the bouncer at the bar.” “We have got to find this guy.” Puller had a thought.

He called the number for the Grunt and was surprised when someone answered. It

was one of the bartenders whom he’d met while he was there. He identified

himself. “How’s it going?” he asked. “Well, we won’t be open for a while. In

fact, I’m not sure we’ll ever open after what happened. Stupid, senseless

violence. If you want to talk to Ms. Myers she’s not here.” “I know that. I was

actually calling about Paul, the bouncer. Is he there?” “Paul? No. I haven’t

seen him since last night. Why?” “I was just trying to see if he needed

anything. He was wounded and then he just disappeared. I don’t think he received

any medical attention.” “Damn, I didn’t know that. There’s just so much going

on…” The bartender’s voice trailed away. “I know, and I don’t mean to add to

your burden. I can try to locate him. You happen to know what car he drives?”

“Car? Yeah, I saw him pull into the parking lot last night when I went to take a

smoke before my shift started. It’s a white van.” Puller tensed. “A van. You

mean like a soccer-mom van?” “No, like you see workmen or contractors use.

Although there were no signs on it or anything.” “You wouldn’t happen to know

the license plate? I can trace him that way.” “No, I don’t. I don’t even know

his last name. I don’t think anybody here does.” Puller clicked off and looked

at Knox. “What was all that about a van?” she asked.

 

He quickly explained about seeing the van at some of the locations where the

bodies had been found. “Holy shit, Puller. He has got to be our guy!” “It’s

looking that way. Now we just have to find him.” “You know this could cost us

both our careers,” she said. “Personally, I think if that’s all we lose, we’ll

be lucky.” “I was actually thinking the same thing.” “And knowing all that, why