“No, because I dragged her into something that turned nasty and dangerous. She was just supposed to testify, and instead… well, you know. And then when I declined to testify, I think she began to wonder about me and all my works.”
The sheriff nodded.
Cam looked over at him. “I have to hold to that,” he said. “Until you and the feds can tell me they have them all in custody, Mary Ellen won’t be safe.”
“Did you ever explain that to her?”
Cam shook his head. “I wanted to go up there again,” he said. “Have a talk. But every cop and park ranger in Carrigan County told me never to come back up there. They think pretty highly of that lady, and I was the guy damn near got her killed.”
“Mmm-mm.”
Cam looked over at him. “What’s that mean?”
“It means that it was those cat dancers, whoever the hell they are, they damn near got her killed.” He paused for a moment. “Now that you’re retired, you’re just going to sit back and forget this whole mess, right?”
Cam had to think about how to answer that. “I think I really would like that five minutes alone with Jay-Kay Bawa,” he said.
“Feds would hate that.”
“I have money now, Sheriff,” Cam said. “And more coming. Lots more, apparently. I think that can buy me a certain degree of insurance, of the political variety. Besides, what better thing to do with all that money than to nail the bitch who killed Annie?”
“And what exactly would you do if you found her?”
“That is the question, isn’t it,” Cam said, thoughtfully. “Maybe knock together another electric chair?” Frick got up and moved away. Frack moseyed over for some head rubbing.
“Sounds good to me,” the sheriff said, “as long as we both understand you’re just running your mouth.” He stretched his legs and rubbed his chest one more time before he got up. “Oh, by the way, there was a letter for you, came in care of the office. I called the sender, told her you had left the force. She asked why, and I… well, I kind of filled her in on some things. She asked me to return the letter.” He unfolded an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Cam. “Here’s the one she sent in its place. I’ll leave you to it. Remember who your friends are, and what’s important in life.”
Cam took the letter but didn’t look at it. “You’re not disappointed in me, then?”
“Absolutely not,” the sheriff said emphatically. “But you need to move on. We’ll get ’em. Ain’t like we don’t know a thing or two.”
“Mess with the best’?”
The sheriff grinned, his teeth white in the night, not unlike a big cat’s. “That’s it,” he said.
Cam took the letter into the kitchen once the sheriff had gone. He sat down at the kitchen table, massaged his arm, and read what Mary Ellen had written. Then he smiled. Jay-Kay and the cat dancers might have to wait awhile after all.
But not forever.