Page 173 of State of Retribution

“Because you and your children haven’t done anything wrong, and he’d want to help you if he can.”

“That’s very kind.”She dabbed at her raw eyes.“People have been so very nice to us.”

“You’re crime victims, Laura.And you’ll be treated accordingly.”

“What else has he done?I’d like to know.”

“I think it’s better if you don’t know the details until you’re feeling stronger.”

She seemed to sink into the pillows when it occurred to her that it must be bad if Sam didn’t think she could handle hearing about it.

“We believe he may be hiding out at his family retreat in the Shenandoahs.”

Laura’s gaze darted toward her.“He loves it there.It’s his favorite place in the world.”

“Have you spent time there?”

“A lot of time.”

“Would you be willing to give the FBI as much information as you can to help them prepare to go in after him?”

“If it would help to end this nightmare, I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Sam called Avery and told him where she was and what Laura had agreed to do.

“This is great, Sam.Thank you.”

“Glad to be able to do something to help.How close are you?”

He’d know she was asking about going in after Offenbach.“Getting there but being methodical in light of his capabilities.”

“Understood.”

“My colleague Agent Colson will be there in fifteen minutes.She’s great with crime victims.”

“I’ll wait for her and then leave them to it.”

“She’s excellent.You’ll like her.”

“I don’t like anyone.”

Avery grunted out a laugh before he ended the call.

“When you get out of here,” Sam said to Laura, “I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Roni, who’s connected with a group of young widows.They all support each other.”

“I’m not a widow, though.”

“You’re raising your kids as a single mom.I doubt they’d quibble about the details.Would you like me to give my sister your number?”

Laura thought about that for a second.“Yes, I think I would.Thank you for your kindness.I didn’t believe the things Dylan said about you.”

“That’s nice of you to say.The FBI is sending an agent over to take every detail you can give her about the camp.I’m sure she’ll tell you this, but no detail is too small in a situation like this.”

“I’ll tell her everything I know.”

With Colson handlingLaura’s debrief, Avery went to see Ramsey now that he was out of recovery and able to speak.He’d lost a lot of blood from the wound to his leg and faced a long recovery, which would take place in federal lockup.His days of roaming free were over for good.

The disgraced officer was shackled to the hospital bed under the watchful eyes of two of Avery’s best agents.

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