The Sentinel (Jack Reacher #25)(36)

‘What if you could put an end to the domestic violence without needing Holly’s help? And put a major feather in your cap at the same time.’

‘How could I do that?’

‘How long has the boyfriend been on the scene?’

‘A couple of years, at least.’ Officer Rule frowned. ‘I don’t know exactly when he showed up. I’m just going by when I first saw bruises and started asking questions.’

‘Did you run the guy’s name through the computer?’

‘Of course. He came back clean.’

‘Are you sure it was his real name?’

Officer Rule shrugged.

‘Did you run his prints?’ Reacher said.

‘No. I couldn’t arrest him. Holly wouldn’t press charges and there was no other evidence it was him who hit her.’

‘Has he been arrested for anything else in the last couple of weeks? Since the computers have been locked down?’

‘I don’t know. Without the computers it’s not as easy to keep up with who’s doing what as it normally is. Why?’

‘I think you should check,’ Reacher said. ‘I think you’ll find he was arrested recently. And I think there’s another reason Holly keeps him secret.’

‘Like what?’

‘Could you do some digging and find out if he gave you his real name? And if he has any aliases?’

‘Maybe. If I had a good reason to.’

‘Do you have any friends you could call in other police departments? Ones with working computers who could run whatever names you find?’

‘Maybe. If you tell me why.’

‘The guy who gave me a ride into town yesterday is an insurance agent. He’s here to negotiate the ransom that needs to be paid so that you can get your computers back up. Holly saw me get out of his car. Then she eavesdropped on my conversation with Rutherford at the diner and got the wrong end of the stick. She thought I worked for the insurance company too, which is why she called in those goons to tell me to back off. The question is, why would she do that? Who could benefit from keeping the computers offline?’

Officer Rule frowned. Then blinked. Then her smile returned brighter than ever. ‘Someone who’s wanted in another jurisdiction.’

‘I’d go one further,’ Reacher said. ‘I’d guess someone wanted in another jurisdiction for something serious. Something where the statute of limitations is about to time out.’

‘Which is why he’s been lying low for so long, sponging off poor Holly. He slipped, but at just the right time – for him – because our routine computer checks were impossible. Why is it that assholes have all the luck?’

‘Maybe his luck’s about to change.’

‘I’d happily change it for him. If those phone calls pan out. And if I could find him.’

‘Maybe, acting on a hunch, you could take a look in Holly’s back yard. Any time in the next ninety minutes should do it.’

‘For real?’

Reacher nodded.

‘Maybe I will take a look in her yard. Maybe you’re right about the suitcases, too. But you didn’t hear that from me. It was kept away from the press for fear of copycats. And as a test for anyone claiming to be a witness.’

‘Thank you, Officer Rule. And good luck with your phone calls.’

‘Reacher, wait. I have a question for you. How did you know?’

‘About Holly’s boyfriend?’

‘No. About the suitcases.’

‘It’s part of something I’m working on. Maybe. I’m still joining the dots.’

‘Be careful where you tread. This is an active investigation. You shouldn’t be anywhere near it. If you know something, you have to tell me.’

‘Don’t worry. I will. When I’m sure.’

Rutherford was asleep when Reacher got back to the car. Like a kid. Or a dog.

‘Get what you need?’ Rutherford said, rubbing his eyes as Reacher slid into the passenger seat.

‘Another piece of the puzzle,’ Reacher said. ‘Maybe.’

‘So what’s next on the list?’

‘Accommodation.’

‘You could stay at my place.’

‘Thanks, but no. And you can’t stay there either. You saw the woman from yesterday watching your building. That shows they know where you live. We need to find somewhere else. Somewhere discreet. Anonymous. Where we can come and go without attracting attention. And in a convenient location. A motel outside town, maybe? Or near the highway?’

Rutherford reached for the button to start the engine then pulled his hand back and took out his phone. ‘I’ll have to Google it. I’ve lived here my whole life so I’ve never stayed in a hotel in town.’ He pressed and clicked and scrolled for a couple of minutes, then lowered the phone. ‘And there’s another problem. No offence, Reacher, but are you really the kind of guy who can come and go without attracting attention? Regardless of how anonymous or discreet a motel is?’

Reacher said nothing.

‘How about this as an alternative?’ Rutherford said. ‘I have the key to a neighbour’s apartment. It’s on the same floor, opposite mine. The guy who owns it is away on a cruise. He hates the heat so he’s away most of the year. Except winter. I keep an eye on the place for him. And water his plants. We could both stay there. My friend wouldn’t mind and no one else would know. In fact, it could help us because if anyone saw us going into the building they’d assume we were heading for my apartment so they wouldn’t search for us but they’d actually be looking in the wrong place. And if anyone tried to pay us a visit the doorman would call my cell. We could watch them watching us.’