The Intern(103)

Kathryn hung her head. “I knew it. God.”

“Kathy, why are we talking about this now?”

“Because. She kept me a virtual prisoner for years. She’s the one who murdered Doug Kessler. I know that because I was there. I saw it, and I have a photo to prove it, of her leaving the scene after Doug was shot. You can clearly see her in the driver’s seat. She pulled the trigger. Not me. Not Charlie. And now she wants me dead.”

“I’m not bringing Nancy into this when the feds got nothing on her. I’m trying to make things right here, not become a snitch in my old age.”

“Oh, come on, Ray. You know she’ll kill me the second she has a clear shot. So would Charlie.”

There was a pause.

“Ray?”

“Well. It’s true you and her never were on the same page. I guess she didn’t treat you too good.”

She scoffed. “That’s an understatement.”

“But I don’t want to take sides.”

“I’m not asking you to. At the end of the day, giving up Nancy is on me. You can have a clear conscience, so don’t let it prevent us from doing business. Remember, there’s something you want more than anything else, right? Eyes on the prize.”

His sigh was audible. “You’re right. Where should we meet?”

“How about the Mass. Ave. bridge? There’s always traffic there. I’ll feel comfortable.”

“Works for me. Say, ten o’clock tonight?”

“Sure.”

“No funny business now.”

“You either.”

“I swear it on your mother’s life.”

“I’ll see you then. Oh, and I’ll be wearing a plaid raincoat.”

“Gotcha. And Kathy?”

“Yeah.”

“Take care of yourself.”

Tears filled her eyes. This was goodbye, and there had been too many of those. When she finally spoke, it was with a catch in her voice.

“You too, Uncle Ray. You too.”





38


Judge Conroy had an arrangement with a waiter named Theo, who worked at a restaurant that she’d been frequenting for years. She paid him to do things for her that she couldn’t do herself, out of fear of being watched. This waiter had arranged for her to park the Volvo behind the restaurant the night before. Theo was willing to pick up the judge’s Nissan and drive it to the Best Western, for use in the meeting later tonight.

The judge trusted the waiter, but Madison thought it would be too great a risk.

“Doesn’t Wallace have the town house staked out? Or what about the feds? They could follow the car right to us.”

“I don’t see why the feds would be watching the town house when they know I’m not there. And Ray will call Charlie off. Tell him I’m somewhere else so he goes chasing after ghosts,” the judge said.

Judge Conroy had worked out a deal with Raymond Logue. Their safety hinged on him holding up his end of the bargain.

“I still think you’re too trusting. The idea that Logue is taking your side against Wallace—don’t you think that could be a setup?”

“Ray knows what he took from me, and what he owes. He wants to make amends. I’ve known him my whole life. I know his heart. Have you ever read Harry Potter?”

“Of course. Every kid my age did.”

“You know how Snape seems like a bad guy who hates Harry? But in the end, he helps him, out of love for Harry’s mother?”

“Yes.”

“It’s like that.”

“You’re sure about him? Really sure?”

“Enough to bet my life on it. And my daughter’s.”

And mine, she thought.

The actual handover of the judge’s daughter would take place at 9:00 P.M. At that meeting, Logue would also give the judge the password to a bank account he’d set up in her name. At ten, a second meeting would take place, between Logue and Madison, who’d be posing as the judge. That one, the feds knew about, because they’d listened in on the call setting it up. Presumably they’d be surveilling it. God, she hoped they would. Because either meeting could be an ambush. And either woman could wind up dead.

They were sitting in the room at the Best Western with the blinds drawn. It was dark outside, and they hadn’t ventured out since breakfast. The judge said they should eat something. They’d need their strength. Madison would need hers, especially. She called down to the desk clerk, who got them takeout sandwiches from the gas station next door. But neither one could eat. They just took a few bites and cast the sandwiches aside, not that they were great anyway. Ten o’clock on the Mass. Ave. bridge was just three hours from now. The time hung over Madison like a threat of death. Which it was. What she’d agreed to do was incredibly dangerous.

Judge Conroy was having doubts on Madison’s behalf.

“It’s not too late to change your mind,” she said. “You don’t have to do this for me. You haven’t even known me that long.”

“I’ve known you ever since I saw you speak at Career Day. Ten years. That’s how long you mattered to me. I want you to have the life you deserve. Anyway, I’m not doing it just for you. I have my own reasons. To help Danny. You know that.”