Parallel Lies

Parallel Lies Read Online Free PDF

Book: Parallel Lies Read Online Free PDF
Author: Ridley Pearson
Tags: Fiction, Mystery
recruit?” she inquired. “I know most of the NTSB investigators.”
    “My guess,” Tyler said, not quite answering her, “is that my bosses are afraid of a copycat, or that maybe they locked up the wrong Railroad Killer. They’d tell you we have toinvestigate any serious crime that involves interstate transportation. And that’s true, of course—”
    She said, “Meaning you suspect that whatever happened here began in another state.” She added, “And that makes it yours.”
    “Not mine,” Tyler corrected. “I’m here to observe and write a report. Gotta love government work. As long as there’s a paper trail to follow, my bosses are happy.”
    “Well then, we’re not so different,” she said. “My report gets filed with Northern Union Security. Maybe we can cheat and look over each other’s shoulders.”
    She had nice shoulders to look over, Tyler was guessing. She didn’t want this blowing up on her bosses any more than he did. It seemed as if everyone had learned some lessons from the Railroad Killer case, namely, that a small, localized investigation could mushroom exponentially and make the company or department, or the agency, look bad.
    Banner suggested, “Maybe you two could get acquainted somewhere else and let the rest of us finish our jobs and get out of this cold.”
    Tyler ignored Banner and asked her, “You’re based out of where?”
    “New York.” She then said to Banner, “No one’s challenging your authority here, Detective. But technically, your crime scene is on my property. I’m here representing Northern Union, so I’m the go-between. That’s all. You need our people for anything, we’re happy to cooperate.”
    “So go-between somewhere else for the next half hour, okay?” Banner said dismissively.
    “Ladies!” Tyler said, looking squarely at Banner. “Let’s not spill any more blood, it’ll only confuse the technicians.”
    “Got that right,” one of the lab men said.
    Nell Priest suppressed a grin, and Tyler knew he had scored. She said, “I’d like to step aboard my company’s property and observe whatever it is you’ve got.”
    Snow had collected on the shoulders of her coat and the very top of her hood. It clung delicately to the fake tiger fur. The two Northern Union security guards with Madders were doing the cold foot shuffle nearly in unison. They looked like poorly trained dance partners.
    The air hung with expectation, everyone waiting for Banner’s response to her request.
    Tyler said, “Why don’t I step out and make room for Ms. Priest? You’ve seen one bloody boxcar, you’ve seen ‘em all.”
    Banner grimaced.
    “Thank you,” Priest said, backing away from the ladder so that Tyler could climb down. She climbed up and stuck it to Banner by removing her glove and extending her hand and forcing him to shake hands with her. “That’s Banner with two n’s?”
    He looked like a man sorting garbage as he touched her. “You want a business card?”
    “Yes, that would be good. Thank you.” Priest slipped her hand back into her glove and asked the technicians a few questions about “impact velocity,” “major vessel disruption,” and whether they worked in centimeters or inches.
    “So, let me give you my card,” Banner suggested, perhaps a little intimidated or even impressed by her knowledge. He handed her a card and she pocketed it.
    Standing in the snow, Tyler asked the two security agents if they had been on duty all day.
    “Since eight this morning,” answered the first, who must have once played college fullback.
    His black partner replied, “Yes, sir. On at eight. Off at four. We hauled a couple guys outta some cars on line two. But nothing on this line. This car here …it was already sorted off line and had been tugged over here onto line twelve before our receivable guys opened her up and saw …this. They called us over. We informed the super, Mr. Madders, and he—”
    “Called New York,” Madders interrupted. To
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