Crossroads Revisited Read Online Free

might be out a job if they
relied on mystical beings to solve their crimes.
    “I’ve read it, McGuire. I take my career
very seriously and follow proper procedure in every regard, but I’m not a
skeptic by nature. That is, I embrace mysticism and non-conventional theories
on a personal level.”
    Frank looked into his eyes and knew the
man spoke the truth. People didn’t lie about or encourage such philosophies if
they weren’t learned about them.
    “Whether you believe it or not, the FBI
has worked with several psychics in solving some of our most difficult cases.”
    “I repeat, Hayworth, I’m not a psychic
or a clairvoyant.”
    Smoke-gray eyes met his. “I know what
you are, McGuire, I’ve read the file, remember? Numbers or letters come to you
through dreams, but they’re convoluted. You have learned through mediation how
to connect with your inner spirit, tap into a wellspring of spiritual energy.
This inner spirit performs as a catalyst to connect with an even higher level
of consciousness. Scenes flash through your head akin to water rushing over
rocks.”
    Damn, the man had smarts…and moxie. He’d
just repeated the notes Frank left in the file on the The Black Rail case,
verbatim. “Cut to the chase, what exactly do you want from me?”
    “Your time,” Hayworth said. “We’ll pay
you, of course, to go over the file, see if Jeffords and his Department are
right—there is no serial killer on the loose. The young men died after
consuming too much alcohol, at least that’s the unofficial statement for the
time being. They left the bar, lost their way, and walked into the Patuxent.”
He nodded toward Jeffords. “That’s his summation.”
    “And if I don’t believe the reports or
agree with his assessment?”
    Hayworth rose and Jeffords followed
suit. “Then, my friend, we have a serious problem.”
    Frank put his hand out. “Give me the
file.”
    “I didn’t bring it. Wasn’t sure you’d
agree to look it over. Would it be all right with you if I dropped it off this
evening, say, around six o’clock?”
    So much for his night of pleasure with
Rand. “I won’t be at my office at six.” Frank handed him his card. “Here’s my
home address. Be on time, I have plans later this evening.”
    “You can count on it,” Hayworth said and
turned toward the door with Jeffords on his heels.
    Frank resisted the urge to jump up and
punch Jeffords in the face when he called out over his shoulder, “I knew we
could count on you again, Frank. See you tomorrow night at the meeting.”
     
    *
* * *
     
    No sooner had the men left his office
when Grace buzzed Frank on the intercom. “Emily Brennan is on the line.”
    “Thanks, Grace,” Frank said with an
exasperated sigh. He didn’t need to hear from Emily today of all days. There
would be questions about Rand, hysterics over the death of her best friend’s
son, and no doubt she’d want to corner him about the meeting at City Hall
tomorrow night. He punched line one. “How’s the most beautiful woman in the
world?”
    “Frank, I’ve been trying to reach you
all morning.” Yep, hysterics laced her sultry voice.
    “Calm down, Emily. I’m sorry, I turned
my cell off this morning until I left for the office.”
    “I know. Grace couldn’t reach you either
and you were late getting into the office. Is something wrong, Frank? Is Rand
in trouble?”
    Damn, he didn’t want to get into the
alcohol and barely-passing-grades crisis right now. She had enough to deal
with. “No, Rand is fine.” His mind raced while she drew a deep breath of
relief. “An FBI agent, accompanied by one of Baltimore’s finest, showed up at
my office this morning.”
    “Let me guess,” she said sarcastically. “Sergeant
Jeffords?”
    “The one and only.”
    “Makes you thankful he wasn’t on the
force when you were, huh?”
    “Ah, he’s an okay guy, just a little
misdirected at times.”
    “So you know why I’m