Free Wake the Devil by Robert Daniels Page A

backs were vinyl. Each one had a paper napkin dispenser and a small jukebox where you could select what song you wanted to hear by flipping through some pages on the inside. There were a lot of Frank Sinatra and Elvis selections. The most recent rock groups appeared to be either the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Monkees, or the Dave Clark Five.
    The Monkees? Seriously? Jack shook his head.
    A low whistle from Beth caused him to look up. Dan Pappas had just entered the restaurant with Janet Newton and a man he didn’t know.
    “This place is great,” the deputy director said, sliding into the booth next to Jack. “I’ve never been here before.”
    Dan Pappas got in next to Beth and introduced Carmine Donofrio with the U.S. Attorney’s office. Donofrio was dressed in a business suit and had prematurely white hair. It looked like he went to a good stylist. Jack guessed he was about forty.
    Donofrio said, “I’m glad we could get together, Kale. I’ve heard some good things about you from Director Newton.”
    “It’s Dr. Kale,” Beth said.
    “Excuse me?” the attorney said.
    “I’m here because my office needs to be kept in the loop about any developments. We’ve invested a lot of time putting together a case against Sergei Borov. I’ll be leading the prosecution team.”
    “Shouldn’t be a problem,” Jack said.
    “So, what can you tell me?”
    “Not much at the moment. We’re fairly sure there was an aborted attempt on the witnesses yesterday. Unfortunately, it resulted in the death of a priest. That would seem to confirm the Sandman’s alreadyin town. Detective Sturgis and Al Komanski, an FBI technician, each collected evidence samples at the scene that have been turned over to Atlanta’s Crime Lab for analysis.”
    “That’s it?”
    “Considering we got the case less than twenty-four hours ago, yes. Since then we interviewed the witnesses and determined they can be better protected in a safe house. Actually, we just came from their office. They were agreeable, provided they can continue with their hospital rounds.”
    “I’m not sure I like that,” Donofrio said. “I was considering placing them in federal protective custody.”
    “I already made the deal with them,” Jack said. “Let’s see how it works out.”
    “Your deals don’t bind the U.S. Attorney’s office, Dr. Kale.”
    Janet Newton placed a hand on Donofrio’s arm and said, “If Jack made an agreement with them, he has the support of our office.”
    “They have sick kids to attend to,” Jack added.
    “There are plenty of doctors in Atlanta,” Donofrio said.
    “I gave my word, Mr. Donofrio,” Jack said quietly.
    The attorney let out a breath and said, “Maybe you don’t understand what’s at stake here. Sergei Borov is priority one.”
    Jack said, “My impression was keeping Rachel Lawrence and Will Landry alive was priority one.”
    “You know what I mean.”
    Jack didn’t reply.
    Donofrio’s finger beat a rhythm on the tabletop for several seconds. He took a sip of the iced tea the waitress had brought, maintaining eye contact with Jack over the rim of his glass. Jack returned the look and waited. He’d met people of Donofrio’s type before and as a rule didn’t care for them. His father, an air force colonel, had been that way. “All right,” Donofrio said. “I’m outvoted. I’ll go along with your plan . . . for now. Janet thinks a great deal of your abilities.” He took a business card out of his wallet and slid it across the table. “My home number is at the bottom along with my private e-mail. I want daily progress reports.”
    “You’ll be updated as the matter evolves.”
    Everybody has an agenda, Jack decided. Janet wanted the killer stopped. The attorney wanted to make his case. Borov probably wanted to continue selling his chemicals, arms, and electronics to whoever was interested in buying them. And the Sandman wanted two witnesses dead.
    Donofrio’s attention was momentarily