Free The Black Silent by David Dun Page B

thirty-five minutes arrive in President Channel. Their apparent knowledge of Ben's secret world was eerie, and Ben had no explanation for it.
    Ditto his dealings with the government. He wondered what else these men knew, and who might have told them.
    After a moment's private discussion they turned to him.
    "We want you to tell us two things: First, exactly where is the gathering place? Second, where are the ARCLES files, including the formulas for the Arc regimen?"

    It shook him to the core that they even knew enough to ask the second question. These were no more government men than Frick was an archangel. Ben wondered why they'd even bothered with the lie.
    "I'm not going to answer," Ben said. "Question one or two."
    Morrison turned around, muttered something, and pulled out a semiautomatic pistol.
    With matter-of-fact assurance he put the cold steel barrel to Ben's forehead.
    "If you don't answer the question, you're of no use to us."
    Ben closed his eyes and pondered the implications of any disclosure. They could actually be agents—agents of a foreign government. More likely they were with Sanker.
    Or, God help him, American Bayou Technologies. Or they could represent someone else altogether.
    "Shoot me."
    Crew escorted Sam and Haley to the patrol car.
    "I have to put handcuffs on you," Crew said, "and to advise you of your rights. But I promise I won't leave you alone until we find the undersheriff."
    "Get real," Haley said, as if she were chiding a brother.
    "Do you really think Haley conspired to kill Ben Anderson?" Sam asked.
    "I don't have a choice," Crew said. "I'm doing what Sergeant Frick ordered."
    "You might ask him what his probable cause is," Sam responded. "And then you might ask him about the crime he's here to commit."
    Crew sighed. "Here's how I'm trying to think about it: I'm asking for your cooperation to assist us in an investigation."
    Neither Sam nor Haley bothered to respond.
    Crew fingered the cuffs. "Let me try the undersheriff again."
    Sam heard something behind them. He turned and saw Frick walking up the path. Sam supposed he'd never been far behind. Frick had his own pistol holstered and Sam's gun in his hand.
    "This is not a tea party, Deputy. Cuff them."
    "That's not a good idea," Sam said. "It's an illegal arrest."
    "It's a simple job," Frick said quickly. "Taking the suspects to the station. Can you handle that job, Crew?"
    Crew looked ready to cry. "I was wondering about probable cause, because-—"

    "She attacked me when you were out of the room," Frick cut in, "and he's obstructing the investigation. She got the criminals in the building. Is that enough for you? I'm the one arresting them, Crew; you're just taking them in. Stop tormenting yourself."
    "That's a lie," Haley said. "You attacked me." She looked like she might attack Frick for real. Sam grabbed her arm. "I would never hurt Ben," she said more quietly.
    When Sam nodded, she set her jaw and stopped talking.
    "I can handle it," Crew said.
    "See that you do."
    Crew asked Sam to turn around and place his hands on the car. Instead of complying, Sam turned and walked toward Frick.
    "Floating a badge on a cesspool is unseemly," Sam said, deliberately provoking Frick.
    Frick squared on him and raised Sam's gun slightly. "I don't need to listen to—"
    In a fluid motion Sam grabbed Frick's gun hand and struck a palm-up blow to Frick's nose, staggering him. At the instant of the blow Frick discharged Sam's Glock, the direction of the shot, which went wild, controlled by Sam's hand on the wrist. They struggled a moment and Sam twisted Frick's hand so that the gun dropped to the ground.
    From the corner of his eye Sam saw Haley struggling with Crew, who was trying to enter the fray. Sam saw Crew's hand go for his pepper spray and Haley grab it and pull frantically.
    Frick, still suffering from the blow, teetered, took a step back, and caught himself.
    Blood poured from his nose, but he was tough and ready to fight.
    As Frick tried to