AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter30
IT WAS DUSK NOWand with the dropping of the sun, the temperature had lowered to a level where one could see one’s breath.
Decker had left Mars in the car parked at the curb. His rationale was that Sally Brimmer would not appreciate another person being in the loop of her possibly illegal action in giving Decker the records he needed. He strode through the small park to the pond that lay near its rear, which one reached by traversing a winding brick path. There was no one else there that he could see.
When he turned the last corner and the pond came into view, so did Brimmer. She had on a long trench coat, a hat, and gloves. She looked over at Decker and hurried past the pond, which had an aerator in its middle, throwing off streams of water and affording a pleasing sound. That was also good, Decker thought, because it would be difficult for anyone to eavesdrop on them.
She reached him, her hand in her pocket. Brimmer suddenly shivered.
“Winter’s definitely coming,” noted Decker.
“It’s not the weather,” she said, a trace of bitterness in her tone. “I’m nervous. What I’m doing could cost me my job.”
“No one will find out from me. And if it makes you feel any better, I’m only going to use the files to try to find the truth.”
“I know that,” she said, her voice now contrite. She looked around and pulled her hand out of her pocket. In her palm was a flash drive.
“How did you manage to scan all the files without anyone knowing?”
“I’ve been after the department to convert paper files to digital ones. I’ve actually been doing some of it myself, although it’s not technically my responsibility. But I had the time, and it wasn’t like some of the older people at the department had any interest, or would even know how to do it. I just included the files you wanted in a stack I was already doing.” She handed him the flash drive.
“Ingenious,” said Decker.
“High praise coming from you.”
“Captain Miller managed to get a meeting with the commissioner, with the result that I’m officially back on the case, as an observer.”
“Well, that’s something.”
“It’s better than nothing,” agreed Decker. “They found Susan Richards’s car and I was able to go over it.”
“What about Blake?”
“He was there but voiced no objections. He might be seeing that I could be useful, especially if he gets the credit if I do figure this out.”
“He’ll turn on you if he gets the chance,” said Brimmer warningly.
“I’m under no illusions when it comes to Natty.” He cocked his head. “How about you?”
“How about me what?” she said defensively.
“You’ve got a lot going for you, Sally. You could do a lot better than Natty. Someone your own age who’s actually single, for instance. I guess I just don’t see the attraction on your end.”
“Why do you care? I always thought you were just this…machine.” She suddenly looked chastened. “I’m sorry, that was really out of line. I didn’t mean it.”
“You’re not the first to say that, and you won’t be the last. As to you, I was a father with a daughter, like I said. I…I don’t want you to be hurt or get in a situation you can’t get out of.”
Brimmer looked down at the brick pavers under her feet. “I work long hours. All I know are cops. I don’t have any family here, and few friends. Blake…he took an interest. He even used that old line that his wife just doesn’t get him or his work.” She laughed hollowly. “And I fell for it, I guess. Just like a million other women. But he did make me feel special.”
“Did?”
She smiled resignedly. “I’ve broken it off with him, Amos. It wasn’t just what you said, although I needed to hear that too. Heismarried. And I wouldn’t want that to happen to me if I were married. It’s not fair. And it does speak to a person’s character if they’re willing to cheat like that, as you said.”
“I’m glad you reached that decision.”
“You never cheated on your wife, did you?”
“Never even thought about it. I had everything, Sally. A wife who I loved beyond anything I’d ever felt before. And a daughter who I would have sacrificed anything for. Now I don’t have either one.”
