Night Vision by Jane A. Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

moved to take a closer look at the bookshelves. Tattered paperbacks, mostly of the variety written by ex special forces, interspersed with the odd crime novel and, more surprisingly, ten slim volumes that Alec discovered were classic westerns by the likes of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour. Alec had gone through a phase of reading these when he’d been just a kid, and the books looked to be of around the same vintage. Curious, he picked a couple off the shelf and flipped them open. Inside the flyleaf of each the same name was neatly printed.
    â€˜Eric Robinson?’ he asked.
    â€˜Neil’s dad,’ Parks told him. ‘The sister sent him the books,’ he added.
    Thoughtfully, Alec flicked through the pages. The old paperbacks were in excellent condition. Read, yes, but loved and cherished. He knew they would already have checked, but could not resist riffling the pages to ensure that nothing had been hidden, skimming the text for comments written in the margins or on the flyleaves. Nothing.
    â€˜We already did that,’ Parks said.
    â€˜Force of habit,’ Alec told him. He pulled out the drawers and rummaged through Robinson’s meagre possessions, but there was little apart from spare clothes.
    â€˜What did you think of him?’ Parks asked.
    â€˜Robinson?’
    â€˜You interviewed him.’
    â€˜Yes. At length. What did I think of him?’ Alec frowned. ‘My main impression was that a man like Robinson could have taken any path he wanted, so I couldn’t understand why he’d chosen the one he did. He was highly intelligent, personable, seemed to have a moral code, of sorts. I mean, he didn’t pick on anyone who couldn’t afford to lose.’
    Parks laughed, mockingly. ‘So he was a better class of criminal because he didn’t try and rip off little old ladies?’
    Alec nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I suppose I did think that.’ Truthfully, under different circumstances, Alec could have liked the man, but he didn’t share that impression with Parks.
    â€˜Alec’s moral compass has always pointed northwest,’ Travers growled.
    Surprised, they both turned to look at him. ‘And what did you think of Robinson?’ Parks asked.
    â€˜That he had no excuse,’ Travers said. ‘He had a good brain, came from a stable home. No one pushed him into it. Like Alec said, he could have done something with his life. Instead, he chose to rip people off. Robinson was a turd.’
    Parks cocked an eyebrow and pursed the cherub lips. ‘So a slight difference of opinion there, folks,’ he said, clearly amused.
    Alec frowned, puzzled by this sudden animation from his boss and also by the comment. So far as Alec could recall, Travers had only met Robinson the once, when he had sat in on a final interview.
    â€˜So we can tell them to pack his stuff up now?’ he said, more for want of something to say than because it was relevant.
    â€˜If you’ve finished looking,’ Parks agreed. ‘The governor wants to see us all before we go, once Munroe’s finished briefing her.’
    â€˜Briefing her?’ Alec asked. ‘What about?’
    Parks shrugged and wandered out into the rec room. Alec watched him go and then turned on Travers. ‘What the hell is up with you?’
    No response.
    â€˜Oh, for Christ sake, Trav, stop behaving like a sulky toddler and talk to me.’
    Travers opened his mouth, and for a moment Alec expected a reprimand: a reminder that Travers was senior officer here and Alec should watch his mouth. He would almost have welcomed that. At least it would have been a response of sorts. Instead, he shut his mouth and shook his head. ‘We’ll talk later,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry, Alec, you’re right, I am behaving like a prize prat.’
    The sudden climb-down caught Alec off guard, and he wondered if his boss was just placating him. If the later would