Riding the rap
By: Elmore Leonard.
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: 1995
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 294
Subjects: Kidnapping -- Fiction; Florida -- Fiction
Description: Raylan Givens, U.S. marshal, is working on Warrants, bringing in fugitive felons, when Harry Arno disappears again and Raylan feels obliged to find him. This time with misgivings. Raylan believes Harry has dropped out of sight to get attention and win back his former lover, Joyce, who had fallen into Raylan's arms, but now seems concerned only with Harry's welfare.

The last person to see Harry is a nifty young psychic - certified medium and spiritualist - named Dawn Navarro. As soon as Raylan talks to her he senses that Harry has very likely been kidnapped and Dawn is involved.

Cut to the bad guys. Chip Ganz describes his idea, a way to make millions, as "taking hostages." Not unlike the way it was done in Lebanon, but this time for profit. Does he mean kidnapping? "In a way," Chip tells his ex-con accomplices, Louis Lewis and Bobby Deo, "only different. A lot different." It's the victim who has to come up with a way to pay the ransom. "It had better be the best idea you've ever had," Chip tells Harry, blindfolded and in chains. "Because if we don't like it, you're dead.".

In time Raylan's pretty sure he knows where Harry is being held, but doesn't have "probable cause" to get a warrant and gain entry. As he closes in, though, Chip's hostage plan begins to come apart and the scene is set for a showdown - one of the best you'll ever see.