She picked up her pace, leaving the pair of them behind by about ten yards. This seemed to be intentional to allow them to discuss what she had just said.
“You think she’s on the up-and-up, or is she pretending to be our friend for some ulterior reason?” said Reel.
“I don’t know. She seems sincere. And why the need to be our friend? She’s got us here. She can do what she wants with us.”
“And it’s not like she’s asked us to do anything,” said Reel thoughtfully.
“Not yet,” corrected Robie.
“So what do we do?”
“We let it play out. I think that’s all we can do.”
“And if she is on the up-and-up?”
“Then I hope she doesn’t end up being collateral damage. Because I don’t think Evan Tucker cares who gets in the way or who gets hurt.”
Reel slowed down and then stopped.
He came back to her. “What is it?”
“Robie, I’m putting everyone in danger. You, her, Julie, anyone associated with me.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
“You just said it! Anyone who gets in his way. In his way to get to me. Because, let’s face it, I’m the one he really wants.”
“So what?”
“So I need to go this alone, Robie.”
“Go it alone? Against the CIA?”
“I’m not putting you or anyone else in danger. Any more danger. I’ve nearly gotten you killed more times than I can count.”
“Do you remember what I told you while we were standing in the rain, Jessica?”
“I know that, but—”
“I’ve never said that to anyone else. Ever.”
At his words Reel’s eyes glimmered, and she seemed taken aback, but quickly regrouped.
“But this is not survivable, Robie. They waterboarded us last night. What’s next? A firing squad?”
“Whatever it is, we’ll take it on together. That way we double our chances of survival.”
“No, we just double the potential number of casualties.”
“Let’s go. Marks gets too far ahead she might hold back dessert tonight as punishment.”
Robie ran off. Reel waited a few more seconds and then shook her head and ran hard to catch up. But the worried look in her eyes remained.
Chapter
17
MR. FONTAINE?”
Earl, who had been dozing in his prison hospital bed, roused, opened his eyes, and looked around.
“Mr. Fontaine?”
He focused on her, the young doctor. He sat up straighter. “Yeah, Doc?”
She pulled up a chair and sat next to him. Earl noted that a guard other than big Albert was with her. But the man was still keenly watching Earl. He probably knew Earl’s crimes even if the young doctor didn’t.
“I wanted to let you know that I made some calls.”
“Calls?”
“About your request.”
Earl knew what she was talking about, but he had decided to play to the hilt the doddering old man with not much time to live.
“’Bout my little girl, you mean?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Sweet Jesus, thank you so much, Doc.”
“I spoke to some people up in Washington.”
“Washington! Holy Lord! Thank you, thank you.”
“They put me in contact with other people after I explained the situation. Now, there are no guarantees.”
“’Course not, Doc, never expected none. But what you did, well, I don’t know enough words to properly thank you. It just means the world. The world to me.”
The doctor seemed embarrassed by this outpouring of gratitude. Her cheeks tinged with red, she continued. “These matters are very delicate, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
Earl hastily said, “O’course I understand. All hush-hush, you mean?”
“Yes. Now, this isn’t exactly my field of expertise, but I explained the situation as best I could. The U.S. Marshals—”
“The Marshals, Lordy, Lordy,” exclaimed Earl. “My little girl is okay, ain’t she?”
“The Marshals oversee the Witness Protection Program, Mr. Fontaine.”
“Oh, hell, that’s right.” He pointed to his IV lines. “These drugs, Doc, these dang drugs mess up my head. Can’t think straight. Half the time ain’t even know my own name.”
“I’m sure,” she said, giving him a sympathetic smile. Then she hurried on. “They said that the request was very unusual and that they would have to check it out. I’m not sure how long it will take. But I did tell them of your personal circumstances. That is—” Here she faltered.
“Meaning I ain’t got much longer to live,” Earl said helpfully.
“Yes, I told them that. I didn’t go into specifics because that would be a violation of patient confidentiality.”