“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Landry’s head went back an inch. He cocked an eyebrow. “If you know, then obviously you didn’t need me to tell you.”
“I want to hear your account of it, Chester.”
He raised his shoulders. “It was a raid. Typical in execution and response. People scattered and fled. Heads were knocked. I’m sure there were some arrests, but I have a lot of practice at avoiding arrest, and I succeeded in doing so last night.”
“In company?”
“I was there by myself. Prior to the bust-in, I chatted with Lefty. He placed his standard order, but you’ll be pleased to hear that I talked him into taking an extra case of that expensive Canadian.” He paused, then said, “You still look perturbed.”
“Thatcher Hutton was at Lefty’s last night.”
“Hutton? He wasn’t in the back room, I’m certain.”
“No, he was out front.”
“He must’ve taken his own recommendation.”
“Explain that.”
“At dinner last week, he said he’d heard Lefty’s hamburgers were good. I guess he decided to try one.”
“He didn’t go for a hamburger. He was there with Bill Amos.”
That took Landry by surprise. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Bernie replied testily. “Hutton took part in the raid, on the side of the sheriff’s department. Not all of Bill’s men are happy about it, either. There’s grousing in the ranks. First Hutton is in cuffs, now he’s in our sheriff’s back pocket.”
“And the sheriff is in yours,” Landry returned mildly.
This was a development he hadn’t foreseen. Last week, Hutton had claimed that he had no plans, that he was taking things one day at a time. His sudden change of course needed to be explored, but in a coolheaded manner. Bernie was fuming, and that bothered Landry. First because his anger was so apparent, and secondly because angry people made rash decisions in order to put a quick end to an unexpected problem.
He needed to talk him down. “Actually, Bernie, you should be relieved.”
“Why in hell?”
“Because if Hutton is wearing a badge and carrying out raids, he isn’t working undercover.”
“
Not necessarily.”
“But improbably.”
“Well, I don’t like it. I don’t like him. You two live in the same boardinghouse. Keep an eye on him.”
“Hmm.” Landry steepled his fingers and tapped them against his chin. “He’s no fool, Bernie. He won’t be as easily manipulated as Randy was.”
“I’m confident you’ll handle him with your usual finesse.”
“I’m glad we agree on that.”
Landry got up and went to the door. Hand on the knob, he turned back. “You were entirely right to tell me about Hutton’s new status. I needed to know. But I disliked being summoned. I’m not one of the good ol’ boys you have at your beck and call, Bernie. Don’t ever send that mick lummox of yours after me again.”
Thirty-Four
Gabe Driscoll was appalled by Norma’s recklessness. “What the devil are you thinking, showing up here in broad daylight?”