and jeans that were very tight around his bulging thighs. Lace-up combat boots were on his feet. A pistol rode in a clip holster on his belt; an extra mag for the weapon sat in a compartment next to the gun. His hair was shaved military short, his face tanned and weathered.
“I’ve been standing there for ten minutes waiting for you to come by. I didn’t move a muscle. Heartbeat’s at fifty-two and mellow, so you didn’t hear that. Never made a sound. What gave me away?”
Mace walked over to him and lightly smacked him on the face. “Either cut down on the Old Spice or stay upwind of me.”
He laughed and put out his hand. “Rick Cassidy.”
“You’re the former SEAL?”
He cocked his head and gave her a lopsided smile. “Okay, how do you figure? I’m wearing Army green.”
“Most SEALS I know like to wear the Army green because they know they look better in it than the trench boys do. Your face has seen a lot of sun, salt, and ocean wind. You’ve also got on standard-issue Navy-class stomp boots. And a SEAL I dated said you guys swore by the H&K P9S that’s riding in your belt holster.” As he stared down at his gun she added, “Its silhouette and grip are pretty distinctive.”
“You live up to your rep, Ms. Perry, I’ll give you that.”
“Already got a dossier on me? And the name’s Mace.”
“Everyone who comes here gets the same intel treatment. Mace.”
“I’ve got no problem with that. How did you end up here?’ “Mr. Altman is a great guy. He made me a great offer.” Cassidy paused. “And he helped take care of my little sister. Leukemia. My parents had no health insurance.”
“Did she make it?”
“Graduating from college this year.”
“That’s very cool, Rick.”
“Mr. Altman wants to see you up at the main house when you get a chance. I smelled croissants baking in the kitchen. Herbert’s on a roll. And the coffee is always fresh. I understand there’s a seat waiting for you. No rush. Whenever.”
“Thanks, Rick. Any idea what he wants me for?”
“Something about a mom and her kid and a dude named Psycho. Ring any bells?”
“More than one, actually.”
“Keep running hard, Mace.”
“One more thing, Rick.”
“Yeah?”
“This stuff I’m doing for Abe, it might lead to some unsavory characters taking a special interest in me. They might follow me back here. Just a heads-up.”
“Forewarned is always a good thing, Mace. Thanks.”
She turned to start up her run again. When she looked back, Cassidy had disappeared back into the trees. For a number of reasons, that gave her a great sense of comfort. She ran back to the guest-house, sat in the hot tub for a while, showered, changed, and killed some more time as images of her dead father finally faded away. Then she trudged over to the main house. To talk about moms, babies, and bandits named Psycho.
CHAPTER 74
THE PHONE BUZZED on Beth Perry’s desk.
“Chief.”
“Got a letter here for you,” said her aide.
“Who from, Donna?”
“Mona Danforth.”
“Bring it in.”
Donna Pierce punched in the numbers on Beth’s secure office door, brought the letter in, handed it to her, and then turned to leave.
“Who delivered it?” Beth asked.
“It wasn’t Ms. Danforth, of course,” Pierce said, barely hiding a smile. “Hard for her to walk all this way in those four-inch heels. Some wimpy guy in a suit who nearly ran out of here when I asked him if he wanted to speak to you directly.”
“Thanks.”
After Pierce left, Beth slit open the envelope and unfolded the heavy bond paper. The contents of the letter were short and the rise in Beth’s blood pressure was swift. She clicked some keys on her computer and read down several screen pages. After that she called the courthouse to check on something. Then she hit her speakerphone. “Pierce, get the wicked witch on the line for me. Now!”
Beth heard her aide struggle to suppress a laugh. “Yes, Chief, right away.”
Pierce came back on a minute later. “Her assistant says she’s not available for your call.”
“Put it through.”
Beth picked up the phone. “Chief Perry.”
“Yes, I’m sorry, Chief, but Ms. Danforth is—”
“Standing right over your shoulder.”
“No, she has court—”
“I just checked with the docket clerk. She’s not in court.” Beth shouted into the phone, “Mona, if you won’t talk to me, then I’ll just take this letter you sent me up to Capitol Hill and see what the folks on the Judiciary Committee will make of you abdicating your role as protector of the people. The