Read Online Defiled: The Sequel to Nailed Featuring John Tall Wolf (A Ron Ketchum Mystery Book 2) by Joseph Flynn - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Joseph Flynn
Tags: Mysteries & Thrillers
Ads: Link
leading man recommended Clay talk to Marlene. He did and Marlene found an ancient little man with a giant trove of knowledge for Clay. Gave his movie a degree of authenticity that would have been impossible otherwise.
In gratitude, Clay had invited Marlene to the final day of principal photography. She’d accepted and charmed everyone. The two of them had been the last ones sitting at the campfire that night. Neither of them drank anything alcoholic or did any illegal drugs, but Clay remembered feeling intoxicated nonetheless.
When Marlene left him sitting there alone, leaving him with only a kiss on his cheek, he wondered if he’d just missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
He felt sure, though, that Marlene would call him soon and ask a favor in return.
She never did … until now.
“You mean other than my pleasure of talking with you, Mr. Mayor?”
“Yeah, other than that. I’ve held out hope you might someday offer me an opportunity to repay your kindness.”
“I’m sure there will be time for that.”
Marlene was, in fact, counting on it.
Clay, on the other hand, was not so sure there would be time.
Marlene said, “I just wanted to do you the courtesy of informing you that I sent a special agent to your town. His name is John Tall Wolf. Have you met him yet?”
The mayor frowned. “No, I haven’t.”
“Well, he did tell me he’s been busy. He arranged to have that bomb taken away.”
“Your man did that?”
“He did.”
“I’ll have to thank him, but how did either of you know about it?”
“A colleague in the federal government received a threat and forwarded it to me. I sent Tall Wolf. He’s a good man, but …”
“Don’t leave me hanging, Marlene.”
“As he’ll be the first to tell you, he tends to go his own way.”
Clay found that surprising, almost laughed. The idea that someone working for Marlene wouldn’t be kept on a short leash. The mayor wrote down the special agent’s name: John Tall Wolf. He’d have to make the special agent’s acquaintance soon.
Marlene said, “Tall Wolf and I are of the same mind that there will be no keeping the FBI out of the investigation. Domestic terrorism is their responsibility.”
“Yeah, it is, but something tells me you’ve got other ideas.”
“My idea is to have Tall Wolf do the work and let the FBI have the credit. I know people at the bureau who will go along with that arrangement. I wanted to know how you’d feel about it.”
“Your man is better than their people?”
“He can be insubordinate but he is effective.”
Clay offered a brief laugh. “Sounds like my chief of police.”
“So you won’t object if I put my plan in motion?”
Life was getting complicated for Clay right when he needed it simplified.
But he said, “Not at all. If Chief Ketchum agrees.”
“Tall Wolf works well with the local police.” Marlene said. “I’ll keep an eye on him all the same. I might pay your little town a visit myself.”
The warmth of the smile that lit Clay’s face would have ruined his public image.
Made him glad he was alone.
He told Marlene, “I’ll be happy to buy you dinner if you do.”
She replied, “Or we could have a cookout by a campfire.”
Chapter 7
Ron Ketchum sat behind his desk and informed Sergeant Stanley that there would be a new face at the Goldstrike PD in the morning.
“Another one?” the sergeant asked.
It took Ron a moment to realize the reference was to John Tall Wolf.
“Yeah,” the chief said. “In Deputy Chief Gosden’s absence, I’m bringing in my old partner from L.A., Keely Powell, to lend a hand. She worked homicide with me. She’s smart and tough. Good people, too.”
Sergeant Stanley nodded, keeping a straight face.
“You’ll like her, Sarge.”
“I’m sure I will. How will she fit into the chain of command?”
“She’ll take direction from me.”
Ron sincerely hoped.
He added, “If she has any requests, she’ll let either you or me
In gratitude, Clay had invited Marlene to the final day of principal photography. She’d accepted and charmed everyone. The two of them had been the last ones sitting at the campfire that night. Neither of them drank anything alcoholic or did any illegal drugs, but Clay remembered feeling intoxicated nonetheless.
When Marlene left him sitting there alone, leaving him with only a kiss on his cheek, he wondered if he’d just missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
He felt sure, though, that Marlene would call him soon and ask a favor in return.
She never did … until now.
“You mean other than my pleasure of talking with you, Mr. Mayor?”
“Yeah, other than that. I’ve held out hope you might someday offer me an opportunity to repay your kindness.”
“I’m sure there will be time for that.”
Marlene was, in fact, counting on it.
Clay, on the other hand, was not so sure there would be time.
Marlene said, “I just wanted to do you the courtesy of informing you that I sent a special agent to your town. His name is John Tall Wolf. Have you met him yet?”
The mayor frowned. “No, I haven’t.”
“Well, he did tell me he’s been busy. He arranged to have that bomb taken away.”
“Your man did that?”
“He did.”
“I’ll have to thank him, but how did either of you know about it?”
“A colleague in the federal government received a threat and forwarded it to me. I sent Tall Wolf. He’s a good man, but …”
“Don’t leave me hanging, Marlene.”
“As he’ll be the first to tell you, he tends to go his own way.”
Clay found that surprising, almost laughed. The idea that someone working for Marlene wouldn’t be kept on a short leash. The mayor wrote down the special agent’s name: John Tall Wolf. He’d have to make the special agent’s acquaintance soon.
Marlene said, “Tall Wolf and I are of the same mind that there will be no keeping the FBI out of the investigation. Domestic terrorism is their responsibility.”
“Yeah, it is, but something tells me you’ve got other ideas.”
“My idea is to have Tall Wolf do the work and let the FBI have the credit. I know people at the bureau who will go along with that arrangement. I wanted to know how you’d feel about it.”
“Your man is better than their people?”
“He can be insubordinate but he is effective.”
Clay offered a brief laugh. “Sounds like my chief of police.”
“So you won’t object if I put my plan in motion?”
Life was getting complicated for Clay right when he needed it simplified.
But he said, “Not at all. If Chief Ketchum agrees.”
“Tall Wolf works well with the local police.” Marlene said. “I’ll keep an eye on him all the same. I might pay your little town a visit myself.”
The warmth of the smile that lit Clay’s face would have ruined his public image.
Made him glad he was alone.
He told Marlene, “I’ll be happy to buy you dinner if you do.”
She replied, “Or we could have a cookout by a campfire.”
Chapter 7
Ron Ketchum sat behind his desk and informed Sergeant Stanley that there would be a new face at the Goldstrike PD in the morning.
“Another one?” the sergeant asked.
It took Ron a moment to realize the reference was to John Tall Wolf.
“Yeah,” the chief said. “In Deputy Chief Gosden’s absence, I’m bringing in my old partner from L.A., Keely Powell, to lend a hand. She worked homicide with me. She’s smart and tough. Good people, too.”
Sergeant Stanley nodded, keeping a straight face.
“You’ll like her, Sarge.”
“I’m sure I will. How will she fit into the chain of command?”
“She’ll take direction from me.”
Ron sincerely hoped.
He added, “If she has any requests, she’ll let either you or me
Similar Books
