Samurai Code by Don Easton Read Free Book Online

verify my credentials.”
    “I see,” replied Jack.
    “I bet you do,” she said, with a face that made Jack think she played poker. He mulled over her choice of words to describe the unlocked door. It could have been by the same janitor … meaning in theory, it could have been … but sure as hell wasn’t.
    “Did they say why they changed the transfer?” asked Laura.
    “That is the curious part. Last week, when I got a call from Staffing, they sounded a little miffed.”
    “Miffed?” asked Laura.
    “Staffing said Assistant Commissioner Isaac intervened and I was being re-routed to Intelligence. Rather unusual to have someone interfere with Staffing like that. Do you know anything about it?”
    “No,” replied Jack.
    “Last Friday afternoon I was called in for a short meeting with Isaac.”
    “Oh, really?” said Jack, feeling like the cup of dark-roasted black Starbucks coffee he had on the way to work wasn’t such a good idea for an empty stomach.
    “Yes, really,” replied Rose, staring back at him.
    “Guess he wouldn’t have called you in on a day off just to welcome you to the section,” said Jack, fishing for more information.
    “He welcomed me, but spent most of his time discussing you,” she replied. “I had the distinct impression he feels — well, let’s just say he feels you need a little more experience at testifying in court.”
    Jack was confused. “We’re on an Intelligence Section. We’re supposed to avoid court when we can, gather intelligence, and turn the results over to the appropriate section to investigate further. They’re the ones who normally make arrests, seize evidence, and go to court.”
    “I’m aware of that,” replied Rose. “However, Isaac is concerned that it is the coroner who most often receives the results of your work.”
    Laura looked down ostensibly to examine a hangnail.
    “Oh, that,” replied Jack, sounding casual. “There have been a couple of individuals I was working on who fell victim to the people they were associating with. Isaac once suspected I had something to do with the death of a man in Mexico. The man was someone I was working on. I happened to be in Mexico on my honeymoon at the time. Isaac looked into it and discovered that the death was the result of an accidental drowning. He apologized to me personally once he discovered his error. I’m surprised he would mention it. It was simply a coincidence.”
    “So he told me,” replied Rose. “How interesting you should use the word ‘coincidence.’ He said you could be nicknamed ‘The Coincidental Corporal.’”
    “What are —” Jack started to say defiantly.
    “Hold on,” interjected Rose, putting her hand up for him to stop. “Laura, this is obviously making you uncomfortable. Would you mind leaving us for a moment? I’ll want to talk with you later.”
    “What are you trying to say?” asked Jack, as soon as Laura left the office. “What is Isaac insinuating?”
    “Oh, I don’t think he was insinuating,” said Rose, pursing her lips, eyes locked onto his.
    Jack returned her gaze and decided not to respond to that comment.
    “He revealed only the facts as he knew them,” she continued. “No evidence of wrongdoing on your part was noted, although he tended to overuse the phrase ‘by coincidence’ when describing you. In fact, he made it clear that there has never been any … what’s the word he used? … oh, yes … credible evidence or confirmation of any wrongdoing on your part.”
    Jack sighed and took a moment to mull over what he had been told before asking, “What is he suggesting? Where do I stand with him?”
    “I did get the distinct impression that it would make him happy if you brought one in alive.”
    Jack nodded silently.
    “You should also know I wasn’t asked to rat on you.”
    “Thanks. Nice to know.”
    “But he did make it clear that he goes by the book and would take immediate action if any evidence of wrongdoing came to light.”
    “Fair