Chapter 46 #4
“What? Why? Where am I going? I want a deal! I didn’t want to kill Tinsley!
I just wanted the money—I’ll do whatever you want.
You don’t know her; she’s a terrible person just like her mom was and that rat stepdad of hers.
You don’t understand! Her brother is terrible and so is Jack Callahan.
I am an honest good man, and this has all been a mistake!
Wells and Jack have been setting me up for years!
” He is grasping at straws and desperate, but there are no lies to help him right now.
“Mr. Daughtry, if I may offer a word of advice?” Harlow asks as she hands me back my coffee. Kane squawks in response before Harlow continues, “The next time someone reveals personal information about themselves, pay attention so that you don’t inadvertently insult them in the conversation.”
His eyes widen—he really is clueless. “What are you talking about? Who did I insult?”
“When we arrived, my colleague Agent Bennett told you that you didn’t remember him at your arrest yesterday when you were bleeding out … all over his brother-in-law’s floor.” Harlow gives a small smile as she turns to leave.
“Jack … Jack Callahan…”
“Jack is my brother-in-law, yes. Which is why I am more than happy to be the first to let you know that there will be no deals for you or Rick Wilson in this case. Enjoy the rest of your life up north, Mr. Daughtry. I hear their winters can be brutal up there.”
Kane calls out as I open the door to his room, “What do you mean?”
“Your case is being presented to a federal grand jury seated in Manhattan. Enjoy federal prison in New York!” I don’t look back as Kane cries out after us, nor do I miss the snickering U.S. marshal that we nod to as we walk back out.
As the elevator doors close, Harlow turns to me. “Are you satisfied that he won’t be a threat to your family in the future now?”
“That guy?” I point up to the floor we just descended from as I shake my head.
“Do you know those little yellow guys that talk gibberish and bounce around on the cartoons? That’s what that guy is—he’s a minion for Rick and Debbie Jo Wilson.
So long as those two are dealt with, I think Kane Daughtry will be handled as well.
I couldn’t get a read on the guy when he was unconscious yesterday, and I just wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything. ”
“I don’t think he is going to fare well in federal prison, Walker.”
“Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, though.”
Harlow laughs before finishing her coffee as we exit the elevator.
“Did you park far away? It’s still really coming down out there.
I wouldn’t want you to get soaked again, you just started to dry off.
” It looks like it’s raining even harder now than it was when we got here.
We walk out of the hospital’s main entrance.
“I can give you a ride to your car if you parked further back in the lot. I’ll go get my truck and bring it up to the…
” I trail off as an SUV I recognize is sitting under the porte-cochère where I was just offering to pick Harlow up.
I purse my lips together as I look at the vehicle, tilting my head and looking down at Harlow, who is blushing and not meeting my eyes.
“So … is there something you want to tell me?” I ask her, waiting for her to meet my eyes.
She hums, but won’t look up from toeing the ground, which suddenly looks fascinating to her. “As my supervising agent or as my friend?”
“Uh…” I look to the SUV and to Harlow before responding, “Let’s go with friend first. I don’t think your supervisor would need this information.”
“Right. I agree. And as my friend, I don’t think I have much to say right now, but if that changes, I will let you know?” Her voice goes up at the end as though asking a question.
I nod in agreement. “And if you need to talk about whatever that is, I can have that conversation as your friend. You know that, right?”
“Yes, but as my friend, can we keep this between us until things either develop further or … don’t? It’s … delicate.”
“How about this—I won’t push for answers, and I won’t go broadcasting anything, but if I am asked, especially by a certain person, I can’t lie.”
She nods. “If she asks, it’s okay, you can tell her what you saw. I promise when or if there’s something to tell, I will tell her.”
I nod. “You’re a smart woman.” She rolls her eyes. As a child prodigy, her being called smart is like Vivian being called beautiful—it’s a given. “But remember that you matter to us because of the friend you are to us, not because of any fancy title or anything other than your heart.”
“And that?” She nods to the waiting vehicle.
“And that … is slightly unexpected, but you’re both good people and that’s a great baseline to start from. But I’m here, if you need it—and you know Viv is too.” She nods and is clearly extremely uncomfortable by this conversation, but I get it because I know her background.
“I better go … uh, that’s my ride. I’ll talk to you later, Walker.”
“Oh, yes, you will.” And eventually about whatever this is.
And like it or not—so will he. I stand and watch Harlow make her way to the SUV, not trying to hide at all what I saw.
He gets out and meets her at the passenger side, opening the door for her, and lifting a hand in a wave at me.
I lift my chin in acknowledgment and return the gesture, happy to see that he isn’t trying to hide from me about this.
I have his number—and I know where he lives.