Divine Justice Read Online Free PDF Page B

said stubbornly.
    He just isn’t going to give up, is he?
    “I’m getting off this damn train at the next stop,” said the quarterback. He rose on shaky legs.
    “That’s fine. You can all get off as far as I’m concerned,” the conductor said.
    “What is the next stop?” said Stone.
    The man told him. “And you either show me some ID or I radio for the police.”
    Stone thought for a moment. “How about I get off the train at the next stop too?”
    “Works for me,” said the conductor, staring at him intently. Stone did not like the look on the man’s face; it was full of suspicion.
    The conductor pointed at the young men lying on the floor. “Now all you get back in your damn seats and stay there or else you’re going to jail, and I mean what I say.”
    The beefy kid Stone had pounded first wailed, “What if I want to press charges against this son of a bitch?” He pointed at Stone.
    The conductor said, “Fine, and then that feller”—he pointed at the quarterback—“can press charges against you. And this man,” he added, indicating Stone, “can press charges against you too and your buddies, because what I’m hearing from all the other passengers is that you came after him first. So what’s it gonna be, mister bloody nose?”
    Beefy’s cheeks quivered. “Screw it, just forget it.”
    “Smartest thing to come out of your mouth yet. And next time you want to brawl just make sure it’s not on my train. You don’t want to mess with Amtrak, sonny boy.” The conductor turned and stalked off.
    Stone retook his seat, inwardly fuming. Why the hell had he gotten involved? Now he’d lost his ride.
    The woman next to him leaned over and said, “You sure were brave to do what you did. Where’d you learn to fight like that?”
    “Boy Scouts,” Stone said absently.
    Her eyes widened. “Boy Scouts? You’re kidding?”
    “The Scouts were a lot tougher in my day, ma’am.”
    But then he grinned weakly and she laughed. “That was a good one,” she said.
    Stone stopped smiling.
    Not really. Because now I’m screwed.

CHAPTER 7
    C ALEB S HAW and Reuben Rhodes had been depressed before Alex Ford came to Caleb’s high-rise condo and dropped the latest news on them. Now their attitudes sank right through the floor.
    Caleb poured himself a sherry and started popping greasy potato chips in his mouth as fast as possible, a longtime nervous habit of his, and he was the possessor of many. “How much more tragedy are we expected to endure?” he exclaimed.
    Reuben said, “So he killed Simpson and Gray?”
    “He didn’t come right out and say it in the letter, but that looks to be the case,” Alex said.
    “Pricks deserved it,” Reuben said staunchly.
    “It was still murder, Reuben,” Alex pointed out.
    “And look what they did to him. Anybody get one day in jail for that? Hell no.”
    Alex looked ready to debate the point as he had with Annabelle but then seemed to think better of it.
    “Where do you believe he is?” asked Caleb.
    “Running,” answered Alex. “And don’t be surprised if the FBI shows up on your doorstep asking questions.”
    “If they do, I don’t know nothing,” Reuben stated firmly.
    “Be careful on that score,” Alex warned. “A perjury charge can get you a few years in a federal lockup.”
    “I’m not saying anything that’ll get these bastards caught up with Oliver, Alex. And I’d expect you to do the same.”
    “My situation is a little different,” Alex said defensively.
    “Are you Oliver’s friend? Didn’t he save your life?”
    “Yes. And I returned the favor, unless you’ve forgotten.”
    “And isn’t he the reason you got that special commendation for busting that spy ring?”
    “I get the point, Reuben.”
    “No, obviously you don’t,” the big man said, rising up to stand next to the tall Secret Service agent. “Because if you say anything to help them find Oliver, you’re a traitor, plain and simple.”
    “There’s nothing simple about