Page 86 of The 9th Man

“So am I.”

She turned and left the terrace.

He stayed in the chair, blanket warming his legs, but suddenly grew cold with something he hadn’t experienced for a long time.

Not since that horrible day.

Fear.

Stephanie had connected the dots. So far Stein and Simmons were both dead. Good. Their granddaughters? Alive but not a threat. Luke Daniels? Obviously alive and functioning. Simmons’s house?Burned to the ground. Had anything noteworthy been found there? Probably not. All of that had happened for a reason. Moving toward the single remaining unknown that would end this matter. Nothing could be allowed to interfere with that.

He slipped his right hand into his pant pocket.

And found his phone.

40

LUKE REALIZED THEY NEEDED A PLACE TO LIE LOW, REGROUP, ANDmake a concerted effort to finally understand what they’d gotten themselves into. Following Sue’s instructions, they walked to Spencer Marina and asked for Laird, mentioning Sue’s name, and he’d been only too happy to help. He offered them food, drink, and an air-conditioned break room where they waited while a pair of his employees rounded up some fresh clothes, then fetched their Bronco from its parking spot near Ken’s, making sure no one was watching or following. Once at the marina, Luke thoroughly checked for tracking devices.

They then drove north to Highway 70 and followed it to Lafayette, where they found a motel whose décor had never outgrown the 1960s. However it was clean, accepted cash, and had air-conditioning so they took a room at the back. He parked the Bronco a few blocks away.

Jillian showered first, then he enjoyed some soap and hot water. He emerged from the bathroom to find her resting on one of the twin beds. He found his phone and checked the screen. He’d managed to charge it back at the Simmons cabin while they’d eaten dinner last night. Despite the dunking it still functioned, as Billet phones were totally water- and shock-resistant. He saw a voice mail had come in from Marcia, which indicated she had some new information. Before returning the call he dialed the number for Ken’s Convenience in Hackberry and put it on speaker.

“Ken’s,” a male voice said.

“I’m looking for Robbie,” he said.

“Hold on.”

“Robbie speaking.”

Sue’s voice.

“How’s the weather down there?”

“Hot, but not sweltering. You two make it out safe?”

“We did. How about you?”

“Crusoe needs a bath, but otherwise fine. There’s something you should know.” Her voice cracked. “They burned down the cabin. All the way to the ground. There’s nothing left.”

“We’re so sorry, Sue,” Jillian said.

“I’d sure feel better if I knew why.”

“You’ll be the first, once we know,” he said.

“Fair enough. And one other thing.”

“I know. Make ’em pay for what they did. We shall.”

He ended the call.

They sat in silence for a few moments. This was definitely a hard-pitch-fastball game for keeps. Which was okay. As that was the way he liked it.

He called Marcia.

“Our boss has told me this is official now,” she said. “And a top priority.”