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the green eyes, though sunken, reflected curiosity. And his trademark smile, hinting of dark secrets, emerged.
    Smith’s gaze flickered to Brody and back to Jo before he focused on getting settled. The guard waited behind him as he adjusted his shackles and carefully folded his thickly veined hands on the table.
    Jo had sat across from her share of hardened criminals, most covered in tattoos, scars and piercings. But Smith’s appearance could only be described as mild, gentle. Even if he wasn’t sick, she doubted anyone would have crossed the street to avoid him and most women would have joined him in a steel, soundproofed elevator without a second thought. Likely, his victims hadn’t sensed their extreme danger until it was far too late.
    He picked up the phone on his side of the partition and in a clear, deep Texas drawl, he said, ‘Thank you for coming, Dr. Granger.’
    ‘Mr. Smith.’ She could have said that his request was a surprise. She could have asked why he’d wanted to see her. She could have asked how he was feeling. But she’d learned to say only what she absolutely had to say when she dealt with prisoners. They had the better part of twenty-four hours in a day to pick apart whatever you said and spin it a thousand different ways. The less said, the better.
    He smiled, showing even, white teeth. ‘You must be wondering why I asked you to visit me here today.’
    ‘I was told you had something to tell me.’
    ‘That is correct.’ A slight cock of the head. ‘Would you mind if I spoke to an old friend? I’ve not seen Ranger Winchester in some time.’
    ‘Please, take as long as you like.’
    ‘I do appreciate your patience, Dr. Granger.’
    Having his gaze off of her gave her a moment to gather her thoughts and to assess him and the situation.
    ‘Ranger, it’s been a year at least?’ Smith said.
    Brody’s stance relaxed, and whatever anger he’d had for Smith vanished like ice under the hot sun. ‘It’s been eleven months, Mr. Smith. Last time I was here was right after your sentencing.’
    ‘That’s right. Hot spring day from what I remember. Time crawls and then in an instant too much of it has passed.’
    ‘That it does, Mr. Smith. That it does.’
    Jo thought about the fourteen years that had passed since she’d last seen Brody. Those years had indeed passed in a blink.
    ‘They are keeping you busy, Ranger. I’ve seen you in the news. You are always the man behind the speaker at the podium, but I know your role is never minor.’
    ‘I hope they’re treating you well here,’ Brody said.
    ‘They are and thank you for speaking to the warden on my behalf. I do appreciate the opportunity to spend more time in the library. I do love reading books and newspapers.’
    ‘Glad I could be of help. I understand your health is not well.’
    ‘No, I’m afraid it’s not good. Not good at all. The doctors say I have weeks.’ No hint of self-pity lurked behind the words.
    ‘I assumed your time must be getting mighty short. It’s not often you request visitors.’
    Jo always considered herself an expert at couching her emotions. But as she listened to Brody’s relaxed cadence, with no hint of the anger she’d heard in the hallway moments ago, she realized she was in the presence of a master manipulator. If she’d only just met these two, she’d bet they were good friends.
    ‘Well, I am glad you are doing well,’ Smith said, avoiding the comment. ‘But if you don’t mind, Sergeant Winchester, I’d like a word with Dr. Granger.’
    ‘By all means.’
    Smith shifted his gaze back to Jo. ‘I’ve read about you in the newspapers. You were involved in that case last year. What did the paper call that killer?’
    She sat silent, knowing he wasn’t looking for an answer.
    ‘The Interstate Killer. That’s right. Left the bodies along Interstate 35. Interesting fellow.’
    Jo had no intention of discussing an old case. ‘Mr. Smith, I understand you summoned me here to discuss the