where the statute of limitations is about to time out.’
‘Which is why he’s been lying low for so long, sponging off poor Holly. He slipped, but at just the right time – for him – because our routine computer checks were impossible. Why is it that assholes have all the luck?’
‘Maybe his luck’s about to change.’
‘I’d happily change it for him. If those phone calls pan out. And if I could find him.’
‘Maybe, acting on a hunch, you could take a look in Holly’s back yard. Any time in the next ninety minutes should do it.’
‘For real?’
Reacher nodded.
‘Maybe I will take a look in her yard. Maybe you’re right about the suitcases, too. But you didn’t hear that from me. It was kept away from the press for fear of copycats. And as a test for anyone claiming to be a witness.’
‘Thank you, Officer Rule. And good luck with your phone calls.’
‘Reacher, wait. I have a question for you. How did you know?’
‘About Holly’s boyfriend?’
‘No. About the suitcases.’
‘It’s part of something I’m working on. Maybe. I’m still joining the dots.’
‘Be careful where you tread. This is an active investigation. You shouldn’t be anywhere near it. If you know something, you have to tell me.’
‘Don’t worry. I will. When I’m sure.’
Rutherford was asleep when Reacher got back to the car. Like a kid. Or a dog.
‘Get what you need?’ Rutherford said, rubbing his eyes as Reacher slid into the passenger seat.
‘Another piece of the puzzle,’ Reacher said. ‘Maybe.’
‘So what’s next on the list?’
‘Accommodation.’
‘You could stay at my place.’
‘Thanks, but no. And you can’t stay there either. You saw the woman from yesterday watching your building. That shows they know where you live. We need to find somewhere else. Somewhere discreet. Anonymous. Where we can come and go without attracting attention. And in a convenient location. A motel outside town, maybe? Or near the highway?’
Rutherford reached for the button to start the engine then pulled his hand back and took out his phone. ‘I’ll have to Google it. I’ve lived here my whole life so I’ve never stayed in a hotel in town.’ He pressed and clicked and scrolled for a couple of minutes, then lowered the phone. ‘And there’s another problem. No offence, Reacher, but are you really the kind of guy who can come and go without attracting attention? Regardless of how anonymous or discreet a motel is?’
Reacher said nothing.
‘How about this as an alternative?’ Rutherford said. ‘I have the key to a neighbour’s apartment. It’s on the same floor, opposite mine. The guy who owns it is away on a cruise. He hates the heat so he’s away most of the year. Except winter. I keep an eye on the place for him. And water his plants. We could both stay there. My friend wouldn’t mind and no one else would know. In fact, it could help us because if anyone saw us going into the building they’d assume we were heading for my apartment so they wouldn’t search for us but they’d actually be looking in the wrong place. And if anyone tried to pay us a visit the doorman would call my cell. We could watch them watching us.’
‘That might work.’ Reacher paused. ‘Is there a garage at your building?’
‘Yes. In the basement. Access is from the street behind.’
‘Is your car there?’
Rutherford nodded. ‘Each unit gets one space. You can rent more if you want. And there are visitors’ spots if you want to park this car in one.’
‘This car can stay on the street,’ Reacher said. ‘Have you got any duct tape at your place?’
‘Why would I have duct tape?’
‘How about a sharp knife?’
‘I have a couple of kitchen knives. But they’re not super sharp. I’m not much of a chef.’
‘Where’s the nearest hardware store?’
‘I’m not sure. But there’s a truck stop near the highway that sells those things.’
The truck stop wasn’t the biggest Reacher had ever been in, but it was close. More of a small village than a large gas station. It had pizza restaurants and burger joints and fried chicken stands. Two motels. A coffee shop. Even a souvenir shop. The forecourt with the fuel pumps was almost the size of a football field, but it still seemed like an afterthought. The pumps were divided into two groups. Four banks of regular-sized ones for cars and SUVs. And six banks of larger ones, spread wider and further apart for the trucks and their trailers.
They left the car at one of the regular pumps