Daylight (Atlee Pine #3)(50)

“Yes it is. What do you want?”

“We have an FBI agent here, Agent Pine, who said she was supposed to meet with you.”

“Oh, I think I remember that. But I was called out of town on a family emergency. I’ll have to get back to her when I return.”

Pine strode past Donnelly and said, “Axilrod, I need to know where you are, right now.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’m at the hospital with my mother. I’ll call you later.”

“Axilrod!” barked Pine, but the door camera remained silent.

“Well, that’s that, she’s got a family emergency,” said Donnelly. “She’ll call you when she gets back, like she said. You sure she didn’t say anything from the camera when you knocked earlier?”

Pine gave him an incredulous look and he said quickly, “Well, least she’s okay. Have a good day.”

They got back into their cruiser and pulled off, leaving Pine and Blum standing there.

Pine leaned down to the camera and said, “Hey, Lindsey, I’m really looking forward to seeing you again. And next time you send somebody to kill me, better make it a girl. The guys keep coming up short. And just so you know, however long it takes, one day I’m going to put my cuffs on you and read you your rights. And you’re going to get a lifetime supply of prison food.”

They walked back to the car and got in.

“Can we trace her from that door camera? It must be tied to her phone.”

“Yes. If I could get a warrant. But I’m not even officially working this case. Puller could try, but by the time he gets a warrant it’ll be too late.”

Her phone rang.

“Jack?” said Pine. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” said Lineberry. “There’s talk of letting me go home tomorrow or the next day. But I was calling because I came up with an old contact for you. His name is Douglas Bennett. He’s in his early seventies now and lives in Annapolis.”

“What was his involvement?” she asked.

“He was my handler.”

“So he was with the CIA then? As were you? You were never clear on that.”

“And I’m not admitting to anything now, Atlee. But Doug was intimately involved and knew both your parents, and he actually met you and your sister. You wouldn’t remember that, of course. He’s long since retired and spends his days sailing, taking long walks with his prized Labradoodles, Finnegan and Guinness, and puttering around his garden.”

“Is he married?”

“He was. Joan died two years ago. A car accident. He lives alone now, except for his dogs, his books, his boat, and his memories.”

“So you kept in touch all these years?”

“Yes. He’s a good man. A good friend.”

Pine, who was already in a bad mood because of Axilrod, barked, “Which means you should have thought of him off the top of your head when I asked you for old contacts, but you said you had to think about it.”

“The fact is, I had no idea if Doug would talk to you. I wasn’t going to give you his name until I cleared it with him.”

“So he’s agreed to meet?” Pine said in a calmer tone.

“We wouldn’t be having this discussion if he hadn’t. I’ll text you his address.”

“And how much does he know of my situation?”

“Some. I thought I’d leave it to you to explain the bulk of it.”

“Okay, Jack, thanks. And sorry for snapping at you. It hasn’t been a great twenty-four hours for me.”

“Good luck.”

He clicked off, leaving Pine lost in thought.

“Well?” asked Blum.

Pine glanced up. “Looks like we’re heading to Annapolis.”





CHAPTER





34





THEY PULLED INTO ANNAPOLIS after a nearly four-hour car journey and were driving down one of the main streets of the town, a quaint shopping area also filled with exclusive and nicely tricked out bed-and-breakfasts and small inns.

The twin heavy smells of fish and salt air from the nearby water fell thickly on them.

“The Naval Academy is down that way,” said Pine, pointing to her right. “I had a friend who graduated from there.”

“Pretty prestigious,” said Blum.

“And right down here is Doug Bennett’s house. He has a place right on the harbor. Nice location.”

They parked in front of a gray, shingled Cape Cod. They could see the mast of a docked sailboat rise up from behind the house.

They walked up a flagstone path to the front door.

Blum noted the neat, mulched flower beds, healthy lawn, and trees, and said, “A disciplined, methodical person.”

Pine had called ahead, and the door opened as soon as she knocked. Facing her was Doug Bennett. He was about six feet tall and beefy of build, with a shock of white hair and a tanned, weathered face. He had on khaki pants and a white polo shirt with the Naval Academy’s insignia printed on it.

Two large and curly-haired dogs stood on either side of him, as though at attention. One had a white coat, and the other was black and tan with a bit of orange around its muzzle.

An unlit cigar was perched in one corner of Bennett’s mouth. He looked gruff, but when he saw Pine he smiled. He took the cigar out.