She scowled at him. “Actually, yes. He wanted to avenge his parents. He came to me, knowing you would never get anywhere close to real justice. I helped him find where the goons were who had killed Juana and Gil. Living under new identities arranged by allies of their former employer, supported by a black pension, off the books. And he went and found them, and killed them.”

Donny had tried to find those same guards. They were ghosts. Like they had never even existed. Employment records expunged.

“How did you find them?” asked Donny.

“I asked the right people,” said Joyce.

“Did you have him killed too?”

She made a sour face. “Of course I didn’t have him killed. I’m like you, Donny. I don’t believe in the death penalty. I just don’t volunteer to help real murderers evade it. And if you’re wondering why he would go help arrest his little rich white honey—yes, don’t look so surprised, of course I know—the reason is it was a fucking rescue operation, you fool. Her father, your friend, was keeping her prisoner.”

“So I heard. Not sure I buy it.”

“Well, it’s true. Now she is free. And with her fortune, she is going to help us free the whole fucking world.”

Donny stared at her there, sitting on her porch, happily ripping the duct tape from his eyes. He could see she believed every word she said. He also had one other question coming into his head. But Patricia had come back now, standing on the porch with a gun instead of a pen this time, giving Donny the look that said, It’s time for you to go.

38

The archivists of New Orleans did have two functioning copy machines. They would not, however, let Donny use them, saying the resource was too precious to their work and saved for the most important files. Nor would they let Donny check any of the materials out, saying he was not trustworthy. But when they confirmed he was staying at the Library, a lodging operated by people known to the Council, they offered to send files there. He didn’t believe them, until he got back to the place and when he went to the desk the clerk on duty told him they had three file boxes set up in a carrel for him. Donny expressed his appreciation, but the truth was that all Donny wanted to do after seeing Joyce was find an expeditious way to self-medicate and worry about work in the morning.