Page 74 (1/2)

"Did you try to find out?"

"To serve and protect," Bohlig told her "That’s what it says on the sides of our police cars; that was my job I did my job The town is a better place because I did my job I protected and served this town and I don’t lose any sleep over it I picked you to replace me Noe’ll see hoell you do"

"You’re not a cop," I said "You’re a co-conspirator"

I sat at the small table in my motel room I had a bucket of ice, a bottle of vodka, and a six-pack of tonic water--the Victoria municipal liquor store had opened at 10:00 AM and I was its first custoht the vodka it ith the intention of getting ioing to do?"

I had been askingHe was probably right There was no way to convict Jack Barrett of er evidence enough even to charge him What bothered enuinely liked him I hadn’t felt so utterly betrayed since my father died

Outside the weather had turned nasty The wind had whipped up and a hard snoas falling Trafficlot A couple of cars swung in, looking for refuge from the storm I opened the vodka and a bottle of mix, built a stiff drink, and toasted the weather Nature was cruel, but not vindictive, and never personal "You ht be a mother, but never a bitch," I said and downed half the drink "You just don’t give a da

I finished the drink in a hurry and built a second

I hoped so to work out, that it would be all right Soe or Cate Blanchett No such luck Instead, I got Lindsey Bauer Barrett

I had just finished the second vodka tonic when she called At first I thought it sanother five times Then another

"What?" I finally shouted into the receiver

"Mac? It’s Lindsey Barrett"

"Zee"

"A? I can call back"

"No I was just--Actually, I was thinking about getting drunk, if you must know"

"Why? What happened? Did you learn who sent the e-mail?"

"Not yet, no"

"What then?"

How do you tell your friend that you believe her husband is a uilty after all"

"What makes you say that?"

"I uncovered some evidence, talked to soood"