Annabelle said, “And it’s a perfect way to do it. Lots of little checks cut. A town in the boonies. Who’d suspect? The cash comes out pure white.”

Tyree said, “What if your guy is up at that prison, how do we get to him? It’s not like we have enough to get a search warrant.”

Annabelle snapped, “Screw a search warrant. What we need to do is just get up to that prison and get him out fast if he’s there.”

They all stared at her, Tyree looking the most nervous.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, ma’am. My brother is a pretty smart guy. And if he is involved in all this, you can bet he won’t let us waltz into the place and look around.”

“That’s okay, Sheriff, I rarely go in the front door. Shirley told me about those miners getting killed and that’s why they call the prison Dead Rock. She mentioned a parallel shaft. I wonder where it is and how far it went in?”

Tyree said, “I don’t know the particulars.”

“I can check at the local library,” Caleb offered.

“And find out everything you can on Dead Rock prison,” she added. She looked at Tyree. “And I’d appreciate everything you can tell me about the place too.”

“I’ll be glad to, but there’re lots of places to hide folks up there,” Tyree pointed out.

“I’m sort of counting on that,” said Annabelle.

Chapter 74

CHAPTER 74

THERE WAS ANOTHER CHOPPER in the vicinity of Divine and it soared along the treetops before landing in the parking lot of Blue Spruce Prison.

Only one man got out of the bird; he walked unhurriedly toward the prison.

It took a few minutes of processing at the front entrance and a phone call. And for such a special visitor, the warden himself came down.

Macklin Hayes shook hands with Howard Tyree.

“What does the CIA want here?” Tyree said in a surly tone.

“I think you have one of my men here,” the CIA chief answered pleasantly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“All right, we’ll play the game. For now, anyway. His name is Joe Knox. He’s about six-one, two-twenty, with slicked back salt-and-pepper hair. He should have another man with him. A little taller, leaner, white hair, cut short. Answers to the name Oliver Stone or John Carr depending on the day and the situation.”

“There’s no one here who fits that description. Now, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. This is a supermax prison and unauthorized visitors are never welcome even from the CIA.” Tyree’s men clustered behind him.