The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch Read Free Book Online Page B

kept him hoping.
    Busch was a contented man, though he still missed his days on the force solving crimes, righting wrongs, burying the arrogant assholes who thought they were above it all. His “the law is the law” attitude had put him in conflict with Michael in the past, particularly when Michael had been his parolee, his charge, his responsibility to ensure he remained rehabilitated and a law-abiding citizen. But it was Michael’s unselfish actions in the service of others that made Busch realize that sometimes laws had to be broken for the greater good.
    Michael was his best friend, like a younger brother. And like most younger brothers, Michael had a habit of finding trouble—finding it, creating it, solving it—and Paul was often at his side pulling him out of it. And so here he was driving Michael out of trouble—again—the only difference being this time there was a girl involved.
    As he looked into the back of the Range Rover, it still hadn’t sunk in that KC had been in that prison with Simon. It was a surprise to both him and Michael. Paul had met her twice back in New York. He thought her perfect for Michael: beautiful, intelligent, with a biting sense of humor. He was genuinely happy that his friend was dating, but he never thought he would be dating someone like this.
    So Busch was beyond amused as he watched Michael and KC argue and fight like an old married couple. He watched the two of them go atit, trading barbs and accusations, criticisms and self-righteous boasts; there was no doubt in his mind that they were perfect for each other.
    “Are you okay?” Michael asked as he saw the bruising and cuts on her arm.
    “I’m fine.” Though you could see she wasn’t. She was banged up, her face smudged, a hint of dried blood ringing her nose.
    “Is there something you failed to tell me?” Michael asked, a tinge of condescension in his voice.
    “What?” KC snapped. She turned her head, looking out the window.
    Michael paused, attempting to calm himself, to purge his veins of the adrenaline that still kept his heart and mind racing, desperately trying not explode. He continued to look at the back of her head, her blonde hair that was dirt-filled and windblown. He reached out his conciliatory hand, but just as it neared her shoulder—
    “What?” KC said, still facing the window, seeming to sense his approach.
    Michael pulled his hand back.
    “What do you want me to say?” She spun around.
    Michael finally boiled over. “A consultant?”
    “Look—” KC began.
    “You don’t work for the European Union.” Michael turned to Simon, the moment escalating. “And you … with friends like you … how the hell can you set us up and not tell me?”
    KC turned to Simon, raising her voice, double-teaming him. “How come you didn’t tell
me
?”
    Simon sat in the passenger seat, the questions hitting both ears. He kept his eyes fixed to the nighttime road ahead, remaining silent, keeping out of the battle.
    “How come Simon didn’t tell you what?”
    KC turned back to Michael, her green eyes growing intense. “Don’t start with me. An alarm guy has the know-how and wherewithal to skydive in, penetrate a prison, blow it up, and escape with two people?The reason Simon knows you is the same reason he knows me.” She turned back to Simon. “Did you think it was cute to hook us up?”
    Simon glanced at Busch, who eyed him, offering no help but a sympathetic tilt of the head as he gripped the steering wheel.
    “Okay,” KC finally relented, calming down. “So I don’t work for the EU and you don’t own a security company.”
    “I actually do own a security company,” Michael said defensively. “A legitimate security company where I make a decent, legal living.”
    “Whatever delusions you live by,” KC said as she held up her hands and looked back out the window.
    The Range Rover drove through a rusted wire fence and onto a runway. There was no tower, no terminal. The car’s headlights,