Bobby Manning had been searching for about three hours. Sue had gone to ground with two strangers and he just knew something was missing from the equation. Why would she go? He already knew it wasn't coercion. She was supporting one of the men. He knew she would be relatively safe. The guys were pros. But their line of duty was one he rather wished she'd stayed free of. He pondered calling her blackberry but didn't want to risk endangering her…yet. As a last resort he'd do that.
Stopping at a light, he noticed a small figure on the sidewalk trying to get his attention. He rolled his eyes. Howie. Sue's snitch and FBI wannabe. Bobby made a quick right and pulled up next to the little man.
Howie waited impatiently while the tall agent rolled down his window. "Ah, Agent Manning…."
"Howie…"
"Have you seen Sue? I've tried to reach her but she isn't answering her phone." He was fairly dancing now.
Inwardly, he snorted, 'Of course not, you drongo, she's out there…somewhere.' Outwardly, he replied, "No, mate, but maybe I could help."
"Well, maybe. See, I called her earlier with some information about a 'loose piece of puzzle floating around'."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bobby shook his head. Snitches.
"At the time, I didn't know much more than that but now there are new guys in town looking for this guy. Talk about a goon squad. And boy are they armed."
"Howie, how long ago did you talk to Sue?"
"About four thirty thereabouts."
"And this new info came to you when?"
"Last ten minutes or so. That's why I need to contact her. I heard them myself. The guy, if they couldn't break him they were to kill him."
Bobby thought hard. Plastering on a grin he told Howie "Thanks for the info, mate. I'll relay it to Sue shortly. Stay safe, eh?"
The little man waved and scurried away, anxious to be off the street but relieved that Sue was going to be safe.
"Great, just great, Bob-o, goons are just what you need right now," he mumbled to himself.