Body of Lies by Deirdre Savoy Read Free Book Online Page B

lifted one shoulder as he shoveled another forkful into his mouth. “She’ll come around.”
    Zach shrugged again and focused on his own food. Even if she did, what difference would it make? He didn’t plan to make a habit of dining here.
    He didn’t see her again, until after he bid Sammy good night later that evening. He’d walked out to his car and looked back at the house. She was standing at the window on the second floor. Without thinking, he lifted a hand and waved to her. In reaction she lifted her hand and gave him the finger before retreating. He shook his head and laughed. Maybe there was a bit of Sammy in her after all.
    She hadn’t wanted anything to do with him then, and it looked like they were back where they started. Part of him wished he could do what she wanted and leave her alone, but he knew he wouldn’t do that. He had a case to solve, and more than that, an opportunity to make right what he’d messed up so long ago.
    Sammy had taught him well. He wouldn’t give up until he got what he wanted, both personally and professionally.
    He smiled to himself as a plan formed in his mind. He’d worn her down once and he could do it again. “This isn’t over, Alex,” he whispered to the night air, started his car, and pulled away.

Six
    The following morning, Zach was waiting for McKay when he came in to the station. Zach leaned back in McKay’s chair, with his feet propped up on the desk, his eyes closed. He was tired and testy, having fought a losing battle in the bid for sleep the previous night, but neither his lack of sleep nor his mood was responsible for his posture. He hoped to annoy McKay, put him on edge.
    He knew he’d succeeded when McKay stomped to a stop next to the desk. “You got something for me already?”
    Zach opened his eyes and focused on the other man. He did have something for him, but not the way McKay meant. After the meeting broke up yesterday, Smitty had told him about the way the rest of the meeting had gone. He said Alex had held her own, but she shouldn’t have had to. McKay had been hoping to rattle her with his little slide show and had gotten exactly what he deserved for that: nothing.
    On top of that, word had it that McKay had been assigned the case right after the first body was found. He hadn’t done much with it until the councilwoman’s daughter turned up. Apparently some vics were worth the effort in McKay’s book and some weren’t.
    Zach adjusted his position, but didn’t move off, as McKay obviously wanted him to. “I heard about how you sandbagged Alex Waters to get her here yesterday.”
    McKay scowled. “What’s it to you? Just because you used to partner with her old man—”
    Zach cut him off. “She’s not a suspect and you can’t believe she knows where Thorpe is.”
    â€œWhy can’t I? For all I know he’s camped out in her basement. We all know none of those cars was the primary crime scene. Thorpe has no known address. He’d need somewhere secure, where he wouldn’t be disturbed, and someone he knew who wouldn’t turn him in. At the very least, he called her. If she’s keeping his whereabouts a secret, that’s obstruction of justice.”
    Zach did stand then, topping McKay’s height by a couple of inches and his weight by a good fifty pounds. “Are you ready to charge her with that?” Zach asked, though he knew the answer.
    McKay seemed to shrink even more. “No.”
    â€œThen leave her alone.” Zach had said all he came to say. He’d enjoyed putting McKay in his place, but he had better things to do. He turned to walk away.
    But apparently McKay wasn’t finished yet. “You might want to warn your girlfriend we’re releasing Thorpe’s name in a press conference this afternoon.”
    Zach turned back to face McKay slowly and purposefully. What idiot okayed that?