Divine Justice

That's why him and me have never been that close. And he always liked to live well. And while he's the top dog up there, it's not like wardens make a ton of money, even at a supermax.'

'Peterson was an accountant. Maybe he was doing the books for the ring. Maybe he was skimming and they found out,' Alex suggested.

Tyree rubbed his hand along his chin. 'There might actually be more to it than that.'

'What do you mean?'

'We have a town fund here. An investment fund that Peterson was doing the books on too.'

'A town fund?' said Annabelle.

'Yeah, people and businesses pooled some money. Abby kicked in quite a bit; she had more than anybody else. It's done real well over the last few years. Paid quite a dividend.'

'Which is why Divine is a lot more prosperous than other towns like it,' added Reuben.

'But it might not be because of great investments,' ventured Harry.

'No,' said Alex. 'It might be for another reason: they're using the town fund to launder the drug proceeds.'

Annabelle said, 'And it's a perfect way to do it. Lots of little checks cut. A town in the boonies. Who'd suspect? The cash comes out pure white.'

Tyree said, 'What if your guy is up at that prison, how do we get to him? It's not like we have enough to get a search warrant.'

Annabelle snapped, 'Screw a search warrant. What we need to do is just get up to that prison and get him out fast if he's there.'

They all stared at her, Tyree looking the most nervous.

'I'm not sure that's such a good idea, ma'am. My brother is a pretty smart guy. And if he is involved in all this, you can bet he won't let us waltz into the place and look around.'

'That's okay, Sheriff, I rarely go in the front door. Shirley told me about those miners getting killed and that's why they call the prison Dead Rock. She mentioned a parallel shaft. I wonder where it is and how far it went in?'

Tyree said, 'I don't know the particulars.'

'I can check at the local library,' Caleb offered.

'And find out everything you can on Dead Rock prison,' she added. She looked at Tyree. 'And I'd appreciate everything you can tell me about the place too.'

'I'll be glad to, but there're lots of places to hide folks up there,' Tyree pointed out.

'I'm sort of counting on that,' said Annabelle.

CHAPTER 74

THERE WAS ANOTHER CHOPPER in the vicinity of Divine and it soared along the treetops before landing in the parking lot of Blue Spruce Prison.

Only one man got out of the bird; he walked unhurriedly toward the prison.

It took a few minutes of processing at the front entrance and a phone call. And for such a special visitor, the warden himself came down.

Macklin Hayes shook hands with Howard Tyree.

'What does the CIA want here?' Tyree said in a surly tone.

'I think you have one of my men here,' the CIA chief answered pleasantly.

'I have no idea what you're talking about.'

'All right, we'll play the game. For now, anyway. His name is Joe Knox. He's about six-one, two-twenty, with slicked back salt-and-pepper hair. He should have another man with him. A little taller, leaner, white hair, cut short. Answers to the name Oliver Stone or John Carr depending on the day and the situation.'

'There's no one here who fits that description. Now, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. This is a supermax prison and unauthorized visitors are never welcome even from the CIA.' Tyree's men clustered behind him.

Hayes looked slightly alarmed. 'You seem to have me outnumbered. My goodness, what was I thinking?' He put the slim briefcase he was carrying down on a table, popped it open and drew out a slim file. From it he took several slips of paper. 'Drug-running, was it? Yes, that's right.' He gave a mock shiver. 'I'm sure you all are suitably tough and dangerous, so I must watch my step.' He pressed his long, bony fingers against the pages. 'These documents are awaiting signature by the attorney general to authorize a lockdown of this prison and all personnel here.'

'On what grounds?'

'On the grounds that your drug-dealing operation is funneling monies to terrorist organizations that have infiltrated the United States.'

'That's ridiculous.'

'Actually, we already have the proof ready to go. This document,' Hayes continued imperturbably, 'is an arrest warrant for Joseph Knox, John Carr and Howard Tyree. You can see that it's duly signed.'

The warden didn't even bother glancing at the papers. He said, 'You might be a big deal in Washington, but in case you haven't noticed this isn't Washington. So I'm not going anywhere.'

'That's the whole point,' said Hayes. 'Let me see Knox and Carr and you'll have no more problems.'

'Right. If they were here, and I'm not saying they are, how do I know they wouldn't tell you some bullshit story that you'll use to come after me? Tell me that?'

Hayes looked at his watch. When he glanced back up, his smile was gone. 'I don't give a shit about your little drug operation. In the grand scheme of things you don't even rise to the level of a hemorrhoid on my ass. You have one minute to take me to these men.'

'Or what?' snapped Tyree.

'You really are tiresome.' Hayes reached slowly in his pocket, lifted out his phone and pushed one button.

A second later there was an explosion in the prison's front parking lot.

Tyree and his men raced to the window and looked out at the smoldering remains of the car. Smoke was still rising off the chopper's side cannon muzzle.

'That was my damn Cadillac,' screamed Tyree.

'I know. We checked the registration. I wouldn't have wasted a cannon round that expensive on a mere guard's ride. Let me make this as clear as I possibly can. This is a national security issue. Not even the president himself could stand in the way. And you, my little friend, are no president. Take me to see them. Now!' He added in a softer tone, 'And Uncle Sam will even buy you a new car.'

Stone and Knox sat shackled at the table. Everyone in the prison had heard the explosion outside, but no one knew what was going on. When the door opened and he saw the man, Knox cried out, 'Oh shit!'

'It's nice to see you too, Knox.' Hayes smiled at them both and sat down.

'What the hell are you doing here?'

'I had anyone you might contact on a surveillance list. When Marsh got the call I was ready. And don't waste time wondering if he'll come to your aid. He's already been transferred out of the country. You shouldn't have played me for an idiot, Knox. You really shouldn't have.'

He gazed at a stunned Knox for a moment longer and then turned to Stone.

'It's been a long time, John. I can't say the years have been kind to you.'

'They've been better to me than they have been to you, Mack.'

'Tell me, how did it feel to kill our old friends? Did your chest puff with pride when you finished them off?'

'That's right, you wouldn't know how it felt to kill somebody. You always got other people to do it for you.'

Hayes opened his briefcase and took out a single piece of paper. He held it up for Knox to see. It was the order signed by Hayes cutting off further discussion of John Carr receiving the Medal of Honor.

'When you called and told me that the 'country' folks around this filthy hole in the ground might rally around