Dead Shot by Jack Patterson (adventure books to read .TXT) 📕

He didn’t know for how much longer he could suppress his editor instincts, even if it meant giving up the cash – or something far worse.

His phone rang.

“This is Guy.”

“Hey, Guy. Just wanted to find out how you’re going to handle the big story this week,” came the voice on the other end.

“With care and sensitivity.”

“OK, just checking because I’ve seen two of your reporters out snooping around like they work for The New York Times. You keep an eye on them, you understand?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got them under control.”

Guy lied and hung up. He knew that if he tried to sideline Cal and Kelly on this story, he might have a fight on his hands with his reporters. He would have to figure out something to appease everyone.

Guy then smiled as a good thought registered in his mind. This might be easier than I thought. Cal was diligent but he had never covered a story like this. And Kelly? Her uncle could handle her.

Of course, that is if they didn’t find any damning evidence. One phone call could mitigate the situation, but not control it entirely.

He drummed his fingers on the desk again, resisting the urge to do what was right by all journalism ethics.

***

Cal’s iPhone buzzed, dancing on the console of Kelly’s car.

“Hello, Boss?”

“Where are you?” demanded Guy.

“We’re just leaving Statenville High. I went to talk with Coach Miller and get his reaction . . . see if he knew anything else about those kids.”

“OK, well, get back here ASAP. We need to talk.”

“Have you found out anything new?”

“Yeah, I have. I found out you’ve continued poking your nose in the wrong places today and nobody likes it.”

“Just doing my job, boss.”

“Your job is to write what I assign you. Now get back here so we can finish this conversation in person.”

Click.

Cal knew Guy was cranky, but his boss’s behavior was bordering on erratic and irrational.

“Does Guy seem a little off today?” Cal asked Kelly.

“When is he not a little off?”

“No, seriously. You don’t find his behavior somewhat… strange, even for Guy?”

“Well, think about it, Cal. Guy moved here to get away from all this murder and mayhem. Now it’s followed him to his own private Mayberry.”

“True. But it seems like he’s dealing with something else. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Well, I wouldn’t worry about it. To be honest, I can’t believe more of the town isn’t on edge and acting a little crazy after three teens die in a 24-hour period.”

“I know, but something just doesn’t seem right about him.” Cal stared out the window at the distant mountains.

“You’re thinking too much.”

“Maybe I am, but he wants us back in the office ASAP.”

Kelly laughed. “As soon as possible for me translates into after I’ve visited my cousin, the coroner.”

“Ah, Kelly. I’m having more fun with you on this case today than I’ve had since I moved here.”

She shot him a cautious look.

Cal shifted nervously in his seat.

“Cal, I swear if you’re hitting on me during an investigative report of three murdered teens …” Her voice trailed off.

Cal smiled and put his hands up as to say he was innocent. He then busied himself by silencing his phone, not wanting to be interrupted by Guy until they got back to the office.

***

The Ford F-250 continued to maintain a safe distance behind Kelly’s car. The driver hit 1 on his cell phone’s speed dial to file his report. “It appears they’re headed back to the office,” the driver said.

The man on the other end seemed pleased.

“Keep me posted if they make any unexpected stops. I don’t want this turning into a big news story.”

Chapter 13

Kevin Mendoza pushed the dark-framed glasses back up his nose. He peered at his clipboard and then returned his gaze at the lifeless body of Cody Murray.

Nothing prepared him for investigating the deaths of three teenage boys in a 24-hour period. While attending the University of Washington Medical School, Kevin had seen a few gunshot wounds and one pit bull attack victim. But never a cadaver even close to what he was looking at now.

Despite the pervasive rumor around Statenville, none of the victim’s wounds appeared to come from any variety of feline, mountain lion or otherwise. But they definitely looked like claw marks, scratch marks from someone in close proximity to each victim. Long slashes across their torso. Legs. Arms. Faces. No segment of the body was clear.

Kevin was nearly convinced it was a surprise attack of some kind, maybe even a vicious one that immediately sedated each victim before carving him up. Then he looked under their fingernails. That’s when he realized that this was more freakish than he could have ever imagined.

He picked up Cody’s hand and looked again. Scraped off skin was compacted under each fingernail. Kevin figured even his favorite TV medical examiner would have been perplexed by how such a death could have occurred.

Without more testing, he couldn’t be certain; but Kevin’s initial assessment was that each victim literally scratched himself to death. Exsanguination would be the term used in his official report, but it would be reported in the media as “bleeding to death.” They scratched themselves with such fierceness and intensity that they severed several major arteries and bled to death.

Kevin was finishing up his preliminary report when his cell phone rang.

“Dr. Mendoza here.”

“What did you find?” asked the voice on the other end.

“Who is this?”

“You know good and well who this is. Now answer my question: How did those boys die?”

Kevin paused, unsure of whether he wanted to reveal his initial findings, especially to this caller.

“I think they all bled to death.”

“Nope. They overdosed on drugs.”

“I beg your pardon. We won’t know from the tox screens that they overdosed for a few more days. But that’s not what ultimately killed them.”

“I think you misunderstood me. I said, ‘They overdosed on drugs.’ And you’re canceling the tox screens. You understand?”

“OK, got it.”

Kevin wasn’t thrilled to go along with this cover-up, but if