Blood Verdict by Freya Atwood

Author:Freya Atwood [Atwood, Freya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, American Suspense, legal thriller, Police Procedural, Murder Investigation, federal prosecutor
Published: 2020-10-31T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

A BEAM of torchlight hit Hal full in the face as soon as he stepped through the door. He squinted towards the source of the light. I hung back and the light swung to me, pinning me like a rabbit in the headlights.

“Lieutenant, enough man.” Hal protested as the light was shone back to him. “Can I put my hands down now?”

The light flicked down, away from him. I shone my flashlight at the man. Lieutenant Lee Black. He was as under-dressed as I had ever seen him. Jeans, black sneakers with thick rubber soles. He wore a black sweater with a turtle neck. As the light glanced off his face I caught sight of stubble, several days’ worth. His hair was slicked back but it had the look of something done in haste with water instead of his usual preparation. In several places it was wild and unkempt, breaking away from the lackluster attempt at styling.

He squinted at us with suspicion writ large across his face.

“What are you two doing here?”

“I could ask the same thing of you, Lieutenant.” I said, stepping closer. He stepped back, flipping up the torchlight as though to ward me off. “I received an anonymous call inviting me here for information regarding a case I’m investigating.”

“Alanna Sheen?” Lee said.

“Indirectly. And you?”

“Same.” He said.

“Find anything?” Hal asked.

He walked past Lee, playing his torch around the warehouse which appeared empty. Above us conduits of metal were suspended from metal cables. Metal shapes anchored to the brick walls supported the ceiling. The place stank of gasoline.

“Careful, where you’re standing.” Lee warned. “Looks like someone’s been using this place to store fuel and they’ve had some leaks.”

I looked down, realizing that I had stepped into a thin pool of the stuff. I followed its edges with the torch. In some places it stood in small pools, in others it seemed no more than damp patches. I coughed against the smile, which stung at my nose and the back of my throat. The torchlight caught a cluster of objects at the far end of the warehouse, resembling barrels.

“No, I didn’t find anything. I’ve been here about fifteen minutes. The place is empty. And I haven’t seen anyone, except for you two.”

“Maybe, whoever it is was waiting for us to arrive.” I said.

“Well, now that you’ve shown up that’s exactly what I’m thinking.” Lee replied sardonically.

“Well, I think this is a good time for us all to start sharing, don’t you?” Hal demanded, walking back to Lee. “It looks like whatever you’re working on is the same case that Sarah is investigating.”

Lee looked from Hal to me, eyes narrowing. His face was closed with suspicion. I had never seen him like this.

“How do I know this wasn’t set up by one of you.” He demanded.

“Jesus, Lee!” I exclaimed. “When did you get so paranoid? You know me.”

“Do I?”

“Lieutenant. I swear to you. Sarah is on the level. And so am I.” Hal said firmly.

“Lee, I don’t know what’s going on in your head.

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.