WILSON TRIED CALLING BATEY AND TRIED CALLING FIELDING but neither of them answered. He had made a call to the captain down in Seattle telling him about the deranged video and the Desert Eagle and the corrupt chief of police. Captain thought it sounded thin but Wilson told him about the missing persons and the three found dead in the cellar. Told him about nearly being run down. Told him about his strange conversation with Price. Captain said, You telling me you think the chief of police is trafficking young women?
Yes sir, Wilson said. And not just trafficking, but participating.
You got any evidence to back this up?
No sir, Wilson said. But my gut is telling me I’m right.
Your gut? the captain said.
I know how it sounds, Wilson said. But—
You’re asking me to slander an elected official’s name.
I know what I’m asking and I wouldn’t do it if I weren’t completely sure.
And that’s what you are? Completely sure?
You got to trust me on this. Get me that warrant and I’ll get you a mountain of evidence.
Don’t make me regret this, the captain said.
Wilson drove to Batey’s house. He found Coraline with the horses. She was leading a gelding into the barn when she saw him coming up the drive. Faster than one would consider reasonable. He parked the car and got out and called over to Coraline. Said, Is Dee here, mam?
No, she said.
She watched Wilson jog toward her with a limp. She said, What’s going on? You hurt?
Where’s Dee? Wilson asked.
With Amos.
And where’s Amos?
The two of them went south.
Why’d they go south? What are they up to?
Coraline frowned. Wilson’s voice seemed rushed. She knew little about him but what she did know was of a man not prone to panic.
You got me a little worried, Coraline said.
Where’d they go? Wilson asked.
Seattle.
Where in Seattle?
I don’t know, Coraline said. Find the maker of some movie.
Movie? What kind of movie?
A bad one.
Have anything to do with a girl being murdered in it.
Yes.
Did he mention anything about an old paper mill?
Maybe, she said. I don’t remember that.
They say anything about Tacoma?
No, Coraline said. Just Seattle.
They’re not in Seattle, Wilson said.
He turned and loped back to his car. Coraline called after him.
Where are you going?
But Wilson had already gotten in his car and peeled off down the drive.