Fucking Ivana. “Who else knows?”
“Just me. Ivana had me hacking the jeweler’s phone to see what they’re not displaying. Think she found something.”
“Does Nikola know?”
“Not yet, but I’ll tell him when he comes in.”
“Don’t say anything, because it’s personal business.”
“I’m looking at my screen, and it’s definitely his business, Ludi.”
“How so?”
“Gregory Bentley got promoted to sheriff.” Replacing the one I popped. “Great news for Nikola this morning. I’ll give him the bad news first, then the good news. This dude is big. Linebacker size.”
“I know. I met him.”
The line goes silent, and Sokol whispers, “What the fuck are you doing?”
I run a hand through my hair. “I’m going after her.”
“You crazy? Oh wait, you are crazy. There’s heat on you. Lie low.”
“No can do.”
“I gotta report this.”
“Do what you gotta do, but I’m going after her. You gonna check her out for me or not?”
“I have to clear this with Nikola.”
“Goodbye.”
Sokol shouts, and I hang up, get the food for Studly, and walk to the feeder. As I pack the feeder, I evaluate my options. I went through Isla’s purse and recall the address on her ID card, though I won’t be going back to the small town where I did a job only a two days earlier.
The activity around the former sheriff is fresh. But the day after tomorrow is a Monday, and she’s a student with a student ID, which I also memorized from her wallet. Now I just need to get near the school, and I can’t call for a ride when I’m traveling with a duffel full of weapons.
I dial Mr. Homer.
He picks up almost immediately. “Ludi, hey, my man.”
“Homer, I need a ride.”
“Sure. When?”
“Right now.”
“Um, I’m under your car with the mechanic.”
“Leave the car to the mechanic and come pick me up. And Homer?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
One week later.
I standat the entrance of a private Catholic all-girl school. The moment I step over the threshold, I feel as if Jesus slapped me upside my head. Campus layout memorized from the background work, I move toward the library.
