Measure of Darkness by Chris Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

Tolliver says, affecting a much younger voice. “Got it off a paramedic who looks to be about twelve years old. He says, and I quote, ‘Excuse me, sir, but when can we move the croak?’”
    â€œKids these days.”
    â€œYeah. So? Your interest?”
    â€œThe big guy.”
    Tolliver sits up a little straighter. “No shit? Randall goddamn Shane. I should have known. You probably knew him since the Academy, eh?”
    â€œExactly that long. How’d you get onto him so quick?”
    â€œWait, hold on now, you wouldn’t be harboring a fugitive, would you? Doing a favor for an old friend?”
    â€œNo, I would not.”
    â€œSwear on your little black book?”
    â€œMy little black book went away when I married Eileen, but yes, I swear.”
    â€œBecause I couldn’t help you there. Other than to suggest you counsel the suspect to surrender himself posthaste.”
    â€œPosthaste?”
    â€œI have an education. Nuns gave their lives, and their rulers.”
    Jack purses his lips, thinking over his next move. “Okay, here it is. I’ll tell you everything I know about where Shane might be if you’ll share why you want him for this.”
    The state police detective sits back, smoking luxuriantly and thinking it over, or pretending to. All part of the tease because they both knew they were going to share before entering the premises, or the meet would not have taken place, certainly not on Jack’s dime.
    â€œIt was all very convenient,” Tolliver begins. “The tip came down from on high.”
    â€œHow high?”
    â€œNot God himself, but close. A heads-up to be on the lookout for this former federal agent who had been observed entering and exiting the home of the victim.”
    â€œThe professor was under surveillance? Why?”
    â€œI believe the term ‘national security’ may have been uttered. No details, of course. Other than that if we do pick him up we’re supposed to turn him over to the feds immediately.”
    â€œWhat agency?”
    â€œThe notification came through Homeland. Which as you know doesn’t necessarily mean it originated there. Homeland can be a communication conduit for almost any other government agency, even those it doesn’t actively manage, like FBI and CIA.”
    â€œAnd this tipster specified a local motel where Shane might be conveniently located?”
    Tolliver is decidedly not amused. “Tell me that wasn’t you torching the vehicle.”
    â€œIt wasn’t me,” Jack says, pleased that he can be honest, at least in a technical sense. “Glenn, you should know I did have contact with your suspect later on in the day, before he was apprehended.”
    â€œApprehended? Like hell. I’d know if we had him in custody.”
    â€œNot by you. Apprehended by others. Guys in black ski masks, very professional.”
    The captain of detectives looks startled, then quickly regains some of his humor, shaking his head ruefully. “What do you know, they got there first. I can tell this is going to be a good one. What’s your interest? I mean besides the fact that you and the suspect were Academy sweethearts.”
    â€œMostly that. You know about his wife and kid?”
    â€œI read the file, Jack.”
    â€œWell, some of us keep an eye on Shane, help out when we can. He’s one of the good guys.”
    â€œYeah? If he’s so good what does that make the victim? One of the bad guys? And if we didn’t put your pal in cuffs, exactly who did?”
    Jack, who has learned to balance his boss’s orders with the practicalities of maintaining access to various law enforcement agencies, decides to tell the captain of detectives what happened, mostly. He does so succinctly and without elaboration, as if writing a police report. By the time he gets to the end, Tolliver is openly gaping.
    â€œHoly shit, a black helicopter? For