Page 123 of To Die For

“Why do you need to run ballistics on my weapon? That shot didn’t kill him.”

“It’s standard police procedure, Devine.”

“Not for me it isn’t. And I’m not walking around without a weapon. My welcome here has not been all that hospitable.”

“You really want to die onthathill?”

“I think I’m going to have to.”

“And I think I’m going to have to insist.”

“Okay, but then I need to talk to my DHS superiors and they’re going to need to check with agency lawyers. Until then I am not authorized to relinquish my weapon to you or anyone else for any reason.”

“Where’d you get that line?”

“It’s in pretty much every cop show I’ve ever watched. I thought everyone knew that.”

“Don’t mess with me, Devine.”

“I’m not, Detective. But I’m not giving up my weapon. If you oryour men try to take it by force, I have every right to defend myself. No threats, just for information purposes.”

“Okay. I’ll table that for the next couple of minutes. FYI, I made a request to the FBI to interview Betsy Odom. I’ve heard nothing back.”

Devine suddenly had an idea. “Let’s make a deal, then.”

“What sort of deal?” said Braddock warily.

“I’m about to be named Betsy’s guardian.” When Braddock started to speak, Devine headed him off. “So if you won’t push on taking my weapon, I’ll let you interview Betsy.”

“I’ll be able to do that anyway,” retorted Braddock.

“It’ll be a lot faster than going through normal channels.”

“Why do I think I’m getting played?”

“If I really thought your checking my weapon for ballistics would help your case, Detective, I’d turn it over now. But it won’t, guaranteed.”

Braddock, seeming to sense what Devine was implying, peered out into the foggy darkness before settling his gaze back on Devine. “At some point you’re going to have to tell me what really happened tonight. Andeverybodyinvolved.”

“You have my word that I will. Now, unless you need me for something else, I’d like to get a little shut-eye. Big day tomorrow.”

“Really? What do you have planned?”

“Staying alive, of course.”

CHAPTER

57

BACK AT HIS HOTEL, HEphoned Campbell, woke the man up, and they met in the latter’s room.

Devine brought him up to date on what had happened, but didn’t mention Jackson.

“So a police officer from Ricketts tried to kill you?”

“Yes.”

“Is that all?” said Campbell.

---