“How do you know Connell will see to an investigation?”
“He’s an FBI agent. It’s his duty.”
“But it isn’t his case. Won’t he leave it to the sheriff’s office?”
“No.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“Because of the message you’ll give him.”
“Which is?”
“If he fucks it up, and something happens to you, whether in the near or distant future, I’ll kill him.” He let that register, then, “Where’s he staying?”
“So you can dump me there?”
“Where’s he staying?”
“Why should I tell you?”
He propped his forearms on the table. It rocked slightly as he leaned across it toward her. “Look, Doc, we can waste time waltzing around this, you can argue it with me up and down, sideways and backward, but it won’t do you any good. I’m not gonna let that fed make me the trophy of his career. Besides that—”
“What? Besides that, what?”
“I’ve got to get the hell lost, and I can’t take you with me. You’ve got a life to lead, and it can’t include me. It’s been fun, but here’s where we say good-bye and part ways, no matter how good we are together in the sack.”
“Why are you being like this?”
“Candid?”
“Offensive.”
“No, offensive would have been if I’d said you’re a great fuck.”
Her face grew hot with anger.
He must’ve have noticed, because he stifled a laugh. “A little late for blushes, isn’t it, Doc? You knew what you were signing up for last night, and it wasn’t hearts and flowers. The night in the cabin, too. We both got what we wanted. I got laid and you got…how’d you put it? ‘Raw emotions’?”
With that he scraped back his chair, stood up, and shoved the pistol into the waistband of his jeans. “Let’s go. I want to get there before daylight, and it’s a ten-minute drive to the motel.”
“Why did you ask me where Connell was staying if you already knew?”
“To see if you would lie to me.”
“How did you find out where he is?”
“Not that many choices in Drakeland. I called around until a desk clerk confirmed that he checked in last night.”
“You called? I thought you didn’t have a phone.”
“I don’t anymore.” She followed the direction he indicated and saw the pieces of a bashed cell phone lying on the end table. As he pulled on his outerwear, he said, “I’ll loan you a coat.”
“I don’t want it.”
She went to the door, unbolted it, and walked out, leaving him to follow.
Or to drop dead. She really didn’t care.