Page 37 of Fear of Flames
“Feels like Crossroads. They have people in all levels. Fuck, if Lehman is in it, he’s got some big money behind him.” Denny shook his head. “Just seems damn coincidental. I told Peterson about the breach. He was pissed and said that our IT people would find out what happened. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
Arrow’s nostrils flared as he looked around. “Who knows about this place?”
“This back shed? The agency knows I’ve built something. No one from the complex has been here to inspect it. That leaves you, me, and Leo. If they were able to trace me, they won’t find anything in the house.”
“You think there’s a network that includes law enforcement and elected officials?”
“Small-town cop goes dirty. It’s not exactly an original story.” Dennis sighed. “I’m not saying that Ralph’s involved with the kids, but he could be part of a network that makes transporting them easier. All I know is that he smells dirty. I’m not sure Iron Falls is where I should stay.”
Arrow looked around. “Shit, you’ve put a lot of work into this place to pull up stakes.”
“I have. I’ve moved before. I can move again. Bringing down monsters who deal in people as commodities is my repentance. I’m not ready to stop. Lehman could be our link. I don’t think he’s the top. He’s not smart enough or rich enough. But he needs to be watched. He has contacts and we need to find them.”
“I’d like to be part of that.”
Denny sighed. “Hey, there’s something else—someone.” Arrow didn’t respond. “When I reported the information on the Wells boy to Peterson, he told me you and Leo were close by. You’ve helped me with my daughter in the past.”
Arrow set up some security in Michelle’s home for Dennis to watch. It gave him peace of mind to see that she’s safe without him seeming overprotective.
Arrow stood taller, pulling himself from the desk. “Shelly? What about her?”
“She’s here.”
“Here?”
“At my house. She surprised me.” Dennis stood and turned in a circle. “I’m fucking surprised. The thing is, I wanted her to get back on the road but the damn snow. She stayed for dinner and now she can’t leave until the roads are safe. She was up in the guest room working on her laptop when I snuck out. If anything would happen…”
“Shit, Denny, what do you think will happen?”
Dennis scrunched his face, making his wrinkles turn into caverns. “It’s a gut feeling. I don’t want anything to happen to Shelly.”
“You want me to drive her out of here in this blizzard?”
“No. If I thought the roads were safe, I would have already done that. I’m asking you to continue to keep an eye on her. If I’m right and Ralph comes after me, he was told to do it by someone else. That someone else could know my history and Tracy’s. Shelly’s books have some information in them that I wish she wouldn’t have shared. Fuck, she doesn’t realize it’s factual, but if the wrong people...”
Arrow stood taller. “You have my word.”
“If I’m reading the clues wrong and a week from now Ralph Perkins has a new obsession, then chalk this conversation up to a paranoid old man.”
“You know what they say about paranoia?” Arrow answered his own question. “Just because you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean someone isn’t out to get you.”
“Get her home and back to her own life. I’ve worked to atone for things I can’t undo. I lost too much to the agency. I’m not losing Shelly.”
Chapter
Eighteen
Wednesday before sunrise
* * *
“Are they talking about me?” Michelle asked as she sat forward. She’d been right about the name of the show. Crime Daily Podcast was on the screen.
Fletch didn’t answer, nodding toward the display.
They both continued to listen as Ali explained. “D. Valentine—the same.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that wasn’t her real name. I love her books.”
