Diane watched this conversation like a game of ping-pong, and she was angry that Harry all but admitted he had the money with him. Just when she was getting to trust him, he managed to be an asshole and disappoint her again.

�Turn around!� Bob shouted at Harry. �Diane, go with him. We�re walking back up that hill toward the parking lot, and we�re going to the hotel.�

In the parking lot, Bob shoved them into his rental car, a green Ford Taurus. He had Harry drive, and Diane sat in the passenger seat. Harry put on his seat belt, and looked over at Diane, imploring her to do the same. She looked back at him defiantly, but saw the sincerity and concern in his face, and obeyed.

�Don�t think you are going to crash this car, Harry,� Bob said. �I can stuff a bullet into the back of your heads so fast your foot will fall harmlessly off the accelerator. So don�t bother trying to be heroic.�

Harry pulled out onto the street, turned up on D Street toward the main drag in Encinitas, and then turned left to drive north on Highway 101 toward the bungalow in Leucadia that he was calling home this week. California drivers made him nervous. With no other traffic on the road, they seemed unable to drive without tailgating. There was a bright set of headlights right behind Harry, and he adjusted the rearview mirror so he wouldn�t have to squint. After five minutes, Harry pulled into the parking lot and parked. The tailgater revved its engine and flew by him after he turned off the road. The California flip-off. His mind was otherwise occupied at the moment, so he was not inclined to rage against other drivers.

Harry got out of the car and walked around to open the door for Diane. This time, he successfully beat her to the door, and he was able to show off his chivalry, possibly for the last time.

�Thank you, Romeo,� said his Juliet, in a quiet voice. Her Romeo smiled sadly.

�Very touching,� said Bob with his now ever-present sneer. �Open the door, let�s go. I�m tired of waiting.�

Harry opened the door to room 6. He placed his hand on the small of Diane�s back and guided her into the room. He had wanted to do that for weeks. As long as he was at death�s door, Harry decided he was taking advantage of every opportunity that he encountered. He figured he had nothing to lose at this point. Bob followed them into the room, his gun pointing out from his jacket pocket. He concealed the gun because more cars were entering the parking lot, and he didn�t want to be detected by a stupid accidental Good Samaritan. He was already tiring of these �nice� Southern Californians. He preferred the honesty of rude New Yorkers to this faux gentility.