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.”
“The risk to you is so great. Is it worth it? For me, if I stay behind, they’ll kill me. But for you—”
“They’d kill me, too. And the feds would refuse to let Danny go. Judge, stop trying to talk me out of it. I’ll be okay. Not only am I a strong swimmer, but I swim the Charles every year when they do that public access thing. I love it, actually. The water is surprisingly clean. I’ve experienced the current. I know what to expect.”
“But in the cold? At night? In bad weather?”
“The water is warmer than the air at this time of year. Give me a wetsuit and a headlamp, and I’ll be fine.”
“Theo is bringing those. But you still have to jump. People die doing that.”
“The distance isn’t far. I can handle it. My college roommate had a cabin in the White Mountains. There was a flooded quarry where we’d dive in and swim. I never had a problem there, and that jump was longer. You go in feet first to break the surface tension, that’s all. Really. I know what I’m doing.”
“Madison, I’m scared.”
“So am I. But we’ve been over this. It’s the only way they’ll stop looking for you. The only plan that achieves both our goals.”
That ended the discussion. Because she was right.
Time passed. Around eight thirty, Theo texted to say he was outside with the judge’s car. Judge Conroy watched from behind the blinds to make certain that he hadn’t been followed, then went out to meet him. She returned with the car keys and bags containing everything they’d need. A wetsuit, a headlamp, wigs, and the judge’s beautiful plaid raincoat that Madison so admired. Too bad it was going to end up in the river. After switching clothes and donning the wigs, they stood side by side in the cramped bathroom gazing in the mirror and giggling like kids at how much they looked like one another.