Long Simmering Spring by Elisabeth Barrett Read Free Book Online Page B

tray of muffins from the LMK. She set them, along with some plates, cups, sugar, napkins, and stirrers, on a side table.
    When Rhonda Lee left, Agent Rivera spoke up. “Based on the presence of prescription drugs, we’re convinced that someone local is involved. Someone who knows this town inside out, has access to huge quantities of regulated, prescription drugs—or knows people who do—and who would be in a position to coordinate a large-scale distribution.”
    “So far we’ve been working together unofficially, which has served both our departments well,” Val said. “You’ve been operating the way you’ve needed to in order to keep Star Harbor’s citizens safe, and we’ve been pursuing the drug running on a broader scale. However, now that we know more about what we’re dealing with, the DEA would like to formally request the Sheriff’s Department’s assistance in ferreting out who is involved and bringing them to justice.” Then he paused, waiting for Cole to respond.
    Cole looked around before he spoke. Val was watching him carefully. Clearly this was a request from Val’s higher-ups or he wouldn’t be asking so stiffly. Cole wouldn’t disappoint his brother—or his own people. “We’re in.” He looked to either side of him. Both Pete and Hank looked determined. “On-the-ground logistical expertise, resources, manpower, and knowledge—you name it, we’ll provide it.”
    Val didn’t smile, but his eyes warmed. “Thanks, bro,” he said, softly. Then in a more formal tone, he said, “On behalf of the DEA and the Federal Government, Agent Rivera and I thank you.”
    “Where do you suggest we begin?” Cole asked, flipping open a pad of paper.
    Val’s gaze got steely, and Cole knew he had a plan. “We attack from all sides. Put pressure on those dealers already in custody to talk, keep trying to pinpoint the other dens and distribution centers, and go after the other piece of the puzzle—the prescription drugs. When we find out where they’re coming from and whom they’re going to, the rest of the operation should crumble,” he said, Agent Rivera nodding at his side. “You ready?”
    Cole glanced at his deputies. “It’s on.”
    Julie glanced around Martins’s Market, scoping out the place with eagle eyes. A few older women were ten feet away, picking over the string beans, but they had their backs to her. Joanne Martins had stepped into the back to get something, and Will, her husband, was at the register, ringing somebody up. The area where Margo Rathbone was standing near the fruit displays was empty and no other customers seemed to be paying her any mind.
    Good . She didn’t want anyone to see what she was about to do. Now was her window. Quickly, she approached Margo, pulled a brown paper bag out of her tote, and thrust it forward, keeping it as low as she could. “Here,” she said softly.
    Margo, eyes darting around as frantically as a field mouse’s, snatched the bag from Julie’s hand and stuffed it into her gigantic purse. For a second, Julie didn’t breathe.
    Then, as she realized that no one was even glancing their way, she relaxed fractionally.
    Mission accomplished.
    Julie stifled the urge to laugh. Even though the situation wasn’t funny— at all —by the way they were acting, anyone who saw them might think this was some kind of drug deal. Sadly, it wasn’t that far from the truth. They’d arranged this meeting through old-fashioned note-passing, as Don had access to Margo’s sole email account.
    “Margo,” Julie said in a low voice. “I really need you to come in for a physical. Please. I’m worried about you.”
    “I told you, it’s hard for me to get away,” Margo whispered back.
    “But this isn’t right. I have no problem prescribing you a three-month supply of birth control pills. I’ve done it before for other patients who can’t get in to see me right away, but I always insist they come in for a physical afterward. I’m a good doctor who