Chapter Fifteen
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“This is Deputy Carlisle.”
He let the curtain drop over the window of the condo he’d rented and tightened his grip on his burner phone.“Thanks for taking my call.I understand you’re the public liaison officer with the Sheriff’s Office?”
“That’s correct.How can I be of assistance today?”
“I’m a reporter with the Central Coast Chronicle,” he said, using the cover story he’d created.He needed intel, and he needed it fast.This seemed like the best way to get it without raising suspicion.“I’m following up on a story that broke earlier.About the arrest of a Crimson Point Security agent involved in the shooting incident on the highway last Thursday.My sources say her name is...”He paused as if he was checking somewhere.“Cassie Edwards.Can you comment?”
“She was not arrested.She was brought in for questioning.”
The unexpected news threw him.“Then she’s currently being detained, and charges are pending.”
“No.She was cleared of all charges and released several hours ago.”
What thefuck?His guts knotted.“Ah.I see.”Except he didn’t.Not at fucking all.“Can you give me any more information about the incident that led to her being detained for questioning?”
“No, not at this time.You can report that Ms.Edwards was questioned and has been cleared of any criminal responsibility relating to the incident, and that subsequently, no charges were filed against her.”Her tone was brusque, all business.“Have a good day.”She hung up.
“What thefuck?”he snapped into the empty room.
He paced to the other side, mind whirling.They’d let her go, even after finding drugs in her trunk.Even though someone had reported seeing her buy them off someone in the parking lot.Even though she’d been involved in the shooting just a few days ago and for all they knew, the two events could be related.
“What the hell’s it gonna take?”he snarled, fuming and sick to his damned stomach.
As far as he’d been able to find out, she hadn’t been fired from CPS.He’d planned this next shot out so carefully, making sure to insulate himself against any hint of suspicion or involvement.Had Mikey been caught planting the drugs?
No way he could leave things like this.He needed to know what the hell had gone wrong.And if there wasanyway that he could be tied up in it...
He got in his rental car and drove north up the coast toward Crimson Point, going way slower than he wanted, but he couldn’t risk getting pulled over for something as stupid as speeding.Thankfully traffic was light, and he arrived at his destination in a little more than twenty minutes.
The old cottage was hidden amongst towering evergreens that marked the edge of the forest climbing the southern edge of the hill that overlooked the town.A layer of gray mist hugged the ground, hiding the driveway from view.
He parked on the road and walked up the driveway.The eaves along the front of the cottage sagged with what looked like years of rust-orange cedar needles covering the roof and overflowing the gutters.When he stepped onto the front porch, the half-rotten boards creaked ominously beneath his weight.
He banged the end of his fist on the peeling front door.Waited with hands on hips while footsteps approached on the other side.
