“When Amy runs this story, Hubbard’s going to be under fire. He’s going to have bigger things on his mind than finding Julie and Betsy.”

“You think so?” He shrugged. “It may piss him off enough to make finding them his priority. But I’m more concerned with the Russians, at least for the immediate future. That tape is going to put a few of them in jail, and it’s also going to stir up some serious internal trouble when Belov finds out who killed his son. That adds up to some major motivation for them to find this woman and eliminate her. Even after we’ve turned the tape in, they’ll want her dead. You know how these mob guys are; revenge is the highest priority to them. And whacking Belov’s son wasn’t a one-man decision. For every guy that tape puts in jail, there will be three more on the streets who had a hand in it and will want Julie Weston dead.”

“How much power does Belov have?”

“Everything I’ve learned in the past two days suggests he has a lot of power. He’s big time.”

“Perfect. We can utilize that power. I’m thinking Belov would be awfully interested in seeing that tape. Could be, he’s even so interested in seeing it he’d be willing to make it clear to anyone involved that Julie and Betsy are not to be harmed. After all, they’re not producing a tape that will hurt him. They’re producing something he wants to see.”

Joe stared at me, considering the idea. “True. But the people the Westons need to fear clearly aren’t doing a good job of following through on Belov’s wishes. They killed his son, LP.”

“I figure once he has that tape he’ll go about handling the situation in his own way. A serious housecleaning is what I’m picturing.”

Joe nodded thoughtfully, understanding. “Some people are probably going to die.”

“Hell,” I said, “they’re going to die anyhow. When we turn that tape over to the police, it’s a matter of time until the contents leak back to Belov. But if we wait until then, we’ll have nothing to use for leverage.”

“So we’re going to use the Russian mob to protect Julie and Betsy from the Russian mob?”

“Complex,” I said, “but probably efficient.”

Joe sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “This means we’ve got to talk to Belov, doesn’t it?”

“Into the belly of the beast,” I said.

“You know, LP, things are much calmer around here when you’re out of town.”

“I missed you, too.”

CHAPTER 22

AMY INTERVIEWED Julie for an hour and a half. Betsy came out of the bedroom midway through the interview and joined Joe and me on the deck. Her fingernails were painted in half a dozen different colors; Amy packed plenty of nail polish in that enormous purse. Joe found an old Frisbee in the cottage, and we tossed it around with Betsy while Amy and Julie finished up inside. The air was cool-frigid compared to South Carolina-but not as bad as it had been when I left the city. Maybe winter was going to lose this battle after all. Around one that afternoon, Amy came out and motioned for me to join her on the deck. I tossed the Frisbee to Joe and jogged up the steps.

“Huge, Lincoln,” Amy said when I reached her. “Absolutely huge. This is the story of my dreams.” She was smiling widely.

“Glad I could help, Ace. Only problem is, you can’t write it for tomorrow.”

She frowned. “How long do I have to sit on it?”

“At least another day. Joe and I have to sort out a few things before you can run it. Before you even can mention it to your editors.”

“What things?”

“We’re going to see Dainius Belov.”

She raised her eyebrows and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re kidding, right? Or are you just suicidal?”

“I don’t think we’ve got much to fear from Belov. Remember, it was his son they killed. Joe and I are guessing old Dainius is awfully interested in finding out who murdered his kid. We’re counting on a little cooperation in exchange for a copy of the tape.”

“You’re giving him a copy of the tape?”

I nodded. “That’s where you come in. Do you guys have equipment for that sort of thing?”

“Yes.”

“Good. We’re going to need a copy of the murder tape, and you probably should make a copy of your interview tape as well. Leave copies of both tucked away someplace safe, and then bring me back one copy of the murder tape and the original.”

“Sure thing, boss. The technology guys won’t want to leave me alone while I’m copying the tapes, but that’s nothing I can’t get past using my feminine wiles.”

“Feminine wiles,” I said. “Uh-huh.”

She winked at me. “There’s nothing more fun than being a tease.”

Julie stepped out on the deck behind us and smiled at me. “Is my daughter driving Mr. Pritchard crazy yet?”

“He’s been crazy for years, Julie. She can’t do any more harm to him.”

Amy poked my chest with her finger. “All right, I’m outta here. But I need that tape if you want me to make a copy of it.”

I went down to the Contour and took the tape out from under the driver’s seat where I’d stashed it. I didn’t like handing it over to Amy; the thing attracted danger and death like a James Bond car. But I needed a copy.

“Keep this damn thing out of sight,” I said. “Can you bring the copies back out tonight, or is that a problem?”

“It’s a long drive, but I’ll do it.” She opened her car door but didn’t get in. “How long has it been since you slept, Lincoln?”

“A few hours, at least.”

“Go to bed, stud. You’ll need some energy when you’re arrested.”

She left, and I walked back up the steps and onto the deck. Joe was still playing with Betsy in the yard. I sat down at the picnic table beside Julie and shook my head.

“He looks like a doting grandpa out there. Amazing.”

She laughed. “He seems more taken with my daughter than he is with me, that’s for sure.”

“Don’t let his attitude bother you. He just wants to handle the situation in the way he thinks best.”

She looked at me. “Do you think I’m a fool, Lincoln?”

“For trying to run on your own?” I shrugged. “I don’t know, Julie. I’d like to work things out so you didn’t have to run at all. But I don’t see that happening. If you stay in town, you’re taking a huge risk. In general, I’d advise you to let the professionals help you hide, but Wayne was a professional, and you seem to think he had things pretty well planned.”

“He did.”

“Do you have enough money?”

She smiled. “We’ve got plenty of money. Wayne put all our money into an offshore account, and then he put some of Hubbard’s money into it as well. It was Hubbard’s payoff for Wayne keeping his mouth shut.”

I didn’t ask how much money it was. It was probably quite a lot. I yawned, and Julie frowned.

“You still haven’t slept, have you?”

I shook my head.

“Go inside and lie down,” she ordered. “Your partner is here to keep us safe. You need to sleep.”

I started to object but then thought better of it. I did need sleep, and as long as Joe was here there was no point in continuing to exhaust myself. I told Julie I’d take a nap, and then I went down to talk to Joe.

“I’m going to grab a few hours of sleep,” I said. “Think you can keep them safe while I do?”

“Can’t do a much worse job than you have,” he said. “Go sleep. When you wake up, I’ll drive back into the city and see if I can arrange a meeting with Belov.”

I went inside and lay down on a narrow, musty bed. The door was closed, but the sounds of Julie’s voice and Betsy’s laugh were with me as I fell asleep.

When I woke again the room was dark. I rolled onto my side and looked at the window, saw nothing but shadows outside. I looked at my watch. Almost seven. I’d slept for nearly six hours. I climbed out of the bed, pulled my pants and T-shirt back on, and went into the living room. Joe, Julie, and Betsy were sitting at the small square table in the kitchen with a pile of playing cards in front of them.