He said he would, and he did. Why’s he in trouble with the cops?”

“I’ll tell you when I get there.”

9.

Donovan Creed.

WHEN WE LAND in Memphis I kiss Callie goodbye and keep Joe with me, so he can blow up Bobby Dee’s house in La Pierre, Louisiana, later tonight.

Before catching a cab I find a quiet spot and call Dr. Box’s cell phone.

No answer.

I call his apartment.

Bingo.

A young woman with a thick southern drawl says “Hi there! Who’s callin’?”

I can actually feel the smile in her voice. If I weren’t so pissed at Dr. Box, I’d smile back. “I’m Donovan Creed.”

“Well, hey there, Mr. Creed, I’m Trudy Lake. Pleased to meet you!”

It’s only a few words, but it takes her a long time to say them. I don’t mind. I love southern girls and the way they talk. Used to love them, I mean.

“Trudy Lake?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I’m going to take a wild guess you’re not from New York City.”

“Oh, Lord, no,” she says. “And if I knew the ball team here was called Yankees, I probably would’ve said no to livin’ here.”

I laugh. “Where are you from?”

“You know Ralston, Kentucky?”

“Nope.”

“Dead Horse Holler?”

“Nope.”

“Tate’s Crick?”

“Are you from any of those places?”

“No sir. I was just tryin’ to zero you in. Let’s just say I’m a western Kentucky girl, and leave it at that.”

“That’ll work. Are you the housekeeper?”

“I’m the girlfriend.”

“Dr. Box has a girlfriend? Or do I have the wrong number?”

“Hard to believe, but yeah, he’s got a girlfriend. And I’m her.”

“Is he there?”

“He sure is. Would you like to speak to him?”

“Not really. Not after talking to you. But I need to.”

“Hold on, I’ll get him.”

When Box gets on the phone he says, “I thought it went well with Kathleen last night, didn’t you?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I just started a relationship with Callie. I thought you knew that.”

“I did. But Kathleen wanted to see you, after all those years. She wanted you to meet Addie.”

“How is that any of your business?”

“I try to help where I can.”

“There’s a helluva lot more going on than you realize. With regard to me and Kathleen.”

“I only did it because I thought I was helping her.”

“Had I not just spoken to Trudy I would’ve bet money you set up the dinner date so you could make a play for Kathleen. You know, show her what a shit I really am, help her gain closure on our relationship. You’d be perfectly positioned to pick up the pieces afterward, have a chance to slide right into her life.”

He pauses. “That’s actually very astute. To be honest, that was my original plan, exactly.