Page 169 of A Matter of Time

“Watching makes you an accessory, Jory, it doesn’t make you innocent.”

“I see. So you’re thinking Roman’s still gonna try and kill me even though Brian is dead.”

“Yes, because Roman will still be charged with a crime as long as you’re around.”

“Will I have to testify against him?”

“Since you already gave your statement, probably not. They expect him to take a plea. But if he doesn’t, then yes.”

“And in the meantime, if I happen to turn up dead, Roman walks.”

“Again, there are other factors to consider, but maybe don’t get killed.”

“Excellent advice, Detective.”

He inhaled sharply.

“So tell me what now.”

“Well, last night there was some activity about you. No one knows where you are, seems you dropped out of sight.”

“And?”

“And they’re looking for you.”

“To kill me.”

“Yes.”

I concentrated on breathing so I wouldn’t hyperventilate.

He was studying me, his arms crossed over his chest. “It was a nice touch, changing Keyes to Harcourt. Did you think of that or your boss?”

“Well, he’s not my boss anymore. I changed jobs.”

“Oh. You still live in the same place?”

“Yeah.”

He nodded. “I don’t suppose you’d let me place you in protective custody this time around?”

“Doesn’t seem like it did Brian any good.”

“No, it didn’t,” he conceded.

“And you guys still have your leak.”

“We do.”

“So then…no.”

“Okay.”

We stood in silence for long minutes.

“If Brian and Roman were friends, why did he kill Brian?”

“First, like I said, Brian put Roman in jeopardy by killing Saul with Roman right there, and second—” He sighed, pulling his hair back from his face hard. “—when it got right down to it, Brian was turning state’s evidence. He would have buried Roman and his father.”