Outfox - Sandra Brown Page 0,139

mouths shut. Have them take a look at this video, then ask if they’d be willing to loiter around the courthouse this afternoon and be on the lookout? Best I can tell by this video, he was dressed in a generic, dark-colored tracksuit that would be appropriate for either sex. Short-haired wig.”

“He might have changed identities again.”

“He might have,” Drex said. “But it’s a damn good ruse, the kind of joke that Jasper would eat up, and it worked well for him last night.”

Locke said, “I’ll do the recruiting while Menundez is booking you.”

Over Rudkowski’s protests, the detectives hadn’t put Drex in lockup to await his arraignment, but had remanded him to the interrogation room with a stern warning not to betray their trust by trying to sneak out.

He gave them his promise, but they’d posted an officer outside the door anyway. Rudkowski was too busy fielding calls from media outlets to closely monitor Drex’s preferential treatment. Had he, he would have created a ruckus.

Drex’s phone had been confiscated along with his other personal belongings, but he was allowed to borrow Talia’s to put in a call to Gif.

When Gif answered, Drex said, “Man, it’s good to hear your voice.”

“Drex, have you lost your fucking mind?”

“I see you’ve talked to Mike.”

“We just hung up. Sheriff’s office finally released him, and he’s on his way to you. He called from an Uber car and filled me in. Said you played Rudkowski like a fiddle.”

“With Mike’s help. He tipped that reporter for me, anonymously. The stealth only made her more determined to seek out Rudkowski for comment. I knew he would jump at a chance to denounce me on TV. While appearing to try and talk him out of it, I spoon-fed him what I wanted Jasper to hear. He even quoted me directly. Let’s hope it works to draw Jasper out.”

“I understand your reasoning, but, Drex, you let the genie out of the bottle. You stand accused of breaking the law of the land.”

“I did break the law of the land.”

“But now the world knows it.”

“Worth it, Gif, if we nail him.”

“Are you in lockup?”

“An interrogation room. With visitation rights.” Across from him Talia sat, unsmiling.

“How will you plead?”

“Not guilty. I’m not going to make it easy on Rudkowski. I’ve met with my court-appointed counsel. He’s old and tired, but knows the ropes. He told me we lucked out on the assigned prosecutor, who’s green, lazy, and none too bright. I was booked on misdemeanor state charges. Even if it goes to trial, which I doubt, I’ll probably get off with a fine and probation.”

“Rudkowski won’t settle for that. He’ll file federal charges and see to it that you do time. You know he will. Furthermore—”

“Gif, if you want to tell me how crazy I am, you’ll have to get in line. But what I did, I did out of desperation, not insanity. Now, enough of that. How are you doing? Are you in pain?”

“They gave me one of those self-dispensing things.”

“Good drugs?”

“Not good enough.”

“Jesus, Gif. I’ll never forgive myself for sending you to wander around alone last night, knowing that whack job—”

“Don’t try to get off the subject.”

“I’m not.”

“Sure you are. I recognize the tactic. What does Talia think about what you’ve done?”

Drex looked over at her, where she sat, her brow knit with consternation. Her arms were folded across her middle, providing a shelf for her delectable breasts. Although, clearly, allure wasn’t her intention.

“She’s so mad at me, her freckles are about to combust.”

“Why’s she mad?”

“She says I’m setting a trap with myself as bait.”

“Well, you are.”

“Listen, Gif, all this talk is wearing you out. I can hear it in your voice. You need to rest. Don’t worry about anything.”

“That sounds like a brush-off.”

“It is.” Although Gif did sound out of steam, his voice having gone thin.

“I hate this, Drex. When you need me most, I’m laid up here, useless. I want to help, to be doing something.”

“You’re healing. That’s a big something. Get well enough to lay into me the next time we see each other.”

“When will that be?”

“Uncertain. Depends on whether or not I’m granted bail. Rudkowski will argue that I’m a flight risk.”

“You are.”

“Yeah, but maybe the judge will rule in favor of a flight risk over a buffoon.”

“You’re joking, but you could go to jail. After all these years, everything you’ve sacrificed to this, I can’t stand to think of it ending with you behind bars.”

“You’re not going to cry, are you?”

“Maybe.”

Drex smiled, but his