Bounty by J.D. Cunegan

Author:J.D. Cunegan [Cunegan, J.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: murder mystery, sci-fi, Mystery, Vigilante, Baltimore, Superhero, conspiracy
ISBN: 9781514140178
Publisher: J.D. Cunegan
Published: 2017-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 32

Ten years ago...

Shady, clandestine meetings in dark alleys were cliché—so much so that when David Gregor actually had to hold one of those meetings, he preferred to leave Baltimore altogether. Alexandria, Virginia was one of his favorite go-to spots, because it allowed him to buck shady bad guy tradition and he didn't run the risk of being seen by people who knew him if he crossed over the Potomac River. That was one of the few drawbacks of doing business in his hometown. There weren't many unfamiliar faces.

His black sedan idled in the deserted parking lot of what was once a chain restaurant. Traffic meandered down the street, completely unaware of Gregor's presence. The traffic pattern was so predictable that Gregor could time the lights to the exact second, which he did because the man with whom he was supposed to meet was running forty-five minutes late and he was bored.

Generally speaking, Gregor despised tardiness. But given the reality of traffic in the greater D.C./Baltimore/Northern Virginia area, he supposed there was a time when such excuses were justified.

As if on cue, a blue SUV pulled into the parking space next to Gregor's, their vehicles facing in opposite directions. The tinted window on the driver's side wound down before Paul Andersen rested his elbow on the door frame and leaned his head out.

"Must you insist on meeting during rush hour?"

Gregor smirked. "You've lived here long enough to know every hour is rush hour."

Paul reached over to the passenger's seat of his SUV, grabbing a silver briefcase and handing it to Gregor. The businessman took the container with a knowing smile, setting it down in his lap and flipping it open with both hands. The click was audible to Paul, and he watched Gregor's face light up when he saw $250,000 in cash.

Gregor closed the briefcase with a satisfied nod. "Knew I could count on you, Andersen."

Paul kept quiet, staring out the windshield, his left hand resting against the steering wheel and his thumb and forefinger rubbing together. The detective chewed on his lower lip, eyes squinting.

Gregor watched the inner turmoil on display and shook his head, because it was so damn predictable. "Before you say anything, let me ask: how's that college fund working out?"

Anger flashed in Paul's eyes, but he fought it back before meeting Gregor's gaze. There was no emotion in the businessman's eyes. In fact, David Gregor rarely showed any outward expression; more often than not, the most expressive thing about Gregor was his attire.

"I'm not asking out." The venom practically dripped from Paul's voice.

"But you're having doubts." Gregor nodded with a shrug. "Of course you are. A fine, upstanding man like yourself should be above clandestine meetings with corrupt businessmen to exchange money for services rendered, and yet... here you are."

Don't remind me.

Every time Paul drove to one of these meetings, every time his phone rang and that number showed up, every time he saw that crimson suit, he felt an overwhelming pang of guilt. More than the guilt, though, Paul felt like he was trapped.

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