His phone rang. He figured it would happen soon, and he was at least happy Bo wasn't here to watch it play out on his face.
"McBain" he answered.
"It's almost 9 o'clock" the automated voice said, "and I haven't gotten my million dollars"
"I think you know I don't have a million dollars to give you. You could very well have called a different phone number for that"
"You know why I'm calling you" the voice said, "Palace rooftop. Twenty minutes. Come alone"
The line went dead.
"John?" he heard at the door.
"Hey Bo" he said.
"Any updates?"
John shook his head, but he did get up to close his door.
"Nothing official" he paused, "before Hugh gets here, I want you to know, he called me. I'm not sure he wants the money anymore"
"I've been thinking about that. I think he's getting desperate. Grasping at straws"
"Maybe" he said, "but I do know, he said Palace rooftop, and I know that his gun is still unaccounted for"
Bo looked about to say something, but John's phone rang again.
"It's Hughes" he said, and Bo nodded so he answered it, "McBain"
"Hey" Hughes said, "Bo's in the clear"
"Good, Bo's here, he's got the mayor on the way"
"Good, the warrant will be there any minute"
"And the arrest warrant?"
"Judge is looking at all of it now"
John looked at his watch, "Alright, the ends one way or another in a few minutes"
"You can wait a few minutes-"
"No, I can't Hugh"
"I'm going as fast as I can"
"I know you are" he said, "It's not on you"
"Good luck, John"
John hung up.
"The judge cleared you" he said.
"And Truman's arrest warrant?"
"Still working" John said.
"But it looks good?"
"That's what Hughes says"
"He's good at what he does"
"Yeah, he is" John looked down and took his badge out of his pocket.
"John-"
"It's not going to come through in time" he said, "and I have to believe he means it, he'll kill her"
"You can't wait just a few more minutes, the mayor's going to be here any minute"
"And you'll have your job back" he said, "but this is something I gotta do" he handed his badge to Bo.
"We'll have a warrant soon"
"That's not a risk I can take" he said.
"You gotta turn your gun in, too"
"My station issued gun is locked in the bottom desk drawer" he said.
"And the one in your holster?"
"That's mine and you know it"
"Is there any way I'm stopping you?"
"No" he said, "I'm finally making the choice she's been asking me to make for years. She's in trouble and I'm not losing her"
Bo nodded, "Be careful"
"He's taking her to the Palace hotel" he said, "that's where I'm headed"
"God willing, we'll be close behind you"
The heard a knock at the door, and looked up to see the mayor.
"I hear we got some good news"
"I resign" John said, "Bo's got my badge" he started towards the door, "Palace Hotel, Bo"
"I'll see you there"
John walked out the door.