Defiled: The Sequel to Nailed Featuring John Tall Wolf (A Ron Ketchum Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Ron was trying to rope him back in?
    Well, yeah.
    But not without good reason. Reasons plural. A terrorist attack that had misfired and the peculiar murder of a rich candidate for mayor. He wouldn’t be talking about an outbreak of littering and jaywalking.
    The two of them would have their hands full. By himself, he was worried things were not going to work out for the best. He needed an assist from another smart cop with big-time experience. His people were smart and well-trained, but the level of bad guys they routinely faced was hardly major league. He needed —
    A name popped into his head but it wasn’t Oliver Gosden.
    It was Keely Powell, Ron’s old detective squad partner from L.A. When he had left town to take charge of the Goldstrike PD, he and Keely had parted on good terms. Three years later, Keely had put in her twenty years on the job and said that was enough. She’d invited him to her retirement party, but he hadn’t gone.
    He’d sent her a bottle of Dom Perignon.
    Two business-class tickets to Paris.
    A prepaid week at a really nice hotel.
    She’d told him she always wanted to see Paris, and he’d come through like a … TV game-show host. “Keely Powell, take a look at the fabulous parting gifts we have for you. Thanks for playing LAPD Sweepstakes.”
    Ron thought he should have popped for first class tickets. Paid for the best hotel in town.
    Said he’d go with her if she wanted someone to mangle French with.
    He didn’t know if she ever took the trip. He hadn’t received a postcard. Or a thank you note. But that didn’t keep him from calling her now. Hoping she hadn’t moved or gotten a new job that would keep her too busy to —
    “Ron Ketchum,” she said, her voice still sounding like Kathleen Turner did when she was young. Sort of looked like the actress did back then, too. Only Keely had a glint in her eye that said she’d whack you with her metal baton if you got out of line. “You call to ask for a date or do you want a favor? ”
    She’d read the Goldstrike PD name on her phone’s caller ID. Figured it was him calling. But he’d bet she’d worked out that question a long time ago.
    Ron was smart enough to know the right answer.
    “Both,” he said.
     
    Clay Steadman listened to the morning news, as called in by his chief of police.
    Ron Ketchum had the privilege of calling any time he needed.
    The mayor asked, “How do we know what’s really in that box?”
    Ron told him, “It’s under guard, cops on the dock and now on a boat to keep people away. But if you want to put on a hazmat suit and take a peek, be my guest.”
    Clay said, “Does a hazmat suit protect against radiation?”
    “You’re right. We better check on that first.”
    Ron Ketchum was cracking wise, Clay knew, but after the risks he’d taken, he was entitled. The mayor looked over at Walt Ketchum who didn’t even pretend he wasn’t listening in on the conversation. They were quite the pair, Clay thought, the old man and his son.
    Ron confirmed that point when he said, “With Oliver out of town, I’d like permission to bring in someone to help me out on a temporary basis. I already talked to my old partner from L.A., Detective Keely Powell. She’s willing. I know I have final say for ordinary personnel decisions, but I wanted to get your okay for this.”
    Having heard from Ron not only about the bomb but also the news of Hale Tibbot’s murder, Clay understood exactly what his chief of police was getting at. But neither man gave voice to that reason at the moment.
    “Go right ahead,” Clay said.
    “We also have a visiting fed on hand, and I’m sure more will be arriving soon.”
    Ron gave Clay the few details he’d learned about John Tall Wolf.
    The mayor said, “Sounds a little strange at first, but with what you found on the lake we might get all sorts of unusual types flocking in. Maybe Department of Energy. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Who knows what else?”
    “The FBI?” Ron