Page 99 of In Cold Blood

“Everything’s all right, sweetheart. Just get back in the Bronco. I’ll be right there.”

He turned back to that cretin of a man.

“You’ve got this all wrong.”

“Bullshit. You’re a murderer or an accessory to murder. Either way, you’re eventually going down with Cyrus. In fact, I bet you have him on speed dial. Am I right?”

He fished into his pockets again, but Jack pushed him back.

Noah smiled. “You know what, forget it. Let me just call Gloria. She’ll know.” He pulled out his phone and pretended to act like he had her number.

“You’re feigning. You don’t have her number.”

“You’re right. I’ll get it from Lena. Hey, even better. I’ll have her meet us here to pick up the kids. One big family reunion. I’m sure she would just love to know why her little brother is in town. How’s that sound?”

Noah let the phone start dialing.

“All right. All right! Hang up!”

Noah turned off the phone, a smile forming.

“He… uh… stays at an apartment in town.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

Jack looked off toward the Bronco and then answered. “Okay. He frequents a cabin north of High Peaks when he goes hunting. I’ve been there a few times. It belongs to his grandfather. It’s up around Bloomingdale on the north side of McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. North of Moose Pond.”

“The address?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Stop lying, Jack.”

Jack groaned. “Head up State Route 3 from here. Go past the quarry. Head into Bloomingdale, hang a right at the four-way across from the general store, then take the first right onto RiverRoad which eventually will lead you to Moose Pond Lane. Follow it down. You’ll see a yellow A-frame. You can’t miss it.”

“That coke must be killing your brain cells, Jack.”

“Screw you.”

“You better not be lying.”

“I’m not.”

“Oh, and Jack.” Noah extended his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Give me your phone.”

“Why?”

“Give me your phone.”

Jack swallowed; his teeth gritted as he reluctantly handed it over.

“I’m guessing you have your friend on speed dial, right?”

It was already unlocked. He brought up the contacts. “Which one is he?”

No response.

Noah lifted his eyes. Reluctantly, Jack pointed to a name. Noah took note of it and then handed back the phone.