Free The Tower (1999) by Gregg Hurwitz Page B

help take care of problems that eluded their own forces, everything from catching a burglar to tracking missing children. Eventually, even the FBI began to hire him for special cases, calling him in to coordinate and oversee operations. He felt a deep flush of satisfaction rise to his cheeks as he issued his conditions to them. He was the only outsider they'd ever hired for cases, and that knowledge was sweet revenge.
    The FBI knew he was a risk. That was why they had asked him to resign. But in some cases, a risk was what was needed--an expert with a sharp tongue, a quick temper, and a quicker trigger finger. Sometimes, a threat arose that was so dangerous it was worth unleashing a tiger.
    Jade Marlow was a tiger burning bright. He fed on the hunt, and his eyes sparkled green and yellow from the thrill of the pursuit. When he was angry, his face became downright cruel, and when he smirked, a thin scar across his left cheek rose slightly and highlighted the disdain on the rest of his face.
    Jade left the San Francisco Fifth Precinct building, Hawkins and a group of officers behind him.
    A brown Honda Civic squealed to a stop at the curb. The left-front side of the car's bumper was caved in, and one of the back brake lights was broken. A bumper sticker was stuck crookedly to the back, proudly declaring: MY SON BEAT UP THE STUDENT OF THE MONTH AT VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. A green, scented pine tree ornament dangled from the rearview mirror.
    A woman in her mid-twenties fumbled at the door to get out. Her mouth was a red line, stretched thin with fearful anticipation.
    "Oh my God." She saw Hawkins and ran to him, her arms out-stretched. "Are you the lieutenant? Is it true? Oh my God. Where's Dave?"
    Hawkins consoled her as the other policemen departed quietly.
    "The rookie's wife?" Jade asked the nearest cop.
    "Yeah. Eight-year-old kid too."
    Jade swore under his breath. "He should've fucking listened to me."
    "Well maybe he didn't--"
    "He didn't fucking listen." Jade pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. "I really need this right now."
    The officer stopped and looked at Jade, not quite sure he had heard him correctly. "You know, Marlow, you're a real asshole."
    Jade paused and ran his thumb across his bottom lip. "He gets himself killed breaking cover and I'm the asshole. Astonishing logic."
    "He died."
    "He was my backup. He should have listened to me. If he had, he wouldn't have died."
    "You think you're fucking flawless?"
    Jade leaned back against a police car, ignoring him.
    The cop bit his cheek and looked away for a moment before facing Jade again. "I heard you were a prick, Marlow. But this is unbelievable." He pulled his shoulders back slightly, waiting through the tense silence for a response.
    "You'd better move on, junior," Jade said, looking straight ahead. "You might hurt yourself."
    The cop stepped forward. "You got something to say?" he asked, placing a hand on Jade's shoulder and leaning toward him.
    The moment the cop touched him, Jade grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the police car. He moved his face right up to the cop's until he could see through the darkness of his sunglasses. The cop didn't move. His arms were out to his sides, hands opened passively. Jade held him for a moment, then let him go. He turned to walk away.
    Dave's wife was walking toward him angrily, tears drying on her cheeks. She had overheard Jade talking about her husband.
    "You bastard," she cried. "I knew it was trouble, him working with you." She stifled a sob. "And now. How dare you talk about him that way? He died helping you on this job."
    "'Helping me,'" Jade said under his breath. He looked off in the distance, slowly shaking his head.
    Her voice was wavering and her words blended together, but she forged ahead. "I knew it. I knew it would end in blood. But he was so excited to work with you. The great Jade Marlow."
    "I think we should just--"
    "How could you have let him die? He was there for you. He died