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

scumbags, Kittrell didn’t feel much remorse or sadness over their deaths. One of these men had killed another innocent unarmed man in cold blood. And for what? For fun? Because he could?

No matter what the reason, Kittrell couldn’t say he was displeased over the end result. He stepped over one of the bodies as if it were a stump on a trail in the woods.

“Greedy bastards,” one of the officers said aloud as he looked down at an alleged thief still grasping a stack of hundred dollar bills. “Probably killed each other over money.”

One of the officers looked up and saw Kittrell. He’d worked with Kittrell before on several cases, and it was common knowledge around the precinct that Kittrell and Quinn were the lead detectives on the recent bank robbery.

Kittrell put his hands on his hips as he surveyed the scene. “What do you think happened here?”

“Looks like a murder-suicide to me,” the officer said. “These two guys here were surprised, and then this guy walks over here and shoots himself in the head. Simple as that.” He paused. “But I’ll let you make the final determination on that.”

Kittrell crouched down next to the body of the man who appeared to take his own life. “It doesn’t look that simple to me.”

CHAPTER 25

REBECCA WESTIN PEERED through her blinds onto an empty street early on Saturday morning. Finally, the media that had been hounding her were gone. A sex tape of a prominent city council member was leaked on the Internet, supplanting the Sid Westin story as the one every editor in every medium of journalism wanted. Driven by a gust of wind, a stray candy bar wrapper tumbled along her front yard. It was the only sign that anyone had even been staked out there—and for what? Quick B roll footage on the news? A picture for the tabloids? She smiled knowing that she had given them nothing the entire time they were out there. She’d even managed to sneak out the back for Sid’s funeral. And last night, she’d also snuck out to pick up Jonathan Umbert from the airport.

Mason tugged on her shirt from behind, startling her. She darted to the side as she spun around, falling to the ground.

“Mom, are you okay?”

“Oh, I'm fine. I— You just caught me off guard, that's all.” She collected herself and then knelt down to get eye level with him. “Are you okay, Mason?”

He shook his head. “I miss Dad.”

She pulled him tight and gave him a hug before standing up. “You and me both.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. She did miss Sid. Surely, she could’ve done worse when it came to accepting a marriage proposal. After all, Sid had the potential to make a large amount of money, not to mention become famous in the process. While she wished she could’ve chosen a different path for her life, she quit sulking about her decisions long ago. Instead, she vowed to make new decisions, decisions that could influence her future in a positive way. And though she wasn't proud of what she’d done, her future seemed brighter now. However, she never imagined that she'd actually miss Sid as much as she did.

While she was lost in thought, Mason hadn’t moved. She hadn't even noticed him until he sneezed.

“Oh, Mason, you're still here. I didn’t even know you were standing right next to me.”

“Can I go outside and play? I'm tired of staying inside all the time.”

“Sure. Are you going to practice soccer?”

He nodded. “I want to make Dad proud.” He started to walk away before he paused and turned around to face his mother. “Do you think Dad can see me playing from Heaven?”

“I'm sure he can. And I'm sure he'll be proud of you out there practicing hard. Go get ‘em, little buddy.”

A smile flickered across his face as he headed toward the door. The last time she saw one of those on her son’s face was when she watched Sid kick the ball with Mason in the front yard the day of his death.

Her phone rang, and she rushed across the room to answer it. The name and accompanying picture flashing on the screen brought a smile to her face as well. It was Jonathan Umbert.

“Well, hey, you. How was the rest of your night last night?”

Umbert didn’t return any pleasantries. “Where are you?”

“I’m at home. What’s going on? You sound nervous.”

“I just checked my messages and had one from a reporter from The Times, a Cal Murphy and—”

“Yeah, that jerk wrote some story about me being part of some FBI probe, but I don’t believe a word of it.”

“Becs, are you crazy? They are going to nail you.”

“For what? I didn't do anything.”

“Look, I understand if that’s how you want to be, but there is something going on here, and you know what you've done. I read about it all this morning. If they're on to Lancaster, you know it's only a matter of time before they’re on to you.”

“And you, too.”

“I can handle myself, but you need to leave—like thirty seconds ago.”

“I'm not going anywhere.”

“Becs, think about Mason. If you get arrested, who's going to take care of him? And if he's taken, you're crazy if you don't think your assets will be frozen—or perhaps controlled by the state.”

“The government could do that?”

“Health and Welfare can do whatever they want if they deem the child is in danger. I know it might be different in England, but here you’ve got no recourse—especially a single parent with no relatives living here.”

“My sister-in-law is here.”

“And you’re fine with Alicia caring for Mason and spending all your money while you sit in jail for who knows how long? Pack your bags and get out of the country—now.”

Rebecca paused for a moment to think. Everything he said made sense. But she didn't want to leave without him. “What about you? What are you going to do?”

“I’ll join you later. I’ve got to get a