The Killer Within Read Online Free Page A

Frank remembered the pin-prick in his neck.
    “So you put me out and studied me,” he said softly. “The Ecuadorians used me, and you used me, too.” He looked at Burke. “You knew about this the whole time.”
    “It was done over my objections, but yeah, I knew,” the lieutenant said.
    “This operation was under my orders,” Judge Page 17
    Browers said. “You want to blame someone, blame me.” Frank wasn’t done. He looked at Vera. “You knew, too.”
    She nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “I knew,” she said. “You’d been under surveillance for a while. We were pretty sure your date put something in your coffee while you were in the head. But we couldn’t be positive, she must’ve been a real pro. And then, after that sleeper whacked Richie, and almost got you, we didn’t know what to think. I was just told to stay close, in case…in case…” Her voice hitched.
    Frank covered her hand with his. “It’s okay, kid, you were just doing your job.”
    Judge Browers coughed. “Well, what’s important is that it’s all over,” he said. “You’re free and clear of the drug and we’ve made real progress against Hector and his hoods. Now get some rest, we want you healthy as a horse so you can hit the ground running.” Frank’s eyes narrowed. “The task force? Your offer was legit?”
    The judge’s craggy features softened. “Yes it was, detective, if you still want it.” Frank thought hard. Pictures of the neighborhood where he would move flowed through his mind, as did the look on his kids’ faces when he told them the news.
    But then his pride – his stupid, towering pride – got in the way. How could he look Terry and the other task force members in the eye after he had been used like a patsy in their little plan? How could they look at him without wondering if he was still under the drug’s influence?
    Lieutenant Burke read his face like an open book. “Frank, for once in your life, don’t be a goddamn fool, the judge here is giving you…” The lieutenant went on, but Frank had stopped listening. Vera’s hand, still under his, had just gone rigid. He looked at her. Vera’s face was flushed, her expression completely blank…just like the accountant’s.
    Frank watched in horror as she turned her vacant eyes toward the judge, who was looking away somewhat embarrassed as Lieutenant Burke continued to berate Frank.

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    Oh my god , Frank thought. Words stuck in his throat. He knew he only had seconds. Vera reached down and calmly pulled her gun out of its holster.
    Frank lurched out of his bed and propelled himself into Vera, knocking her backward over the chair and onto the floor with a terrific crash. The lieutenant and Judge Browers swore, but then Burke saw the gun in Vera’s hand and threw himself into the pile while the judge yelled for security. Frank tried to reach for the gun, but his head was still groggy and now there were three bodies struggling and fighting instead of two.
    There was a gunshot, a whiff of powder filled Frank’s nostrils. The lieutenant and Frank rolled off Vera, and Frank saw his partner laying still, a spreading stain of crimson soaking through her shirt around the stomach.
    Frank screamed for help, and in moments the room filled with security and medical staff. He crouched on the floor, cradling Vera’s head in his lap. The gun had fallen out of her hand and she blinked a few times, coming out of her stupor.
    “Frank, what…?” Her face mirrored pain as sensation returned to her body in a flood.
    “It’s okay, kid, stay with me, you’re going to be fine,” he promised.
    Medical staff pushed Frank back and expertly lifted Vera onto a gurney, which they rushed over to the ER. In seconds the room was empty, save for the judge, Lieutenant Burke and Frank, who remained where he was on the floor, staring at the small puddle of his partner’s blood.
    Shock registered on each of their faces, and a cold rage began to build inside of Frank.