Mercy Street Read Online Free PDF Page A

don’t know who else to ask.”
    The chief stared out the window, a thoughtful look on his face. Finally, he said, “I might know someone who could help you.”
    “So there really is a PI that Robert missed?”
    “No. A former cop.”
    “Someone in business for himself now?”
    “Not exactly.
She’s
writing a book about the Preston murder-suicide case that happened here in town about six years ago.”
    “The coal heiress who was murdered by her husband, who then turned the gun on himself?”
    Drabyak nodded. “Apparently, true crime pays. At least, she’s hoping it will. Anyway, she was a good cop. A really good investigator. A few months before she quit, she’d been promoted to lead detective.”
    “She got promoted, then quit?”
    The detective hesitated for a moment. “Let’s just say she’d made a name for herself within the force, and it wasn’t a complimentary one.”
    “What did she do?”
    “It wasn’t what she’d done, but the perception of what she’d done.”
    Drabyak apparently wasn’t inclined to go into greater detail.
    “How long has she been gone?”
    “Six, seven months.”
    “And you still think she’s good?”
    “As good as they come, yes.”
    “You think she’d be interested if she’s already working on this book you mentioned?”
    The cop shrugged. “I have no idea. All you can do is ask.”
    “I’ll do that, thanks. Where do I find her?”
    Drabyak took a small black book from the inside pocket of his jacket and thumbed through it, then made some notes on the back of a piece of paper he tore from a WHILE YOU WERE OUT pad. He handed the slip to Kevin.
    “Mallory Russo. That’s her phone number. Call her, tell her I gave you her name and I’d appreciate it if she heard you out. No guarantees she’ll be interested. But there’s no harm in trying. The worst that can happen, she says no.”
    “Right. Thanks.” Kevin folded the paper and tucked it into his jacket pocket. He’d call the former cop as soon as he left the station. It was the first bit of encouragement he’d had since he’d agreed to help Mary Corcoran find her grandson. Maybe with luck, by the end of the day he’d have something positive to tell her.

    “Have you lost your mind, Joe?” Mallory Russo started in on her former boss before he’d had time to say hello. “Giving out my name to a priest who wants to hire me as a PI? Jesus, Joe.”
    “Did you hear him out?” The chief leaned around his desk to close his office door lest the call be overheard. Mallory Russo was not exactly missed by her former coworkers.
    “Yes, I heard him out. But—”
    “Then you know this is one high-profile case.”
    “I’ve followed it, of course I have. But there’s no way I can get involved. Besides, I’ve had my fill of law enforcement. I’ll never go back.”
    “So you let the bastards win, eh?”
    “It’s not a matter of letting anyone win,” she snapped. “I just don’t want to be involved anymore. I can’t imagine what you were thinking when you gave him my name.”
    “I was thinking that you were the best detective I had and it’s a sin and a shame to waste your talent. And I was thinking that if, in fact, someone other than Ryan Corcoran or Courtney Bauer killed those two boys, I don’t want to be the last to know.” Joe paused. “Besides, I thought maybe you could use the money. How are your savings holding up?”
    “They’re holding up. I’m good for a while,” she said. “But back to the issue, Joe. You have three other detectives on your staff, if memory serves me. Why aren’t they looking for another suspect?”
    “
Had
three,” Drabyak said tersely. “We’re a little shorthanded right now.”
    “Right. The sniper.”
    “All available hands are on that deck right now. Christ, if one more old lady gets shot at while walking out of a store on Congress Avenue…It’s a miracle no one’s been hurt. We need to get this bloke before he actually hits someone.” He blew out an