Fatal Divide Read Online Free PDF Page A

the shit hit the fan. He wanted to be covered before that, and choose the time it happened, if possible. For that, he needed his lawyer. Rick answered on the third ring.
    “What the hell, Dylan? I haven’t even had breakfast.”
    “Let me buy you some. I need to talk to you ASAP.”
    “You’re on. See you at the coffee shop in half an hour?”
    “Can you make it fifteen?” Dylan replied. A silence on the line told him that Rick was processing his request.
    “Yeah.”
    Dylan had to hand it to the guy. He was sharp. By now, he’d probably already figured out what it was all about. In any case, Dylan would lay his cards on the table over breakfast. Hopefully, the noise in the place would cover their conversation. No use giving the gossip mill an early start.
    Dylan slid into the corner booth across from Rick, who beat him there by only a moment as Dylan followed him into the parking lot. Rick picked the perfect spot inside, away from other patrons and separated from them by a high booth back.
    “Thanks for meeting me, bro.”
    “I’m not your bro, I’m your attorney. What have you done this time?” Rick’s terse answer was actually a joke, as Dylan hadn’t done anything wrong the last time either. He took it in the same spirit.
    “They got the wrong man,” he whined, in perfect imitation of a several-time loser. “I’m innocent.”
    “Tell it to the judge.” Rick’s expression changed when he saw that hit too close to home. “What?”
    “I’m about to go to Thurston and tell him the guy I found dead at Arch Canyon was the head of the tribal council that’s considering the adoption,” he said. “Is there anything I should know before I do?”
    Rick winced. “Damn, I knew that guy’s name sounded familiar. He’s the holdout, right?”
    “Right. It gets worse. I don’t know what you heard, but we found him when he was pretty fresh. If the time-of-death’s not right, it gives me opportunity and motive. Everything but the weapon. I don’t have anything that big.”
    “How do you know it’s big?” Rick asked, preferring to gather all the facts and then process them.
    “Hole the size of a quarter in the region of his heart. Had to have been at least a .45, maybe .50. Desert Eagle or something. I don’t suppose you know anyone with one of those?” he deadpanned.
    “If I did, I couldn’t tell you. Attorney-client privilege. Dammit, Dylan, how do you get mixed up in this shit?”
    Dylan shrugged. “Just luck, I guess. So, I figure it’s better if I come clean with Thurston about my connection to the vic. Would you agree?”
    Rick sighed. “Yes, but it’s not going to be pretty. You know he can hold you for thirty-six hours without charging you, right? Are you set to miss work?”
    “I will be, as soon as I call in today. I’m off today, so it’s just tomorrow. Unless time-of-death comes back against me.”
    “I’ll make some calls. Want me with you when you talk to Thurston?”
    “May not be a bad idea. Got time?”
    “I have a nine-o’clock. Can you give me until ten?” Rick had his iPhone out and was looking at his calendar
    “No longer. He’s gonna find out on his own, and then I’ll lose the advantage.”
    “Maybe I’d better reschedule the nine, then. You got anything else you need to do first?”
    “Yeah, Wanda wants to see me,” Dylan answered.
    “Why?”
    “Beats me,” Dylan said, ashamed he was also keeping something from his lawyer. He’d need Wanda’s permission to share whatever it was. This was getting complicated, and time was running out.
    “Ok, I’ll meet you at the cop shop at nine-thirty. Call me if you’re going to be late.” Rick got up, leaving the check with Dylan. Dylan smiled.
     
     
     
     
    SEVEN
     
    8:15 a.m.
     
    Wanda arrived at her office at six-thirty that morning. After a restless night and discussing it with Hector, she decided that a leave of absence might be best after all. She would need all her wits about her for the coming days,