Payback by C.R. Chandler

Author:C.R. Chandler [Chandler, C.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BackDoor Publishing
Published: 2025-09-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The New Bern police station turned out to be a tan-and-red-brick building in the middle of an aging residential neighborhood, and right across the street from a cemetery. While a location that was surrounded by houses and faced a graveyard was a new one on Gin, the minute the group walked through the lobby doors, there was a comforting familiarity about the place.

The flags were different, as well as the pictures adorning the walls, but the feel of the inside was the same as a dozen other police stations she’d seen in a long list of different states. The same could be said of the black squad cars parked out front, and the police officer in a dark uniform manning the lobby desk.

She had barely come to a halt in front of that desk that had definitely seen better days, when the young policeman sitting behind it looked up and grinned. “Y’all have to be the FBI agents the chief said would be showing up today.”

With a nod, Gin took out her credential case, opened it, and laid it flat on the desk in front of the officer. “I’m Special Agent Reilly, and these are my colleagues. We have a nine o’clock appointment with Chief Mannis.”

When the other three held out their own credential cases, the smooth-faced officer waved them off. “That’s all right. I believe you.” He grinned at JT. “That’s a nice jacket.” He added a wink as he picked up desk phone’s receiver and punched one of its half dozen buttons. “Have a seat. I’ll let the chief know you’re here.”

They turned in unison and headed for the chairs lined up along one wall, but none of them sat. The four agents stood together, like a solid barrier, drawing covert looks from the officers entering and exiting the building. It was only a few minutes before a dark-haired man, with a deep tan and muscular build, came through the door in back of the desk.

He strode across the lobby, his gaze quickly scanning all four agents before it returned to Gin. He stopped in front of her and held out a hand. “Special Agent Reilly?”

“Chief Mannis.” Gin took the handshake, then half turned to introduce her team. “These are Special Agents Robard, Wilson, and Cameron.”

“Good to meet you all,” the chief said. “Let’s go into my office.” He led the way, going down the entire length of the interior hallway and stopping at an open door at the far end. He walked straight into the mid-sized office and pulled out the chair behind the desk. “I’ve only got two chairs, so you’ll have to decide who sits and who stands.”

Gin immediately moved to the side of one chair and stood with her legs braced apart and her hands tucked into her jacket pockets. When Trey took up the same posture on the other side of the chairs, JT and Justin sat down.

The chief smiled as his gaze shifted from Trey back to Gin. “Well, that tells me the pecking order.

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