No Escape by Mary Burton Page A

ice. Though she had a reputation for professionalism, colleagues in the Rangers had often referenced Jo’s kindness and approachability. He supposed she’d never again offer him that openness and candor.
    That shouldn’t bother him. But it did.
    He dialed the Rangers’ office in Austin and asked for Sergeant James Beck. Brody had transferred back to Austin three weeks ago. Though he didn’t know all the Rangers personally, he knew Rangers had each other’s backs and when called upon, help arrived without question.
    The phone rang twice. ‘Sergeant James Beck.’
    ‘Jim, this is Brody Winchester.’
    ‘Brody. You in West Livingston now?’ Brody had briefed Jim as soon as the request from Smith had made it to his desk.
    Brody explained the situation to Jim, including Smith’s reference to a new gravesite and Jo’s presence. ‘Jo doing all right?’
    ‘She’s fine.’
    ‘Can I speak to her?’ Jim said.
    Brody hesitated, much like an animal who sensed his territory had been invaded. ‘Sure.’ He held out his phone to Jo. ‘Jim Beck wants to talk to you.’
    She took the phone, careful not to let her fingers touch his. ‘Jim.’ For several seconds she didn’t speak but listened. Her face softened and this time when she smiled it reached her eyes. ‘Thanks. Great. No. No. I’m fine. Yes, I’m looking forward to it. See you then.’
    Brody accepted the phone back, watching as she turned away from him. ‘What’s the weather look like in Austin?’
    ‘Pissing rain,’ he said. ‘No one is complaining. God knows we need it. It’s supposed to let up in an hour, but the whole region is a muddy mess. There is no way we’re going to get a crew out to Smith’s site today. It’s too rural. Not many paved roads up that way.’
    Impatience bit. ‘We’ve waited this long. Another day won’t matter.’
    ‘You take the plane to West Livingston?’
    ‘Yeah.’
    ‘You should have clear skies our way in an hour.’
    ‘By the time we get out of here and back to the airport it’ll be at least that, if not more.’
    ‘We’ll have a full team ready to hit Smith’s site at first light.’
    ‘See you then.’
    Brody rang off and glanced toward Jo who seemed lost in thought. ‘We need to brief the warden.’
    ‘Do you think Smith told the truth? I know he likes games.’
    ‘He was a hell of a lot more forthcoming this time. He’s revealed more today with you than he has with all our investigators over the years.’
    ‘He appeared to like or, at least, respect you,’ she said.
    ‘I suspect it’s because I’m the one who arrested him. I bested him at his game, and for that I get extra points.’
    ‘You couch your emotions well around him.’
    He hooked his thumb in his belt, sensing she was trying to gauge him. ‘I never forget for a moment I’m dealing with a monster.’
    She pursed her lips, and he could almost hear the wheels in her brain grinding. ‘I don’t understand his last comment. The answers to finding a killer are in myself? Is he talking about my research? My work with the Rangers?’
    Brody motioned to the guard who opened the cell block’s heavy door. ‘I don’t know, but remember Smith is an expert at deception.’
    ‘If his goal was to knock me off balance, he’s done it.’
    ‘No one walks away from an interview with him unscathed. Let’s get out of here.’
    He took her by the arm and led her away from the interview room. Minutes later they were in Warden Maddox’s office.
    Maddox gestured toward the chairs in front of his desk. They all sat. ‘How did it go?’
    ‘He gave us new information,’ Brody said. He fully briefed him. ‘We won’t know if it’s true until we can follow up.’
    ‘No one’s obtained a damn bit of information out of him in the time he’s been here.’
    ‘Has his behavior changed in any way over the last weeks?’ she said. ‘Anything to make you wonder why he chose to talk now?’
    Maddox leaned back in his chair. ‘Since he’s been here,