Read Online Cold Fear by Rick Mofina - Free Book Online Page A

mind raced. What could it be?
    “It’s a major investigative case out of Glacier
National Park. A California girl missing in the wilderness. Ten years old. But
there may be much more to it. A lot of political buttons have been pushed.
There will be a multi-agency task force. We’ll be working with the National
Park Rangers, County; San Francisco PD is sending a body. We have the lead.
Everything is being marshaled out of Salt Lake. Bowman, your file shows that
before you were an agent and with Montana Highway Patrol, you were a seasonal
ranger at Glacier, correct?”
    “Yes, but sir, I don’t quite understand. I am the
Internet GFP person out here.”
    “No, as of now, you’ve tentatively got the job at the
Los Angeles Division. But I am sorry Bowman, I have to hold my
congratulations.”
    “I don’t understand?”
    “Look, I’m not very good at complicated political bull
so I am going to tell you something so far off the record that they will take
my testicles if they knew. Got it?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Quantico was very impressed with your recent course
results and so was Los Angeles. The supervisor at Quantico said you were, I’m
reading notes here, ‘blessed with incredible instinct and a natural talent for
dissection.’ You wowed them in the classroom. What I am saying is you have got
the post in California; but unbeknownst to you, NHQ wants to see how you
perform on this one. They picked you for this assignment because you are at the
top the curve. Our offices in Kalispell and Browning are down right now.
Vacation, illness and assignments. At the moment you are the closest available
FBI agent to the scene. Now, do you understand?”
    “I do not believe this. I mean, I want Los Angeles for
Mark, but I just can’t--and I am not supposed to know this?”
    “Know what?”
    “Right.”
    “Welcome to politics and policing. Bowman, this case is
likely to attract attention. It is going to be investigated thoroughly from the
outset. The brass does not want to risk having a legendary embarrassment, not
only for us, but for several other agencies. The clock is ticking on this one.”
    John Wayne was pinned under his horse. She watched him
reaching for his gun as Ned Pepper neared to finish him off.
    “But, sir, a little girl lost in the woods? With all due
respect, aren’t we overreacting? I’m sure the rangers can handle this.”
    “I am sure you remember the Yellowstone case not too
long ago.”
    “Right.”
    “No one wants a replay of that fiasco. The rangers at
Glacier alerted us. There is suspicion that this could be a parental homicide.
There are extenuating circumstances.”
    “What sort of circumstances?”
    “More details and bodies are coming in. You will be
updated.”
    Kim Darby had fallen into a pit and was eye to eye with
an angry rattlesnake.
    “Bowman, you will be partnered with Agent Frank Zander
from Violent Crimes at NHQ.”
    “I’ve heard that name before.”
    “I have to warn you. Zander has a reputation for
building a case against anybody on anything fast. His work has been critical to
some of the big wins in organized crime, terrorism, kidnappings and serials.”
    “Is that the warning about him?”
    “He’s a lone wolf, not a team player. A first-class prick
void of personality. His wife recently left him.”
    Bowman tensed, muttering to herself, “Because of the
prick part, or the personality part?”
    “Anything else I should know about him?”
    “He is already in the air. He’ll run the show with Salt
Lake and the rangers. You will work with him. Pack for the mountains. Have you
been to Glacier recently?”
    Bowman swallowed. “A couple of years ago.” She and Carl
used to go there with Mark.
    “Zander’s flying in to Kalispell. You pick him up there,
drive to West Glacier, grab some shut-eye. A chopper will be standing by to
deliver you to the command site at daybreak. We expect the small joint task
force to be assembled, formalize the game plan and then