***
John and Tammy drove in silence almost all the way. John felt as if they had advanced into the next level of relationships. He only hoped Tammy felt the same.
"She's a wonderful woman," Tammy finally said.
"I know." John was happy again. There was more to talk about after all.
"So off to see the police now?"
"Yep. I told Frank we'd be in around noon."
"I have a feeling Taylor Time is going to be clean."
"Why's that?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's just the vibe I get from Hank. I just think there is something else at work here."
The van's engine roared as they drove down the interstate. With no air conditioning, they had to leave the windows down to get a breeze. It was too loud to talk, but Tammy managed to put a seed of reasonable doubt in John's mind. He thought he might be jumping to conclusions in order to wrap the case up. As usual, he was second-guessing his instincts and experience. Maybe, he thought, Frank would hold the key. If he had found through his own research that Taylor Time had done the same to establish themselves in other cities, then maybe there was something worth pursuing. If not, he thought about calling off the wire operation.
As the sun tanned interstate rolled by, John thought through every option. He wanted Tammy to be safe more than anything. He felt like he was only using her as bait. It was obvious that Michael was murdered. He did not simply drive off the road into a ditch. Someone was defiantly responsible. Cut brake lines and attempts on John's life proved that much was true. But the question still remained in his mind. Was he doing the right thing putting Tammy, the woman he was undoubtedly in love with, in danger?
"You sure you don't mind wearing a wire. We can still come up with something else."
"It's all right," she told the concerned private eye. "I'm starting to like this."
"I'll be right with you the whole way."
"I know you will," she said.
John reached over and gathered up her hand. "I think this is going to be very safe. Frank can line the place with plain clothes."
"I know."
"Like I said before, we don't even know if Hank will say anything."
***
The police building was as hectic as ever. John led Tammy from the elevator down to Frank's second home. Along the way they dodged secretaries and patrolmen on the move like pin balls.