The Last Innocent Man

Ortiz was wearing a light jacket. His revolver was in a holster on his belt. He checked it. Someone who drove a Mercedes was probably going to be no trouble, but no use taking chances. Darlene was still leaning on the window. Nice ass. Even from this distance. Ortiz wondered what was taking so long. Christ, he was tired. He had a thing going with a cocktail waitress at the Golden Horse, and they had been at it all night. He yawned and shook his head. He should cut down. Too many women could kill you. Just like cigarettes. Still, he…What the-

Darlene was walking around to the passenger door and getting in. The car was driving off. Ortiz jammed his key into the ignition. The engine turned over and he started out of the lot. Shit! He remembered. The street was oneway, the wrong way. That dumb cunt. If he went around the block, he’d lose them for sure. It was late and the street was deserted. He made up his mind and wheeled right. His tires squealed when he made the turn. That stupid bitch. When he made his report she would be…Of all the dumb things to do. He picked up the radio mike. He might need assistance on this one if the Mercedes got too big a lead. He was about to make the call when he changed his mind. If he reported what was happening, it would be real trouble for Darlene. He didn’t want that. Besides, everything would be okay if he could keep the car in view.

He made the turn onto Morrison, and there it was. Two lights away, but there wasn’t much traffic. He relaxed and slowed down. He didn’t want the driver to spot him. Why did Darlene have to prove how hard she was? She wouldn’t be half-bad if she could get the chip off her shoulder. He’d bawl her out for sure once they made the bust. No, he’d have Sandra or Louise talk to her. She’d never listen to a man.

“WHAT’S YOUR NAME, sugar?” Darlene asked as they turned onto the freeway. The man turned his head and smiled. He had nice teeth. Straight and gleaming white, like a movie actor. A good-looking guy. She couldn’t figure out why someone that good-looking would have to pay for it.

“What’s your name?” the blond countered cautiously.

“Darlene.”

“A nice name. You shouldn’t wear so much makeup, Darlene. A pretty girl like you doesn’t need it.”

“Well, thanks,” she said, patting her hair as she looked in the rearview mirror. Ortiz was still there. Good. She had counted on Ortiz’s following her. She had been nervous until she spotted him when they turned off Morrison. He would be fuming by now, she thought with satisfaction. Well, fuck him. This was going to be an A-one bust.

“You look like you have nice breasts, Darlene,” the trick said without taking his eyes off the road. There was a hard edge to his voice when he said it, and Darlene felt uneasy for a moment.

“Thank you,” she said. “Do you have some special plans for them?”

The trick laughed but didn’t say anything. Ortiz was several car lengths back. A moving van changed lanes, and its width blocked the police car from view.

“Wife doesn’t treat you right, huh?” Darlene asked. The trick still didn’t answer, but he did turn and look at her. He was smiling, but there was no laughter in his eyes. They made her nervous and she felt a fleeting sense of desperation.

“Well, Darlene will treat you right. Now, just what do you want Darlene to do for you?” she said, making her voice low and sexy.

THE TRUCK WASstill blocking Ortiz’s view when the Mercedes turned onto the exit ramp. Ortiz swore and almost missed the turn. He still hadn’t got close enough to get the license plate, and he couldn’t afford to lose them. Traffic was heavy when he got to the end of the ramp, and the Mercedes’s lead was increasing. He finally pulled into the traffic and the Mercedes disappeared. He slammed his fist on the dashboard but continued to scan the neon-lit restaurants and motel parking lots on both sides of the street. Nothing. Nothing. Come on. Where are you?

Then he saw it. The Mercedes was just stopping in front of the office of the Raleigh Motel. Ortiz tried to read the license as he passed the motel, but the angle was bad and he was going too fast. Through the rearview mirror he saw Darlene getting out of the car. He pulled quickly into the McDonald’s next door to the motel.

“IDON’T WANT to discuss business here, Darlene, but I can assure you that you will be paid well.”

They were off the freeway, and she couldn’t be sure that Ortiz had seen them exit. Damn that truck. There was something about this guy that was starting to bother her. He would not commit himself, and she was beginning to think that she had acted too hastily.

The trick turned the car into the parking lot of the Raleigh Motel. Darlene pressed the side of her purse and was comforted by the feel of the gun’s outline. Ortiz wouldn’t be frightened in a situation like this if he was busting a female prostitute. She looked out the back window. Where was he? She couldn’t see the police car anywhere.