al for screw…ups seemed endless。
〃Nevertheless； you'd do well to put him out for Delacroix。 If you want to get rid of him； that is。〃
I looked at him with my jaw hung。 At last I was able to get it up where it belonged so I could talk。 〃What are you saying？ That he wants to experience one right up close where he can smell the guy's nuts cooking？〃
Moores shrugged。 His eyes； so soft when he had been speaking about his wife； now looked flinty。 〃Delacroix's nuts are going to cook whether Wetmore's on the team or not；〃 he said。 〃Correct？〃
〃Yes； but he could screw up。 In fact； Hal； he's almost bound to screw up。 And in front of thirty or so witnesses 。。。 reporters all the way up from Louisiana 。 。 。〃
〃You and Brutus Howell will make sure he doesn't；〃 Moores said。 〃And if he does anyway； it goes on his record； and it'll still be there long after his statehouse connections are gone。 You understand？〃
I did。 It made me feel sick and scared； but I did。
〃He may want to stay for Coffey； but if we're lucky； he'll get all he needs from Delacroix。 You just make sure you put him out for that one。〃
I had planned to stick Percy in the switch…room again； then down in the tunnel； riding shotgun on the gurney that would take Delacroix to the meatwagon parked across the road from the prison； but I tossed all those plans back over my shoulder without so much as a second look。 I nodded。 I had the sense to know it was a gamble I was taking； but I d