Free The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

getting out of jail, getting immunity, all that.”
    â€œAnd he’s going to rat on his own nephew, who’s already dead?”
    â€œNo, he’s going to rat on the insider who gave up PC.”
    As they neared their destination, Boone tried to make it all make sense. “Let’s say someone copied—or shot—confidential information from files in Haeley’s control. At worst she was careless. Is that a crime? Does it breach her loyalty oath? It’s not like she handed over the info.”
    â€œAccording to Jazzy—and this is Pete’s version—she was in league with a former employee, who paid her.”
    â€œGarrett Fox?”
    â€œThat would be my guess, but Jazzy hasn’t given that up yet.”
    â€œHaeley taking money from Fox? No way.”
    â€œBoones, I’m afraid there’s some incriminating evidence.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œA deposit to her checking account the same day the information leaked.”
    â€œAnd we know which day that was how?”
    â€œTime stamp on the photo.”
    â€œSome phone. And how much was deposited in her account?”
    â€œFive grand.”
    Boone exhaled loudly. “That would be a lot of money for her. But there has to be an explanation.”
    â€œHere’s the thing. You can’t go trying to find out.”
    â€œSomeone will.”
    â€œOf course. But not you.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œConflict of interest. You’re a principal in the case. The victim.”
    â€œAll the more reason she wouldn’t have done it.”
    â€œAnyway, you don’t want to jeopardize your future.”
    â€œI’ve got no future without her, Jack.”
    â€œNot so fast.”
    â€œShe’s given me a reason to go on, man.”
    â€œI know that. But I also know you thought your life was over after the fire.”
    â€œIt was.”
    â€œBut here you are, Boones. And on the brink of a real future.”
    â€œWhat’s that mean?”
    â€œI’ve been told to keep you off this case.”
    â€œNaturally.”
    â€œBut there’s a real reason, Boones. You’re visible, a hero, a victim. People are watching, seeing what your future holds.”
    â€œIt holds retirement with full benefits or a desk job, if it’s up to the brass.”
    â€œWrong.”
    â€œI’m all ears.”
    â€œThere’s a plum down the road,” Jack said. “An incentive for you to come back to full strength.”
    â€œI already have an incentive. Haeley.”
    â€œBut this is in play regardless what happens to her.”
    10:40 p.m.
    Jack pulled onto a gravel road and approached a rusty pickup truck. The driver rolled down his window and greeted Keller.
    â€œAny traffic tonight, Quincy?”
    The man looked at a clipboard. “Some pastor from Chicago. Sosa. Here ninety minutes and gone.”
    â€œThat’s all?”
    Quincy nodded.
    â€œNot sure how long we’ll be. Anybody else expected tonight?”
    â€œNope. See you on your way out.”
    As Jack started down the road and pulled out of sight of the pickup, Boone asked him to pull over. “We’ve got to finish this before I see PC. Otherwise, I’m going to be too distracted. What’re you telling me?”
    â€œYou notice the construction going on at the 11th?”
    â€œYeah, but I didn’t pay any attention. Downtown is always sprucing something up in some precinct.”
    â€œThey’re adding a suite of offices.”
    â€œFor?”
    â€œThe Major Case Squad.”
    â€œSeriously, like New York and St. Louis?”
    â€œOur aim is to be better than both. It would fall under OCD but would be pretty much autonomous.”
    â€œSome goal.”
    â€œYou want in, Boones?”
    â€œMe?”
    â€œChief detective.”
    â€œGet out.”
    â€œDead serious. But you have to be healthy. And I mean totally. No residual damage, no little things