Justice Served Read Online Free PDF Page A

pushed the door open and said, “This is Captain John Henry. Sir, JT Sloan.”
    Sloan had no choice but to enter the small room, made smaller by the two chairs in front of the desk and a bank of file cabinets along one wall. The big man behind the paper-covered desk rose and extended his hand.
    “I thought it was about time we met, Ms. Sloan,” Henry said in his rich basso profundo.
    “Just Sloan,” Sloan replied automatically as she took his hand. “Captain.”
    Henry pointed at one of the chairs and Sloan sat, crossing her blue jeans–clad legs with a nonchalance she did not feel. She rested her hands on her knees with her fingers loose, despite the fact that she wanted to ball them into fists. Tension thrummed through her limbs like current along a high-voltage line.
    Rebecca sat silently beside Sloan.
    “I won’t even pretend to understand what it is that you do, Ms.…uh, Sloan,” Henry said, sitting erect in his chair, his hands clasped on the desk. As usual, his white shirt was wrinkle free and buttoned to the top, where his tie lay neatly knotted. He had rolled each cuff up precisely once. His eyes, intent on Sloan’s face, were brown, a shade darker than his skin, and sharp with intelligence. “But I appreciate the fact that you played a critical part in Detective Frye’s investigation. I also understand that there’s more work to be done.”
    “At this point, Captain, your electronic surveillance unit should be able to follow up on most of the information we uncovered.” Sloan knew that probably wasn’t true, but it was the polite thing to say.
    “You’re right,” Captain Henry said, nodding thoughtfully. “At least, you would be, if we had an electronic surveillance unit. But we don’t.”
    Despite the fact that, in the last few years, all branches of government and industry had stressed computer security, local law enforcement agencies lagged far behind in developing electronic surveillance units, mostly because they lacked personnel with the necessary skills. Sloan said nothing.
    “The mayor and the chief and the head of City Council are very grateful that you and Detective Lieutenant Frye were able to uncover this pornography ring.” Captain Henry’s expression remained neutral, but the barest undercurrent of sarcasm edged his tone. “They were also, however, deeply embarrassed by the fact that such a thing existed in our city. They want to be sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
    Sloan took a quick look at Rebecca. Detective lieutenant, huh? I guess a lot has happened in the last twenty-four hours. Frye stared straight ahead, her expression completely unreadable. Sloan was momentarily irritated, wishing that Frye had given her a heads-up as to what the hell this meeting was all about. Because she still didn’t have any idea. Then her mind focused on what Henry was saying, although she couldn’t really believe what she was hearing.
    “…been authorized to hire a civilian consultant to set up the unit. We’d like you to do it.”
    “I’m not available, but I can recommend several well-qualified security experts who could handle the job,” Sloan said immediately.
    “City Hall wants to see immediate action on this,” Henry countered evenly. “You’re already cleared. Security screening on the others would take too long.”
    Sloan couldn’t help but laugh—a short, humorless sound. “Obviously, your system does need help. I wouldn’t pass a decent security screen.”
    “You’ve already demonstrated your considerable abilities, and Lieutenant Frye vouches for you personally.” Henry’s expression never changed. “In addition to that, you’ve already been cleared at the highest level.”
    “Highest level?”
    “Agent Clark from the Justice Department.”
    “Clark,” Sloan whispered.
    “While overseeing the development of the ESU,” Henry continued smoothly, “you’ll be assigned to Lieutenant Frye’s unit.”
    Sloan was still trying to absorb the