Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files) by Creston Mapes Read Free Book Online Page B

anything suspicious. Over and out.”
    Once again Jack struggled with whether to let Pam know about the threat. But why worry her? If things heated up, he could contact her then. Until then, it was only words. He silently prayed that’s all it would remain.
    Way down the hall, around the corner, came a bicycle ridden by a teenage boy wearing a black ski cap, floppy flannel shirt, and fingerless gloves. He called out to Jack as he approached. “Lookin’ for 5-A. Know where it’s at?”
    “Right here. What can I do for you?” Jack said.
    The kid started his dismount, standing on one pedal, gliding, then jumping off and trotting up to Jack. “Got a delivery.” He bent over a basket behind his seat and came up with a dozen red roses. Ignoring Jack, he knocked on the door.
    “Hey, hold up …”
    As the kid opened the door, all heads snapped toward him. There was tension in the air, all right.
    Jack followed the delivery boy in, embarrassed, feeling as if he’d been run over.
    But Karen just smiled, took the flowers, and, on tiptoes, kissed Everett.
    Everyone else in the room had gone back to what they were doing, and no one besides Sid and Jack seemed to raise an eyebrow.
    Everett shrugged at Jack. “It’s a tradition.”
    “Roses play a big part in our past.” Karen smelled them with a shy grin. “I think tonight these might go home with you—for your wife.”
    “Oh my gosh, she would die,” Jack said.
    “I’ll put them in water, and they’ll be right here. I’ll have Ev write a note.” Karen looked up just as Cole was walking out the door. “Cole?”
    The boy stopped, turned toward his mom, and raised his dark eyebrows.
    “Where’re you going?” Karen said.
    “Vending machine.” He sounded a tad annoyed, probably because most everyone in the room was watching.
    “What do you need that we don’t have here?” she said.
    “Gum.”
    “Do you know where it is?”
    “We passed it coming in. I’ll be right back.”
    She looked at Jack. “You think it’s okay?”
    “Mom!” Cole said.
    “It’s not far, and the doors haven’t opened yet. I can walk him down there if you want,” Jack said.
    “No, it’s okay.” She looked at Cole. “Go ahead, but hurry right back.”
    Cole scampered off.
    “We told him there was a remote threat,” she said.
    “I’ll peek after him, just in case.”
    She thanked Jack, and he headed out the door.
    “Dude!” called a voice from the end of the hallway.
    Jack turned to see Derrick flashing the press credentials that hung around his neck to another EventPro, who was seated on a metal folding chair. With Derrick was a younger black guy Jack recognized from the Dispatch , who was lugging a heavy camera bag over each shoulder.
    “I wondered if you’d be here,” Jack called.
    “I’m his shadow. Of course I’m gonna be here.” Derrick walked toward Jack in his no-hurry swagger, looking good in a dark-green jacket and gray slim-fit cords. His leather satchel swung on his shoulder. “You remember Daniel Woodhouse?”
    “Yeah.” Jack reached out and shook hands. “Good to see you.”
    “You, too,” Daniel said.
    “This campaign’s wearing me out,” Derrick said. “Zenia’s fit to be tied ’cause I’m gone all the time. Can’t imagine what it’ll be like a year from now. Sheesh.”
    “Glamour’s gone?”
    “It’s going. I mean, it’s exciting, but it’s a ton of hours.”
    “What’ve you heard about this threat?” Jack said.
    “No one’s talking. Who can I talk to? And I don’t mean that barracuda boss of yours. What’s her name, Dracula?”
    “Dracone.” Jack chuckled. “Clarissa Dracone. She’s the one, but she won’t talk. You got a pen?”
    Derrick got his phone out and thumbed the screen. “Go.”
    “Keefer O’Dell is Clarissa’s boss—he’s the president of EventPros. He’s on his way down from Cleveland now. But Reese Jenkins is top of the order. He’s the CEO of the arena. I’m not sure if he’s here or