Amazon.com (ISBN 0060082186, Mass Market Paperback)
In this sequel to
Pronto, Harry Arno has retired from bookmaking but is still closing out some of his outstanding debts. But then his collection agent, an ex-con by the name of Bobby Deo, goes to pick up $1,800 from Chip Ganz and ends up getting hired for a hostage-taking operation (like kidnapping "in a way," Chip tells him, "only different. A lot different.") When Harry's taken by his own man, it's up to United States Marshal Raylan Givens to track him down, in the same methodically relentless fashion he tracked Harry that time he ran off to Italy. Throw in a henchman named Louis Lewis with plans of his own and an attractive young psychic named Reverend Dawn, and you've got yet another crime story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat--occasionally chuckling to yourself--straight through to the finish. (And bonus points to loyal Leonard fans who can spot the crossover elements from
Rum Punch and
Maximum Bob.)
--Ron Hogan
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:51 -0400)
(see all 4 descriptions)
Chip and Louis Louis remind me a bit of Artie Wu and Durant. Just in the way that they seem to do nothing but hatch elaborate schemes. Of course they are not nearly as cool as Wu and Durant. They only drag Bobbie in for muscle. And Louis Louis gets fed up with him and kills him in the garden, sinking his body into the mire of a swimming pool.
Eventually, Raylan figures out where the old man is and goes over there. There is a shootout and the old man gets loose and shoots Chip with his own shotgun.