“I don’t like it,” she said, “even with the money you’re offering me over and above the reward, which I might or might not get.”

“If it doesn’t work, you still keep my fifty grand, if it works, you’re a million dollars richer.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Nathan stood. “He murdered twenty-four people.”

She lit another cigarette. “I said I’ll think about it.”

“Remember, if he calls, don’t talk to him on your work or home number. Drive a few miles down the road and find a pay phone. Make sure you’re not followed. Write the number down and arrange a time for him to call you back. After he calls, wait a few minutes before calling me. And be sure you mention my name, Nathan McBride.”

“What so damned important about that?”

“He’ll know.”

She squinted her eyes and took another hit on the cigarette.

“Also, if he calls, verify that Janey’s his daughter.”

“I don’t like that either.”

“Think about it, Amber. Put the pieces together.”

She was quiet for a few seconds. “You’re thinking he’ll want to see her.”

“That’s right.”

“What makes you think he gives a damn? He never has before.”

“That’s true, but he didn’t know about Janey.”

She didn’t respond.

“Janey’s outside. Don’t give her a hard time for talking to me. I didn’t give her a choice. She’s just trying to do the right thing. I hope you will too. Let her drive you home. If you get behind the wheel, those two over my left shoulder will probably arrest you.”

She looked in that direction. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

Nathan left her sitting there and walked over to the clean-cut guys. “It’s a little warm in here for Windbreakers.”

They didn’t reply.

“She doesn’t know where he is.”

Keeping his eyes squarely on Nathan, the man sitting on the left slid his right hand into his waist pack. “We don’t want any trouble.”

“You’re dressed right, but your hair and clothes are too clean. It makes you stand out in a place like this.”

They glanced at each other, their expressions neutral.

Nathan continued through the bar, waved to the toothless bartender, and received a middle-finger salute.

Outside, he found Henning with his Glock drawn. All six patrons who’d bolted out the rear door were neatly lying facedown in the alley, arms out their sides. “Looks like an undersized catch,” Nathan said. “I’d throw them all back.”

“How’d it go in there?”

“About like I expected. Sheldon doesn’t know where he is. She confirmed he called, though. Gave us permission to tap her phone in case he calls back.”

“Well, that’s something.”

They started across the parking lot.

“What about us?” one of the barflies asked from the concrete.

Henning turned back. “Take off.”