The Lincoln Myth(46)
“It should.”
“I’ve never met anyone with the name Cotton. I’m sure there’s a story there. Am I right?”
“A long one.”
She noticed that Cotton had not offered his hand to shake, and she did not like the hard look in his green eyes.
“And who are you?” he asked her.
“I’m not sure that matters, considering that neither one of us seems to know who you are.”
She kept her voice curt.
Face cold.
“I’M AN AGENT FOR THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT,” MALONE said.
He hadn’t said those words in four years, not since he tendered his resignation and moved to Denmark.
“Is that said to frighten me?” Cassiopeia asked.
“Ma’am, you’ll have to excuse us. I’m here to talk with Mr. Salazar.”
“Are you telling me to mind my own business?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. It might be better if you waited outside.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” Salazar said, a definite edge to his voice.
Keeping her here was fine by him. He’d missed seeing her. Hearing her voice. But, like her, he had to stay in character, so he asked, “Are you the lady’s protector?”
“What is your business with me?” Salazar asked.
He considered the question a moment, shrugged, and said, “Okay. If you want her here, then we’ll do this your way. Things have changed. Our investigation of you is no longer covert. It’s wide open, in your face. And I’m here to get the job done.”
“That means nothing to me.”
“Should I have the hotel call the police?” Cassiopeia asked Salazar.
“No, I can handle this.” Salazar faced him. “Mr. Malone, I have no idea what you are talking about. Are you saying the U. S. Justice Department is investigating me? If so, that is news. But if that is true, I have lawyers who look after my interests. If you’ll leave your card, I’ll have them contact you.”
“I don’t like lawyers or Mormons,” he said. “I especially don’t like hypocritical Mormons.”
“We are accustomed to both ignorance and bigotry.”
He chuckled. “That’s a good one. If the person is stupid, they won’t even get that you insulted them. If smart, they’ll get angry. Either way, you win. They teach you that in cult school?”
This time, no reply.
“Isn’t that where all Mormons go to learn the party line? Out in Temple Land. Salt Lake City. What are you taught? Just smile, be cool, and tell everyone Jesus loves them. Of course, Jesus will love you even more if you become a Mormon. Read the Book of Mormon and all will be right. Otherwise, you might just freeze to death in the outer darkness. Isn’t that what you call it?”
“There must be an exile for those who choose to follow Satan, in defiance of Heavenly Father’s plan,” Salazar said. “A place for tortured souls, like yourself.”
The mocking tone of the speech annoyed him. “How about blood atonement? Is that part of the grand plan?”
“You obviously read about my church’s history, matters that happened long ago, in another time. We no longer practice blood atonements.”
He pointed to Cassiopeia, who looked great. “Is she wife number one? Three? Eight?”
“We no longer practice plural marriage, either.”
He was pushing buttons, searching for the right one, but Salazar was maintaining a calm, self-confident demeanor. So he tried another tack and asked Cassiopeia, “You do realize that you’re having dinner with a murderer?”
Salazar sprang to his feet. “That’s enough.”
Finally. The right stimulus.
“Leave,” Salazar demanded.
He glanced up. Hate filled the eyes that stared back. But the Spaniard was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
“I saw the body,” he said, his voice low and soft.
Salazar said nothing.
“He was an American agent. With a wife and kids.”
He threw a final glance at Cassiopeia. Her features had gained a brittle look. Her eyes said, Go.
He slid back the chair and stood. “I took down two of your men and Barry Kirk. Now I’m coming for you.”
Salazar stared back, still saying nothing. Something he learned long ago came to mind. Stir a person up and they could be made to think. Add in anger and they’ll screw up, sure as hell.
He pointed his finger. “You’re mine.”
Then he stepped for the exit.
“Mr. Malone.”
He stopped and turned.
“You owe this lady an apology for your insults.”
He threw them both a look of contempt, then focused on Cassiopeia. “I’m sorry.”