From the Heart

hasn’t the stomach for violence.”
    “I don’t have that problem. Rippeon’s in the morgue.” When Chambers gave him a pleasantly blank look, Slade continued, “Or don’t you catch the names of the pros you hire?”
    “Death is an occupational hazard,” Chambers said with an elegant shrug. He never bothered to glance at the gun leveled at his chest. He knew a man was the real weapon, so he watched Slade’s eyes. “What has Michael promised you, Mr . . . .”
    “Sergeant,” Slade corrected, “Sladerman, NYPD, temporarily attached to the FBI.” Slade caught the faint flicker in Chambers’ eyes. “The only deal I have with Adams is a quiet . . . talk in the near future involving Jessica Winslow.” The thoughtgave Slade a moment’s grim pleasure. “Game’s up, Chambers. We’ve had Adams under surveillance for some time, along with a few other members of your team. You were all that was missing.”
    “A slight miscalculation on my part,” Chambers murmured as he glanced around the shop. “Normally I don’t involve myself directly with any of the transports. But then, Miss Winslow has such a charming shop, I couldn’t resist. A pity.” He looked back at Slade again. “You don’t look to be the type who’ll take a bribe . . . even a lucrative one.”
    “You seem to be a good judge of character.” Keeping the gun steady, Slade reached for the phone on the counter.
    With the breath tearing in her lungs, Jessica dashed the last yards toward the shop. She could see the lights glowing behind the drawn shades. Her thoughts centered solely on Slade, she hit the door at a full run.
    At a speed unexpected in a man of his bulk, Chambers grabbed her the moment she stumbled inside. His arms slid around her throat. Before fear could register, Jessica felt cold steel against her temple. Slade’s forward motion stopped with a jerk.
    “Put down your gun, Sergeant. It seems the game isn’t quite over after all.” When Slade hesitated, Chambers merely smiled. “I assure you, though the gun is small, it works very well. And at this range . . .” He trailed off delicately.
    Casting a furious look into Jessica’s stunned eyes, Slade let the gun drop. “Okay.” He held up empty hands. “Let her go.”
    Chambers gave him a mild smile. “Oh, I don’t think so. It seems I need an insurance policy—momentarily.”
    “Mr. Chambers.” Jessica put a hand to the arm that was constricting her air.
    “The Sergeant doesn’t appreciate your timing, Miss Winslow,” he said pleasantly. “However, I do, very much. This, shall we say, puts a different aspect on things.”
    Slade shot a quick glance at the clock on his right. By his calculations, David should be calling his contact within moments. The name of the game now was stall. “You won’t have to put a bullet in her,” he commented, “if you keep choking her.”
    “Oh, I beg your pardon.” Chambers loosened his holdfractionally. The gun stayed lodged at her temple. Greedy for air, Jessica gasped it in. “A beautiful creature, isn’t she?” he asked Slade. “I often wished I were twenty years younger. Such a woman looks her best on a man’s arm, don’t you agree?”
    “Mr. Chambers, what are you doing here this time of night?” It was a weak ploy, but the best Jessica could think of. “Let me go and put that thing away.”
    “Oh, my dear, we all know I can’t do that. I would like to for your sake,” he continued as Jessica, too, shifted her eyes to the clock. How much time do we have? she wondered frantically.
    “She could be useful to you,” Slade commented. “You’ll need a shield to get out of this.”
    “I have my . . . escape routes plotted, Sergeant.” He smiled. “I always leave a back door open.”
    “You can’t expect to get away, Mr. Chambers.” Jessica’s eyes met Slade’s, then shifted meaningfully to the clock. “Slade must have told you that the police know everything.”
    “He mentioned it.” Keeping his arm firm, he patted her shoulder. “You became a small weakness of mine. I enjoyed those pleasant chats we had, those pleasant cups of tea. I felt badly that this was to be my last shipment before moving on. Oh yes,” he said to Slade, “I was aware the authorities were getting close, though I confess I miscalculated just how close. And though it would seem the diamonds are temporarily lost, I’ll find Michael eventually.”
    “He doesn’t have them,” Jessica said quickly, then