Allegiance (Joe Logan Book 4) by Michael Kerr Read Free Book Online Page B

things to do.  He was now a hacker, and capable of making big bucks by doing illegal work for both individuals and companies from the comfort of his swivel chair in a doublewide trailer on a site on the edge of Grassy Bay, within sight and sound of JFK International Airport.
    Lennox phoned Gus and said they were outside, as he walked up the ramp to the door. Frankie limped along behind him.  They could hear an Eagles track; Victim of Love being played too loudly inside.
    “Hey guys, how’re ya doin’?” Gus said after using a remote to release the door lock.
    “Doin’ fine, Gus.  But we need some of your magic to trace someone.”
    “So come in, take the load off and have a cold one while you give me the details.”
    Fifteen minutes later, Gus was all set up to trace the call that Lennox was going to make to Margie Newman’s cell.
    “All I need is for you to keep her talkin’ for a couple of minutes, max, and I’ll be able to give you a location,” Gus said.
    Lennox tapped in the number.
     
    They entered the diner and went back to where Margie was sitting and staring into the middle distance.
    “This is Benny,” Logan said as they sat side by side opposite her.  “He was Arnie’s CI, or stool pigeon.  He’s one of those losers who play both sides to the middle and usually end up dead in an alley from an overdose, or with a bullet in the back of their heads.  He can’t be trusted, but we’ll have to hope that he has enough sense to help us, because that’s the only way he’ll get out of the current situation he’s in alive.”  Logan then turned to Benny and said, “This is Margie, Arnie’s wife, and because of you she could soon be a widow.  What you do gets people hurt bad or killed, Benny.  But you know that and don’t care.  Am I right?”
    Benny turned his attention to Margie.  “I just do what I need to, to get by,” he said.  “I didn’t know that your husband was going to be whack…er, shot, Mrs. Newman.  They said they wanted a meet with him, and so I arranged it.  I had no choice.”
    Margie studied the gaunt face of the young man.  Saw anxiety, pain, fear and an underlying compassion in his eyes, and knew that he was not an evil person, just one of life’s flotsam, coping the best way he knew how to in the human jungle of NYC.
    “Okay, Benny,” Margie said.  “My only concern now is for Arnie to get well, and for the scum that did it to be taken off the street.  What happened to your finger?”
    Benny turned and looked at Logan.
    Logan had ordered a fresh pot of coffee.  When it came he refilled Margie’s cup and poured one for Benny and himself while they talked.
    “He got lucky,” Logan said.  “I was going to do a lot more than sprain a finger, but decided that he would be more use to us in one piece.”
    “You have a real attitude,” Benny said.  “I avoid violence if I can.”
    Before Logan could reply, Margie’s phone rang.
    “Do I answer it?”
    Logan nodded.  “Put it on speaker.  If you don’t know the caller, hand it to me.”
    Margie accepted the call, even though it was a withheld number.  Said, “Hello,” and could hear someone breathing.
    “Margie?” Lennox finally said, a second before Margie was going to disconnect.  “I’m a friend of Arnie’s.  I heard what happened and wondered how he’s doin’.”
    “Who are you, and how did you get my number?” Margie said.
    “My name is Lennox, and we need to talk about your hubby.”
    Margie looked at Logan and shook her head.  She didn’t know the caller.  Logan reached out and took the phone.  Thumbed off the speaker.  “Hi, Lennox,” he said.  “What do you want?”
    “Who the hell―?”
    “Cut the crap.  You work for Trask, and are probably tracing this call from whatever sewer you’re in at the moment.”
    “You must be Logan.  Am I right?” Lennox replied, happy to keep the guy on the line.
    “Yeah,” Logan said, already feeling a lead ball forming in his