AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Same thing you are. Trying to find Susan Richards.”
“Hey!”
Decker had expected this, and still his blood pressure started to rise.
Natty walked over to them. “I guess you talked to Miller.”
“CaptainMiller. Your superior.”
Natty pointed a finger in Decker’s face. “Youobserve, that’s all. You step out of line, your ass is right back in the slammer again.”
The cop looked between them and said, “You put an FBI agent in jail?”
“He’s not a real FBI agent.”
“Really?” said Mars sharply. “This dude saved the life of the president of the United States. Has a direct line to the man in the White House. Had his picture taken with him, got a medal and a letter of commendation.” Mars crossed two of his fingers. “Dudes are like this.”
The officer looked up at Decker in awe.
Natty bristled and gazed up at Mars. “Who the hell are you?”
“He’s my assistant,” said Decker.
“I thought you worked with Jamison.”
“She’s on another mission.”
“Is he an FBI agent?”
“He operates under the auspices of my creds.”
“What exactly does that mean?” said Natty.
“It means I go to the commissioner if you try to block me from observing, Natty.”
“You are so full of shit.”
“Who found the car?” asked Decker.
Natty looked like he might not answer.
“Look, Natty, I was being straight with you before. If I can find out who did this, the collar is yours.”
“Like I need your help to do that.”
“Okay, then I observe without your help. But if I make the collar, the FBI gets all the credit. But I don’t see how Childress would want that. And he may be backing you right now, but that wasn’t always the case, Natty. He’ll throw you under the bus in a second if he thinks it’ll make him look good. Remember the Hargrove case?”
At the mention of this name, Natty noticeably stiffened, and though his look was still sullen, he flipped open his notebook.
“Guy Dumpster diving found the car at around four o’clock this morning. Called in the locals. They pulled up our BOLO and notified us.”
“Can we take a look at the vehicle?”
“The trace team’s already been over it.”
“Just observing.”
Natty licked his lips, made a grunting sound, turned, and walked off. Decker and Mars followed.
Mars whispered, “Don’t see why you thought this guy was an A-hole, Decker. He’s a real pussycat.”
“Minus the cat,” replied Decker.
“So this Childress guy is even worse?”
“He’s worse because, unlike Natty, he can slickly pretend to be what he’s not, to therightpeople. And that’s what makes him so dangerous.”
