Stalker Read Online Free PDF

smoke-free. But the patrons skirted the issue by opening up the back door, claiming the area to be an extension of a nonexistent patio. A moot point because who was going to cite the owner when the law was puffing away?
    As Beaudry came in, he waved to a few of his friends. Cindy waved just to feel like one of the gang. Ron Brown was sitting on one of the bar stools, but Tropper wasn’t with him. In an eye blink, Cindy caught sight of someone’s back as he left the place. It could have been Sarge, but she wasn’t sure. There were several others that she knew by name. Andy Lopez was an academy acquaintance. There was also Slick Rick Bederman and his partner, Sean Amory. Bederman was solidly built with dark eyes and thick, curly hair, his face, as always, stampedwith arrogance. She had met him once at a party…hadn’t liked the way he had looked at her. Amory was lighter in his coloring, but also projected ’tude. Beaudry must have caught her ambivalence. He said, “Feel like being social?”
    “Maybe later.”
    They ordered their beers, then took a booth, sipping for a few moments without talking. Beaudry was beating time to the music, fingertips drumming the table. It was soft jazz, the sax singing in a breathy voice which teased like foreplay.
    Finally, Beaudry said, “So you did all right today.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Chalk one up for the good guys.”
    Cindy said, “Are we the good guys? You wouldn’t know it by reading the papers.”
    Beaudry waved her off. “This ain’t the first scandal and it won’t be the last.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    “Yeah, I suppose.” Beaudry picked up his mug. “Still, I’m not losing sleep over it. So you’re sure you’re okay with today?”
    “I’m okay with it.” Cindy managed a smile. “I doubt if Tropper’s okay with it. So he’s pissed at me. He’s not the first, he won’t be the last.”
    Beaudry raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.
    “What?” Cindy asked. “You’re gonna give me some advice?”
    “If you’re okay with it, I’ve got nothing to offer.”
    “So why’re you looking at me like that?”
    “Like what?”
    “Like I’ve got herpes—”
    “You’re being touchy, Decker. I’m not looking at you at all. And if I was looking at you, I wouldn’t be thinking about herpes. I’d be thinking that you look good in that black pantsuit outfit you’re wearing. That it goes good with your hair, which looks pretty when it’s loose.” He sipped beer. “That wasn’t a come-on. I’ve got a marriage, and I want to make it last. That’s just an old-fashioned, blue-collar compliment, so don’t go filing any sexual harassment complaints.”
    “I look good tonight?”
    “You look good tonight.”
    “Thanks.” Cindy took another sip of suds, then licked the foam off her lips. “So you think I fucked up?”
    “Nah, you didn’t fuck up as far as the incident goes. You handled the situation pretty good.” He looked around at nothing. “Nah, you didn’t fuck up with the situation.”
    “But I fucked up with Tropper!” Cindy tapped her toe. “Do you think I fucked up with Tropper?”
    “Not exactly—”
    “What does that—”
    “Wait, wait, wait!” Beaudry held out his palms in a stop sign. “Give me a sec, okay. You didn’t fuck up with him, meaning that he isn’t gonna make a federal case out of it. But you might think of doing something nice for him.”
    “Like what?” She sneered. “Getting him coffee? One lump or two—”
    “Don’t be a brat. Just…think about it.”
    She laughed. “I haven’t been called a brat in a while.”
    “But you’ve been called one before.”
    “Oh yeah.”
    “It’s written all over your face, Decker. ‘I am a brat. Not only a brat, but a snotty, educated brat.’”
    Cindy maintained the smile, but the eyes dimmed. “That’s how you see me?”
    “No, that’s not how I see you.” Beaudry sighed. “It’s just that you’re out there, Decker. Like today. You put yourself… out