Chapter 67

CHAPTER 67

N O SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX, AND WE tore his apartment apart and found zip,” said Braddock. “If Rollins hid the dirt he had on Glass, he damn sure hid it well.”

“I’m sure he did,” replied Devine.

“I understand that you’re now officially Betsy Odom’s new guardian,” said Braddock.

“I’m taking her to a safe place well outside of Seattle.”

“You think that’s wise?” asked Braddock. “Beth told me about what happened in court. Danny Glass must be pissed that he didn’t get to be his niece’s guardian. He may figure if he gets rid of you…”

“I wish it were that simple.”

Braddock glanced quizzically at Walker and then back at Devine.

“You mentioned telling me everything the last time we met, remember? When we were standing in an alley over a dead guy who used to work for the Ricketts Police Force?”

“But I didn’t say when I would tell you, did I?”

“Shit, Devine, I deserve better—”

“Yes, you do,” said Devine, cutting him off. “So I’ll tell you this, for now. The government is not the bad guy in this, like you initially thought. Glass is cooperating with the feds and putting his life on the line to take down some very highly placed people who think a democracy is not a good way to run a country and they want a change that puts them in charge. And they want it now.”

Braddock slowly took this all in, glanced at Walker again, and said, “Exactly what country are we talking about?”

Devine answered by pointing toward the window.

“I take it you’re not gesturing toward another country across the Pacific,” said Braddock.

“No, I’m not.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“I don’t think he’s going to help us. We sink or swim on our own.”

Braddock glanced at Walker and said sharply, “Did you know about this?”

“We’re finding out at the same time,” she said, her features grim.

Braddock turned back to Devine. “You said I could talk to Odom? That was part of the deal with me not confiscating your weapon for ballistics.”

“Yes, you can. What do you want to ask her?”

“Whether she or her parents knew Rollins.”

“I don’t think they did.”

“Then how did he get dirt on Glass?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’d like to hear it from her,” persisted Braddock.

Devine got Odom. She was already up and dressed and was packing her duffel.

Devine introduced her to Braddock, who said, “Ms. Odom, it’s nice to meet you. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to go through.”

“Thanks,” said Odom in a mechanical voice.

“You heard about the death of a man named Perry Rollins?”

She nodded.

“Do you recall that name?”

“No.”

Braddock nodded at Walker, who pulled out a glossy.

“This is Rollins,” she said, handing it to Odom. “Do you remember ever seeing him with your parents?”

Odom studied the photo for a long enough time that Devine was thinking she might say that she had seen the man.

“No, I don’t know him. I’ve never seen him before.” She handed the photo back.

“This man said he had something incriminating on your uncle. Do you have any idea what that might be?” asked Braddock.

“No. I just met my uncle. And my parents never really talked about him much.” She glanced at Devine. “I did know some things about him because my dad told me. He… he didn’t like my uncle very much.”

“Did your dad ever say why he didn’t like his brother-in-law?”

Odom looked troubled.

Walker gently said, “Whatever you can remember, Betsy.”

“Dad told me that Uncle Danny had done some bad things, some really bad things. When he was in the Army and then after he got out.”

“Did he say what bad things?” asked Walker.

“He… he said he was a liar and that he hurt people for no good reason. And then got rich off stuff like that.”

“Did your mother ever talk to you about her brother?” asked Braddock.

She nodded. “She said that her dad wasn’t a nice person. That he would hit her and stuff. But Uncle Danny would stand up for her. That he mostly took the beatings so she didn’t have to. Or would fight back to defend her.”

“So she liked him, I would imagine,” said Walker.

Odom nodded. “She did, yeah.”

“So it must have been hard for you to make sense of all that,” noted Braddock. “Your dad saying one thing and your mom another.”

Odom shrugged. “I… my dad would sometimes say stuff. Like winning money in the lottery and buying our car and house with it.”

“You said you didn’t believe that because he had a tell,” said Devine. “He giggled.”

“That’s right. But my mom never, ever lied to me,” said Odom firmly. “So if she said Uncle Danny was a good person, well…” She fell silent.

“Okay, Betsy, anything else you want to tell us?” said Walker gently.

“No, that’s it. Look, I… I have to finish packing.”

She rushed from the room.

“One confused little girl, and who can blame her,” observed Walker.

Braddock said to Devine, “You’re taking her outside the city somewhere? But will you all be safe there?”

“I think there are other interested parties in this that will see to it.”

Braddock kept his gaze rigidly on Devine. “If you would level with me, the SPD might be able to help.”

Devine had to make a tough decision here, and he went with his gut. “Ever heard of 12/24/65?”

Braddock’s eyes narrowed. “Christmas Eve 1965?”

Devine glanced at Walker, who looked just as perplexed as her boss.

“It’s December 24, 18 65. It’s the date the KKK was founded.”

“The KKK?” said Braddock dully. “White hoods and burning crosses?”

“Their current incarnation is a domestic terrorist organization with roots all over and connections in the highest places in government, military, business. And apparently the police as well. They’re the ones who want to turn us into an autocratic state where the men rule and everybody looks, prays, and acts the same.”

“Then how come I’ve never heard of it?” exclaimed Braddock.

“They keep a very low profile. The feds just recently got on to them. Glass did business with them. In that way he got potential evidence against them.”

Braddock sat back. “ That’s why they dropped the RICO case. But where does the girl come in?”

“She’s potential leverage against Glass. I think the Termites—”

“Excuse me, what?” said Braddock.

“Sorry, my nickname for the KKK assholes. I think the Termites killed Odom’s parents, as a warning to Glass. If he cooperates, Betsy is next.”

“So why don’t the feds have an army around her?” said Walker.

“Maybe they do,” said Devine.

“Why don’t they just kill Glass?” said Walker.

“I’m sure they’ve thought about that. But he’s under protection. And I imagine a smart guy like Glass has an insurance policy, much like Rollins probably did.”

“Evidence put away somewhere that can be used against the Termites in case he goes down?” said Walker.

“Right.”

“And speaking of Rollins,” said Braddock. “Where does he fit in?”

“He had dirt on Glass, so he claimed. And somebody didn’t want him selling it.”

“Have any idea who that might be?” asked Walker.

“I’m getting there,” said Devine.

“Any idea where Rollins hid whatever he had on Glass?” added Braddock.

“Same answer,” replied Devine.