Page 162 of To Die For

She glanced at him for maybe a beat too long. “Yes, it was awful. Gas main explosion or something like that, I heard. How tragic.”

Well, they all seem to have their stories straight on that, thought Devine.

“And the former lawman employed here that tried to kill me?”

“Eric was so upset. Goes to show that one can never be too careful in vetting people.” She stared at him, as though daring him to suggest culpability on her or her husband’s part.

“Otherwise, you get some real bad apples,” replied Devine. “I’m sorry for how our last meeting ended.”

She waved this off. “Long day that left me in a bad temper. Oh, I did read about this Danny Glass person in the papers.”

“Really? And?”

“It seems the government has dropped its case against him. I wonder why.”

“Well, some of the witnesses against him died. And the burden of proof is pretty high.” Thinking quickly, Devine added, “But from what I understand, they can reinstate the charges any time against him. And may well do so.”

“I wonder what will be the basis for their decision-making?”

Devine let this very odd question hang out there for a moment.

“Well, it might come down to them getting some more witnesses against him. If that strengthens their case, they can go after him again. I know for a fact that they want to take him down really badly.”

“Is that so?” said King, who did not seem convinced of this.

“Heisan alleged global criminal,” retorted Devine. “I would imagine your husband would like to see him behind bars, too, as any good lawman would.”

King’s face changed color and she said, “Yes, of course. You’re right.” She gave a mock shiver. “Too many homicidal maniacs out there as it is.”

Yes there are, thought Devine.And I’m probably in the presence of several of them in this building, including you.

He left the mayor there and drove out of town far enough that no one from Ricketts had eyes on him any longer. He arrived at a spot where an e-motorcycle was waiting for him, courtesy of Pru Jackson. He hunkered down until dark and then returned to town.

Now Devine needed to be spot-on perfect. Otherwise, everything was going to blow up in his face.

CHAPTER

75

DEVINE WAS HIDING IN ANalley adjacent to the Cowboy Tavern’s rear parking lot. He watched as the waitress who had served the Odoms lunch, and whom Devine had spoken with earlier, came out of the restaurant around quarter to six. She had previously told Devine her work hours, which was why he had expected her to leave the place around this time.

She got into a dented and ancient Honda hatchback, took a moment to light a cigarette, and then put the car in gear and drove off.

Devine headed after her on the e-motorcycle with his headlights turned off as he followed the taillights in front of him.

Three miles later she pulled down a tree-lined dirt road and stopped in front of a ramshackle cottage a very few nails from falling down.

She got out, fumbled with her bag, pulled out the keys, lit another cigarette, and unlocked the door. She went inside and dumped her bag on top of a mountain of clutter by the front door. In the kitchen she grabbed a beer from the fridge, took off her shoes, rubbed her feet, and sat in a recliner by a woodstove that gave off a red glow from behind the safety glass, the occasional ember from the pellets inside firing off like a shooting star.

She took a swallow of the alcohol, leaned back, and closed her eyes, a deep, contented sigh leaving her lips.

“Long day?”

Her eyes shot open and she sat up so fast and agitated that she clenched the can of beer too hard and some of the liquid shot out like a geyser.

Devine was sitting across from her.

“Who in the hell are you?” she said fearfully.