Page 158 of To Die For

“Smart boy gets a gold star. I hacked the construction records of the government building. Seems there’s a holding cell on the basement level. I can text you details if your people might be interested.”

“We are,” said Devine.

“Any idea yet who snuffed Odom’s parents?”

“Tomorrow I plan on testing a theory in Ricketts. And I can check out your info, too.”

An expression of surprise lined her face. “Into the lion’s den? I thought you were persona non grata there.”

“Sometimes the best retreat is an offensive.”

“Did they really teach that at West Point?”

“The classroom can’t really show you what it’s like when the guns are firing for real. Like you just advised me, throw out the manual and go with your gut.”

“Every time we meet, I see how we’re more and more alike. Want some backup when you venture into the lion’s den?”

He eyed her steadily. “In for a dime?”

“Something like that,” replied Jackson.

“Then yeah, I do.”

CHAPTER

72

AFTER HE RETURNED TO THEtrailer, Devine slept well. When he went into the kitchen the next morning, it was clear that Shore and Rose had not.

“Youbothlook like shit,” he said, grinning at the irony from the pair’s having previously told him the same thing.

They glanced up at him bleary-eyed from the small kitchen table, coffee mugs in hand.

“You try stayin’ up all night,” grumbled Shore.

“Yeah, never done that,” replied Devine as he poured a cup of coffee. “I peeked in on Betsy. Sleeping well.” He sat down across from them. “I’m going to Ricketts today.”

“Have you lost your damn mind?” said Shore. “Thought you said that was a bad place?”

“There’s something there I have to find out about. Which means you two will have primary guard duty on Betsy. You up to it?” He looked at them both.

Shore nodded. “They go through us to get to her.”

“But you got other folks around, right?” said Rose nervously.

“Yes,” said Devine. “But you’re the last line of defense.”

“If they was gonna kill her, why not do it when they killed Dwayne and Alice?” asked Shore.

“Leverage over her uncle,” said Devine. “They kill Betsy, they lose any chance that they can stop him from helping the feds.”

“Helpin’the feds?” said a stunned Shore. “I thought they was suin’ his ass.”

“It’s a long story, but to be brief, Glass has the dirt on somereally bad folks who want to turn this country upside down. He can help bring them to justice. In return, they let him walk on the other stuff.”

“But when does that leverage go away? When the dude testifies?” asked Shore.

“Or when they kill him, too?” added Rose.

---