The Book of Fate

40

What’d she write?” Micah asked, gripping the steering wheel and trying to read the newspaper in O’Shea’s lap. Four cars ahead of them, Wes’s Toyota chugged back and forth through traffic.

“Some fluffy mention about the First Lady’s suit,” O’Shea said from the passenger seat, still scanning Lisbeth’s column. “Though she did manage to work in a Dreidel mention.”

“You think Wes told her what’s going on?”

“No idea — though you saw the body language last night. All the hesitations… just barely looking her in the eyes. If he hasn’t said anything, he’s thinking about it.” Pointing ahead to the Toyota, O’Shea added, “Not so close — pull back a hair.”

“But for him to go to the press,” Micah began, hitting the brakes and dropping back a few cars. “He’s safer with us.”

“Not in his eyes. Don’t forget, the kid’s been wrecked by the best, and he’s somehow still standing. Deep down, he knows how the world works. Until he gets a better bargaining chip, in his mind, he’s not safe with anyone.”

“See, that’s why we should just offer him straight clemency. Okay, Wes, next time you hear from Boyle, tell him Manning wants to meet with him and give him a time and place. Then call us and we’ll take care of the rest. I know you’ve got big eyes, O’Shea, but unless we finally put hands on Boyle—”

“I appreciate the concern, Micah — but trust me, we stick with Wes and we’ll get our Boyle.”

“Not if Wes thinks we’re gonna bite back. I’m telling you, forget the vague promises — put a deal on the table.”

“No need,” O’Shea said, knowing that Micah always went for the easy way out. “Wes knows what we want. And after everything Boyle’s so-called death put him through, he wants him more than any of us.”

“Not more than me,” Micah insisted. “After what him and Manning pulled—”

“Get up there! He’s running the red light!”

Micah punched the gas, but it was already too late. With a screech, the car in front of them came to an abrupt halt, forcing them to do the same. In the distance, Wes’s Toyota climbed up the bridge and out of sight.

“I told you to—”

“Relax,” Micah said. “He’s just going to work. Losing him for two minutes isn’t gonna kill anyone.”