The Chase Read Online Free Page A

pants under their cable-knit sweaters. Apparently they thought that if trouble came, it would wait for them to lift up their sweaters to get at their weapons before it struck. She set her bag down beside Nick’s and stood ready by the door.
    Duff marched out from behind the bar and got in Nick’s face. “You’ve become a soft, pretty boy with nice teeth.”
    Nick smiled. “Life has been good to us both.”
    Duff looked over Nick’s shoulder at Kate. “Who is she?”
    “My bodyguard.”
    Duff cocked a bushy eyebrow. “That wee lass? You must be joking. Since when do you need protection anyway?”
    “Since I became number ten on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.”
    “I heard about your escape.”
    “Way out here?”
    “We’re remote, Nicky boy, but nobody can hide from Google. Speak your piece and make it quick. The ferry leaves in five minutes.”
    “That isn’t very hospitable.”
    “Neither is bringing to my doorstep all the law that’s hunting you.”
    “They aren’t even close.”
    “Says a man who got caught to a man who’s never been. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you now and bury you in the hills just to play it safe.”
    “Me,” Kate said.
    Duff laughed and looked at Nick. “I’ve got a mind to let the lads test her out to see what happens.”
    One of the lads wore a turtleneck sweater, the other a crewneck, and they both looked at Kate like two dogs eager to fight over a bone.
    Nick shrugged. “Go ahead. I’ve got a proposal to discuss with you, and some privacy would be nice.”
    Duff waved his men away. “Don’t muss her hair too much, lads.”
    Turtleneck and Crewneck slid off their stools, walked past Kate, and headed outside. Nick turned to her and nodded toward the door. Kate sighed and walked out, too, closing the door behind her.
    “Make your pitch, Nicky boy,” Duff said, leading Nick to a table. “It better be a good one.”
    Nick took a chair that had its back to the door. “I have a friend who’d like to add the bronze rooster to his art collection.”
    “What’s that got to do with me?” Duff asked.
    “You know who has it,” Nick replied.
    “I can guarantee you that the rooster isn’t for sale.”
    “I didn’t say my friend wanted to buy it.”
    Suddenly, Turtleneck crashed through the window behind Nick and landed dazed in a heap on the floor beside the table. A moment later, Crewneck crashed through the other window and faceplanted on the floor not far from Turtleneck.
    Kate walked through the door, brushing gravel off her clothes, and went to the bar. Duff looked down at the two men and shook his head with disgust.
    “Do you have any idea how hard it is to get windows replaced out here?” Duff asked Kate.
    Kate smiled and pulled herself a mug of draft ale. She was starting to enjoy herself.
    Duff turned back to Nick. “Why couldn’t she throw them through the door?”
    “She likes windows. It’s showier.”
    “That’s your bad influence on her. You always loved to put on a show.”
    “That’s what makes it fun.”
    “That’s what gets you sent to prison.”
    “What do you call living way out here?” Nick asked.
    Duff shrugged. “I have my comforts. Good ale. Good single malt. Satellite television on an eighty-four-inch flat screen.”
    Turtleneck and Crewneck limped over to a couple barstools. Kate drew them each an ale and placed the mugs in front of themas a peace offering. They nodded their thanks, sipped their ale, and Crewneck dabbed at his bloody nose with a bar napkin.
    “So you’ve got someone who wants the rooster,” Duff said to Nick. “What’s in it for me?”
    “A million dollars.”
    Kate nearly choked.
A million dollars?
    Duff shook his head. “I’d be breaching a sacred trust.”
    “Did I say a million? I meant to say two. I’ll even throw in a couple of stained glass windows.”
    “This isn’t a church, laddie.”
    “You’re the one who brought sacred trust into the conversation.”
    “I was