The Carbon Trail by Catriona King

Author:Catriona King [King, Catriona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing Ltd
Published: 2014-04-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lloyd Harbor. 5 p.m.

It was only five in the afternoon but the sky was already growing dark. Winter wasn’t far off. Richie pulled his jacket around him and cranked up the heating, wondering where everyone was. He hadn’t seen the Mitchells all day and Pereira had been due to relieve him an hour ago. He was just reaching for the radio when the Lexus approached, indicating to pull into the drive. Richie watched as Karen Mitchell climbed out. She looked especially pretty today. Her hair shone like strands of white-gold and she wore a cornflower blue jumper that made her eyes flash when she turned. But it was what she did next that made her beautiful.

As she lifted her daughter from the car-seat she gently stroked the hair from the girl’s small face and kissed her forehead, hugging her tight until she giggled. Karen laughed with her and they entered the house giggling together. Richie wondered what they would do next and wished that he could see. He pictured them playing a game on the rug or watching cartoons. He’d done that with his Mom and the memories had never gone. Karen Mitchell was a good mother and he was going to protect her, or die trying.

A sudden burst of static assaulted Richie’s ears. Just as he grabbed for the receiver to stop it Magee’s voice rasped out. He sounded pissed about something.

“You’re being relieved late today.”

There was no preamble and no warm platitudes. Still, at least you always knew where you were with Magee; usually in the shit. Richie decided to risk getting in deeper.

“Where’s Pereira?”

The only answer he got was “She’s asked for a transfer. Howard’s doing the next shift; she’ll relieve you at midnight” then more static. Richie asked him to “say again” but only silence answered him and he knew that Magee had hung up. It was an abrupt exchange, even for him. Richie grabbed urgently for his phone and dialled Pereira. Her cell cut to answerphone. The message was new. “Agent Pereira is on holiday. From September 30th this agent will be working out of the San Francisco office.”

What the fuck? Richie’s mouth fell open. Rosie had asked for a transfer and hadn’t even told him! He dialled her personal cell but it only reinforced his confusion. “Hi, it’s Rosie. I’ve gone away for two weeks.”

Anger overwhelmed him and in a moment of pure rage Richie dialled her landline at home. A man answered. Joey. He sounded bereft. Richie almost cut the call but he needed to know.

“Hello. Is that Rosie Pereira’s residence?”

The man sighed and then answered in a soft voice.

“It was. She’s not living here anymore.”

“What?”

The word was out before Richie could stop it. The man spoke again, sounding curious.

“Who is this calling?”

Richie considered hanging up but that would only cause suspicion. Anonymous calls to an agent’s home could bring the Special Forces out.

“It’s Richie Cartagena, Mr Pereira. Rosie and I work together.”

“Ah, yes, Agent Cartagena. She’s mentioned you.”

Richie wondered in what context but Joey was still speaking.

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