Thick as Thieves(37)

But, hell, he probably would be. As Rusty had so accurately pointed out: In all this time, he hadn’t learned a damn thing.

“Burnet!”

Ledge raised his head. A deputy was unlocking the cell door. Ledge knew him to be a veteran of the sheriff’s office, long in the tooth and a heart attack waiting to happen. Perpetually short of breath, he wheezed when he talked. “Get your ass out of here. You’re free to go.”

“How come?”

“Do you care?”

“I haven’t even called a lawyer yet.”

“Then I guess this visit is on the house. Come on, move it. My pizza’s getting cold.”

Ledge quit arguing and stepped out of the cell. The deputy caught him by the sleeve. “It’ll piss me off good if I see you back in here.”

Ledge pulled his arm free. “Shouldn’t have been in here today.”

“Debatable. From what I’ve heard, anyway. But the DA thought it over and didn’t deem your offense arrest-worthy after all.”

“He’s all heart.”

The deputy gave a gruff snort. “Another deputy will meet you at that door and escort you out.” He pointed Ledge toward the end of the corridor, then shot a glance up at the security camera, leaned closer to Ledge, and whispered, “Do yourself a favor. Steer clear of the turd. You understand what I’m saying?”

Ledge bobbed his chin. “Thanks. A beer is on me the next time you come into the bar.”

“Wife’s got me off it.” He slapped his potbelly. “Says I’m getting fat.”

Ledge smiled at him before heading down the hall.

The deputy called after him, “Keep your nose clean.”

Ledge didn’t turn around, but waved his hand in acknowledgment.

He was processed out and returned his belongings. In the parking lot where he’d left his pickup, he found Don White leaning against the front fender. Ledge scowled as he approached him. “What are you doing here?”

Equally cantankerous, Don replied, “I was about to ask you the same.”

Ledge used his fob to unlock the doors of his truck, went around, and got in on the driver’s side. Don hiked himself up into the passenger seat. “Lord, it’s an oven in here. Start the engine, get some AC going.”

Ledge gave him a sour look. “Nobody invited you.” But he did as ordered, because his truck had sat in the sun for hours, and the interior was an oven. Soon, cooler air was whirring through the vents.

Don situated himself more comfortably in his seat.

Under his breath, Ledge said, “Here it comes,” which Don ignored.

“This morning,” he began, “when I got up, I had a voice mail from you, telling me that you were going to see Henry. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then midday, I got a call at work informing me that you were in jail. I’m having a hard time believing what I was told happened in between times.”

“Who called you?”

“Well, not you. I had to hear about your altercation with the district attorney through the grapevine. I was also told that if you didn’t have the good sense to call a good defense lawyer, I should do it in your stead, because you were likely to need one. By the time the tale got around to me, Dyle was said to be seeking the death penalty.”

“I’m glad you brought up ‘work.’”

“Out of everything I’ve said, that’s what you picked up on?”

“Well, since you won’t take the bar off my hands, I do still own the place. Who’s covering for you?”

“Don’t worry about it. I cashed in a favor or two. Unlike you, I have friends I can call for help in times of need.”

“I have friends.”

“Name one.”

Ledge was about to say Crystal but stopped himself. Crystal had never told him—never told him—that Rusty had been with her that night. It was a betrayal that cut him to the quick. Learning that had bothered him a hell of a lot more than being jailed.

Of course Rusty could have been lying, but Ledge didn’t think so. He’d seemed way too sure of himself, too goddamned smug, and the claim could be too easily denied or confirmed. By Crystal.

He tabled thoughts on that for now, and, instead of naming her as a friend, he claimed George.

“The physical therapist at the center? That George?”

“Yeah. Hell of a guy. He and I talked this morning.”

Don downshifted his aggravation level. “How was Henry?”

Ledge aimed one of the AC vents at himself, slumped in his seat, and laid his head back. He described Henry’s condition, then filled Don in on everything that related to Rusty. Except for his parting shot about Crystal.

“The bastard knew how I would react when I heard he’d brought the flowers, that he’d actually been in Henry’s room. I could have killed him on the spot. Stormed into his office, scared the receptionist. You know Ms. Raymond?”

“Alicia.”

Ledge looked at Don askance.

“Every once in a while she pops in for a drink.”

Ledge raised an eyebrow. “Does she?”

“With Mr. Raymond.”

“Oh. Well, she’ll need a drink or two tonight. When I left Rusty’s office, she looked ready to cry, said she’d put me on her prayer list. Rusty must’ve called courthouse security the second my back was turned. Two deputies stopped me right there.” He used his nose to point out a spot just beyond the grill of his truck.