“We need to get back to Toronto tonight.” Ricky threw the squad car keys to Miles. “Have you heard from Cooper yet?” He stopped. “Do you hear that?” All three of them looked up. There was a helicopter approaching from the left, and a man with a gun hanging out to the side. “Are you fucking kidding me? We can’t catch a break.”

“Let’s go.” Miles started the car.

“You really think you can out run a helicopter with a gunman?” Ricky sat down and threw on his seatbelt.

“No, but I’m going to give it the old college try.”

“Stay close to the tree line,” Johnny said, pointing to the right. “That road will lead us directly into town.”

Miles never hesitated and increased his speed.

“Swerve back and forth, too.” Ricky placed his hand on the dashboard to steady himself. “If we can keep out of the line of fire until we hit town, maybe we can avoid getting shot.” He knew that was only wishful thinking.

They spent the next ten minutes trying to dodge the helicopter. There were several shots that hit the car, but each bullet managed to miss all three of them. There was a sign that read City limits. Ricky knew they were almost to their destination.

He pulled up Cooper on his phone. “Hey, we need help getting out of town.”

“What do you mean?” Cooper asked on the other line.

“Well, we’re being shot at by a man in a helicopter. Fuck.” Ricky grabbed his arm. “And now I’ve been shot. Things have gone from bad to worse.”

“Where are you going to be?”

“In the center of town in St. Cloud. We plan to be around people to help avoid any more incidences.” Ricky put pressure on his arm.

“Go to Letizia’s bakery. That is the perfect pick-up point.”

“Got it. See you soon.”

“Stay safe.”

* * *

“Excuse me,” Ricky said, walking into Z’s Bakery. “I injured myself. Do you have a couple towels I can have?”

An older woman wearing a hairnet stepped around the counter. “Oh my, that looks bad. You may need to go to the hospital.”

“Yeah, I’m just waiting for someone to pick me up,” Ricky lied. He glanced around the place and thought about the files he read about Letizia. So this was her baby she created. The woman handed him two white hand towels. “Thank you. I’m curious, what does Z stand for on the sign?”

“The owner of the bakery, Letizia. We all called her Z or Zia.”

“She’s not around anymore?” Ricky was fishing for information. He was curious if Finley and Letizia stopped by St. Cloud. If they did, that could answer why Giano’s men were waiting in town. He still couldn’t figure out how Johnny stayed off the radar for six days, though.

“She visited us about a month ago. It was so good to see her.”

Ricky gave a pained smile and put more pressure on his wound. “What is the best thing on the menu here?”

“The Pain Au Chocolat is hands down the best pastry, but just like the sign says, we do make the best cupcakes this side of the Atlantic.”

“Well, I’ll take a dozen of your best pastries to go.”

The woman seemed excited and bustled over to the glassed-in case to prepare a box of goodies to-go. He sat there, waiting by the big bay window. Miles and Johnny were outside in an alley waiting.

His phone buzzed with a text message from Miles. There are three SUVs approaching the bakery. Can you see them?

He quickly texted back. Yup. I’ll be right out.

The woman set the box on the table. “Here you go, sir. That will be twenty-two dollars.”

Ricky handed her a two twenties. “Keep the change.”

“Oh wow, thank you. Here.” She ran over to the pastry counter and grabbed a cupcake that was sitting on a tray. “This is a cupcake recipe we’re testing. Give it a try.”

He smiled and took a bite. “You need to think about serving that here soon.” He raised his hand and waved as he walked out the door.

“You okay?” Miles asked, taking the box from him.

“I will be. It’s just a flesh wound,” Ricky said, holding up the cupcake. “This is helping.”

“Zia will be happy to hear you supported her bakery.”

“They were here a month ago.”

“What? You’re kidding, right?”

Johnny slid into the back seat. “You mean I just missed her?”

“I guess so. She’s probably the reason for the helicopter and sweet Dana Little,” Ricky said, tightening the towel around his arm. He looked over at Johnny. “How were you able to stay under the radar for six days? If I find out you’re still working with them, I will make sure you have a cell in prison with Dego.”

“I have a wig and baggy clothes I wear out. Plus, I stayed in the basement and out of sight.”

“How did you make the ravioli?”

“At night and with minimal light.”

Miles touched Ricky’s arm. “Hey, he’s not the enemy.”

“Sorry, it’s hard to know who to trust these days.” Ricky reached into the box of pastries. “Think Zia will get to open another bakery?”

Miles took a bite of a cupcake and moaned. “She should. This shit is amazing.”

Johnny grabbed a Pain Au Chocolat. “Do you know when she opened the bakery?”

“Around twenty twelve, if I remember right.” Ricky tapped the driver on the shoulder. “You taking us to the airport?”

“Yes, sir. Cooper’s orders were to get you to the airfield and ensure your plane leaves safely.”

Ricky rested his head back. “Perfect. Wake me when we get there.”

“We will be there in twenty minutes, sir.”