Agent James opened the door to the hospital break room. “Coffee?” he said to Ritko. “Not fresh, but it is hot.” He poured a cup.
“Mikal Rikto? Is that Russian?” said Agent James. “You aren’t FBI. I know that much. I’ve done this a long time. So who are you with?”
Ritko waved his hand, declining the coffee. “Look, it’s delicate, a little messy, actually. We’re on the same side but not on the same team.”
“That’s makes total sense,” said James sarcastically. “Gus Gantt was a local detective. Not anymore. He’s a civilian. So why are you here?”
“Classified,” said Ritko, smiling. “Sorry. I know how you feel when I say that, but you know how it is. Up the chain, somebody’s nervous.”
“I can see why. It’s like open season down here lately,” said James. “We have four agents on it. The sheriff’s got his hands full.”
“I’ve heard,” said Ritko. “A lot of killing for a small Alabama town. People must be very uncomfortable. You certainly look like it.”
“I need something more than a fake I.D. and some secret shit from you, said Agent James. “You understand me, Mr. Ritko?”
“I understand. Just can’t do much about it. Talk to your bosses. See what happens,” said Ritko.
“So why did you ask me to come in here for a little private meeting if you have nothing to say?” said James.
“You asked me in here,” said Ritko. “I’d still be talking with Gus and Bren if you hadn’t have interrupted us.”
“So you have nothing to say about your ops here?” said James.
“I do have something to say,” said Ritko. “Just not about me. Look, Gus Gantt in there is connected to some people who are connected to some people.”
“Why do I feel like I’m on the Tilt-a-Whirl at the county fair?” said James. “Gus Gantt’s father is Jimmy Gantt. Is that what you mean?”
“Jimmy Gantt from Florida?” said Ritko with a sly grin. “You know him? I mean personally? You met him before? You know where he is?”
“I know his file is 1,200 pages long,” said Ritko.
“1,324 pages, actually,” said Ritko. “Look, Gus needs to be watched. His brother was killed by a crime syndicate. You know that, right?”
“Ah, yeah. Thanks for telling me what was on TV and every newspaper within 400 miles,” said James. “This is going nowhere. Get out. Now.”
“Can’t do that,” said Ritko. “I got orders just like you, Agent James, except mine come from farther up, deeper in and more invisible.”
“Invisible, my ass,” said James. “My ass has seen a lot in the last 20 years. I have jurisdiction here and you know it – if you are a fed.”
James rubbed his jaw and glared at Ritko. “And I guess that really is the question, isn’t it? Who do you work for?”
“Here’s the deal,” said Ritko. “I’m a watchdog. I won’t get in your way. There is a document at your headquarters explaining my job here.”
“I’ll check it,” said James. “Until then, I’m not letting you out of my sight.” He sipped his cold coffee. “Or I could just shoot you.”
“I’m not letting Gantt out of my sight, so we’re covering each other’s ass. I can live with that,” said Ritko. “Don’t shoot me. Not good.”
Ritko’s grin infuriated James. “You won’t shoot me anyway. You won’t live long enough to fill out that much paperwork. Let’s do our jobs.”
James used his cell to call the Special Agent in charge. He listened, nodded. It took five minutes. Ritko waited. James hung up and exhaled.
“The ground rules are simple, asshole. Don’t get in the way,” said James. “Get in the way and you and I will tangle badges. Maybe more.”
“I respect your position. I’ve been there. Twelve years I was there. Now I’m here,” said Ritko. “Truce?” James angrily avoided an answer.
“How the hell does Jimmy Gantt fit into this, besides being Gus’ father and killing everyone he gets near?” said James.
“Do you know Jolene Skunker?” said Ritko. “A hooker originally from around here, working out of Florida; Destin area? You know her, right?”
“Her file is growing as fast as Jimmy’s,” said James. “Yes, I know all about her. Cold and lucky. Carries a 9 mm. A bitch of a combination.”
“You know she’s Gus Gantt’s daughter. Jimmy Gantt’s granddaughter,” said Ritko. “It’s complicated in some ways, simple in others.”
“Gantt has a daughter he doesn’t know about and she shows up with Jimmy a few weeks ago. Perfect,” said James. “The apple didn’t fall far.”
“From which tree?” said Ritko.
“Gus is so straight up cop he was bleeding blue when they brought him in here,” said James. “That girl’s evil came from the old man.”
“And the old man has some serious connections,” said Ritko. “So there’s why I called you in here. Some one will try to kill Gus, guaranteed.”
And you are his guardian angel,” said James.
“Something like that,” said Ritko.
“Maybe Jolene should be doing the guarding,” said James. “She has a talent for killing those who cross her.”
“The girl is a cat with 18 lives,” said Ritko. S”he walked away from that shooting by the lake with enough money to –”
James’ cell rang. Ritko paused. “I know all about it, said James. “Go watch your boy. I got work to do.” James turned and left.
Ritko went back to Gus’ room to talk with Bren, but she was gone. He called the nurse. Bren’s cell phone was in the chair beside Gus’ bed.
“Excuse me, did the woman leave here?” he said to the nurse. “Her name is Bren Catton. Unusual that anyone would leave their cell phone.”
“Ms. Catton left with two men,” she said. “I thought they were your guys. Suits, badges, I.D.’s, same as you and the rest.”
“You gave me shit for coming in here and you let them take her?” said Ritko.
“This place is crawling with your types today,” she said. “I tried doing my job, but I guess I just got flashed by too damned many badges.”
Gus lay groggy and fogged from the pain medication. The nurse checked him. “Get you other buddy and find that girl,” she said to Ritko.
She adjusted Gus’ tubes and looked out the window, scanning the parking lot. Nothing seemed amiss.
“I’m not in the FBI or the sheriff’s department,” she said. “That’s your job. Start doing it. They’ve been gone about ten minutes.”
The nurse left angrily. Ritko made a call on his cell. “They took her,” he said. “Yeah, Gantt’s girlfriend, Catton.” he listened. “Okay.”
He sat down, clicked the safety off his .45 and started reading Bren’s paperback. Five miles away, Bren was already tied to a bed.
