Chapter 33
OKAY, YOU NEEDto stop going out at night, and I damn well mean it!”
These words came from Jamison, who was standing in front of Decker in a long T-shirt and sweatpants. She was barefoot, and her matted hair evidenced that until very recently she had been asleep.
They were in the living room of the Mitchells’home. Amber and Zoe were still asleep upstairs.
Decker had called Jamison from the basement of the house where he’d shot and killed a man.
He had explained matters to the first responders and then to Kemper, and finally to Green and Lassiter when they had shown up, including how he had gotten there in the first place.
The real surprise had come when Kemper had seenthe dead man lying on the floor with two of Decker’s bullets in his chest.
“That’s Brian Collins,” she had said.
“And who is he?” Decker had replied.
“He’s a drug dealer.”
“Do you think he knew Michael Swanson or maybe worked with him?”
“Doubtful. Collins was a heavy hitter. He’s wanted in several states for distribution and murder.”
Green had asked, “But what was he doing here? And why try to kill you?”
“He must have seen me go into the house,” said Decker. “He might have been watching the place.”
“Okay, but why take a chance on going after you when a DEA agent is right next door?” asked Green.
“I take that as a good sign,” said Decker. “That means they’re afraid we’re getting closer. Like whenthey tried to toast me and Jamison inside Toby Babbot’s trailer.”
“So,areyou getting closer?” Green had asked.
Decker had looked down at the body. “Maybe too close.”
Now Decker looked up at the very pissed-off Jamison. “I didn’t know anything like this was going to happen, Alex. I just couldn’t sleep and decided to check some things out. I talked to Martin and thatled me to the house.”
Jamison slumped down next to him. “Decker, I know you may not get this, but my sister and my niece just received horrible news. Frank is dead. This is going to affect them for the rest of their lives.”
“Iknowall that, Alex.”
“I know you know thefacts. But sometimes you miss the stuff beyond the facts.”
“What exactly is your point?”
“Onetragedy is enough right now. Please don’t add yourself to that tally. I don’t think any of us could take that. I know I couldn’t. Now, unless you’re going to do something else incredibly dangerous and stupid, I’m going to bed before my head explodes. I suggest you do the same.”
She trudged off upstairs and Decker slowly followed.
He washed up and undressed.
He glanced down at the hand that had pulled the trigger that had ended Brian Collins’s life. He didn’t feel bad about that. Collins had tried to murder him, so he got what he deserved.
Which still did not explain why a man he didn’t know had tried to kill him tonight.
A heavy-hitter drug dealer. Wanted in several states.
The DEA.