Page 104 of The Rat

“He’s definitelypersistent,”Rory muttered.

“Like a dog with a bone, and heassured meyou could handle it, and I’m impressed to say you have.Hamish has told me you’ve been a huge help—”

“I’ve not handled it.” Rorylaughed sadly. “I’m leavingthis prison not having a clue who I amanymore.”

“You’re a policeofficer.”

“Am I? The only thing Iknow for sure, isthat when I look in the mirror, I don’t like what Isee.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Hamishassured me you were happy, content being inside—”

“Happy? My sister died, andhe didn’t tell me.”

“What?”

Rory tried to rememberMorris’s words. “Ithink he told you I was identifying a body.”

The governor’s lips bobbed open andclosed.

“That was mysister.”

“I had no idea. I…” he trailedoff, shakinghis head. “I’m sorry.”

“Ya know… I lied before I went into prison,and I lied while I was there, and I don’t wanna lieanymore.”

The governor frowned. “What do youmean?”

“I’m done here. Sebastian’s insolitary, but his release as far as I know is stillgoing aheadon Friday.”

“The guards saw Pauly attackfirst, Sebastian will still be released as planned.”

“I wanna talk to him beforeI go.”

The governor sighed, then shook hishead. “That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“It was all I could think aboutwhen we werelocked down, and as soon as we were allowed out of our cells, Iwent to the library, and I wrote Sebastian a letter.”

He lifted the folded piece of paper upfor the governor to see. “Please let me give it to him.”

“He’s in solitary… I’ll go with youand open up the hatch.”

“Thank you.”

The governor gawped into space,then whispered,“Your sister.”

Rory shook hishead. Hecouldn’t think about her.

“Is there anything else Ican do for you?”

Rory nodded. “I’d like to see Ollieand Captain.”

“I can do that right now.”

He picked up the phone on hisdesk, and it connectedimmediately. “Send Oliver Linton and BenjaminTracy to my office.”

Rory closed his eyes, and heard thegovernor putting the phone back in the holder.

“Can I speak to themalone?”

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