“He loved my orange glasses. The crew has already left. They’ll meet you there.”
“My car—”
“Rent a limo. Hitchhike. I don’t care. Just squirt some red-out in your eyes and get your ass up there.”
Trapper wanted to notify Glenn that he was on his way to Lodal so he could tell him in person that the FBI now had the goods on Wilcox. Regardless of what he’d told Glenn last night, he thought he could swing a lenient plea deal for him if he agreed to testify against Wilcox.
Frustrated after repeatedly getting his voice mail, he called the SO’s main number and asked to speak directly with Glenn. Rather than being put through, he was asked to identify himself.
“John Trapper.”
“The sheriff didn’t come in today.”
“I’m a friend.”
“Yes, I know, but he’s not here.”
“Do you know where I can reach him?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t.”
After disconnecting, Trapper had the uneasy feeling he’d been given a scripted answer that was intentionally evasive. He called the Addisons’ home number. A woman answered. “Hey, Linda, it’s Trapper.”
“Mrs. Addison is on her cell phone and can’t be interrupted.”
“Who are you?”
She identified herself as a family friend. Why did Linda need family friends around her? “Is Glenn there?”
“No, and, I’m sorry, but that’s all I’m at liberty to say.”
“How come?”
“You may want to call Hank,” she said before hanging up.
Maybe he was getting the runaround because Hank had spread the word that Trapper was persona non grata.
Or perhaps, after tendering his resignation, Glenn was ducking people in general to avoid having to answer questions.
Maybe he’d suffered another bad anxiety attack or something worse.
With that worry in mind, Trapper called the hospital, asked if Glenn Addison had been admitted as a patient, and was relieved to learn from the switchboard operator that he hadn’t been.
“Good. Thank you.” Uncertain how he was going to feel about talking to his father so soon after the discovery he’d made, he hesitated.
“Can I be of further assistance?” the operator asked.
“Yeah. Please ring Major Trapper’s room.”
“I can’t do that.”
“This is his son.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Trapper. I can’t connect you because your father has been released.”
“What?”
“He’s checked out of the hospital.”