“And he bought that?”
“Let’s just say that he was disappointed. He wanted to write a story about the wealthy screwing the poor — you know, they win the lottery and then parasitic investment firms churn their accounts, earn their pieces of the pie, and leave the winner with nothing but attorney fees for filing bankruptcy. I told him that I certainly didn’t support that conclusion. I had done just fine.”
“And he knew about your situation in Georgia?”
“That’s what drew him to me initially, I would imagine.” LuAnn drew in a small breath of relief as she saw Jackson nod slightly at this remark. He apparently had arrived at the same conclusion. “He thought I would confess to some big conspiracy, I guess.”
Jackson’s eyes glittered darkly. “Did he mention any other theories, like the lottery being fixed?”
To hesitate now would be disastrous, LuAnn knew, so she plunged ahead. “No. Although he thought he had a big story. I told him to talk directly to the investment firm, that I had nothing to hide. That seemed to take the wind out of his sails. I told him if he wanted to contact the Georgia police he could go ahead. Maybe it was time to get things out in the open.”
“You weren’t being serious.”
“I wanted him to believe I was. I figured if I made a big deal out of resisting or wanting to hide anything, he’d get even more suspicious. As it was, everything sort of fizzled for him.”
“How did you leave it?”
“He thanked me for meeting with him, even apologized for troubling me. He said he might contact me later, but kind of doubted it.” Once again LuAnn saw Jackson incline his head slightly. This was working out better than she could have expected. “He got out of my car and into his. That’s the last I saw of him.”
Jackson was silent for several moments and then he slowly rose, silently clapping his hands together. “I love a good performance and I think you handled the situation very well, LuAnn.”
“I had a good teacher.”
“What?”
“Ten years ago. The airport, where you impersonated an impersonation. You told me the best way to hide is to stick out, because it runs counterintuitive to human nature. I used the same principle. Be overly open, cooperative, and honest, and even suspicious people tend to rethink things.”
“I am honored that you remembered all that.”
A little ego-stroking went a long way with most men, LuAnn knew, and Jackson, exceptional though he was in many ways, was no exception in that regard. In an understatement of mammoth proportions, LuAnn said, “You’re a little hard to forget. So you don’t have to do anything with Donovan, he’s harmless. Now tell me about Riggs.”
A smile formed on the man’s lips. “I witnessed your impromptu meeting with Riggs on the rear grounds this morning. It was rather picturesque. From your state of undress, I imagine he had quite a pleasant morning.”
LuAnn hid her anger at this barb. Right now she needed information. She replied, “All the more reason why I should know all about him.”
“Well, let’s start with his real name: Daniel Buckman.”
“Buckman? Why would he have a different name?”
“Funny question coming from you. Why do people change their names, LuAnn?”
Perspiration sprouted on her forehead. “Because they have something to hide.”
“Precisely.”
“Was he a spy?”
Jackson laughed. “Not quite. Actually, he’s not anything.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean that dead men, technically, can’t be anything other than dead, correct?”
“Dead?” LuAnn’s entire body froze. Had Jackson killed Matthew? It couldn’t be. She fought with all her might not to plunge to the floor. Luckily, Jackson continued.
“I obtained his fingerprints, had them run through a database and the computer told me that he’s dead.”
“The computer’s wrong.”
“The computer only relays what it’s been told. Someone wanted it to appear that Riggs was dead in case anyone came looking.”
“Came looking? Like who?”
“His enemies.” When LuAnn didn’t respond, Jackson said, “Have you ever heard of the Witness Protection and Relocation Program?”
“No. Should I?”
“You’ve lived abroad for so long, I suppose not. It’s run by the federal government, more particularly by the United States Marshal’s Service. It’s to protect persons testifying against dangerous criminals or organizations. They get new identities, new lives. Officially, Riggs is dead. Shows up in a small town, starts a new life under a new identity. Maybe his features have been altered somewhat. I don’t know for certain, but it’s an educated guess on my part that Riggs is a member of that select group.”
“Riggs — Buckman — was a witness? To what?”
Jackson shrugged. “Who knows? Who cares? What I’m telling you is that Riggs is a criminal. Or was a criminal. Probably drugs or something like that. Maybe Mafia informant. Witness Protection isn’t used for purse snatchers.”
LuAnn settled back against the wall to keep herself from falling. Riggs was a criminal.
“I hope you haven’t confided anything to him. There’s no telling what his agenda might be.”
“I haven’t,” LuAnn managed to say.
“So what can you tell me about the man?”
“Not as much as you just told me. He doesn’t know any more than he did before. He’s not pushing the issue. He thinks Donovan was a potential kidnapper. From what you just said, I’m sure he doesn’t want to draw any attention to himself.”
“True, that’s very good for us. And I’m sure your little rendezvous this morning didn’t hurt at all.”
“That’s really none of your business,” she retorted hotly. With their exchange of information at an end, she wasn’t going to let that remark pass.
“Ah, your first mistake this session. You just can’t make it through without committing some blunder, can you?” He pointed a slender finger at her. “Everything about you is my business. I made you. And in a real sense I feel responsible for your well-being. I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
LuAnn blurted out, “Look, the ten years is up. You’ve made your money. I’ve made mine. I say we call it a day, forever. In thirty-six hours I’ll be on the other side of the world. You go your way, I’ll go mine, because I’m more than real tired of all this.”
“You disobeyed me.”
“Right, well I spent ten damn years in twenty different countries, constantly looking over my shoulder, obeying your instructions. And I guess now I’ll spend the rest of my life doing the same thing. So let me get to it.” The two engaged in a stare-down of prolonged duration.
“You’ll leave right away?”
“Just give me time to pack my bags. We’ll be gone by tomorrow morning.”
Jackson rubbed his chin as he considered this proposal. “Tell me something, LuAnn, tell me why I shouldn’t kill you right now.”
She had been prepared for that question. “Because Donovan might find it a little peculiar that right after he talks to me I end up a corpse. He’s not suspicious now. I think I can guarantee you that would get his radar going. You really want that kind of trouble?”
Jackson pursed his lips for a moment and then motioned to the door. “Go pack.”
LuAnn looked at him and motioned to the door. “You first.”
“Let’s leave together, LuAnn. That way, we’ll each have a reasonable chance at reciprocating in kind in the event one of us tries something violent.”
They went to the door together, their gazes glued to each other.
Right when Jackson put his hand on the doorknob, the door burst open, almost knocking him down.