Page 8 of Liberating Mia
Chapter Seven
Larry paced the floor of his office. Today was the day, and for the first time in a very long time, he found he had no stomach for what was about to come. He and Finn had been working this trafficking case for what felt like too long. They’d been spinning their wheels as the perpetrators always seemed five steps ahead. Until they’d realized they had an internal leak.
They had a fucking mole. Right in his very own department. That burned him. Over years, he’d built a team he’d believed he could trust. To find out he’d misjudged someone so badly was like a punch to the solar plexus. But when you found out it was the person you’d least expect it from. That felt like the ultimate betrayal.
A soft tap on his office door drew Larry from his musings. Looking up, he spotted his long-time personal assistant, Mary-Beth, standing there. She’d started with him when he’d been promoted to Deputy Director, and over the years, she’d proved herself invaluable. Efficient and proactive, Larry viewed her as a prized member of his team.
“You’re looking for me, Mr. Keon?”
“Yeah. Come in; have a seat. I need you to take down a memo and get it out to Finn ASAP. He’ll know what to do with it from there.”
“Sure thing, sir.”
Mary-Beth took a seat in the visitor’s chair opposite his desk and waited patiently as he gathered his thoughts.
Finally, he turned back to her and dictated the memo. When he was done, he asked her to read it back to him to ensure he’d remembered everything he wanted to include. Satisfied he had when she was done, Larry nodded. “Thanks, Mary-Beth. That’s perfect. Please ask him to acknowledge receipt.”
Standing, she smoothed a hand over her skirt, settling it back into place. “Yes, sir, Mr. Keon. I’ll get it off to him immediately.”
He watched as she left the room, his mind already on other things.
Mary-Beth had barely been gone when she popped her head back around the door. “Mr. Keon, there’s a Mr. Wilder here to see you.”
Curious as to why Jim would be visiting him at the office, he nodded. “Send him in, Mary-Beth.”
She nodded before disappearing again, only to return moments later with the prison warden close on her heels. To Larry’s way of thinking, his friend did not look well. In fact, he looked decided ill, not to mention anxious. As if he’d rather be anywhere but there. The man’s obvious discomfort caused a ripple of the same to wash over Larry too.
Holding out a hand to shake, Larry greeted Jim. “Hey Jim. What brings you by?”
Jim swallowed, then replied, “Hey Larry. Thanks for your time.”
“Sure, pull up a chair. Can I get you anything to drink?” Jim shook his head. “Thanks Mary-Beth. That will be all.”
Larry waited for his assistant to leave and close the door behind her. Taking a seat at his desk, he contemplated the warden. “Everything okay, Jim? You seem a little out of sorts there.”
The man cleared his throat, rubbing his hands up and down his pantlegs. The feeling of unease Larry felt grew. He waited.
“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Marcus – Marcus Forrester … Ah, fuck it, Larry. They found him dead in the showers last night.”
He heard the words come out of Jim’s mouth, but Larry was sure he’d heard him incorrectly. “Sorry. Come again?”
“I’m really sorry, my friend. I don’t know what to say, other than I should probably have put someone on him. But I didn’t want to raise suspicion.”
Thoughts churned wildly in Larry’s mind, yet he couldn’t think of anything to say. All he could see was his case, once again, falling to pieces before his very eyes.Fuck.Were they ever going to catch a break in this bloody nightmare case? Every time he thought they were, something else came along to set them back.
“Well, shit. What the hell happened?” he finally managed.
“Seems like they jumped him in the shower. Found the man bare-ass naked and dead as a doornail when he turned up missing before lights out. Doc says they snapped his neck.”
“Well, shit,” Larry repeated. Rubbing a hand over the back of his neck, he wondered what they hell to do next.
Jim got to his feet. “I’ve got to be on my way. There’ll be a shitstorm over this clusterfuck, so best I get back to it. I just thought I’d come tell you in person rather than over the phone or have you hear about it from someone else first.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
Jim shook Larry’s hand before taking his leave. Once the man was gone, Larry sat back down. Leaning his elbows on his thighs, he contemplated his shoes. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Blowing out a harsh breath, he buzzed Mary-Beth.
“Yes, sir?”
