she?"

"He took her." Bev was clinging to Brian's arm. She was still out of

breath from her race down the hall with the baby. "He had a gun. She

held him off so I could get the baby away and find help. Pete," she

said, still dazed. "It was Pete."

"It hasn't been more than a couple minutes," Brian told him. "Security's

already after him."

"Get this building blocked off," Michael shouted to McCarthy. "Call for

more backup. We need a floor-by-floor search. Which way?"

Drawing his weapon, he headed down the corridor. He flashed his badge

to a uniformed guard.

"This floor secured. He didn't come out on stage with or without her.

We figure he took her up."

"I want two men." Back to the wall, Michael started up the stairs. He

could hear the music pumping from behind him. As he climbed, it took on

a hollow, echoing tone. His palms were wet. Making the first turn, he

checked his grip, then swept the area with his weapon. At the clatter

on the stairs, he whirled and swore when he saw the four men grouped

together. "Get back downstairs."

"She's ours, too," Brian said.

"I haven't got time to argue." Bending, Michael retrieved the phoenix

pin, a swatch of silvery material caught in the clasp. "Is this

Emma's?"

"She was wearing it tonight," Johnno told him. "I gave it to her."

Michael stared at the elevator, then slipped the pin into his pocket.

"She's using her head," he murmured. "Seal off this area," he shouted

to the security guards. "And keep up the floor-by-floor." He punched

the b.u.t.ton on the elevator and watched the numbers light up above the

door. "Tbll McCarthy he took her all the way up." Listening to the

rumble of the elevator, he began to pray.

"We're going with you," Brian said. "This is police business."

"It's personal," Brian corrected. "It's always been personal. If he

hurts her, I'm going to kill him myself."

Michael shot a grim look at the four men behind him. "You'll have to

get in line."

PETE SHOVED EmmA BACK, sending her sprawling while he tried to catch his

breath. "That's not going to do any good. I don't want to hurt you any

more than I must, Emma."

"He was a baby." She pushed herself up. "You bought him a silver cup

after he was born, with his name on it. For his first birthday you

rented a pony for his party."