Page 147 of To Die For

“Our intel is telling us that the Termites are not far off from commencing the initial phases of their coup attempt. Once that’s done, Glass becomes irrelevant.”

“Thanks for the info, Ellen. I mean it.”

“Good luck. Day or night, call if you need anything.”

She left Devine there and he was about to finish packing when someone knocked on his door again.

Jesus, it’s like Grand Central this morning.

It was Braddock and Walker.

“I thought we were going to be strip-searched before they’d let us up here,” said Braddock.

“Welcome to my brave new world, Detective,” replied Devine.

CHAPTER

67

NO SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX, AND WEtore his apartment apart and found zip,” said Braddock. “If Rollins hid the dirt he had on Glass, he damn sure hid it well.”

“I’m sure he did,” replied Devine.

“I understand that you’re now officially Betsy Odom’s new guardian,” said Braddock.

“I’m taking her to a safe place well outside of Seattle.”

“You think that’s wise?” asked Braddock. “Beth told me about what happened in court. Danny Glass must be pissed that he didn’t get to be his niece’s guardian. He may figure if he gets rid of you…”

“I wish it were that simple.”

Braddock glanced quizzically at Walker and then back at Devine.

“You mentioned telling me everything the last time we met, remember? When we were standing in an alley over a dead guy who used to work for the Ricketts Police Force?”

“But I didn’t saywhenI would tell you, did I?”

“Shit, Devine, I deserve better—”

“Yes, you do,” said Devine, cutting him off. “So I’ll tell you this, for now. The government is not the bad guy in this, like you initially thought. Glass is cooperating with the feds and putting his life on the line to take down some very highly placed people who think a democracy is not a good way to run a country and they want a change that puts them in charge. And they want it now.”

Braddock slowly took this all in, glanced at Walker again, and said, “Exactly whatcountryare we talking about?”

Devine answered by pointing toward the window.

“I take it you’re not gesturing toward another country across the Pacific,” said Braddock.

“No, I’m not.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“I don’t thinkhe’sgoing to help us. We sink or swim on our own.”

Braddock glanced at Walker and said sharply, “Did you know about this?”

“We’re finding out at the same time,” she said, her features grim.

Braddock turned back to Devine. “You said I could talk to Odom? That was part of the deal with me not confiscating your weapon for ballistics.”

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