Theodore Boone (2) The Abduction by John Grisham

Author:John Grisham [Grisham, John]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780142421376
Published: 2012-08-15T04:22:55+00:00

Chapter 14

Jack Leeper wanted to talk. He sent a note to the jailer, who passed it on to Detective Slater. Late Friday afternoon, they marched Leeper from his cell block and through an old tunnel which led to the police station next door. Slater and his trusty sidekick, Capshaw, were waiting in the same dim and cramped interrogation room. Leeper looked as though he had not bathed or shaved since they had chatted with him the day before.

“Something on your mind, Leeper.” Slater began rudely. As always, Capshaw was taking notes.

“I talked to my lawyer today,” Leeper said, as if he were now more important because he had a lawyer.

“Which one?”

“Ozgoode, Kip Ozgoode.”

As if they had rehearsed, both detectives chuckled and sneered at the name. “If you have Ozgoode, you’re dead meat, Leeper,” Slater said.

“The worst,” Capshaw added.

“I like him,” Leeper said. “He seems a lot smarter than you boys.”

“You want to talk or swap insults?”

“I can do both.”

“Does your lawyer know you’re talking to us?” Slater asked.

“Yep.”

“So what do you want to talk about?”

“I’m worried about the girl. You clowns obviously can’t find her. I know where she is, and as the clock ticks her situation gets worse. She needs to be rescued.”

“You’re a real sweetheart, Leeper,” Slater said. “Snatch the girl, stash her somewhere, and now you want to help her.”

“I’m sure you have a deal for us,” Capshaw said.

“You got it. Here’s what I’ll do, and you guys better do it fast because there’s one frightened little girl out there. I’ll plead guilty to one count of breaking and entering; get two years in prison, with my time to run at the same time as that mess in California. I stay here and do my time. My lawyer says the paperwork can be done in a matter of hours. We sign the deal, the prosecutor and judge okay it, and you get the girl. Time is crucial here boys, so you’d better make a move.”

Slater and Capshaw exchanged a nervous look. Leeper had them. They suspected he was lying because they expected nothing else from him. But what if he wasn’t? What if they agreed to his deal and he led them to April?

Slater said, “It’s almost six p.m. on Friday afternoon, Leeper. All the judges and prosecutors have gone home.”

“Oh, I’ll bet you can find them. They’ll hustle up if there’s a chance of saving the girl.”

Another pause as they studied his bearded face. Why would he offer such a deal if he didn’t know where she was? Such a plea bargain would be thrown out the window if he couldn’t deliver. Plus, they had no other leads, no other suspects. Leeper had always been their man.

“I don’t mind having a chat with the prosecutor,” Slater said, giving in.

“If you’re lying, Leeper, we’ll ship you back to California come Monday,” Capshaw said.

“Is she still in town?” Slater asked.

“I’m not saying another word until I sign the deal,” Leeper said.

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