Read Online Memory Man by David Baldacci - Free Book Online Page B

fellas.”
    They trooped out, leaving Miller and Decker staring at each other.
    Miller said, “Can we talk about this?”
    “You need to focus on Mansfield, Mac. You want to come back and arrest me, I’ll be right here.”
    Miller nodded and an appreciative smile broke over his features before disappearing. “Let’s sit for a few. Can I get a decent cup of coffee in this place?”
    Decker led him over to his table in the restaurant off the lobby. Then he poured out two cups of coffee from a beverage stand set up against one wall and brought them back over, sitting down across from his former boss.
    “How’s Mansfield?” asked Decker.
    “Catastrophic. We’re still finding…stuff. Bodies. The death count will go higher, no question.”
    “What about Pete’s grandson?”
    Miller shook his head. “I don’t know, Amos. I don’t have names yet. A bunch of cops’ kids go there. It’s the biggest high school we have.”
    “And the shooter?”
    Miller ground his teeth. “He got away.”
    “How?”
    “Don’t know yet. Everything is still…developing.”
    “Usually they eat their own bullet on site.”
    “But not this time. It’s like a school shooting a week now across the country. When’s it going to end, Amos? You’re a smart guy. When?”
    “I’m not that smart.”
    Miller slowly nodded while drumming his fingers on the fake wood tabletop. In several quick bursts he drank down his coffee. Rubbing his lips, he said, “Why’d you do it, Amos? Talking your way in to see that son of a bitch?”
    “Wanted to eyeball him for myself.”
    “Lot of ways to do that without doing what you did.”
    “Brimmer shouldn’t get in trouble.”
    “Well, you taught her a very valuable lesson. Don’t trust anybody.” He eyed Decker’s suit and tie. “I heard you’d gone down in the world. Was my info wrong?”
    “I was a lot farther down than this.”
    “You and Mary were a great team. Damn shame.”
    “It’s all a damn shame, isn’t it?”
    Miller crumpled up his empty paper cup. “What’d you talk to Leopold about?”
    “I have notes, if you want to see them.”
    Miller loosened his tie. “I’d rather hear them, from you.”
    “He’s a strange guy.”
    “If he killed three people in cold blood, I’d say he’s very strange. I hope someone like that is always considered ‘very strange’ no matter how screwed-up the world becomes.”
    “He had some knowledge of the crime, but nothing he couldn’t have gleaned from the papers. Or—”
    “Or what?” Miller said quickly, his light blue eyes holding steadily on Decker’s face.
    “Been told by someone who had more detailed knowledge of the crime.”
    “As in the person or persons who actually did it?”
    “Do you see Leopold as our guy?”
    “I don’t see him one way or another. All I know is he walked in early this morning and confessed. What else?”
    Decker said, “He was in the Navy. I noted the tat and he finally admitted that he was. Sebastian is probably not his real name. Checking with DoD should tell us who he is. Guy has a lump on his neck. It doesn’t seem to be causing him pain. But it might be cancerous. He was confused on some of the major details at the scene.”
    “For example?”
    “For example, he couldn’t seem to remember which side of the hall the first bedroom was on. I suggested left. He agreed. When it’s actually on the right. That’s probably not that big of a deal. But then he said he shot Cassie while she was sleeping and then changed his story to shooting her after she woke up. The wound was a contact. I don’t see how he does that if she’s awake and screaming and maybe fighting him. And she was found on the floor. I think he remembered that and changed his story to reflect it. And he didn’t mention what else was done to her.”
    Miller nodded. He obviously knew what Decker was referring to. “Go on.”
    “The guy is a little cagey, but not all there. He sort of comes and goes. I don’t think his