Free Alex Cross 16 by James Patterson Page B

Willoughby at Channel Nine? He says you did. So does his assistant."
    "I sat back and took a breath before I answered. "It's bullshit. Things got a little heated, that's all."
    "Okay. I had another call yesterday, from a Congressman Mintzer. Want to guess what he was calling about?" I couldn't believe it — though it was typical enough Washington power-playing and outright bullying. "Both of their phone numbers were found in Caroline's apartment."
    "I don't need you to give me the 101. Not yet anyway." "He held up the file to illustrate his point. "I just need to know that you've got a cool head on this."
    "I do. But this isn't just another homicide investigation, and I don't mean because my niece was killed and cut up into pieces."
    "Damn straight it's not, Alex. That's the whole point. These complaints could become a problem. For you and for the entire investigation."
    I was talking to Davies, but I was also trying to think this thing through. Citizen complaints — when they're investigated — can end up at one of four conclusions. They can be sustained, determined unfounded, deemed unprovable for lack of evidence, or the officer can be exonerated because no regulation was broken. I felt confident that at worst, I was in the last category.
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    Davies wasn't done with me, though. "I give you more leeway than just about any detective in this division," he said.
    "Thank you. I'm handling it okay, right? Despite appearances." That got a microscopic grin. He studied me for another few seconds and then sat back. When he started putting away his notes, I knew we were over the hump. At least for right now.
    "I want you on this investigation, Alex. But believe me when I say that the minute — and I mean the minute
    — - anyone tries to take this over my head, I'm pulling you off."
    He stood up then, my sign to get out of there while I still could. "Keep me in the loop. I don't want to have to call you again. You call me."
    "Of course," I assured him, and then I left. If I stuck around longer, I'd have to tell him about my meeting with Ned Mahoney, and that was something I couldn't afford to do right now. Not if Davies was already considering reining me in.
    I'd tell him everything later. Just as soon as I had some answers myself.

Chapter 36
    TONY NICHOLSON RECALLED a particular short story that had been popular when he was a schoolboy. He thought it was called "The Most Dangerous Game." Well, he was playing such a game now, only in real life, and it was much more dangerous than some story in an anthology.
    Nicholson stared at the monitors on his desk — watching and waiting, forcing himself to go slowly on the scotch. Zeus was due any minute, at least he was scheduled to appear, and Nicholson had a decision to make. For months now, it had been the same game with this madman. Nicholson kept the carriage barn apartment vacant at all times, booked escorts whenever Zeus demanded it, and then tortured himself wondering if it would be suicide to record one of these little parties of his.
    Nicholson had seen plenty in the few sessions he'd watched, but he had no idea exactly what Zeus was capable of, or even who he was. The man definitely played rough, though. In fact, some of the escorts he'd had sessions with had completely disappeared; at least they'd never come back to work after seeing Zeus. Just after 12:30, a black Mercedes with tinted windows pulled up to the front gate. No one buzzed; Nicholson admitted the car remotely, then sat back, waiting for it to show up at the top of the drive. His fingers played compulsively back and forth over the keyboard's touchpad. Record, don't record, record, don't record.
    Soon enough, the Mercedes passed in front of the house, then continued around toward the carriage barn in back — its destination. As always, the car's plates were covered.
    Before Zeus, the apartment had been a private VIP suite for any preapproved client who could afford it. The fees started at twenty thousand a