Page 59 of Hudson
“Luther’s address. He’s in Sunburst.”
Hud looked at Amos. “We appreciate your help, Mr. White.”
“You’re welcome. I doubt Luther’s involved directly, but those boys of his have always been trouble. Wouldn’t surprise me if they’re caught up in this.”
“What are their names?” Luke asked.
“Barry and Hayden.”
“We’ll check them out.” Hud put his hand out and White shook it firmly.
“Thank you for what you all do. Looking out forranchers and farmers, it matters.”
“Yes, sir. You have a good day.” Hud nodded to Mrs. White and the three of them walked out.
They climbed into the truck. Hud looked at Creed and Luke. “You both good with heading to Sunburst now? Save us a trip tomorrow.”
“Fine by me,” Creed said.
Luke nodded. “Can we stop somewhere first? I’m starving.”
Hud looked at Creed and tried not to smile. “Remind you of anyone?”
Creed laughed. “Rawley. Every single day.”
“I am nowhere near that bad,” Luke said from the back seat.
After hitting a drive-thru, they got back on the road. Sunburst was close enough to Shelby that they pulled into town in under thirty minutes.
“Population around three hundred,” Luke said, scrolling his phone. “Less than ten miles from the border.”
“How convenient,” Creed said.
“Yeah.” Hud watched the town slide past the windshield. Small and quiet, the kind of place where everybody knew everybody, and a strange truck got noticed. “I just hope he hasn’t already crossed.”
“Getting him and getting him to talk are two different things,” Luke said.
Hud glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “He’s going to feed us every line he’s got, but with Roby and Hill already placing him in the middle of this operation he won’t have much room to maneuver.”
“He’ll want a deal,” Creed said.
“Everybody does,” Luke said.
“Not this one.” Hud’s hands tightened on the wheel. He thought about Rawley in that hospital bed,how close it had been, and felt the familiar burn of it settle in his chest. Harold White wasn’t getting a deal. Not from him.
They found the property thirty minutes later, a small house set back from the road in a quiet rural neighborhood. Hud looked it over as they climbed out.
“Let’s see what we’ve got.”
They walked up the path and Hud knocked. A man in his late fifties opened the door and went still when he saw the vests.
Hud held up his credentials. “Agent Hud Anderson, MDOL.” He introduced Creed and Luke. “We’re looking for Luther Conroy.”
“That’s me.” He stepped back. “Come in.”
They followed him inside until he waved them toward the sitting room. Hud stayed on his feet.
“Mr. Conroy, we’re trying to locate your cousin Harold White. Have you been in contact with him recently?”
