Page 27 of But For You

“Except that he’s still considered an escaped witness until he turns himself in and clears everything up,” Sam explained, his voice low and gravelly. “His new identity never went live, so he’s still running around, being Andrew Turner. If anyone discovers his identity, runs him through the system, his exact whereabouts will become clear, and marshals will show up wherever he is.”

“Wow.”

“I know.”

“So, you think he’s living happily ever after in Phoenix on whoever’s bankroll, blackmailing them?”

“That’s my guess, yeah.”

“God, that takes balls.”

“Yes, it does,” he agreed.

“Okay, so what’s your plan? When we’re in Phoenix, you’re gonna pop in on your buddy Mr. Turner and bring him back?”

“If my information is right, then basically … yes.”

“Is it dangerous?” I was checking because that fast, I was worried.

“I won’t know until I get there.” He sighed, taking hold of my hand.

It was funny because everyone who knew Sam—his parents, siblings, friends, people he worked with—they all saw a different man from the one who sat in front of me now. Only with me and the kids did he hug and kiss and take comfort in the simple act of touching.

“Jory?”

“So, if it comes out that one or all of the marshals in Vegas are dirty, what happens then?”

“It’s federal prison for them.”

“Don’t you think they might want to hurt you to keep that from happening?”

“In theory.”

“No, not in theory, in real life.”

“Except that I don’t think all those marshals are dirty. Maybe one, but not all.”

“But if the one dirty one finds out you’re onto him, he’ll try and stop you.”

“Possibly.” He shrugged.

“Possibly? Sam?”

“Likely, then,” he offered, smiling at me.

“There are an awful lot of questions that need answering.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“And so?” I pressed him.

“So, I have a video conference in an hour with my boss, and I’m gonna tell him what I’m gonna do, and he’s gonna advise me, and we’ll go from there.”

“You trust your boss, Sam?”

“I do.”

“Okay, so when we’re in Phoenix at the reunion, will you be working?”