Ghost River by Jon Coon (best non fiction books of all time TXT) 📕

she led them to a booth. More coffee came without asking, followed by a cheeseburger for Gabe and chicken salad for Bob.

“What have you got on Stewart and Wesley Rogers?” Gabe asked.

“Adam Stewart is dead. Too many donuts, and a heart attack got him three years ago. He was on the bridge team over thirty years overseeing construction and maintenance inspections. He was one of the first hired to create the team after a big bridge accident in ’87.”

“Here?”

“Nope, Fort Hunter, New York. Ten killed. The river scoured the footings, and the whole bridge collapsed. Inspections might have caught it in time, so a lot of states had to get serious with inspection dive teams.”

“Where did you get that?”
Gabe had his pocket pad out and was making notes.

“Google, my man. The detective’s best friend.”

“Okay, so Stewart is dead. What about Rogers?”

“Here’s what we know so far. He was a protégé of Stewart. Former Army diver, combat swimmer, and explosive ordnance disposal technician. Joined the team in the mideighties and dove with Captain Brady. He, Brady, and Stewart, were best buds until Stewart died. But that was later. Just after ’87, he was loaned to the Department of Transportation to start a special team based in Dade County to only do bridge inspections.

“Officially, Rogers has nearly forty years in and is on track for retirement with a gold watch and nice pension. Unofficially, my pals tell me he’s a bad boy. He’s suspected of multiple acts of miscreant behavior, including stealing state property, turning in reports for inspections that were never done, sexual harassment . . . But someone up the food chain likes him because, without protection, he’d have been written up and gone long ago. At least that’s the scuttlebutt.”

“If his team is in Dade, what’s he doing here?”

“He’s working for DOT. So not on our clock. All I got from them is that he’s on special assignment. However he’s still here. I had command track him down this morning. We can bring him in anytime.”

“That’s how Captain Brady knew about the bridges. That’s why he got the blueprints. He knew Rogers was involved in something serious.”

“Yeah, and it got him killed,” Bob added.

“Also, you said Rogers has experience with explosives.”

“Right. He certainly fits our profile.” Bob put down his fork, staring at his empty plate.

“There was a break-in at Charlie’s house last night.” Gabe told Bob about the trip to Atlanta and bringing back Zack and Mickey.

“Carol and the kids okay?”

“We’re all at the river camp. I’d appreciate a patrol keeping an eye on the place until we sort this out. I don’t think whoever broke in at Carol’s found everything they were after.”

“No problem. What else?” Bob said.

“I think Wesley Rogers killed Zack Greenly’s dad. I can’t prove it yet, but it just fits.”

“Really? Why?”

“The old bridge had just collapsed, Greenly was sent to do an inspection. Zack says his dad kept a notebook. In it are references to problems with the construction of the new bridge. You heard his widow talk about the blow up with her dad. The notebook suggests Rogers was involved, and I don’t believe what Rogers told Zack’s mother about her husband doing an unauthorized dive. Why would he do that? Remember, Peterson told us Greenly was there to inspect the fallen bridge span.

“So either Rogers or Peterson wasn’t telling the truth. And I don’t see what Peterson would have to gain by lying. But if Rogers did it, he had plenty of motive to tell us Greenly was out there on his own, with Rogers and the department knowing nothing about the dive. I think we need to have a talk with Wesley Rogers.

“Like I said, we didn’t get to really study the reports before they were stolen, but I don’t believe anyone could have missed scouring that serious. Regular inspections should have reported the damage, and repair work should have started years ago. We need to see the most recent reports to see if I’m right.”

Gabe picked up the remains of his cheeseburger and polished off the last bite before adding, “Someone in DOT had to know what Rogers was doing.”

“But do a few false inspection reports add up to murder? What are they hiding?” Bob wondered. “So we assume Rogers is turning in bogus reports. But I don’t see how that helps either the state or the construction company.”

“Unless they were covering up construction flaws. Maybe the bridge wasn’t built to spec and they were afraid of what inspections might find. Got any friends in Tallahassee who could get us recent inspections and the original blueprints?”

“Talk about stirring up a hornet’s nest,” Bob answered. “Those guys don’t like us on general principles. This is really going to make them furious. But I’ll get started on it. We need answers. Okay, now what about Zack and the girl? What’s her name again?”

“It’s Mickey, and they are with me. You can talk with them whenever. But let’s not bring them in. I think being seen in the office could put them at risk.”

“I can’t wait to hear that story. Man, you’ve been busy.”

“Yeah, well, protect and serve can be a hard life.” Gabe grinned, but with Bob still surprised by Gabe’s revelations, the humor never had a chance.

Gabe added one more item to Bob’s list, “We found a reference to a Wilson Corbitt. I’ve run him through DMV and state—nothing. He’s a Brit and was an engineer with the demolition company Explosive Services, but they’ve been out of business for years.

“There should be federal licenses. I’ll check ATF and immigration.”

“Thanks.” Gabe checked his notes. “Any word on Nick?”

“Still on target to be released from the hospital this week. Medical leave for a month.”

“Good, and how about the captain’s dog?”

“Doing well,” Bob said. “I took my kids to see him, and it was love at first milk bone. His wound is healing well, and when he’s released it looks like he will be coming home with us. You done eating?”

“Yeah, let’s go