“You’ll be happy to know that you’re officially off-limits, or so my boss just told me. But just keep in mind that something really screwy is going on with Carr. I’ve already gabbed with his friends, including the lady who calls herself Susan Hunter. She told me Carr had the goods on Carter Gray but that Gray got it back probably at the Capitol Visitor Center. You probably already know that from your suitably blank expression. Maybe you were even there. All I can tell you is I’ve been assigned to track Carr down. That’s all. But when I do track him down, and rest assured I will, other people will show up and take over. And I doubt they’ll have his best interests at heart. Whether you give a shit or not, I don’t know and really don’t care.”

He put out a hand for Finn to shake. When he did, Finn came away with a business card with Knox’s contact information on it.

“You have a good day, Mr. Finn.”

Knox walked back to his truck while Finn stared after him.

Knox didn’t know exactly why he’d done that. Well, maybe he did. John Carr had gotten his ass shot up for his country and they’d screwed him. Whatever else the man had done, that just wasn’t right.

In the white van, Annabelle punched in the number. A moment later Harry Finn answered. He relayed to her what Knox had told him and she in turn filled him in.

“Do we trust this guy, Annabelle?” Finn asked.

“I didn’t at first, but now I’m not so sure. He seems to be caught right in the middle.”

“So what do we do?”

“Sit tight. I may need your help later. Or more to the point, Oliver will.”

“I owe Oliver everything. So I’ll be there if you need me.”

Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

STONE ROSE, his right hand undoing his belt as he did so. He slipped it off and held it by the buckle. The silver pointed end dangled a few inches from the road.

The men circled him, holding their bats ready.

“Odds don’t look too good for you, pops,” said one of them.

An instant later he was on the ground, his face covered in blood from where the belt point had bitten into his eye.