Page 176 of To Die For

Mercedes turned to look at her husband. Eric King said, “And the girl?”

“Betsy Odom is worth three times her weight in platinum right now. If Glass does the right thing, he’ll get her back in one piece, but with a warning.”

“And if he doesn’t?” asked her husband.

“He gets her back inpieces. I’m leaving here to go and have a talkwith her. Then she can contact her uncle and tell him, in her own terrified words, that we are not screwing around.”

“I don’t like this,” said Eric King. “It’s getting out of control. I’m a lawman, for God’s sake, and here we are kidnapping and killing people.”

“No, dear Eric, you are a soldier in a greater cause. To make this country what it’s supposed to be.”

He stared up at her. “Do you really believe that crap? I thought we were in this for the money?”

“I can multitask, Eric, even if you can’t.”

“I heard you met with Nick Dawkins.”

“He envisions an expanded role in the organization suitable for my talents. He’s actually meeting me tonight so we can talk to Odom together.”

Eric King bristled. “And if I say no? Iamyour husband. And that man only wants one thing from you, trust me.”

She bent down. “Our marriage is only a little itty-bitty piece of paper, Eric. And another piece of paper can end it. But either way, it won’t be your call. And I know exactly how to handle little old Nick.Trustme.”

“I’m sleeping in my room here,” he snapped.

“Oh, what a pity. I was thinking of how much fun we could have later.”

She blew him a kiss and waltzed off, leaving her husband staring dejectedly after her.

From his hiding place in the room across the hall, Devine hit the stop button on the filming, and used his phone to send off several texts. Then he spoke into his mic and told Campbell what had happened.

“Follow King. She can lead us right to Betsy,” ordered Campbell.

“On it.”

After Eric King rolled off, Devine emerged from his hiding place and reached the front door in time to see Mercedes King climb into her Porsche. A few moments later she sped off.

Devine sprinted down the road until he saw a pair of headlights pop on.

He jumped into the passenger seat and looked at Nate Shore, who earlier had rammed into the guard’s car to force him to come outside and allow Devine to get inside.

“The Porsche, follow it,” barked Devine.

Shore spun the van around and took up the chase.

CHAPTER

81

THE LADY WE’RE FOLLOWING ISgoing to where they have Betsy,” said Devine as they drove along.

“Whoever’s got her is sure as shit gonna feel some pain from me.”

Devine didn’t say anything for a few moments. “Delta Force?”

“What about it?” said Shore, shooting him a glance.

“You didn’t just let some redneck assholes run you off like you told me before.”

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