Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

pharmacist’s counter and began to walk slowly toward the exit. But he had no intention of leaving without those drugs.
    The pharmacist took a deep, calming breath as he watched Kurt walk toward the entrance. “Strange …” he thought to himself. Then a cheery voice called out from behind the candy aisle, distracting his attention. “I finished with the candy. I’m going to take these empty boxes out back.”
    “Sounds good. Our last customer is just leaving. I have some empties too. As soon as I get the door, I’ll be right out to help you.”
    “Okay.”
    So. There were two of them. Kurt’s luck still held and he allowed himself a painful grin as he ducked out of sight.
    The pharmacist looked toward the front of the store. He didn’t see the tall stranger. “Good,” he thought to himself as he bent down behind the counter to gather together his empty boxes. That’s when he felt something cold and very sharp pressed against his neck. The cold voice said matter-of-factly, “Yes. You can help me.”
    * * *
    As Kurt drove away, he swallowed several of his newly acquired pills. Had the desperation from the pain in his arm not affected his better judgment, he would never have taken such a huge risk. But this did not occur to his addled mind. He thought, “All I need now is some time to get what I’ve been after, and then I’ll just do the usual and simply disappear.”
    He grinned with satisfaction, confident that he had bought that time. No one other than the pharmacist and the clerk had seen him, and now neither would ever be able to identify him―nor would anyone else―because the store’s security tapes were in a bag in the back seat of his new car.

CHAPTER 87
    AFTER THE INITIAL SQUALL , the rain continued off and on throughout the rest of the night. It was still warm, just not as sticky as before. Ben’s quieted down fast once the rain started. It would be an early night. Rain had that effect.
    As Jack sat at the bar nursing a beer, he watched Max. “You’re still worried, aren’t you?”
    “Jack, I don’t know whether I am more worried or scared.”
    He nodded silently and she went on. “I can accept that he killed Daniel. He’s probably killed others. Don’t get me wrong, I hope he’s caught and gets what is coming to him, but what kind of monster would go after a defenseless cat like that.”
    “Some kind of real sicko. Tom and I talked about that. He’s probably some kind of psychopath and it’s not the same for him as it is for us. I don’t know. What I do know is that Cat was very lucky and he’s gonna get caught.”
    “I hope so.”
    “Hey, let’s not give it any more thought tonight. He’s gone and I’m sure that he knows that lots of people are looking for him.”
    “I suppose. Another beer?”
    “Nah, I’m good.”
    In silence, they watched the last few customers walk down the front hall. The bells on the door jingled, signaling their departure. Patti came into the bar to cash out. “Your last party?” asked Jack.
    “Yeah. They were. Everyone’s gone.”
    “I’ll go lock the door,” said Jack. “Toss me the keys.”
    Max tossed them over and he headed for the door.
    “Sorry about my meltdown earlier,” Max said to Patti.
    “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I wouldn’t have handled it any better. Probably worse.”
    “Thanks.” She finished cashing Patti out just as Jack returned.
    “All locked up,” he announced as he dropped the keys on the bar.
    “I’ll finish the dining rooms. Should only take a minute,” said Patti.
    “I’ve got the kitchen,” said Jack.
    The three of them had closed Ben’s together so many times that they had worked out a system. Their roles now seemed choreographed, and in a very few minutes they were ready to leave.
    “Damn. We’re good,” said Jack.
    Patti and Max agreed. Then Max and Jack said goodnight to Patti, got into their separate cars, and headed back to Jack’s place.
    Max arrived at Jack’s first, with Jack right behind. She waited in her car so Jack could escort her in.
    As soon as they were inside, a steady, drenching rain began to patter on the skylight. Unlike the earlier waves of downpours, it sounded different. It was a steady, drenching rain and this kind of rain would not stop any time soon.
    Jack pulled Max to him and held her. He needed that comfort as much as she did. “Listen,” he whispered in her ear.
    “To what?” she whispered back without moving.
    “The rain. Listen to the