23

It was a short walk to the end of the block. After that, Jim had nowhere to go. Any farther and he wouldn’t be able to put eyes on the house. He sat on the curb under the glare of a streetlight. He got out his flask. Took a long drink. Enough to drown the guilt for a moment, anyway. The anger would hang around for a good long while. Before he could take another swig, a dark Charger pulled up. The window eased down with little noise.

Jim set the flask by his side. “Miller.”

“Bean.” The detective looked toward the house. Lights burned in almost every room. “Everything okay up there?”

“Lynette decided to rejoin the world of the mentally competent after you all left. Cornered me about what’s going on. I think she realized Cynthia was not at the party. Maybe put it together from pieces of things she’d heard today.”

“Ouch.” He motioned with his head for Jim to get in. “Let’s go for a ride.”

Jim put the cig out and followed orders. The passenger seat was tight, with the computer mounted on the console taking up a good part of the seat space allotted. His size didn’t help, but he was used to the equipment in his own car and dealt by pressing his body against the door. They weren’t taking a road trip.

Miller turned the radio down. “We’re not having any luck tracing Sophie Evers. She’s got no past or present. Feds are having the same trouble. Last we have of her was in Dallas, and the cops down there are as overworked as we are. They said they’ll see if they can get someone to look into it.” He shrugged. “But, when we say that on this end, the other department’s shit is last priority.” He stopped at a light.

“What’s your point?”

“If you’re really interested in helping this guy, you need to go to Dallas and pick up her trail.”

Last thing he wanted to do was turn down Miller. The man had come to his rescue before and Jim considered him one of his few friends. “Surprised you’re asking a civilian to help with the investigation.”

Miller never took his eyes off the road as he drove, but Jim could see the determination on his face reflected in the windshield. “The sick bitch needs stopping. Finding people is what you do. Do it.”

“I need to protect that kid and his mother.”

“He’s not a kid. You’re better at finding people and I’m better at protection. I carry guns.” The light ahead changed, the car eased to a stop.

A convertible mustang with three teenage boys pulled alongside them. The kids were sitting a little too still, all facing very forward, careful not to make eye contact with the cops.

“There’s trouble,” Jim chuckled.

“Not my beat.” Miller reached over and gave him a small punch to the shoulder. “You know I’m right. The pair is settled in that house, getting more attention than Lynette’s had in years, probably. And her son is there. I have it covered. Two of my best plainclothes twenty-four-seven. I pulled them off a big case for this. Not to mention the Feds are involved.”

“Thought Agent Webb went back to Dallas?”

“For now. She left her backup suit to look over my shoulder.” Miller turned again, driving in circles. “Do you want her to find this trail before we do?”

Jim wasn’t sure. Maybe he just wanted this one over with. Maybe he didn’t like the heavy responsibility he felt for Dan and Lynette. It sucked to care. “No.”

“Take Double O. You should have enough of that retainer left to cover the two of you for a couple days.”

Double O was a damn good choice as a wingman since he was a bounty hunter. “Why are you so interested in me doing this?”

“Because I don’t like the FBI all up in my business. Cause you need to solve this. And if shit hits the fan again, I’d rather you be in Dallas so my Chief doesn’t filet my butt cheeks for letting you so close to another case.” He reached for a folder tucked between his seat and the center console, tossed it on Jim’s lap. “I … um … tripped and the FBI file fell in the copier.”

Jim barked out a laugh. “Hope that doesn’t have to hold up under oath.”

“You and me both, brother. You going?” He pulled back into the short cul-de-sac and stopped in the safe house drive. Dan was on the steps. He didn’t get up when the two approached him.

“You shouldn’t be out here. Makes you a really easy target.” Jim hugged the folder as he crossed his arms, going for intimidating. Poor guy was so wiped out it wasn’t going to work.

“I guess so. I’m used to being outside at night. I like to look at the stars.”

“Lights from the Strip ruin that, so no use taking the risk. Don’t make me kick your butt.” He cut Dan some slack. “Promise me you’ll stay inside from now on.”

“How long is that?”

Miller patted Dan on the shoulder as he passed. “Not long if we can help it. How’s she doing?”

“Not great. She’s calmer. I had to wake up Steven. He gave her something to help her sleep. Said he hated to do it since he hadn’t seen her that lucid in months.”

The guy looked like the rooster who lost the cock fight. He was skinny, his burgeoning beard was patchy, and his hair was all over the place from being shoved under a cowboy hat.

“Maybe you can get him to give you the same thing, man. You need to rest.” Jim did too. He probably looked just as bad.

“I do.” Dan stood.

“I’m headed to Dallas,” Jim said.

Dan stopped in the doorway, his eyes wide as he turned back to Jim.

“Trail starts there. She’s got to have some of that money from the robbery-killings Agent Webb told us about. I find that, then maybe I can track her all the way here. You’re in good hands. As soon as I get a clean cell phone, I’ll call you.”

Dan looked at his feet, then at Miller, and then started to speak. Miller was standing right there, so Jim doubted Dan would say he didn’t feel safe even with cops around.

“This is the best plan of attack. I’ll be more use in Texas than sitting here staring at a bunch of cops.”

That was if Sophie didn’t find him and drug him again. Maybe this time she would cut his throat.