Cut and Run (43 page)

‘None whatsoever. Walter works wonders. You know that. As far as anyone’s concerned the FBI took out a very dangerous felon. End of.’

‘The cops?’

‘Going along with it. Our names have been struck from their files all the way back to before Castle and Soames.’

‘What about Linden Case and his daughter?’

‘Like I said: way back before the cops. They know now that Rickard disguised himself. They even caught the doctor who carried out the surgery on him: some asshole called Rothman. The doc squealed like a stuck pig, told them that Rickard brought photos of you and asked to be made to look like you. The doc swears he’d no idea why that was so, but the cops know he’s lying. It’ll be a long time before he does any kind of surgery again. You’re in the clear, Hunter.’

‘Good enough.’ My tone didn’t match the sentiment.

Rink knew what I meant. Jessica Case was a total innocent in all of this and it hurt to think my name had been tied to her senseless murder. It was good that that was cleared up, just sad that she’d died in the first place.

Rink patted me on the shoulder. ‘You can put the details straight but you can’t change the past, brother. Don’t dwell on the bad things. Give the good a chance.’ He winked at me and went outside.

I wondered what the hell that meant. Then the door opened and in walked Imogen Ballard.

She looked so much like her sister Kate that it hurt to look at her.

I think she knew that. She had the same look in her eyes as when I’d last seen her. And now I better understood Rink’s words about there being people here who loved me too.

Like Alisha before her, she just came and planted a kiss on me. Except hers was on my mouth and it lingered a lot longer.

Not all the echoes from my past were a bad thing.

Acknowledgements and Thanks

As ever my biggest thanks go to my wife, Denise. For everything.

Two people who also help immensely and are equally deserving of my thanks are Luigi and Alison Bonomi of LBA. They share the images in my head and keep me on the straight and narrow. Thanks to you both for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.

Thanks also to my editor, Sue Fletcher. Sue is the one who has to navigate my excitable ramblings and put them in the correct order. It is through Sue’s efforts that the finished book actually makes some sense.

As ever, I’d also like to thank all of my family and friends. The love and support is appreciated.

Matt Hilton