Heart Of The Hunter. Bj James

stroked his jaw, much as Mitch had. Two dedicated men, on the brink of exhaustion, facing truths. Perhaps for the first time. “Not often, and then not for long.”

      Mitch’s head jerked in assent, a crooked smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “Neither have I, but don’t tell the old fox. Wouldn’t want him to be too cocky about it, would we?”

      Jeb chuckled and waited. There was more.

      “It wasn’t insomnia that brought you to the Gambler.”

      No admission met the statement. No denial.

      “There were things you needed to resolve about the little girl and Nicole.”

      Jeb’s amusement vanished. “Some.”

      “Water’s like fire, it soothes the brain and clears the mind.”

      “It does that.”

      “You know he killed her. Julie Brown, I mean.”

      “I know.”

      “Damn his black heart! A child!” Mitch’s voice was strangled. “He just picked her at random, in the most unlikely place.”

      “A red herring.” The words were mild, the look on Jeb’s face was not. “He’s laying a false trail, to confuse and confound whoever might be looking for him.”

      “Then you believe he’s coming?”

      “Now more than ever. The last contract, Jimmy Merino’s son, shut the door to his usual contacts. Now both sides of the law want him. He has nowhere to turn but Nicole.”