Page 20 of To Die For

A frown swept the near smile away. “They split time with me and their father and his new bride. She comes from money but apparently sees herself as anartistewith clippers and a blow dryer. Theyhave a place with a pool. I take it my boys just love to watch theirstepmomprance around in her itty-bitty bikini. Makes me want to puke.”

This was getting so uncomfortable now that Devine nearly cried out in relief when the bedroom door opened and Odom appeared there. She had on black slacks, lace-up green boots, and a dark blue turtleneck sweater. Her hair was freshly washed and done up in a way that had clearly taken the girl some time and effort to accomplish.

“I’m ready,” she announced. “How do I look?”

“Fine,” pronounced Devine.

Saxby just sipped on her coffee, looking miserable.

“Let’s go,” said Devine.

Odom grabbed her coat and they started out. Before the door closed behind them, Saxby clenched his arm. “Watch her like a hawk,” she said in a furious whisper.

“I plan to,” replied Devine evenly. “Because it’s my job.”

Devine ordered an Uber. The Kia SUV pulled up three minutes later and Devine scrutinized the fresh-faced young woman at the wheel who greeted them with a warm smile and an offer of hard candy. Both declined.

As they drove away, Devine looked at Odom and said, “Good sleep?”

“It was okay.” She glanced furtively at him. “I had some butterflies.”

“Understandable.”

“I read some more online about my uncle last night. What’s this RICO stuff?”

“A bunch of criminal laws the government alleged he broke.”

“I knew he was kind of a bad guy.”

“From your parents? Or Google?” he quipped.

She didn’t answer him.

“Look, anything gets henky for you with him, just give me the high sign and I’ll end the meeting.”

“What kind of sign?” she said, casting him a curious glance.

Devine rubbed his hand along the seat and leaned his head to the right. “Do those two things together and I’ll swoop in and it’s over. Don’t worry, I’ll make up an excuse and take the blame,” he added when Odom looked ready to protest.

Devine continued, “Those guys who were following us last night? They said they were friends of your mom and dad. Went to high school with your father.” He described Big Hair and Baldy. “Sound familiar?”

She looked at him warily. It struck Devine that Odom did not trust anyone. And maybe that made perfect sense.And not just for her, but for me, too.

She said, “Maybe. What did they say?”

“That they agree with you that your parents were not drug users and so that could not have been the cause of their deaths.”

“See,” she said fiercely.

“Just because they said it does not make it true, especially when the police say otherwise.”

“Then the police are lying. AndIsaid my parents weren’t drug users, too.”

Devine caught the young driver staring at them in the rearview, a startled expression on her features from what she had overheard.

He flashed his badge and said, “Eyes on the road, ma’am. Official government business back here. And can you turn up the radio, please?”

She blushed deeply, looked quickly away, and cranked up the volume.

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