Chapter 13 #2
I glanced from Theo down to Theo’s phone on the coffee table. I was on my knees next to the table. Theo was sitting on the couch, leaning forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. Easton was sitting in a chair listening.
I’d promised if Theo put the call on speaker so I could hear the conversation I wouldn’t say anything. But with Troy’s opening I was having a hard time not reminding Troy to be nice.
“It’s only been a few days,” Theo reminded him. “I told you I’d be in touch.”
Without being asked, Troy confirmed Theo’s suspicions. “Got a visit yesterday from a Deputy Johnson and Deputy Caraway.”
Theo sat up straight and asked, “What’d they want?”
Troy huffed like he thought Theo was a little dense.
“They asked me if I’d seen a woman named Brenda King. I told them I had no idea who Brenda King was. Which was not a lie; I know three Brendas, none of them with the last name King.”
I glanced at Theo and wasn’t surprised when he looked impatient. I wouldn’t have been shocked if he started using his hand to motion for Troy to hurry his story along.
“Then Deputy Johnson loads up a video on his phone and shows me and Cindy walking into a gas station together and asks again if I’d seen Brenda King. Of course my answer was the same, I don’t know a Brenda King.”
Oh, shit .
Theo turned his head to look at Easton. My gaze followed and I caught a silent exchange. Not that I knew what Theo was communicating but clearly Easton did because he pulled out his phone.
“How was Johnson behaving?”
“Behaving?”
“Was he aggressive with you? Agitated, impatient, concerned, on edge?”
“Well, the man thought I was lying to him so I’d say impatient but not aggressive.”
“What about Caraway?”
“Edgy, if that means looking around like someone was watching us. Very impatient.”
I settled on my behind and shifted my legs to the side. I did all of this with my eyes on Theo. Suddenly he was the one who looked edgy and very impatient.
“Was someone watching you?”
“I was being questioned at a truck stop in bumfuck Ohio by two men in suits. Of course we were being watched.”
Poor Troy. I hoped he wasn’t embarrassed.
“What truck stop?”
“Circle K off 30. Technically it’s over the Ohio river about three miles into West Virginia. Chester’s the town.”
“How’d Johnson take it when you told him the truth?”
“The truth,” Troy spat. “The truth is, I met a woman whose husband beat her up and she was running for her life. She told me her name was Cindy. I took her as far as I could and dropped her off in Philly.”
I closed my eyes.
He covered for me.
He lied to the US Marshal Service and put himself in jeopardy for me.
“Did they say anything else?”
“Sure, they said lots of stuff about how I could go to jail for hindering an investigation. Blah. Blah. Blah. When I asked why Cindy was being investigated Caraway jumped in quick to tell me they couldn’t comment on an ongoing investigation.
So I told Caraway I no longer felt like helping with an ongoing investigation and told them the next time they wanted to talk to me they’d have to do it official-like, with a warrant.
Johnson didn’t seem happy that his young partner was snappy with me.
But he thanked me for the information and they left. ”
They’d threatened Troy with jail and he hadn’t flipped.
I never doubted it, but I was right about Troy. He was good and kind and trustworthy.
“I know I asked you to call me and check in,” Troy went on.
“But I’m seeing now this is more serious than I thought.
I won’t hold you to your promise as long as you promise me now she’s safe.
And I find out later you lied to me, I’ll shoot you dead.
I’m serious about that. I’m an old man but a damn fine shot. ”
I sucked in a breath, positive Theo was going to go ballistic. But he shocked the hell out of me and smiled.
“You have my promise. And if I fall down on that job I’ll stand in front of you and let you put me out of my misery.”
“I’m not going to ask you any questions. I’ve seen those shows so I know those assholes can listen in on phone calls. By the way, I love the IRS and the fine men and women who work there. I’m a hardworking, honest man, and file those taxes on time and truthfully.”
Theo’s smile widened.
“I hear that. The IRS is great. I’ll let you go, thanks for taking my call.”
“Hope I get another one.”
The line disconnected and I asked, “What in the world was he talking about the IRS for?”
“He was being funny, thinking the government was listening.”
Holy shit .
“Can the government do that?”
“They can do whatever the fuck they want to do. But no; if Troy’s phone is tapped all they’d hear is static when the call connected. The government might be listening in on Troy’s line—though that’s doubtful—but they cannot tap my phone. Advantage of having Garrett and Kira.”
Yes, Garrett. The one who got Z Corps’ information wiped clean.
“When I get a phone again I want one of Garrett’s magic phones that telemarketers can’t call and the government can’t tap.”
“I’ll hook you up.”
“Garrett’s already pulling the security feeds,” Easton announced. “Zane wants to wait to see if Johnson reaches out for another meeting.”
“Bridget?” Theo softly called my name. When I turned my attention from Easton back to him he continued, “You were right.”
“So, you trust him?”
“No, but that’s only because it takes a long time to earn my trust, especially when what I’m trusting someone with is special to me. But I do believe he’d put his ass on the line for you.”
Well, that was something.
Not to mention, I was the someone special he was talking about so I couldn’t be upset Theo still didn’t trust Troy. But he did acknowledge Troy was a good guy.