“Okay, honey,” he said, “don’t touch the tape or you’ll get hit. Don’t touch the steering wheel, don’t play any tricks. If you reach for the door handle, who knows what might hit your head. Alright, let’s go.” He drove skillfully with his left hand, his right hand resting on the seat behind him, the leather-wrapped metal stick beside it. His gaze told Peggy he was as calm as he had claimed during his duty.
Slim drove to the curb in front of an apartment one block away from Adams Road and Elmore Road. “Stay put, don’t move,” Slim warned. Another car pulled up behind them. Peggy saw Butcher escorting Bill Everett, with Bill talking non-stop while Butcher seemed disinterested. The third man came up and briefly spoke to Slim.
“I’ll go check if it’s safe,” he said, “wait for my signal.” “Okay,” Slim responded.
Bill and Butcher entered the apartment; light shone from a first-floor window, the curtains quickly drawn to block the light. Seconds later, a flashlight beam flashed twice.
“Okay, honey,” Slim said, “let’s go.” He leaned over her to open the door and pushed her out forcefully. She desperately scanned the deserted street. Slim expertly grabbed her wrist, twisting it behind her back, causing her to step forward to alleviate the pain. Slim pushed her forward, the pain persisted.
Peggy tried to scream, but only muffled moans came through the tightly taped mouth. She almost ran to get some distance from Slim to lessen the pain on her wrist. She hurried through a dark corridor. The third man suddenly opened a door, clearly the driver of the other car. Peggy was pushed inside.
Slim threw her purse to Butcher. “Here.” He said. Butcher opened it, carefully examining her driver’s license and ID.
“Honestly, Butcher,” Bill said, “I don’t know her, she made an appointment with me—” Butcher was looking at Peggy’s driver’s license; he looked up, “Shut him up, Slim.”
“Okay,” Slim said, stepping forward.
“No, no, I’m innocent. She—” Bill started, but Slim expertly swung the metal stick, the odd clanging sound like a hand slapping a ripe watermelon. Bill’s eyes went blank, his head slumped, and he collapsed into the chair, looking terrified and nearly unconscious.
