Read Online Death of Secrets by Bowen Greenwood - Free Book Online Page B

himself up, Kathy placed a call to her
roommate’s cell number. Her boyfriend Tony answered, Kathy asked for Colleen,
and told her she wouldn’t be able to make their planned lunch.
    "That’s OK, Kathy. I’ll go have something with Tony. How
ya doing otherwise? Enjoy spending the night at work?"
    "Um, I didn’t actually end up sleeping there,
Colleen," Kathy replied. "I’ve got a really long story to tell you,
and most of it you’ll have a hard time swallowing. I think I’d better not tell
you on the phone. Let’s try for dinner instead of lunch, maybe. If I can get
free, I’ll give you a call."
    "Now wait just a minute, Kathy. What kind of story is
this? Are you OK? Don’t just leave me hanging like that."
    "Yeah, I’m fine. It’s been a close shave, though. It’s
really too much to tell you over the phone."
    "Kathy, what’s going on? Does it have anything to do with
that flash drive?"
    "Yeah, as a matter of fact, it does. Look, Colleen, I have
to leave, but before I go there’s one other thing. Speaking of that flash
drive, I have a name that might go with it, if that might be any help. Eric
Harrison."
    Kathy could practically hear her roommate biting her lip.
"Harrison? That name actually sounds familiar, but I’m not sure from
where. I’ll think about it and get back to you. Call me when you know about
dinner."
    "I will, Colleen. And be careful, OK? I don’t think it’s
safe to start sleeping in our room again yet."
    Colleen harrumphed. "To listen to you, I’m afraid to even
go outside. I’ll be careful. Don’t worry."
    John came out of the bathroom just as Kathy hung up, dressed
and ready to go. They set out on foot. Before long they found their way to the
small coffee shop Franken had specified. The place was crowded and cramped, but
she saw Officer Franken across the room. She and John went over and took seats
at his table.
    "Thank you for coming, Miss Kelver." Franken turned
to John and asked, "You are?"
    "John Lincoln."
    "Miss Kelver’s attorney?"
    John’s eyes widened and he gave a short bark of a laugh.
"Me? This look like an Armani suit?" He indicated the blue jeans and
dirty shirt he’d been wearing since last night.
    "Whatever." The cop turned back to Kathy. "Miss
Kelver, I’m going to be honest with you. Due to the complete lack of a body or
any evidence of a crime at the location you specified, my chain of command
believes I should issue you a citation for calling in a false alarm. Unless you
can provide any further corroborating evidence of your story, I’m going to have
to do that."
    Kathy’s jaw dropped. "What? You can’t do that! If you had
any idea what I’ve been through over that…" She stopped, and thought about
Mike. If she started telling the cops this story, she’d end up getting him
involved. Besides, would this fat slug even believe her?
    Heck, she thought. I don’t even believe this myself.
    "Yes?" Franken asked.
    She shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing now. Maybe
later…"
    Franken bit his lip. "That doesn’t do me much good with my
shift commander."
    Kathy shrugged. "I’m sorry. I just don’t have anything I
can show you, but I might find something more out soon."
    "You sound to me like you’re looking for something
specific."
    Her eyes shifted away from his and over to John’s, where there
was no help for her. "Nothing."
    "Miss Kelver, if something’s going on you should tell us.
If you know of a crime, you’re required by law to assist the police."
    "I already did that, and you want to give me a
ticket!"
    "Not if you can prove there’s a crime. It sounds to me like
you might be able to. Or at least you might have some information I should
have."
    She shook her head emphatically, but didn’t say anything. She
was thinking of Mike. He had very strong feelings about keeping control of all
this information. The cop stood up. "OK, then. I’ll talk to my commander.
You may get a citation in the mail." He walked away after throwing two
bucks on the table to