The Crimson Shroud by Eldon Farrell

Author:Eldon Farrell [Farrell, Eldon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ascendant Ink
Published: 2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

ANGELINA rotated the mug in her hands. “Let me see if I have this straight. I tell you that our best lead for having The Citadel brought to justice is missing, and you fail to show because something came up? Do I have that right?”

Wiley kept his head down and his focus on the coffee in his own mug. A news story about the return of Halley’s Comet played behind him, underneath the background noise of customers in Urban Grind Coffee Shop.

He raised his head. “I said I’m sorry, okay? It was important, and I couldn’t get away.”

An ad for space tourism followed the conclusion of the article. Enjoy an escape from the everyday with an orbital vacation.

Angelina said, “This thing that was so important, did it have anything to do with your brother and your plan to get back at Jin Cobb?”

Wiley hesitated. “Something else. Look, I’d rather not get into it.”

“But you’ve heard what happened to Cobb, yes?”

Wiley perked up. “What? No, what happened?”

She sipped from her mug. “Citadel security forces took him into custody last night. Not surprisingly, they’re being vague with the details, but a source at the station tells me it looks like someone betrayed him.” She pointed at him. “So, I guess someone beat you two to the punch.”

Shock washed over him.

How did The Citadel get involved at all? Jin was supposed to take a shot at Mati. She should’ve killed him. What went wrong for him to wind up under arrest?

Angelina snapped her fingers. “Hey, Earth to Wiley.”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t know about this?”

Wiley shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.

“Then I’m confused. I thought for sure this was why you didn’t show, that you two were behind the takedown. If that’s not the case, then why did you blow me off?”

Wiley squirmed. “I can’t say.”

She took another sip and grimaced. “Didn’t I tell you if we were going to do this, you needed to give it your full attention? I thought you wanted The Citadel brought down?”

“I do.”

“Well, then I would think finding the one person with the evidence to do that would be a priority for you. Seeing that’s not true doesn’t fill me with a warm and fuzzy feeling here.” She slid her mug to the side. “So, if this partnership is to continue, I’m damn well hearing the truth right now. Tell me where you were, or I walk.”

“Okay.” Wiley put his palms down on the table and tensed his forearms. “All right.” He didn’t dare look her in the eyes. “I traded access to Leonard to join Bawah Tanah. Frank took me to their base right after you called.”

He snuck a guarded peek.

She’s not happy.

“You did what?”

Wiley stammered. “They want the same thing we do. With Leonard’s testimony, they could end The Citadel.”

Angelina slammed her fist on the table.

Wiley jumped, and customers close by took notice. He tittered, and they returned to their own conversations.

Angelina said, “The plan was to use the law against them. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Leonard warned you to be careful.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.