Forsyth said, ‘Sometimes life just goes in a strange direction. I was living unhappy for twenty years. And then I met Leo, and things seemed to click into place. He’d bring me flowers—on the weekends when I was going back to LA, he’d give me these flowers. I’d give them to Deborah, and I think she found it a bit strange. Like it was pointless or something.’ He sighed through his teeth, and then made an effort to brighten. ‘Well, I thought we’d have these for dinner, but there’s something about a midday barbecue, you know? Makes it feel like summer still.’

Erin said, ‘So is there a second half to the plan?’

Forsyth looked at her. From under the pine tree, Leo called, ‘You need to turn them now.’

Erin said, ‘Is there more to this? Other than staying out of sight with your drug stash for the rest of your life?’

Forsyth lowered the lid on the hotplate, a polite tink. He said, ‘Look, I’m sorry, I thought I’d made it clear. I’m not trying to gain anything from this.’ He gestured at Leo. ‘Neither of us is. I was trapped in a fucking mess. I don’t know what else to call it.’ He jutted his lower jaw, looked away while he composed himself. ‘Trapped in my marriage, trapped in some … shit, goddamned illegal enterprise.’ He gestured at the barn. ‘I saw this as a good outcome. And … well. You don’t have to tell me how terrible it is that people are dead. You don’t. But you have to be realistic, too. I can’t just call them up and say come get it, and everything can go back to the way it was.’

Erin was shaking her head. ‘I don’t want you to give it back. I just want you to know what you’re involved with. Does Leo know what he’s bought into? Or does he think he’s going to stay low for a few weeks and then go home?’

‘He hasn’t bought into anything.’ He shook his head disgustedly. ‘He loves me. All right?’

Erin said, ‘Well, that’s good. I just wanted to make sure you know that you’re never going to be safe. Living like this, I mean.’

Forsyth raised the lid on the hotplate and prodded the meat and set the lid down again.

Erin said, ‘Seven people are dead. That’s just in the last two days. And one of them was a US Marshal. These people aren’t going to get bored and move on to another project. You’re it. You’re the project.’

Forsyth ignored her.

Erin said, ‘There’s no way this can end well. Too many people are dead. But it’s a much better outcome if you don’t end up dead, too.’

Forsyth said, ‘I think the meat’s ready.’