“You weren’t being serious.”
“I wanted him to believe I was. I figured if I made a big deal out of resisting or wanting to hide anything, he’d get even more suspicious. As it was, everything sort of fizzled for him.”
“How did you leave it?”
“He thanked me for meeting with him, even apologized for troubling me. He said he might contact me later, but kind of doubted it.” Once again LuAnn saw Jackson incline his head slightly. This was working out better than she could have expected. “He got out of my car and into his. That’s the last I saw of him.”
Jackson was silent for several moments and then he slowly rose, silently clapping his hands together. “I love a good performance and I think you handled the situation very well, LuAnn.”
“I had a good teacher.”
“What?”
“Ten years ago. The airport, where you impersonated an impersonation. You told me the best way to hide is to stick out, because it runs counterintuitive to human nature. I used the same principle. Be overly open, cooperative, and honest, and even suspicious people tend to rethink things.”
“I am honored that you remembered all that.”
A little ego-stroking went a long way with most men, LuAnn knew, and Jackson, exceptional though he was in many ways, was no exception in that regard. In an understatement of mammoth proportions, LuAnn said, “You’re a little hard to forget. So you don’t have to do anything with Donovan, he’s harmless. Now tell me about Riggs.”
A smile formed on the man’s lips. “I witnessed your impromptu meeting with Riggs on the rear grounds this morning. It was rather picturesque. From your state of undress, I imagine he had quite a pleasant morning.”
LuAnn hid her anger at this barb. Right now she needed information. She replied, “All the more reason why I should know all about him.”
“Well, let’s start with his real name: Daniel Buckman.”
“Buckman? Why would he have a different name?”
“Funny question coming from you. Why do people change their names, LuAnn?”
Perspiration sprouted on her forehead. “Because they have something to hide.”
“Precisely.”
“Was he a spy?”
Jackson laughed. “Not quite. Actually, he’s not anything.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean that dead men, technically, can’t be anything other than dead, correct?”
“Dead?” LuAnn’s entire body froze. Had Jackson killed Matthew? It couldn’t be. She fought with all her might not to plunge to the floor. Luckily, Jackson continued.
“I obtained his fingerprints, had them run through a database and the computer told me that he’s dead.”
“The computer’s wrong.”
“The computer only relays what it’s been told. Someone wanted it to appear that Riggs was dead in case anyone came looking.”
“Came looking? Like who?”
“His enemies.” When LuAnn didn’t respond, Jackson said, “Have you ever heard of the Witness Protection and Relocation Program?”
“No. Should I?”
“You’ve lived abroad for so long, I suppose not. It’s run by the federal government, more particularly by the United States Marshal’s Service. It’s to protect persons testifying against dangerous criminals or organizations. They get new identities, new lives. Officially, Riggs is dead. Shows up in a small town, starts a new life under a new identity. Maybe his features have been altered somewhat. I don’t know for certain, but it’s an educated guess on my part that Riggs is a member of that select group.”
“Riggs—Buckman—was a witness? To what?”
Jackson shrugged. “Who knows? Who cares? What I’m telling you is that Riggs is a criminal. Or was a criminal. Probably drugs or something like that. Maybe Mafia informant. Witness Protection isn’t used for purse snatchers.”
LuAnn settled back against the wall to keep herself from falling. Riggs was a criminal.
“I hope you haven’t confided anything to him. There’s no telling what his agenda might be.”
“I haven’t,” LuAnn managed to say.
“So what can you tell me about the man?”
“Not as much as you just told me. He doesn’t know any more than he did before. He’s not pushing the issue. He thinks Donovan was a potential kidnapper. From what you just said, I’m sure he doesn’t want to draw any attention to himself.”