I ran down the passage, keeping my eyes open, but I didn’t see a sign of her. There were a couple of doors on each side, and she might have been behind either of them, but I couldn’t very well look and see.
At the far end of the corridor was a door leading to the back of the grounds. I opened it and looked out cautiously. There was no one about. I hadn’t put it past Ackie to leave one of the boys snooping outside. Maybe they didn’t think I’d pull it off, and the surprise put it out of their heads.
I ran over to the garage and pulled open the doors. There were two cars. I chose the small one. It didn’t take me a moment to run it out facing the exit. Then, leaving the motor running, I hurried back to the lodge.
As I came down the passage, Ackie stepped out of the big room. He was looking suspicious.
“What the hell are you doin’?” he asked.
I kept on coming at him. If that guy could read my thoughts he’d have curled up and busted right away.
“I just had a look outside to see if any of the boys were left out of the prayer meetin’,” I said.
Ackie said, “Oh yeah?” and made to step past me.
I put out an arm and collared him. “Come on, Mo,” I said. “I wantta hear what the Colonel’s sayin’.”
Ackie stiffened, but he couldn’t break my hold.