Page 66 of Guess Again

Boscobel, Wisconsin Monday, August 4, 2025

THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE DOOR HISSED AS IT disengaged.

A prison guard pushed the door open, and Ethan walked into the staging area.

As he passed through the threshold, he saw Francis Bernard in a red, padded transport suit.

The suit was so restrictive that Francis’s hands were shackled together with a long length of chain because his arms could not come together.

On his head was a round, red helmet that had no openings other than a horizontal slot at eye level.

Ethan walked until he stood in front of his father’s killer.

Although he could not see the man’s face, the wrinkles at the corners of Francis’s eyes told Ethan that he was smiling.

“You got what you wanted, Francis.

But the transfer is not yours yet.

The governor can still pull the plug on this whole thing if you don’t give us the information you promised.”

“Ethan, do you think I’d be so stupid as to offer something I couldn’t deliver?”

“Tell me where Portia Vail is being held.”

“Everything you need to know can be found in the Little Free Library located on the north end of Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee.

There’s an envelope there, Ethan.

It’s taped to the top of the library.”

“You tell me here and now, or this transfer doesn’t happen.”

“If the transfer van doesn’t leave this morning, the girl will die.

That’s how this works, Ethan.

I can’t change it now.”

“Who’s helping you, Francis?”

“Hurry, Ethan.

The girl won’t make it much longer.”

Ethan stared through the slot a moment longer before he turned and ran.