Dead Drop by Jack Patterson (reading cloud ebooks txt) 📕

“What about his alibi?”

“He claims he was at work that morning.”

Morton walked up and handed a folder to Kittrell. He couldn’t help but notice again how she ignored Quinn. “K-Man, you might wanna take a look at these before you start buying everything this Geller guy says.”

“What’s this?” Kittrell said as he opened the folder.

“Cell phone records for Geller,” Morton said. “And I was able to triangulate his location during the time of the robbery based off a text he sent.”

“And?”

“He was there, no doubt about it,” she said. She turned and started to walk away down the hall. “Thank me later with a drink, K-Man.”

Roman smiled. “Go nail him, guys. Make me forget about Arnold Grayson.”

Kittrell waited until Roman was out of earshot before he moved. “I could forget about Arnold Grayson if Chief would stop reminding me.”

“Ditto that.”

The detectives re-entered the room with Geller. Kittrell sat down across from his suspect while Quinn remained standing in the corner.

“So, Mr. Geller, some new evidence has come to light about your whereabouts during the time of the robbery. It appears as though you weren’t at your garage working as you claim but indeed were at the Puget Sound Bank downtown branch where the robbery occurred.”

Geller didn’t flinch. “I think I’ll speak with my lawyer now.”

***

KITTRELL AND QUINN RETURNED from lunch to find Geller in the interview room with his lawyer. During their break, the detectives spoke with the district attorney about offering Geller a plea deal. Based on video evidence, they were able to identify Geller and determine that he wasn’t the one who shot and killed Westin and the security guard. And that was the suspect Chief Roman wanted more than anyone.

“So, Mr. Geller, let’s pick up where we left off. We know you were at the robbery, but what we’d rather know is who was with you.”

Geller’s lawyer put his hand on Geller’s chest. “You don’t have to answer that.”

Kittrell studied Geller closely and watched sweat bead up on his forehead. “Of course you don’t have to answer it. But, if you don’t, the consequences could be dire.”

“Wha-what are you talking about?”

“Dire, Mr. Geller,” Quinn said as he stepped forward and leaned on the table. “As in serious time in lock up.” He paused and walked back into the corner of the room before he turned around again. “Like, you might miss your five-year-old daughter’s graduation from high school kind of dire. Getting a conviction for armed robbery and accomplice to murder ought to be easy enough.”

“They’re just trying to intimidate you,” Geller’s lawyer said. “You don’t have to say anything.”

Kittrell and Quinn remained quiet, choosing to let Geller squirm until he acquiesced.

Wait for it. Wait for it.

“What kind of deal are we talking about?” Geller said.

Kittrell slid a folder to Geller’s lawyer. “One I think you’ll be pleased with.”

The lawyer scanned the terms of the agreement and nodded approvingly.

“There is one catch: You’re gonna have to cooperate,” Quinn said.

Geller looked at his lawyer again. “If you did it,” the lawyer said, “sign it. You’re not going to get a better deal than this.”

Geller hesitated. “He’ll kill me, you know.”

“So you feel like your choices are either to rot in prison or die a free man?” Kittrell said. “I know which one I’d pick—because if this guy is as dangerous as you think, he can get to you in prison as well.”

Geller picked up the pen and scribbled his name on the bottom line.

Kittrell reached across the table and dragged the document back toward him. “Thank you, Mr. Geller. We’ll get started in the morning.” Kittrell looked at the lawyer. “Say, nine o’clock?”

The lawyer nodded.

“Very well. Nine o’clock it is,” Kittrell said. He stood up and looked at Geller. “You made a bad decision a few days ago, but today you made a good decision. It’s how you get on track to putting your life back together. You won’t regret this.”

The detectives entered the hallway and were greeted by Chief Roman, who wore an exuberant expression. “Did he agree to work with us?”

Quinn nodded.

“Outstanding! This will make my meeting with city council so much more enjoyable this afternoon,” Roman said before hustling off down the hall.

***

PEYTON TUCKER KISSED HIS ROSARY and glanced down the hallway once more. He said a quick prayer and lumbered toward his target. With each step, he descended deeper into the depths of regret. He knew he could turn around at any moment and save himself. His soul could still be saved. He reached down and kissed his rosary again.

Not that it mattered. Any display of faith he made was about to be obliterated by his actions. He wondered how he ended up here, in the King County Jail on this night. How did someone know his darkest secrets, his moments of grave indiscretion? It was like he was targeted. But it did no good to ponder such things now. He’d manage the guilt somehow. It’d be far easier than dealing with the consequences of losing those closest to him or the shame he might endure. It was just one simple task.

Tucker slowed his gait and glanced over his shoulder once more. He needed to make sure there would never be any record of what he was about to do. The security cameras panned toward him, and he took a small step backward to avoid being captured. He waited until the oscillating mechanism moved away again, then he dashed toward the nearest cell, the one that contained Wayne Geller.

Geller slept peacefully on his cot. He didn’t stir when Tucker opened the cell door. He didn’t flinch when Tucker slipped a pair of handcuffs on each wrist either, tethering him to the metal bed frame.

Tucker looked skyward once more and muttered a prayer. Father, forgive me for what I’m about to do.

He knew it went against the teachings of the Catholic church. Forgiveness was bestowed after you did something, often over a sin committed in a moment of weakness. But the