Barbara Silkstone - Wendy Darlin 04 - Miami Mummies by Barbara Silkstone Page A

whispered.
    “Why the hell would I do that?”
    “’Cause you’re about to do some serious running, babe. Trust me.”
    I dropped to the floor, laid the bronco on its back, and using my famed ashtray-throwing muscles delivered a power-shove.
    The bronco slid under the beams, first straight then catawampus. I held my breath. It just cleared the beam by the door. Leech picked it up, grinned an evil grin beneath the Batmask, and waved bye-bye to me.
    Screw any possible audio sensors. “You bastard!” I screamed.
    “Sorry, but this is going to finance my trip to the International Buildering Competitions in Dubai. If Alfred Hiccup wants this overgrown doorstop, it has to be worth a fortune. Been nice working with you.”
    “No! Don’t! He’s dying… I mean he’s not dying. He needs that… horse.”
    Surrounded by a cross-hatch of laser beams I did the only thing I could think of. I spit. The third spit took and the alarm system went down.
    I galloped for the exit staircase with the intention of wringing that skinny jerk’s neck. He was two flights down and running as if his life depended on it. It did.
    No sense in wasting my breath. I adjusted the mask, said a silent thanks to Uma Thurman, and hands on the railing did a Kill Bill bounce dropping dead-center on the skinny dude’s back. Like two Gumbies mating we rolled to the next landing. I sucker-punched him on his Batman mask, my hand bouncing off but leaving enough of an impression to stun him.
    I grabbed the bronco. “There goes your tip, you bastard.” I dashed off but three flights down I realized I couldn’t leave the creep. If he got caught he’d rat me out. I ran back up the stairs, delivered a wake up smack, and hefted him by his spandex collar.
    Clutching the bronco to my chest, I raced down the red-glow fire-exit stairs with Leech close behind, my feet running ten times faster than my body. Skidding on my butt more than I managed to stay upright, I hit the exit door amped by my determination. The door sprung open, and an alarm blasted. A fifty-one flight marathon, my tushie hadn’t hurt this badly since the camel ride across the Sahara.
    Tumbling onto the deserted street, I fell against the building, panting.
    “Now what, partner?” Leech said.
    “You got some pair of balls!” I spun him around and kicked his butt with all the force I could muster.
    He laughed and tumbled down the street, converting my kick energy into an urban clamberer routine. He disappeared in the shadows. Would he be back to haunt me?
    I felt someone at my shoulder. It was Mrs. MacGuffin. She glanced at her watch… a dainty little Timex. “Hic’s transmigration has been moved up. He only has six hours and five minutes left.”
    Tears gathered and overran my lower lids. “Please… how will I recognize him? He might come back as a newborn baby or something.”
    “My client is transmigrating not reincarnating.” She slipped her hands in her apron pockets. “I just got dibs on a soulless young man in the queue. Before another afterlife coach gets him I have to prepare Hic for the transfer. Now get your bum up to Nashville pronto.”
    “Why are you doing this?”
    “I’m an expediter. My job is to tie up the loose ends so the spirit can body-jump. This bronco was the last request of a soul in transition and must be performed by someone who loves him. Last wishes are karmic keys to the doors for transmigration. It’s clear you love that old man which makes you the only person qualified to help him. Now go! I’ve arranged a ride for you.”
    Kit’s SUV was parked at the curb. I flopped into the car panting and wheezing. “What are you doing here? You can’t be involved in this!”
    “I got a call from an old lady. She said you needed me. I brought you a change of clothes and your purse. Her orders were to take you to the airport before whatever it is you’re carrying is reported missing.”
    “I didn’t exactly have this type of emergency in mind when I gave