Darkness at the Edge of Town (Iris Ballard #2)(78)

“We will definitely take it under advisement,” Echolls said with a smile, but Carmichael’s stony face dropped a rock into my stomach. He hadn’t heard a damn word I’d said. Echolls stood. “I think we’ve covered everything, no? Dr. Ballard, you’ve been a great help.”

I sighed. “Thank you. You have my notes and interviews. I hope they’re helpful as well.”

“I’m sure they will be.”

Luke and I stood too. “I leave this case in your more than capable hands, gentlemen,” I said. “Just please heed what I said about Sheriff Hancock and how to proceed. And please keep me informed. I ask not as a former member of law enforcement but as a sister. My brother is an innocent in many ways. If he knew what was happening, if most of them did, they wouldn’t be there. They’re just lost people looking for a place in the world. Be careful, please.”

“We will,” Lucerno said.

“Thank you.”

Luke peered at Carmichael. “It was nice to meet you. Keep up the good work.”

“Let me walk you both out,” Echolls said.

As we walked out of the conference room, Luke said, “It was great seeing you again, sir. Say hi to Mrs. Echolls, Victoria, and Danielle. And if you’re ever in D.C., I owe you a steak dinner at Morton’s.”

“I will hold you to that.”

“If you’re ever in Charlotte or Grafton, I owe you the same,” I said. “Thank you for letting Luke sit in. And thank you for reining your agent in about Sheriff Hancock.”



“We should have utilized him before; you were right. We’ll remedy that ASAP.”

We stepped into the reception area and handed in our visitor badges. “And when you inevitably bring in my brother, please let me know.”

“I…will try.”

Another rock tumbled into my gut. “Thank you.”

We all shook hands, and Echolls left after one last smile for Luke. Mine dropped the moment he was out of sight. “Get me the hell out of here,” I whispered to Luke.

He placed his hand on the small of my back. “Come on.”

We walked to the parking lot and got into his Charger, turning on the air immediately. I ripped off my cardigan and wished I could do the same to my pantyhose. “Jesus, it’s fucking hot,” I muttered.

“You should see what it’s like in D.C. This place is practically Antarctica.” He tossed his own jacket onto the backseat. “I think that went as well as could be expected.”

“Really? What were you expecting? A firing squad?”

“Your sheriff friend is out of trouble. You as well. I call that a win,” Luke said.

“Yeah, and now I get to live with the realization that my brother is at the mercy of a man who has manipulated people to murder. Who has ties to a known biker gang, and that Billy will no doubt be swept up in a massive drug bust. That is if Agent Carmichael actually listens to me and proceeds with a delicate touch instead of the freaked-out, pissed-off, bull-in-a-china-shop tactic he no doubt usually favors.”



“Maybe he’s right,” Luke said. “If I were this Mathias, I’d be losing my mind after your infiltration.”

“Oh, I’m sure he is. He’s already shut down the meth trailers and probably hauled everything else out, at least until he’s positive I’m gone. Which could take months. And that scares the shit out of me too.”

“Why?” Luke asked.

“Carmichael. He wants Mathias. Bad. When he sees his evidence vanishing, cue the bull. We’ve all had that one case. You know. The Ripper. Hell, the Woodsman. It makes us nuts, and then we make mistakes.”

Luke frowned. “You think Billy’s in danger?”

“I think anyone at that house and farm is in danger. You were in the same meeting I was. The guy’s a career criminal at the end of his life. He went down last time because of informants. You really think he’ll take that chance again? He got people to kill for him once and he doesn’t have another fifteen years in him.”

“So what do you want to do?” Luke asked.

I sighed. “What can I do? I can’t go to The Apex. Not only will Mathias expose us, if Carmichael finds out, he can charge me with obstruction of justice or tampering with a federal investigation. I’m out of plays, Luke. Or I could just be too exhausted to see the trees for the forest. It feels like every day I’ve been here has really been a week.” I frowned. “I just want to sleep for a month.”

“That’s always an option,” Luke said.

“Starting tomorrow maybe. Tonight I have to go to dinner at an old friend’s house. Joyce called me twice on the road, reminding me I’d promised to come. She must have talked to Grandma, because she invited you too.”



He raised an eyebrow. “She did?”

“Yeah, but I told her I didn’t know your plans, and that you probably couldn’t make it.”

“Do you…not want me to go?”

“What? No! I just didn’t know if you wanted to come back with me to that cesspit of hell. I thought maybe you planned on driving right back to D.C. or were staying the night in Pittsburgh.” I looked away from him. “I-I know my grandparents would love to see you, and I’m sure Joyce already has stories about my awkward teenage years lined up to tell you. Of course Mom’s been in rare form, but I’m sure you can take her.”