Memory Man by David Baldacci Read Free Book Online

Understand?”
    The man had followed Decker’s gaze to the precinct and nodded. His manner relaxed. He even smiled.
    “You’re not the first,” he said encouragingly. “We get lots of customers from the Burlington Police Department.”
    “I’ve shopped here before,” said Decker.
    “Sure, I remember you,” lied the man.
    Decker shopped fast. Jacket, size fifty-four extra long. Pants, size forty-eight, which were still snug, and he let his belly droop over the waistband as many out-of-shape men did. He opted against purchasing a belt. His pants were definitely not going to fall down. Luckily his legs were long and he could get a pair already hemmed that fit. Shirt, mammoth. Tie, cheap but effective. Shoes, size fourteens. He opted for the faux leather. They pinched his feet. He didn’t care.
    “Wouldn’t happen to have a brush and an electric razor?” asked Decker, looking in the mirror.
    “In our toiletries section over here.”
    “Briefcase?”
    “Accessories, over here.”
    He paid for everything on credit. When Decker asked, the clerk threw in a legal pad and some pens that he had behind the counter in a box of office supplies.
    “They keep cutting our budget,” Decker explained. “How do we protect people if we can’t even afford pens?”
    “It’s a crying shame,” said the man. “World’s going to hell. You interested in a tie clip or pocket square?”
    Decker took everything to the restroom, rinsed off in the sink, rolled on antiperspirant he had purchased, buzzed off much of his beard, leaving only a shallow layer of fuzz over his chin, jaw, and upper lip, trimmed and tidied his hair, dressed in his new clothes and shoes, and put the old ones in the store’s bag.
    He walked out carrying the bag and headed back to the precinct. The tie cut into his throat, and despite the deodorant, he already felt a bit sweaty under the armpits, though the air was cool. But he didn’t look like he had looked before. He hadn’t looked this respectable even when he’d been a cop.
    He added the bag of clothes to the gun in the trash can and marched up the steps of the precinct. He knew this was stupid. Insane. He hadn’t been gone that long from the force. He could be recognized at any moment, like with Pete Rourke. But he didn’t care. He really didn’t. This was his shot. Maybe his only one. He was taking it.
    He cleared the magnetometer. There was one young cop in the lobby manning the entrance. Decker didn’t know him and he didn’t know Decker.
    Good and good.
    He walked over to the information desk. The elderly woman sitting there was obviously not in uniform. She must be a civilian. Having a uniformed officer sitting at the front desk was not a smart deployment of resources.
    His cover story formed in his head, Decker looked down at her. She looked up at him. Her eyes widened, perhaps simply to take in the whole of him.
    “Can I help you?” she asked.
    “You have a prisoner in the holding cell, Sebastian Leopold?”
    She blinked in confusion. “I’m not sure what you—”
    “I’d like to talk to him.”
    “And who are—”
    “He needs counsel. I don’t think anyone has been appointed to rep him yet.”
    “I’m not sure—”
    “Sixth Amendment, right to counsel. Can’t be denied. Just need a few minutes with him.”
    “I’ll have to phone—”
    “If you have to you have to. But I know things are pretty hairy around here right now. So if you don’t get an answer, I just need a few minutes with him.”
    Decker lifted up his briefcase so she could see it and patted the side. “His arraignment is coming up. He’ll need to be prepped for the plea. I’ve got some ideas.”
    “If you could have a seat.”
    Decker looked around at the police officer manning the magnetometer. He was staring at Decker, which was not good.
    Realizing he might have just blown a bunch of money he didn’t have on lawyer-looking attire, Decker sat down in a chair bolted to the wall and waited. The old