A Touch of Greed Read Online Free PDF Page B

Nick said, “how many phones do you have?”
    “One,” Stevie said, examining Chapin’s cell.
    Nick returned his attention to Matt again. “Who tends to have more than one phone?”
    “Drug dealers.”
    “Who else?”
    “Anyone who’s trying to hide something.”
    Stevie came around the desk and handed the phone to Nick and pointed to something on the screen. Nick nodded while Stevie returned to the back of the room.
    While examining the screen, Nick said, “Where does your family live, Mr. Chapin?”
    The Border Patrol agent seemed to be thinking of the best answer to use in this situation. It certainly wasn’t going to be the truth, because the truth didn’t take that much time to consider.
    Finally Chapin said, “Phoenix.”
    “Then why is there only one phone number in your contact list and the number is a San Diego area code?”
    Chapin gave it a few moments to mull over. He put his head in his hands and closed his eyes. “It’s nothing sinister.”
    “I’m listening,” Nick said.
    Chapin bent over, groaned in pain, then came up with his gun, his eyes wild with fear. He pushed away from his chair and stood with the pistol trained on Nick.
    “I’m getting out,” Chapin said.
    “No you’re not,” Nick assured him.
    “You can’t stop me,” Chapin said, a crazy delirium planted on his face. He whirled around and pointed the gun at Stevie.
    Even though he knew it was coming, Nick winced as the gunshot rang out in the small room. Chapin howled, while clutching his bare hand. The same hand which held a gun moments earlier. Stevie quickly picked up Chapin’s gun from the floor.
    By the time Nick came around the desk, Matt had already holstered his Glock. He was the quickest draw in the Bureau and possibly the nation. Nick examined the Border Patrol agent’s hand. It was red and scraped up, but nothing permanent. It was only Matt’s pinpoint accuracy which saved him.
    Resigned to his fate, Chapin fell to his knees, grasped his damaged hand and began to sob. He curled up on the floor as the anguish oozed from his body in the form of tears and moans and undecipherable words.
    Nick didn’t feel the least bit compassion for the man. He was certain Chapin was the reason Ricky and Jim were dead. The reason Nick had to call Nicole Hernandez and explain why he hadn’t kept his promise.
    The office door opened and Decker stood there with two armed agents. He stared at Chapin as the agent moaned, but otherwise seemed unharmed. 
    “We’ve got it under control,” Nick said, then slammed the door shut.
    Matt opened the door and stuck his head out to say a few words, then pulled his head back and shut the door again.
    “You stupid bastard?” Nick spat, standing over Chapin, every muscle taut and ready to unleash a fury of kicks. “How much did Garza pay to have my friends killed?”
    “No,” Chapin uttered, his arms covering his head ready to be assaulted.
    Nick got down to a knee and burrowed into the man’s face. “How much!”
    “No,” Chapin murmured again. “She’s going to die.”
    Nick looked at Matt who stood beside him with a quizzical expression.
    “What did you say?” Nick asked.
    Chapin found the strength to shove Nick and sit up against the wall. “My daughter,” he said staring at the ceiling. His breathing was labored and his head flopped to the side. A look of pure despair showed in his eyes. “Garza kidnapped her two weeks ago. He’s going to kill her if I don’t tell him everything.” He looked up at the three FBI agents. “She’s thirteen.”
    “Shit,” Matt muttered.
    “Why didn’t you come to us?” Nick said. “You’re a government agent. We would’ve brought our best people to handle it.”
    Chapin rolled his eyes deliriously. “Yeah, right.” He pointed his thumb to the closed door. “Half the damn staff is on Garza’s payroll. He already knows you’re here.” Chapin covered his eyes. “She could be dead already.”
    The agent was near catatonic. He