Coaster by Lorena Bathey Read Free Book Online Page A

arrived today and now they're on the case. But this is not going to get solved in a week , and that's what the CEO wants. He wants to re-open the park 'cause they're losing money every day that it's shut."
    "Really ? It just happened."
    "Yeah, but they are all about the bottom line, La Rosa. You know that." He stuffed the donut into his mouth.
    La Rosa tuned into the conversation going on in the room and watched the CEO trying to tell the Mayor's staff that he needed to get the park back open. The staff nodded in compliance. In the corner were three men in black suits. Feds. "Damn." La Rosa said under her breath.
    Kincaid was sipping his coffee. "What?"
    "Feds."
    Kincaid nodded in assent. "Yep, we're gonna have to work with them."
    La Rosa raised her eyebrows. "With them? Right. I think you mean for them."
    "Whatever."
    The meeting was breaking up and La Rosa heard one of the men say that they were interviewing the mechanic in twenty minutes. She was feeling apprehensive for him. It was not looking good. The Feds made their way towards La Rosa and Kincaid.
    "Wow, pretty cliché breakfast." One Fed nodded towards the donut in Kincaid's hand.
    "Y ou caught me." Kincaid smiled, but the tone was not humorous.
    "L ooks like we'll be taking over this case from you guys."
    "No, looks like you'll be aiding in our investigation." La Rosa spoke up.
    "Oh, that's not entirely true, but whatever you need to tell yourself." The bigger of the two men winked at her.
    "Listen guys, I get that you feel the need to come in and take control of this case , but Kincaid and I were here yesterday and we saw what happened and we really want to be part of this. It was a hideous scene and there is going to be enough work to go around. What do you say, can we work together?" La Rosa needed to be on this case because Lindy's face was burned into her brain.
    The other Fed looked at La Rosa. She never wavered in her gaze. He cocked his head, taking her in. She stood her ground. Everyone was watching them as if they were locked in a silent battle.
    Finally La Rosa move d. She looked down at her toes and took a deep breath. When she exhaled she said, "Look, you didn't see the girl from last night whose two best friends were killed on the ride. The ride she was supposed to be on and only missed getting killed because she had to pee. That girl is shell shocked and honestly, I'm not sure she will even make it. 'Cause if the grief doesn't get her she's gonna be messed up for sure for surviving. This is why we can't back down. Listen, four heads are better than one, right? We can help you out. We know the area, people...." La Rosa's voice faded away.
    The man didn't say anything. He simply nodded at the other Fed. He was obviously in charge. The other man turned away towards the two other federal agents waiting across the room and rolled his eyes, but not so the lead Fed could see him.
    La Rosa smiled slightly. "Thank you. Really, I appreciate it. We can give you what we've got so far."
    The Fed, La Rosa, and Kincaid moved to sit down as they began comparing notes.
     
                                                                          ****
    Ro ger was tired as he walked towards the office. The exhaustion would not leave him even after four cups of coffee. He entered the building and the light changed significantly. A woman was waiting out front and brought him back to the conference room. Sitting at the table was a plethora of suits, and he thought he recognized the CEO of the company. He felt immediately worried. They were all watching him and the CEO motioned for him to sit down. He'd noticed that Detective La Rosa was in the back of the room. She had smiled at him as he sat down. That did not seem like a good omen.
    "Mr. Merit, how long have you worked with us?" The man to the left of the CEO was apparently asking the questions.
    Roger cleared his throat. "Almost twenty-five years."
    "Well,