The 9th Judgment by James Patterson; Maxine Paetro

Author:James Patterson; Maxine Paetro
Format: mobi
Tags: Mystery And Suspense Fiction, Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths, Murder, Mystery & Detective, Fiction - Espionage, American Mystery & Suspense Fiction, Women detectives, General, Triangles (Interpersonal relations), Investigation, California, Women Sleuths, Thrillers, San Francisco, Fiction, Thriller
ISBN: 9780316085083
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2010-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 59

"CAN YOU TRACE a call on a prepaid phone?" Tyler asked.

I shook my head. "Not effectively. There's no GPS device, so there's no way to track the phone's location, either."

Tyler picked up the cell and dialed the number. I stooped beside him and put my ear next to his. There was ringing, and a man's voice said, "Tyler?"

"Yes, this is Henry Tyler. To whom am I speaking?"

"Do you have what I asked for?"

"I do," said Tyler.

"Turn on the phone cam. Show me the money."

Henry lifted a briefcase to his desk, opened the hasps, and pointed the phone at two million dollars in neat bundles. He snapped off a shot, then asked, "Did you receive the picture?"

"Yes. I asked you to choose a go-between."

"I'll be your contact," Tyler said.

"You're too recognizable," said the killer.

"I have a good man in ad sales," Tyler said, looking at Conklin. "And against my wishes, my secretary has volunteered."

"What's her name?"

"Judy. Judy Price."

"Put Judy on the phone."

Tyler handed the phone to me. I said, "This is Judy Price."

"Judy. This phone can stream video to my computer for three hours. I hope we can conclude our business in less time than that. Use the neck straps and wear the phone with the camera lens facing out. Keep it on until I have the money. I'll direct you as we go. Do you read me?"

"You want me to keep the phone on and wear it facing out so that it sends streaming video to you."

"Good girl. Hesitate to follow my directions, screw with me in any way, and I'll hang up. After that, I'll kill a few more people, and their deaths will be on you."

"Hey, what if I lose service?" I asked.

"I'll call you back. Make sure the line is available. Don't try any stupid phone tricks, Judy."

"What should I call you?"

"Call me 'sir.' Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now hang the phone around your neck and do a little pirouette so I can see who's with you."

I turned on my heel, panning the office.

"I recognize Tyler. Who's the other guy?"

"That's Rich in ad sales."

"Turn on the speakerphone," the killer said.

I located the speaker button and turned it on.

"Rich, do not follow Judy. That goes for you, too, Tyler. And it goes without saying, if I see cops, anything that makes me think that Judy is being followed, I'll hang up. Game over. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Point the camera at yourself, Judy."

There was a pause. Longer than I expected. Then the killer's voice was back. "Nice rack, Judy. And let's hope you're a smart blonde. Now connect the headset to the phone and put in the earbuds. Can you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Okay, sweet stuff, take the elevator down to the street. When you get to the corner of Mission and Fifth, I'll give you instructions."

"I can hardly wait," I muttered.

"You're coming in loud and clear," the killer said with an edge in his voice. "I'm warning you again, Judy. This is a lucky break for the city. Don't screw it up."

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