“Easton!”
Drex ignored the banging on the door but broke the kiss. “One last thing. Rudkowski will try to browbeat you.”
“I can handle him.”
“I have no doubt.” Her gave her a parting kiss, then turned her about and pushed her toward the door. “Show yourself before Locke has a coronary.”
Chapter 35
Locke walked Talia downstairs. Drex asked for a minute in the bathroom. He shut the door and called Mike.
“Who’s this?”
“Me. Forgive my whisper. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom. Any news of Gif?”
“Your swooner at the hospital called me about half an hour ago. They’re moving him into a private room.”
“That’s great news.”
“I thought so.” He passed along Gif’s hospital room number. “I haven’t been able to go see him, though.”
“They’re still holding you at the sheriff’s office?”
“They’re fiddle-farting around. I’m going to kill Sammy.”
“Can’t you talk your way out of there?”
“Working on it. I was trying to give an ex-con a break by renting a car from him. How was I to know that it was stolen? Live and learn. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”
“Doesn’t look good that you skipped town and left Rudkowski dangling.”
“Our signals got crossed. His word against mine. And the agents who were guarding my house hate him and love the homemade lasagna I took them, so I’m betting they’ll back me. In any case, these guys here have got nothing to hold me on, because Sammy, who fears my murderous wrath, swears that I was oblivious. They’ll have to release me, in time.”
“Any estimate on when that might be?”
“Why?”
“Well, speaking of Rudkowski…” In a rapid clip, overriding Mike’s numerous attempts to interrupt, Drex updated him on the recent setbacks, ending with his arrest. “They don’t have a choice but to take me in.”
“That ass-wipe Rudkowski.”
“True. But I need you to do something for me besides name-calling.”
“Like what?”
Drex made his request. Mike’s response was, “Have you lost your fucking mind?”
“I don’t have time to explain why, or to argue with you about it. I’ve already overextended Locke’s patience. I need a yes or no.”
“You realize that if I do this, it can’t be undone.”
“Nine murders can’t be undone.”
There was a knock at the door. “Now, Easton.”
“You gotta tell me, Mike,” Drex whispered. “Will you do it?”
“It’s your funeral.”