to the floor and turned the wheel to the right and down the mountain. The first signed of civilization was a highway marker that read, Route 74 East. Well at least he was headed in the right direction, east toward the coast. Within a few miles Rudy came to another road sign informing him that the town of Centreville was nine miles ahead and New York City was 286 miles. “286 miles,” he shouted. He did a quick calculation in his head. If he could average 60 miles an hour it would take him nearly five hours to get there.
He glanced at the clock on the dash. 4:17 P.M. It would be after 9:00 P.M. by the time he arrived in the city. He began to wonder what the two men would do next. Did they have a second cell phone? Would they call someone in the city to report that he had gotten away? Would they somehow be able to free the guy handcuffed to the tree? Even if they didn’t have another cell phone, they would be able to walk to a phone booth in Centreville before he could reach New York City. Would other men be waiting for him when he arrived at his hotel, or would they steal a car and try to chase him down? One thing was sure, going back to the hotel suite was definitely not a good idea. He needed to have someone immediately collect his belongings from his room. The police had warned him not to leave the city without getting their okay first.
He picked up the cell phone and dialed information and asked for the New York City Ritz Hotel and had the operator connect him. “The Ritz Hotel,” a young woman answered.
“I’d like to speak to the weekend manager on duty,” Rudy said.
“One moment sir.”
“Hello, this is Mr. Jackson.”
“Mr. Jackson, this is Roberto Rodriguez. As you know, my twin brother Rudy and I are registered at your hotel in Penthouse Suite G. As you also know, Rudy has had some unpleasant problems over the last few days during our stay with you.”
The manager immediately interrupted, “Yes, I do know and I want to assure you Mr. Rodriguez that the Ritz Hotel is in no way responsible for any of the unpleasantness with your brother. We want your stay with us to be of the highest quality and comfort.”
“Yes, it has been and I find no fault with you or the hotel,” Rudy assured him, “But I do find myself in an embarrassing position that requires your discreet assistance. I had an urgent and unexpected meeting come up and had to leave town suddenly. Please have my clothes and personal items packed into the two suitcases that you will find in our room. My passport is in the hotel safe. Please retrieve it and place it in one of the zippered pockets of my luggage. You can leave them with the Bell Captain and I will send someone around to pick them up shortly. You have my pre-signed American Express card on file so please close out the bill and add an additional $1,000 for yourself. That should cover all of the trouble we have caused you and express our gratitude for your assistance. Is that satisfactory Mr. Jackson?”
“Yes sir Mr. Rodriguez, that will be very satisfactory. I will attend to it personally.
“Thank you Mr. Jackson, and remember, this is to remain between just the two of us. If anyone comes asking for me, tell them that I’ve checked out but that I plan to return next week. Please reserve the penthouse suite G for me again for next Friday. I’ll be staying for four days.”
“Yes, I understand and you can count on me anytime Mr. Rodriguez.”
With that Rudy disconnected the call feeling reassured that he was one stop ahead of the their next likely move. He knew he should call the police and inform them that he had moved out of the hotel but he decided that could wait until he got back to the city. Besides, he was not sure if he should trust them. The fewer people that knew his whereabouts, the better.
When Rudy reached Centreville he had the gas station attendant fill the Lincoln with gasoline and check the oil. Anxious to get back on the road, he ordered a cheese steak sub and a black coffee to go.
The four hour drive to New York City was uneventful. After the first hour he started to let himself relax. He kept a keen eye on the rearview mirror, making sure that no suspicious looking vehicles were following him. After the second hour, the drive settled into an ordinary routine. By the third hour boredom began to take over. He tried Pamela on the cell phone. Again, no answer. The weekend traffic into the city was very heavy. By the time Rudy could see the familiar skyline, traffic was at a standstill.
Rudy turned on the car radio and was surprised to learn that it was tuned to the local Spanish station. The two big men speak Spanish, he thought. The commentator was reporting the up-to-the minute events of the day’s city news for his Spanish listeners. Two drug related street corner shootings, a high-rise apartment fire where ten people suffered burns and smoke inhalation and the big story of the day, a commuter train derailment. Over 200 people had been seriously injured and over 30 people had been killed. The 8:30 A.M. westside commuter express had jumped the tracks and slammed into a concrete bridge abutment.
The city’s emergency crews were extended beyond their abilities to cope with the catastrophe. He switched off the radio and picked up the cell phone and called New York General Hospital. “Please connect me with Doctor Bean,” Rudy said.
“I’m sorry but she has not signed in yet” was the reply.
“I’m looking for Doctor Pamela Bean,” Rudy repeated. “Yes sir, she’s the only Doctor Bean on staff.”
“Perhaps you can tell me what time she was supposed to check in?” “One moment sir...she’s scheduled for the 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. shift and the 9:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. shift.”
“Thank you,” he said as he disconnected the call and looked at his watch, 9:45 P.M. She has missed two check in times. That didn’t seem like the dedicated young doctor he’d met the night before, he thought.
She had turned him down for a dinner date for tonight because of her prior commitment to work a double shift. What could be keeping her? He feared for her safety now. He decided to go directly to the hospital to see for himself if she was there. After an hour and a half of stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic, Rudy arrived at the hospital parking garage. He picked up the cell phone and the gun and shoved them into his dirty, ripped, trousers and pulled on the dark grey suit jacket that he had found across the front seat of the car. The jacket must have belonged to the smaller of the two men, but it still was much too big for him and it hung past his hands. He had rolled the sleeves up when he wore it in Centreville and while it was obvious to him that it looked ridiculous, it covered the dirty, bloody shirt he was wearing
He locked the car and made his way to the hospital’s main entrance. A young woman in mint green scrubs with round, yellow smiley faces on them asked him if she could help him. “Yes, I need to find a washroom,” Rudy replied.
“Down the hall on the right,” she said and motioned her head in the direction to his left. She made no reaction to how he was dressed and made him feel a little less conspicuous.
Rudy walked to the mens’ washroom and noticed the hospital seemed to be very quiet. The night before the place had been a flurry of commotion and activity. Logically Saturday night would be their busiest time, he thought, as he filled the washbasin with warm water. He removed the jacket and his soiled shirt. Using wet paper towels, he did the best he could to remove the dust and perspiration from his chest and arms. The bandage on his left shoulder was bloody and in need of replacement. He knew Pamela would change the dressing once he found her. He splashed the soothing water onto his face and ran his wet hands through his oily hair. Under the circumstances, that was the best he could do to make himself more presentable. He desperately needed a shave and a very hot shower. He put the stained shirt and oversized jacket back on and headed to the Emergency Admissions Desk. He asked the nurse on duty if Doctor Pamela Bean was available. The striking young black woman smiled at him from behind her desk and said that Doctor Bean had not signed in for her shift. For a moment he just stood there in silence. “Where the Christ is everyone? I’ve been looking for her all day.” Rudy blurted out.
The young woman’s smile waned and her eyes widened. “I don’t know sir,” she said sheepishly. “I’m new here, this is my first week.” He turned way from her without saying a word and walked out of the hospital and into the warm night air. Rudy had an