Hell's Corner

CHAPTER 68

They left the church and walked back to the park.

“So now George Sykes is a suspect,” said Chapman. “Is there anyone who’s not involved in this thing?”

“A conspiracy does require more than one person,” observed Stone.

“Oliver?”

They turned to see Alex Ford striding toward them.

“Let me do the talking,” said Stone quickly to Chapman. “Hello, Alex,” he said, turning to his friend.

“So are you going to tell me anything remotely close to the truth about what’s going on?” Alex asked, his voice strident.

“I know I’m being secretive and cryptic, but the fact is I’m not sure it’s a good idea you knowing about any of this.”

“So that’s how it stands? A member of the Camel Club in name only?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. But I have a commission and a shield now and—”

“That didn’t stop you from involving Annabelle, Harry and Reuben, did it? They don’t have a badge or a commission but I do.”

“I know none of this is simple.”

“Oh, it’s completely simple. You’ve cut me completely out of the loop. I thought we were friends. And I thought our friendship would rise above everything else.”

Stone started to say something but then stopped. He glanced at Chapman and then back at Alex.

“You’re right.”

This frank admission seemed to drain the anger from the Secret Service agent. “Okay.”

“We’ve made some progress,” said Stone. “But not enough, and my sense is that we’re running out of time. And if I’ve been less than candid with you, it’s partly due to your being in a very delicate position.”

“Partly?”

“Yes, the rest is due entirely to my clumsy handling of our friendship. I’m sorry.”

“Can you tell me this? Should I be worried? I mean for the president?”

“I know of no specific threats against him, if that’s what you mean. And if I did, you and the president would know too. That I swear.”

“I heard you met with him at Camp David.”

“I did. I needed to speak with him frankly.”

“And did he respond in kind?”

“He did. To a surprising degree, in fact.”

“I understand Reuben is still in the hospital.”

“Yes, that was close, Alex, too close.”

“We pushed you to let us help, Oliver. We’re all big boys and girls.”

“There is still responsibility at my level. I won’t be making that mistake again.”

“You can’t protect your friends from everything.”

“I can at least stop putting them in dangerous situations.”

“You said you’re making progress. Are you close to finding out what’s going on?”

“We are, actually.”

“And is it bad?”

Stone glanced at Chapman before answering. “I think it’s very bad, yes.”

“Be careful, then. And if there’s anything I can do to help, I’m here.” Alex turned and walked off.

“He’s a fine bloke,” said Chapman as she joined Stone.

“Yes, he is. Every time I talk with Alex I’m reminded both how lucky I am to have friends like him and also how unworthy I am to have friends like him.”

“Well, they probably feel the same way about you.”

“You think so? I don’t.”

“So what do we do about Mr. Sykes? Direct approach or something more subtle?”

“Subtle. And direct at the same time.”

“How do we manage that?”

“I’m thinking of a way right now. And something else just occurred to me. You know the Latinos that were killed?”

“Yeah?”

“Lloyd Wilder wasn’t involved. The Latinos all were.”

“What?”

“The man who told Annabelle he saw the men taking down the hoop was lying.”

“But you thought Lloyd Wilder was involved too. What changed your mind?”

“I suspected he was involved. I wasn’t convinced. But after thinking about it, I’m convinced my suspicions were wrong.”

“Why?”

“Annabelle and Reuben were strangers in a bar looking for the tree farm. And these men just happened to volunteer that one of them had seen someone, not John Kravitz, take down that hoop?”

“Well?”

“It was all staged. The man said he was hiding behind a building. As we saw when we were there the building with the hoop was over fifty feet from the next closest structure. And on a ladder and in the dark it’s nearly impossible to ID or even tell someone’s size and age. So how did he know he wasn’t John Kravitz?”

“That’s right. And the guy did say he left before the man even came down the ladder.”

“And right after they get this ‘critical’ piece of info Annabelle and Reuben are attacked?”

“So you think it was a setup?”

“I think they knew who Annabelle and Reuben were before they walked in that bar.”

“And they tried to kill them?”

“Operative word, tried. I know Reuben got shot twice, but they were both nonfatal wounds. Deliberately nonfatal, I believe. He’s as brave as they come, but there’s no way you’re overrunning a position fortified with machine guns by charging at them with a pistol. And they would not have retreated. By all combat logic Reuben should be dead.”

“So they let him live, you mean? Why?”

“So Annabelle and Reuben could come back and tell us what they heard. Another red herring, another dead end to run down, wasting time. And then the Latinos end up shot soon thereafter. More smoke and mirrors. More clues to hunt down that will take us farther from the truth.”

“And someone is also cleaning house,” said Chapman. “By killing them.”

“That too.”

“If you’re right, your country is really letting Turkekul have a lot of rope. He might kill everyone before he hangs himself.”

“Maybe.”

“So now Sykes?” said Chapman.

“Yes. Now Sykes.”