“Here’s what we’re gonna do. I’m gonna text Wingfield today and tell him I found a guy who’ll ‘take care of things.’” She pointed at Joe. “Officer DeCurtis is that guy. It’s going to be tricky, because Wingfield is cautious, and he’s paranoid. But on the plus side, he thinks I’m just another dumb broad. I’ll play along with that, ask for specific directions. We have to get him on the record, directing the hit on you. And after, after he’s convinced I’ve done my job, and he pays me, we drop the net. He’s trapped and can’t get out.”
“This won’t work,” Letty said. “I’ve known Evan way longer than you. He always covers his ass. He has layers of people around him, doing the dirty work.”
“Okay, what do you suggest? I’m listening.”
“I don’t know,” Letty admitted wearily. “I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. When does this go away?”
“After we put Evan Wingfield behind bars,” Agent Hill repeated.
“Maybe we do something to spook Wingfield. Make him believe it’s urgent to get Letty out of his hair once and for all?” Joe said. “What if we let him think she has proof that he killed Tanya? He’d come after her then, right?”
“But I don’t have proof,” Letty objected.
Vikki Hill nodded slowly. “He doesn’t know that. I could contact one of the NYPD detectives investigating Tanya’s murder. Get him to pay Wingfield a visit, yank his chain a little, maybe hint that they’ve been in contact with Letty, and she’s cooperating. Which is true. That would light a fire under him, right?”
“Maybe,” Letty said.
“I think it’s worth a shot,” the FBI agent said. “I’ll text Wingfield, tell him we need to talk. When he calls, I’ll tell him I’ve found a guy who can do the job. If he balks, I’ll turn up the heat. Okay?”
“Are you absolutely positive Evan doesn’t know where I am?” Letty asked.
“No way. I’ve covered my tracks,” Vikki Hill insisted. “I promise you, he’s never heard of the Murmuring Surf. He’s clueless.”
“Well?What did you think of Agent Hill?” Joe asked. They were in his truck, driving back to the motel.
“She’s okay. I guess. For an FBI agent.”
“Yeah. Not very likable. But she seems to know what she’s doing.”
Letty stared out the window at the passing scenery, chewing on a ragged bit of cuticle. “You really think this scheme of hers will work?”
“I wouldn’t have brought you to meet her today if I didn’t.”
“And she would have arrested me anyway and dragged me back to New York.”
“No,” he said, turning to look directly at her. “I would not let that happen.”
“What happens if Evan doesn’t bite? If they can’t prove he killed Tanya and tried to have me killed? What then?”
“We’ll figure it out,” Joe said.
“We?”
Without slowing down he veered sharply right into the parking lot of a strip shopping center. He slapped the gear in park.
“Yeah,” he said, solemnly. “We. You and me. And maybe Ava and Isabelle will help too, but I’m thinking it will mostly be you and me. Unless you’ve got a problem with that.”
Letty chewed her bottom lip. “I don’t know what to say. I’m grateful, but Joe, I’m not… I’m not in a place where I can do this right now. Not with everything that’s hanging over my head. And with Maya. When and if we ever get this mess with Evan straightened out, she’s got to be my priority. I’m all she’s got. And I promised Tanya…”
“Did you promise her you’d never have a life for yourself?” he asked.
“I promised I’d keep her daughter safe.”
He laughed. “What’s safer than hanging out with a cop?” He reached under the passenger seat and brought out a set of handcuffs. “I’ve got a nightstick under the seat too, but I can’t reach it right now.”
She managed a smile. “You know what I mean.”
“Okay, set aside all that stuff. Just tell me, yes or no. Are you at all attracted to me?”
