Free Chain Reaction by Diane Fanning Page A

returned to her office where she slipped both the copies and the originals into her satchel.
    Putting the lid on the box with the other evidentiary documents, she lifted it and carried it down to Holland’s office. ‘Where do you want me to set this down, sir?’
    ‘Over there by the wall. Is that everything, Pierce?’
    ‘That is what you ordered, sir.’
    Holland looked at her with indecision etched in his brow. If he demanded a direct answer to his question, she knew she couldn’t lie to him but she hoped it didn’t come to that. ‘Is there anything else, sir?’
    His wariness still showed in the expression on his face but he waved his hand and said, ‘No. That will be all. Why don’t you call it a day? If the chief comes down here while he’s still in a fever pitch, it won’t be good for either of us if you’re still here.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘You’re deskbound for now, Pierce, until I say otherwise. Understood?’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ she said and spun on her heels, making a fast exit. She needed to get out of there before she said something she’d regret.
    In her car, she pulled out her cell and hit the button for her favorites list, then pressed Jake’s cell number.
    ‘Lieutenant Pierce,’ Jake answered, ‘I cannot discuss the case with you. Please don’t call this number again.’

FOURTEEN
    L ucinda’s heart felt as if it stuttered and stalled before it began beating again. Her hands shook as she guided her car into a parking space on the side of the road.
Don’t call his cell ever again. Did he really mean that? No. Of course not. Someone must have been with him. He was warning me and acting tough for his audience. Who was with him? Connelly? Or his supervisor, the Wicked Witch of Washington, DC? Or ATF Deputy Regional Director Wesley? Whoever – it doesn’t really matter who it was, does it? He’ll explain it all when I see him. I just need to go home and wait until he gets there.
    After feeding Chester and snacking on Havarti, stoned-wheat crackers and a glass of Pinot Grigio, she got restless and anxious. What if he doesn’t come home? What if it’s all over? What if he did really mean it?
    She went out on the balcony and paced. Which one of them would stay in their new apartment? That was easy.
I can’t afford it on my own. I certainly will miss this view of the river. I wonder if I can get back into my old building? Until I actually speak to Jake, all I’m doing is creating senseless agitation.
    It was a good time to call Charley, the twelve-year-old girl who’d become a big part of her life since Kathleen Spencer, Charley’s mother, had been murdered.
    ‘Hey, Charley,’ she said when the girl answered the phone.
    ‘Lucy! It’s been a horrible day.’
    ‘What’s wrong, Charley?’
    ‘Well, I just missed getting an A on my algebra quiz. One stupid question. And I don’t know how I got it wrong.’
    ‘You’ll make up for it. Those things happen.’
    ‘Not to me. Not in algebra. It’s sooo easy. I can’t believe I was so dumb.’
    ‘You’re not dumb, Charley.’
    ‘Duh. I know that. But I put down a really dumb answer. And that’s not all.’
    ‘What else happened?’
    ‘You remember Madison?’
    ‘One of the girls involved in the vandalism last year?’
    ‘Yes. She’s back. They made her repeat eighth grade.’
    ‘Is she bothering you?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Did you tell the principal?’ Lucinda asked.
    ‘Lot of good that did. She told me it wasn’t charitable to diss someone who’s trying to suck up to you.’
    Lucinda conjured up an image of that language coming out of the principal’s mouth and chuckled. ‘She used those words?’
    ‘Not all of them. She did say I was being uncharitable for not accepting her apology.’
    ‘Oh, so she was apologizing to you?’
    ‘Yes. Do you realize how annoying that is?’ Charley asked.
    ‘Maybe she’s changed. Maybe she’s sincere.’
    ‘Puh-leez! Not you, too.’
    Lucinda realized that wasn’t an argument she