Lafferty, Mur by Playing for Keeps [html] Page A

peeking through the windows on the doors.
    "You sure they're here?" Keepsie asked.
    "No, but Peter stopped here. It's a good place to start -oh here he is!"
    She stopped at a door near the corner and motioned for Keepsie to give her the keys.
    The door was unlocked, though, and they opened it to find Peter being untied by Clever Jack.
    "Oh, hi. I was just coming to get you guys," Clever Jack said. "I found Peter first."
    Peter looked very much the worse for wear. He had lost his suit coat and his white shirt, and his undershirt was spotted with blood. A bruise on his face kept one eye shut. When Clever Jack untied his hands, Keepsie winced at the mess that was his left hand. He opened his good eye and it widened when he saw Keepsie.
    "Man, Peter, you’ve been through hell, haven’t you?" she said.
    He coughed dryly. "You're alive."
    "Yeah, funny story, I'll tell you when we're safe." Keepsie said. Peter nodded, his good eye still wide.
    “Let’s go,” said Clever Jack.

Chapter 12
     
    Keepsie and Michelle hissed when they saw Peter's bloody hand. He grimaced as Clever Jack helped him to his feet.
    Keepsie appraised him. "Well. You look like shit.” "Jesus, Keepsie, that’s nice." Michelle said. She paused. "But really, Pete, you do look like shit."
    Peter snorted and coughed out a laugh. He looked at Keepsie's bright red skin and said, "You look positively ready for the inaugural ball, yourself."
    "Glad you're OK. Relatively, you know."
    Peter opened his mouth, but Clever Jack interrupted him. "Let's leave the tearful reunions until later, kids. We have more daring rescues to do.
    There's your friends and of course, Doodad. But first-" he didn’t finish, but instead strode off toward the elevators, leaving Peter with Keepsie and Michelle, all attempting to catch up.
    "So how are we going to do this daring rescue?" Keepsie said.
    Clever Jack closed his eyes and stabbed at the elevator buttons. The second floor button lit up and he grunted. "Huh. That's not what I expected."
    "Why are we going up?" Michelle asked. "I thought all the cells were downstairs."
    "So did I," Clever Jack said. "But this is where we need to go, apparently."
    "Your power is impressive," Peter said. "That is, if this works."
    Clever Jack looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I got you out, didn't I?"
    Peter made a placating gesture, and Clever Jack smiled. "Although you were pretty clever. The Crane went running past me in the hallway, blood all over his wings, not a care in the world except getting clean. How did you know about his little problem?"
    "My power is weak, but useful at times," Peter said, focusing his gaze on the rising numbers above the elevator door.
    They arrived at the second floor. Clever Jack stuck his head out of the elevator and motioned for them to follow him into the hall. The hallway was deserted, but well-lit and much more welcoming than the lower levels. Frames containing caricatures looking like a Hero Hall of Fame lined the walls and moonlight shone from the windows at the end of the hall.
    Clever Jack turned left down the hall and walked with a purposeful gait.
    Keepsie, Peter, and Michelle followed, casting nervous looks around them.
    "Nine is my lucky number," Clever Jack said, counting the doors as he walked. When he got to the ninth door, he paused and motioned the others out of the way. They flattened themselves against the wall, and Clever Jack opened the door.
    He stared inside for a moment. "Hey Keepsie, do you know this guy?"
    Keepsie peeked inside the room. It was an elaborate office containing an oak desk, bookshelves, and a visitor's chair, which was occupied by the only person in the room.
    "Jason," she blurted. Her uncooperative customer stared at her. "What the hell are you doing here? You left."
    Jason’s brown eyes were very wide. "I don't know. Cops showed up at my place and brought me here to ask me questions about you and the bar. I met with Timson and then she said to wait here.”
    Clever Jack