Read Online Pretenses by Keith Lee Johnson - Free Book Online Page B

for the stare rather than being blasted by his harsh words.
    â€œAll right! You two have had enough time to get your stories together!” he shouted. “What the fuck happened, Perry?”
    â€œCould you, like, lower the volume?” Kelly asked.
    â€œSHUT UP, MCPHERSON!” Michelson yelled. “Keep that up, and you’ll be on suspension so long, you’ll forget you were ever an agent.” He was still staring at Kelly when he screamed, “I’m waiting, Perry!”
    â€œWell, sir,” I began, knowing I was already on thin ice, “we came here on a slim lead. After the bartender identified the woman Director Pockets had left the lounge with, we were going to go to her room and ask her some questions. Then she took off. We didn’t want to lose her.”
    â€œBut you lost her anyway, didn’t you?” He glared at me. “How did she know you were after her specifically? HUH? You went into her room without a warrant, didn’t you? She realized it and made a run for it, didn’t she?”
    I remained silent.
    â€œHow many times have we trained for this? HOW MANY? Agent Perry, we train for this to make sure that when we take a suspect down, we take him down right. That means no innocent civilians get hurt, isn’t that right?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œBut you two hot dogs had to do it on your own and now we’ve got a fuckin’ circus. And to top that shit off, you’ve made the President look like a goddamned idiot. He’s the one who vouched for you on national television. Now look at this shit! We’ve got a seven-car pileup, eight civilians with major injuries being rushed to the hospital, and nobody in custody.”
    I remained quiet, taking my tongue lashing like a good little girl. Sometimes I hated being an FBI agent; this was one of them.
    â€œWell, what do you have to say for yourself, Perry?”
    â€œSir, we learned that she’s an incredible martial artist. Probably one ofthe best in the world, judging by her incredible balance and her ability to keep a cool head in a frantic situation. Also, she’s a master of disguise. I think she’s Kunoichi—female ninja. And if I’m right, we’re going to need a lot more people on this.”
    â€œIs that what you want me to tell the director?” Michelson growled. “You want me to tell him we’re after a female ninja who can look like anyone?”
    â€œDon’t forget to tell him she’s also a nymphomaniac,” Kelly said, interjecting her biting sarcasm. “I’m sure St. Clair would want to know that, too.”
    â€œNOT ANOTHER FUCKIN’ WORD, MCPHERSON!” Michelson snapped. “You two get the hell outta here. You’re off the case. In fact, you’re on suspension until further notice. Ford and Flynn are taking over.”

CHAPTER 25
    R OOM 1619 was being meticulously examined by the forensics team when Michelson returned. He called Ford and Flynn outside and told them they were in charge of the case, strongly admonishing them not to blow it. Eager to get a chance to atone for past screw-ups, they thanked him for the opportunity.
    As they walked with him to the elevator, Michelson briefed them on the case and told them to talk to Agent Perry to get the rest of the information; then he got into the elevator. He waited until the two agents turned away before he pushed the button for the twentieth floor.
    Coco Nimburu opened the door when she saw Michelson through the peephole. They embraced and kissed passionately. She pulled off her robe and exposed her nakedness to him, then tore at his clothes like a ravenous wolf. Coco liked Michelson, but she knew that one day she would have to kill him, too. He knew what she looked like without the disguises.
    They were employed by the same client and had been paid handsomely for their part in the killings several months earlier. Michelson was on the inside, gathering