Chapter 91

CHAPTER 91

A T THE SEATTLE AIRPORT, DEVINE and Campbell met in a private, secure room with Glass, Saxby, and Betsy Odom. Nate Shore was also there, dressed in a sleek suit that rode well on his chiseled physique.

Shore had earlier informed Devine that Glass had hired him to accompany them in their new life, a move that Odom had heartily approved of.

Odom hugged Devine fiercely. “Thank you, Travis.”

“I’m glad I could help,” said Devine, hugging her back.

“Uncle Danny said we’re going to another country for a while until things settle down. I might have to learn another language.” She sounded excited by the prospect.

“Well, that sounds like quite an adventure. And life should be full of them.”

“Do you think you can come and visit me?”

Devine glanced up first at Saxby, who nodded, and then Glass, who actually managed a smile and nodded as well.

“That’s a deal.”

“Oh, and there’s this,” she said, handing him a piece of paper.

On it was quite a good drawing of Devine holding hands with… Odom.

“I thought you could use it to remember me,” she said.

“Thank you for this, but I will never forget you, thirteen going on forty-two Betsy Odom.”

She laughed and gave him another hug.

“Hey, if you’re serious about being an FBI agent when you grow up, look me up when you graduate from college. I can help.”

“Deal,” she said.

Devine shook hands with Shore and wished him the best.

In a low voice Shore said, “You think I’m doin’ the right thing, man?”

“I think for Betsy and you, it’s the perfect thing. And as part of the deal, Glass has had to give up all of his businesses. The assholes he employed are all gone. He still has tons of money to live on, but I think you might find him a reformed man. But anything starts looking weird, call me.”

“Hold you to it, Devine.”

Devine next pulled Glass aside.

“Having a kid is a big responsibility, Danny,” said Devine.

The man nodded, looking a bit shell-shocked. “Running my old business was a breeze by comparison.”

“Good move bringing Nate along.”

“Betsy’s going to have enough change as it is. I thought a familiar face would be good for her. And that’s my only goal: what’s good for Betsy.”

“Never, ever lose sight of that,” Devine said firmly.

When Glass shot him a look, Devine held out his hand for the man to shake.

Glass came away with the USB stick. He looked up in confusion at Devine.

“Doubt there’s anything important on there, but I thought you could see for yourself.”

Glass pocketed the stick and said in a low voice, “I know I made a big deal about you owing me for Iraq. But the fact is, I owe you more than I can ever repay. I mean that.”

“You can repay me, Danny, by devoting yourself to your daughter. Help guide her to be an amazing adult that we can all be proud of.”

“I promise you that I will do my best.”

Devine next gave Saxby a hug. “Hope you can check in with your family soon.”

“I’ll see them tonight.”

“Good luck, Ellen.”

He and Campbell left them there and headed to their gate.

Campbell sat in a chair and opened his laptop.

“Still on the clock?” asked Devine.

Campbell looked at him incredulously. “Devine, I have six Danny Glass–level shitstorms I’m dealing with, every day, all day.”

“But everybody needs a little downtime.”

“I can do that when I’m dead. So can you.”

“Well, right now, while I’m still alive, I’m going for coffee.”

“Get me one. And a muffin, blueberry. And make sure you charge Uncle Sam.”

Devine returned with the coffees and muffin, and set one coffee and the muffin next to Campbell, who was still working away on his laptop.

His phone buzzed, and Devine pulled it out and read the text that had just dropped.

I just wanted to say that I’ve had many regrets in my life but running into you was not one of them. You are a good man who has to work in a terrible slice of the world, and you do it with honor and sacrifice and principles. But you are also not above bending the rules when the cause is just, which I most admire about you. I am planning to travel, and then settle down in a little village somewhere and just do nothing. I don’t know how long that will last, but I just want to see how it feels.

I hope your life is long and fulfilling, and that you accomplish all you want.

But if you ever need me, I’m just a call away, former Captain Devine.

XOXO for real this time. The Girl on the Train

Devine smiled broadly and put the phone back in his pocket.

Campbell noted this and glanced at him.

“Everything good, Devine?”

“Everything’s just fine, sir.”