Lethal Misconduct by C. G. Cooper Read Free Book Online

in fifteen minutes.”
    The two Feds were waiting in his office when he arrived. 
    “I’m sorry to keep you waiting gentlemen. I’m Brad.” He moved to shake the two men’s hands, pausing when he got a look at the shorter man’s face. There was something wrong with the left side of it. Stroke? The man didn’t offer his hand and Brad took the hint, taking his position behind his desk.
    “I’m sure your boss let you know why we’re here, Mr. Turnberry.”
    “Yeah. He said something about you wanting to take a look at some of my accounts.”
    The man with the warped face nodded.
    “We have an ongoing investigation concerning an escaped fugitive.”
    Sweat broke out on Brad’s back despite the cool temperature in the room. The hangover wasn’t helping.
    “And you think one of my clients is involved?”
    “What can you tell us about Frank Rounders, Mr. Turnberry?”
    “I…I’ll have to look that up.” He glanced to the man in black sunglasses, who had yet to say a word. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but I forgot to ask your names and who you’re with.”
    “My name is Cromwell and this is my associate Mr. Vespers. We’re with the securities and exchange commission. Would you like to see our identification?” The question came out as more of a dare than a friendly offering.
    Brad shook his head. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Now, let me see what I can find about Mr. Roundup, did you say?”
    “Rounders. Frank Rounders. But you may know him better as Dr. Hunter Price.”
    Brad tried not to let the shock show, but he felt himself pause, trying to avert his gaze toward his computer screen. Moisture tickled his upper lip, seeping out of the pores on his forehead.
    “Doesn’t ring a bell,” he said a bit too hastily.
    While he did his best to look like he was clicking through files, his head spun, trying to come up with a plan. Cromwell watched. Vespers stood and walked to first one, then the second window facing the interior of the bank, closing the blinds, then locking the door.
    Brad felt whatever contents were left in his stomach churn. He somehow held back the acidic bile in the back of his throat. His mind began panicking as he noticed Mr. Vespers out of his peripheral vision moving around the desk.
    “I think I’ve got…yeah, here’s the account,” Brad blurted, hoping that would make the imposing Vespers retake his seat.
    “I want you to freeze all accounts owned by Hunter Price,” said Cromwell.
    “You mean Rounders?” asked Brad.
    Cromwell nodded to Vespers, who pulled out a silenced pistol and pointed it straight at Brad’s shocked face.  
    “How about we stop playing around, Mr. Turnberry. We know about your relationship with Dr. Price. High school friends. Both went to Yale. Ran cross country together. Should I go on?”
    Brad shook his head, all blood drained from his face.
    Cromwell continued. “We also know that your wife is currently spending a relaxing long weekend in Cabo San Lucas with her three friends Michelle, Jen and Lilly. Would you like to know what they had for breakfast?”
    Brad shook his head again, trying his best to stop shaking. The tip of the suppressor now rested against his temple, Vespers’s face placid.
    “Here’s what I want you to do. First, wire the contents of Price’s accounts to this account,” Cromwell reached over the desk and set an index card in front of Brad.
    For some reason Brad didn’t scream or call out for help. Later he would realize that the threat of physical violence had completely paralyzed him. Instead of yelling he tried to focus on his task, hoping that the two men would just leave after he finished. He hoped Hunter would understand.
    “Okay. It’s done,” he announced.
    Cromwell nodded and did something with his phone, probably confirming the transfer.
    “Very good, Mr. Turnberry. Now, I want you to pick up your cell phone and call Dr. Price.”
    That was when Brad’s bladder failed him, warm