died in a fire that was set by someone from LaSalle’s own group. Walker performed the autopsy, but there was still one other role that had to be played.”
“Mott,” Steve said.
Hendrickson nodded. “And now you know what’s been hidden for twenty-five years. I’m a coward for not coming forward before.”
“That deputy,” Steve said, “Oderkirk. He was killed, wasn’t he?”
“I don’t know,” Hendrickson said.
“You didn’t suspect?”
“I’ve given up suspecting.”
“I think Oderkirk started asking questions Mott didn’t like.”
“That may be.” Hendrickson was a deflated balloon now. He seemed to sink inside his suit.
Meyer clicked off the tape recorder. “This is all hearsay,” he said. “I believe it, but we need to have direct evidence.”
“We can exhume the boy’s body, do a DNA match,” Steve asked. “He’s buried in Indio.”
“We’d still need LaSalle’s DNA. He predates the databases. I don’t think he has a record.”
“We’ve got enough for the feds to go up there with a search warrant. They’re going to need a whole team for this one. I better call those two guys in LA.”
“What about Mott?” Steve said.
“We have less than nothing on Owen Mott,” Meyer said. “We’re going to have to tread very lightly around that one.”
“And what about me?” Hendrickson asked.
“No one needs to know we’ve spoken,” Meyer said. “In the warrant affidavit you will be an anonymous citizen informant. That’s enough to get us through their gates.”
Bethany spoke. “But will you be able to get out?”
When the interview with Hendrickson was over, Steve and Bethany filled in gaps with Meyer for another hour and a half.
Meyer might have gone for another two, but Steve finally said, “That’s it for the night, Meyer. Have you thought about what you’re going to do with us?”
Apparently he had not. He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes.
“I’ll help you out,” Steve said. “You’re going to secure a couple of rooms at that Hyatt we saw near the hospital. Under your name. You’re going to spring for the meals and some clothes for Bethany. We’ll kick back there, if you don’t mind. At least until the feds come riding in to town.”
“Which may be sooner than you think,” Meyer said. He opened his cell phone and made a call, turning his back and walking to a corner of the conference room. A moment later he was back.
“Just half an hour more,” he said. “Issler and Weingarten just got here.”
“Already?” Steve said, “How many speed laws did they break?”
“Doesn’t matter. They’re feds.”
“All right,” Steve said. “But I want you to bring us another bag of Milanos.”
“Nice to see you again, Mr. Conroy,” Agent Issler said.
Weingarten gave him a nod.
“I missed you guys,” Steve said.
“I guess you’re ready to help us nail LaSalle?”
“I am so ready.”
“Then we need to move fast,” Issler said. “I’m going to need statements from both of you.”
“Mr. Meyer has it all on tape,” Steve said.
“Just some things we need for ourselves. We’ll put it all together.”
Steve looked at Bethany, who seemed ready to fall asleep. “I’ll give you half an hour,” he said. “Then we go into Mr. Meyer’s version of witness protection.”
It was eight thirty when Steve settled into a room at the Hyatt, with a window that looked out at the mountains. In the moonlight they were but an outline, peaceful in repose.
Quite an illusion, Steve thought. You’d never know that death was everywhere out there.
He disconnected the hotel phone and fell into a solid, dreamless sleep. And woke up to the siege of the century.
72
It was almost noon when he awoke. The room was quiet but for the hum of the air pumping in. Peaceful. His leg was sore but not unbearable. Best of all, he was outside of Verner and all that it represented.
He wondered how Bethany was doing. What she would do now. How do you get back into life when the only life you knew was the bizarre world of Eldon LaSalle?
Maybe he could help her find a job somewhere. Get her some support. Just like he got in recovery. Hers was going to be a recovery from a living death. She’d need some group for that.
He flicked on the TV to catch the news. Today would be a nice, slow day. Take it easy. Kick back, like Meyer would have said. He’d make sure Bethany got a good meal and would charge it to the room. He’d check in with the DA later, find out what the latest—
The TV came on to the hotel channel. Steve advanced to the next channel.
Which