He didn’t manage to get in touch with Day, but he sent the guy a message from his burner saying that he was going to meet with Jimmy and then get out of town.
The fact still stood that Quinn didn’t have a clue what Jimmy wanted. He hadn’t seemed hostile at the funeral, even when telling him to come over, but that could just be bluffing. Not all snakes had rattles.
Charlie sent him a text telling him to stay safe around six. Quinn just sent her back a heart emoji. He packed up the little stuff he had into his car and grabbed his badge from the hidey hole. Then he took the rest of his stocked cat and human foods to old Ezekiel next door.
“You leaving town?” Ezekiel asked, his expression neutral.
“Yeah. Now that Ian’s buried and Karen and some others are leaving town, there’s nothing for me here,” Quinn said as he carried the small box into Ezekiel’s kitchen. Then he turned to look at the old guy thoughtfully. “Do you know Benny Kyle?”
Ezekiel smiled dryly. “As much as anyone knows anyone else in this town. Why?”
“His daughter and grandson are leaving town tonight, too. I’m just thinking who I could tell to keep an eye on Benny, make sure his rent is paid.” Quinn leaned to the counter. “I can’t give him money because we all know where that’d go.”
“Meth,” Ezekiel spat the word out. “Ain’t it time for that Charlie to just let the man be?”
“It’s her dad.”
Ezekiel shrugged. “And so what?” Then he waved his hand as if swatting a mosquito. “Never mind. None of my business. I’m gonna say this, though.” He peered at Quinn seriously. “She wouldn’t want you meddling. I bet she’s made a plan for him already, you just don’t know about it.”
Quinn shook his head in defeat. “Maybe. Look, here’s some money for Shadow. If you need it. If not, buy some groceries.” He put a hundred bucks next to the box. “I got to go. Take care, Ezekiel.”
“You too, Quinn MacGregor.”
It’s Quinn Byrne, not MacGregor.
Quinn said bye and left the trailer.
On his way to the warehouse, he spotted the sheriff’s cruiser parked in one of the numerous dirt lots by Main Street. He made a split-second decision and swung into the lot.
When he got out of his car, Sheriff Will Henderson was leaning against his cruiser, looking at Quinn with a frown on his face.
“Sheriff Henderson,” Quinn said politely, tilting his head.
“Quinn MacGregor, what can I do for you?” Henderson’s tone was even, but his eyes were suspicious and careful.
“I wonder if I could ask a favor, sir.” Quinn walked closer and made sure Henderson could see his hands at all times.
“What could that be?”
“Here’s the deal; I’m heading into whatever Jimmy wants to talk with me, then I’m leaving town. I was here to keep an eye on what’s going on, but I’m leaving tonight with Aaron, Charlie, and her kid.”
Henderson frowned. He stared as Quinn reached into his back pocket and pulled out his badge.
“You’re a cop?” Henderson asked, his tone belying his surprise.
“Yep. Undercover one. And in case I don’t make it out of town tonight, you need to call my handler to let him know.”
Henderson’s face lit up with genuine shocked amusement. For a moment he looked like a movie star. Then he shook his head. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Yeah, not exactly what you were expecting, I’m sure.” Quinn opened the passenger’s door of his car, grabbed a piece of scrap paper off the floor, and turned back to Henderson. “Can I borrow a pen?”
Henderson handed his over, and Quinn wrote down Day’s number, the official one.
“Here you go. If I don’t make it to Aaron’s before they leave in…forty-five minutes or so, call Day.” Then he tacked on, “Please.”
Chuckling, Henderson took the pen and the note, then nodded. “Will do. You sure you don’t want backup from us?”
“No. I don’t know what he wants. I’m here for information only and this is the only way for me to get out of town right now.”
