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Frank opened his cell phone and dialed. “Captain, this is Frank. Has Michelle Maverick been found? We just heard that she was missing.”
“Your timing is impeccable, Frank. Her body was just found about a half hour ago. Looks like our killer has struck again. The poor kid, she was only sixteen years old,” the captain added.
“Oh no. Oh my God, that’s horrible. Why didn’t anyone call Sandstone?” Frank asked as Sandman listened.
“Because Lancaster’s jealous, Frank. All I can say is that Lancaster has taken over. He’s out of control and the word is he doesn’t want anyone to inform Sandstone about anything. He’s told the other agents that Sandstone has pretty much killed your sister,” the captain added.
“Do they believe Lancaster?” Frank asked.
“As far as I can tell, Lancaster hasn’t exactly made any new friends, and the other agents don’t seem to be too happy with him right now.”
“Thanks, Captain.” Frank hung up the phone. He told Sandman and his brothers all about Lancaster just as Agent Lancaster entered the office.
“Why, look who it is. Just the person I wanted to talk to,” Sandman said as he rose from the brown leather chair.
“I wanted to talk to you, too. What do you have Jim working on?” Lancaster asked.
“Just something Grace came up with.”
“Grace? She came up with something else and you didn’t inform me?” Lancaster asked as he moved closer to Sandman.
“Despite the fact that you don’t feel there’s a need for me to know everything that’s going on, I haven’t kept one bit of information from you.”
“If I’ve kept any information from you, it’s because of your lack of professionalism. While you’re off playing house with Miss Fancy Pants, I’ve been working on finding the killer, Donald Friedman,” Agent Lancaster said, raising his voice.
“There’s no way Donald Friedman is our man,” Sandman began to say before Lancaster cut him off.
“You don’t believe that, Sandstone. The Thompson family doesn’t want to believe it but it’s a fact. I’ve got plenty of evidence and where the hell is he?” Lancaster was yelling now and everyone in the room was listening.
“You don’t have shit, Lancaster, and you also better remember who’s in charge of this investigation. From here on out you don’t make a move without my approval, you got it? No one is to do anything without running it by me first,” Sandman told Lancaster and now he was standing directly in front of him.
“This is bullshit. These people have you fooled. Frank and John are probably hiding Donald right now and you’re too busy thinking with your dick instead of your—”
Sandman took the first and only swing, knocking Lancaster over a desk with one mighty punch to the jaw, sending his legs flying over his shoulders.
Lancaster hit the floor taking a few moments to pull himself together.
“Now I don’t want to hear another peep out of you. Get up off your ass and start working with us instead of against us. We’re a team, Lancaster, and don’t you forget it. You got it!” Sandman yelled and Lancaster nodded yes before leaving the room. The other agents heard the fight and were glad Sandstone was back in charge.
“Damn, Sandman, you got yourself one wicked right hook,” said John and the others agreed. Frank was glad Sandman got pissed off at Lancaster and put him in his place. It was something he was looking forward to doing himself. Right now they needed to figure out where Donald could be as well as Grace.
* * * *
Agent Lancaster headed down the hallway avoiding eye contact with his fellow agents. They were happy Sandstone was back and in charge. All the hard work he did while Sandstone was off screwing the brunette he was sure no longer meant shit. Who the hell did that fucking guy think he was, just because he served in the military, was a Marine in special commandos or some shit. He was fuming now as he closed the door to the small office he had taken over along with Justin Sullivan. Everyone had witnessed what happened and it was an embarrassment.
Justin walked into the room and neither man exchanged words. Suddenly Lancaster’s phone rang.
“Hello,” Lancaster answered.
“Agent Lancaster, this is Grace Thompson. Investigator Burbank gave me your number. I’m back in town as I’m sure you know, and I’m willing to use myself as bait to catch this killer. Investigator Burbank said to speak to you,” Grace told him and Lancaster instantly felt that things were turning around. He would surely have the last laugh on Sandstone. He needed to be cautious and it was obvious he had to persuade Justin to keep his trap shut.
“Are you all right, Grace?” Lancaster asked and Justin turned to look. He definitely heard him.
“Yes, I’m fine and I’m safe. Is this line secure?” she asked.
“Yes, it is. Now tell me where you are and I’ll come meet you.” Lancaster was feeling the excitement of solving this very publicized case all on his own. He would do this without Sandstone or the others. This was his case. He worked the hardest. He deserved the full credit for solving it.
“I’m just about twenty minutes outside of town. There’s an old abandoned farmhouse just past Coopers Way. Make a left turn onto Madison and follow the fields for about three miles. You’ll see a large green house that looks abandoned. My family has owned it for years. No one uses it or has been there as far as I know. Pull your car around back just for precaution,” she told him and Lancaster was impressed with Grace’s calmness and professionalism. She may be more than just a pretty face after all.
