Read Online The Pandora Directive: A Tex Murphy Novel by Aaron Conners - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Aaron Conners
Ads: Link
on me didn’t like the idea much. Damn nonsmokers.
After what seemed like an eternity in cold turkey/ Network TV purgatory, I was escorted to Mac Malden’s office. By the time the sergeant closed the door behind me, I had my Lucky Strike in hand, already half smoked. Two other men were in the room, nice suits, standing in the corners. Being outnumbered always brings out the antagonist in me.
It turned out that Mac had been investigating a homicide all morning and it was now almost 11 a.m. — way past his bedtime. He always did the questioning whenever I got pulled in. Threatening with me with jail time always seemed to cheer him up, but now he was too sleepy to enjoy it.
Mac planted his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “Okay. Let’s forget about breakfast and get this over with. Take it from the top. And for God’s sakes, not too many details. I should be in bed, dreaming of egg rolls.”
I recounted my story completely, leaving out any minor details, like Fitzpatrick, Malloy, the mysterious Vid-phone call, and the jaunt through 771 Santa Cena. After I finished, Mac didn’t seem to be satisfied with my version of things. The two suits didn’t move.
“So that’s the whole story.”
“Yup.”
“You’re sure.”
“Absolutely.”
Mac burned another Merit. I glanced down and saw that he’d left another one half smoked in the ceramic dog. Poor sap. Obviously a helpless slave to nicotine.
“Did you know the victim?”
“Who, Emily?”
“No, the one you threw off the roof. The girl’s gonna be fine.”
“Good to hear. What about Leach?”
“The big mutant? I guess a slug nicked him, nothing serious. Now answer the damn question — did you know the guy you threw off the roof?”
“I didn’t throw anyone off the roof. Like I told you, we were rollerblading… things got out of hand. He jammed his front wheel, and… well, you know the rest.”
“Knock it off, Murphy. You seemed to forget I’m a cop. A tired, hungry, pissed off cop. If you don’t get off my nerves, I’ll toss you in the drunk tank, and we’ll try again tomorrow.”
Lord, he was a grouch at this hour of the morning, and the well-tailored statues in the corners didn’t seem to be helping his disposition. To ease the tension, I proceeded to tell him what actually happened on the roof. Mac glanced through a sheaf of papers, then waved his hand toward the door.
“Okay, get outta here. Your story matches up.”
I got out of my chair. “Matches up? With what?” Fife
Mac looked up at me wearily. “We have a witness. You’re clear… hey, Robinson!”
The door opened, and the young cop who’d kept me from losing at least another seven minutes of my life poked his head into the office. “Yes, sir?”
“Escort Mr Murphy out of my office. He’s free to go.”
The young cop nodded. “Oh, and while you’re at it, find Ms Madsen and tell her she can go, too.”
I started after Officer Robinson.
“By the way, Murphy! Don’t go on any sudden trips for a few days. We may want to ask you some more questions.”
“Why would I take a trip, Mac? Around here, every day’s a vacation.”
Mac waved me out. I stopped by a vending machine and spent $2.50 on a cup of hot camel spit. As I passed the waiting room, Officer Robinson was speaking to an extraordinarily attractive woman. The young cop tipped his hat and walked away, leaving her to gather her coat and purse. According to Mac, this woman had been my star witness. It was fate. I moved in. Destiny had a smell; it was warm and musky. I doffed my fedora.
“Good morning.”
“Hello.”
My future partner in eternal bliss seemed to be uninformed of, or at least oblivious to, the aura of destiny that surrounded us. Laying her coat gracefully across her arm, she prepared to walk off with my heart crammed into her handbag.
“I hope you won’t think I’m being forward.”
She glanced up at me with clear eyes. “I won’t. Excuse me, please.”
She glided past
After what seemed like an eternity in cold turkey/ Network TV purgatory, I was escorted to Mac Malden’s office. By the time the sergeant closed the door behind me, I had my Lucky Strike in hand, already half smoked. Two other men were in the room, nice suits, standing in the corners. Being outnumbered always brings out the antagonist in me.
It turned out that Mac had been investigating a homicide all morning and it was now almost 11 a.m. — way past his bedtime. He always did the questioning whenever I got pulled in. Threatening with me with jail time always seemed to cheer him up, but now he was too sleepy to enjoy it.
Mac planted his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “Okay. Let’s forget about breakfast and get this over with. Take it from the top. And for God’s sakes, not too many details. I should be in bed, dreaming of egg rolls.”
I recounted my story completely, leaving out any minor details, like Fitzpatrick, Malloy, the mysterious Vid-phone call, and the jaunt through 771 Santa Cena. After I finished, Mac didn’t seem to be satisfied with my version of things. The two suits didn’t move.
“So that’s the whole story.”
“Yup.”
“You’re sure.”
“Absolutely.”
Mac burned another Merit. I glanced down and saw that he’d left another one half smoked in the ceramic dog. Poor sap. Obviously a helpless slave to nicotine.
“Did you know the victim?”
“Who, Emily?”
“No, the one you threw off the roof. The girl’s gonna be fine.”
“Good to hear. What about Leach?”
“The big mutant? I guess a slug nicked him, nothing serious. Now answer the damn question — did you know the guy you threw off the roof?”
“I didn’t throw anyone off the roof. Like I told you, we were rollerblading… things got out of hand. He jammed his front wheel, and… well, you know the rest.”
“Knock it off, Murphy. You seemed to forget I’m a cop. A tired, hungry, pissed off cop. If you don’t get off my nerves, I’ll toss you in the drunk tank, and we’ll try again tomorrow.”
Lord, he was a grouch at this hour of the morning, and the well-tailored statues in the corners didn’t seem to be helping his disposition. To ease the tension, I proceeded to tell him what actually happened on the roof. Mac glanced through a sheaf of papers, then waved his hand toward the door.
“Okay, get outta here. Your story matches up.”
I got out of my chair. “Matches up? With what?” Fife
Mac looked up at me wearily. “We have a witness. You’re clear… hey, Robinson!”
The door opened, and the young cop who’d kept me from losing at least another seven minutes of my life poked his head into the office. “Yes, sir?”
“Escort Mr Murphy out of my office. He’s free to go.”
The young cop nodded. “Oh, and while you’re at it, find Ms Madsen and tell her she can go, too.”
I started after Officer Robinson.
“By the way, Murphy! Don’t go on any sudden trips for a few days. We may want to ask you some more questions.”
“Why would I take a trip, Mac? Around here, every day’s a vacation.”
Mac waved me out. I stopped by a vending machine and spent $2.50 on a cup of hot camel spit. As I passed the waiting room, Officer Robinson was speaking to an extraordinarily attractive woman. The young cop tipped his hat and walked away, leaving her to gather her coat and purse. According to Mac, this woman had been my star witness. It was fate. I moved in. Destiny had a smell; it was warm and musky. I doffed my fedora.
“Good morning.”
“Hello.”
My future partner in eternal bliss seemed to be uninformed of, or at least oblivious to, the aura of destiny that surrounded us. Laying her coat gracefully across her arm, she prepared to walk off with my heart crammed into her handbag.
“I hope you won’t think I’m being forward.”
She glanced up at me with clear eyes. “I won’t. Excuse me, please.”
She glided past
Similar Books
