“The attack on the bar? They were after Paul, I’m sure of it.” “Why would a gang

of killers target him?” “They might have been paid to do it.” He sat forward.

“And now you can tell me why you suddenly called out of the blue.” He expected

some sharp retort. He didn’t get it. “Puller, we have a situation.” He lowered

his fork and said, “I understand we have a situation.

 

You told me that when we last met.” Knox drew a breath. “Right.” She said

nothing else.

 

Puller took a bite of food and a sip of coffee, then set down his cup. “Well?”

“Not here.” “We can go back to where I’m staying.” They arrived there thirty

minutes later.

 

Knox leaned against the wall while Puller sat in the one chair looking up at

her.

 

When she said nothing he spoke up. “First you show up out of the blue. Then you

disappear. Then you show back up with a story about this friend of yours scared

to death and tell me about this possible cover-up.” “I came back to help you.

And you just walked away,” she added bitterly. “I was trying to protect you.”

She barked, “I can protect myself, in case you hadn’t noticed.” He nodded and

said in a rapid-fire manner, “Okay. Agreed. So you’re back. I need your help.

What can you tell me?” She seemed about to bark at him again, but she swallowed,

ran a hand through her hair, and with that movement all of the anger seemed to

drain from her. “The situation?” prompted Puller, who was watching her closely.