Road of the Dead Read Online Free PDF

Senior Investigating Officer, is that right?”
    Pomeroy nodded.
    “OK,” said Cole. “What can you tell us?”
    “What do you want to know?”
    “I’ll tell you what,” Cole said calmly. “How about telling us why you’re treating us like shit, for a start. Then maybe we can take it from there.”
    Pomeroy didn’t even blink. “I wasn’t aware that I was treating you like shit. Of course, I apologize if that’s how you feel, but I can assure you that wasn’t my intention. I’m simply waiting for you to tell me what you want.” He smiled his nasty little smile again. “I realize it’s sometimes difficult to find the right words in these situations, but if it’s a question of viewing the body—”
    “We don’t want to see the body,” Cole said.
    “What, then? If it’s your sister’s personal effects you’re after, I’m afraid we need to hold on to them for a while. You can probably have some of them back in a few days, but we’ll need to keep her raincoat and clothes for evidence—”
    “We don’t want any of Rachel’s stuff.”
    Pomeroy frowned. “I’m sorry—I don’t see what else I can do for you.”
    “We want to bury her.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “We want to bury Rachel. We can’t bury her until you get the man who killed her. We want to know when you’re going to get him.”
    “I see…”
    “Have you got him yet?”
    Pomeroy rubbed his mouth. “Well, I’m sure Detective Merton has explained that we’re following up a number of leads—”
    “What kind of leads?”
    “I can’t say at this moment.”
    “Why not?”
    “It might jeopardize the investigation.”
    “How?”
    Pomeroy gave Cole a long hard look. “This really isn’t helping, you know. You’re just going to have to trust us to do our job. We know what we’re doing—believe me. There’s nothing we’re not doing to find your sister’s killer and bring him to justice.”
    “Do you know who did it?”
    “I’m sorry, I really can’t go into any more details. The best thing for you to do is just go home and wait. As soon as we have any news we’ll contact Detective Merton and he’ll let you know.” Pomeroy stood up and looked down at us, waiting for us to leave. When we didn’t move, he shook his head. “Look,” he said, “if you want me to sit here talkingto you all day, that’s fine. But if you want me to do my job, then I suggest you let me get on with it.”
    Cole just sat there looking at him for a while, then eventually he got to his feet. I stood up, too. Pomeroy started leading us over to the door. I looked at Cole, wondering why he was giving up so easily, but when I saw the way he was staring at the back of Pomeroy’s head, I realized he wasn’t giving up anything. I should have known better, really. Cole doesn’t do “giving up.”
    At the door, Pomeroy paused and put his hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Just one more thing before you go,” he said quietly. “I’m not sure what your intentions are, but I hope you don’t think your situation entitles you to any special treatment. I know you’re a victim, and I know you’re going through a terrible time, but that doesn’t put you above the law. Do you understand?”
    “No,” said Cole.
    Pomeroy sighed. “There aren’t any secrets in a murder investigation, son. We have to look into everything—the victim, their friends, their family…” He paused to let that sink in, then went on. “I know all about you and your father…and I don’t just mean what’s on file. Do you understand me now?”
    Cole said nothing, just looked at him.
    Pomeroy smiled. “Just be careful—OK?”
    Cole remained silent. If Pomeroy didn’t take his hand off his shoulder soon, Cole was going to find it hard not todo something about it. I didn’t think that would help things much, so I opened the door and took Cole’s arm and gently pulled him away. His flesh felt like steel.
    “Come on, Cole,” I said. “Let’s go.”
    As Cole