Free Behind the Walls by Merry Jones Page A

programs and projects. Funds were supposed to turn enemies into friends, sponsor local initiatives, counter the root causes of instability and marginalize extremist groups.
    ‘Literally, billions are missing. Tons of crates filled with hundred dollar bills.’
    ‘So you think Baxter dipped into CERP and he’s using that money to fund his campaign?’
    ‘And his lifestyle. And his foundation. Believe me, our Colonel is one ambitious and dangerous dude.’ He looked around again.
    Harper frowned. It was no secret that CERP funds had been badly managed. But Burke had no evidence. He was irrational, pooling together unrelated events, jumping to conclusions. ‘I don’t know—’
    ‘You think I’m nuts.’ His leg wouldn’t stop twitching. ‘Believe me – I thought it was fucking nuts, too, when Pete called to talk about it. But a couple weeks later, boom – Pete shows up on the fucking end of a rope. This is for real, Harper. A lot is at stake. You and I are in danger.’
    ‘No, Burke. I don’t—’
    ‘We’re the only ones left who knew about the theft!’
    ‘Except that I didn’t know about it. In fact, I still don’t—’
    ‘That doesn’t matter, don’t you get it, Harper? He thinks you know. Or that you might know. And he can’t afford to have anyone knowing or even maybe knowing. That’s why he hired Rick. He bought him off.’
    Burke’s eyes popped, pupils dilated. There was no point trying to reason with him. Harper let him go on ranting. When he finished, she simply asked, ‘Bottom line, Burke. What do you want from me?’
    He let out a long sigh. His eyes drilled into hers. ‘I need to know that you’ll back me up.’
    Back him up? ‘Back you up how?’
    ‘I’m going to expose him. So if and when the time comes, I need to know you’ll confirm what happened with the boxes. Testify that we loaded all that cargo at the Colonel’s orders.’
    ‘Burke, I’m sorry. I’m not agreeing to do anything until I’m sure what’s going on. Because, frankly, I see not one real piece of evidence to back up your accusations. In fact, the only evidence I see here indicates that you need help and some serious meds.’
    ‘I swear, I’ll get you evidence.’
    ‘Aren’t you married, Burke?’ She interrupted, redirected his attention. ‘How’s your wife?’
    Burke’s eyes narrowed. ‘How’d you know about that?’
    ‘About what?’
    ‘Who told you?’
    ‘Nobody told me anything. I’m just asking—’
    ‘She threw me out. Said it was the war.’
    Harper nodded, unsurprised. ‘Sorry. Maybe she was right. You should get help.’
    ‘I’m not fucking nuts, Harper.’ His gaze pierced her.
    A man in a tan suede jacket walked into the bakery, looked around. Talked on his cell phone. Went to buy a Danish.
    Burke stiffened, eyeing the man. ‘Gotta go. It’s not safe. Look – I get that you won’t believe me until you see proof. But at least be cautious, will you? Oh – and don’t tell anyone you saw me. Don’t even mention my name.’
    ‘Burke, that’s—’
    ‘Harper, you and I are the only witnesses left. We’re liabilities. I’m not fucking with you – Rick’s his lackey. And Pete’s dead. That’s evidence enough, isn’t it? That should show you how big this is.’ He stood, whispered in her ear. ‘I’ll explain more next time we meet.’
    ‘What makes you think –’ Harper began, but Burke darted away before she could finish her sentence – ‘that there’ll be a next time?’
    The Ninja sped back up the hill, found its way to Stewart Avenue, then up to College Town. Seeing Burke Everett had rattled her. Brought back images Harper didn’t want to see. She fought with her memory, focusing on shops windows filled with Halloween decorations: jack-o’-lanterns, skeletons, witches, ghosts. Reminding herself that pedestrians, not checkpoint patrols, stood at intersections; that students toting backpacks, not soldiers lugging heavy gear, occupied the sidewalks. Snipers