The Assassin's Trail Read Online Free PDF

“Sean, you're being polite. The guy’s a jerk and has no management skills. But the director likes him, or at least that’s the talk around here.”
    Kruger was quiet again. He took a deep breath and finalized his decision. “Alan, I won’t work for him, or with him, for that matter. He’s an idiot.”
    “I agree. Is this about you cutting back on traveling?”
    “That’s all it’s about. I’ve been doing too much of it lately. Maybe it’s time for me to really consider retiring.”
    “Sean, don’t make a rash decision just yet. Let me work on my end to see what I can do to slow down the traveling. I need to keep you on my team.”
    “Okay, Alan, I’d appreciate it. I'll talk to you soon.”
    Ending the call he went back to the kitchen to pour another cup of coffee. After returning to the balcony, he sat down, stared at the early morning activity on The Plaza, and started thinking.
    Of all the people in the agency to be managing the Kansas City office, why did it have to be Franklin “Mint” Dollar? The man was incompetent, uninspiring, lazy, and an ass-kisser. The last time he and Kruger had worked together, Dollar almost caused Kruger to end his career with the agency.
    Almost seven years ago, Kruger was working as a consultant to the Salt Lake City police department on the investigation of the torture and murders of seven young women. At the time, Dollar was working in the local FBI office and forced himself onto the case as it started drawing national media coverage. All the evidence Dollar had pointed to a drifter currently under arrest. Dollar was ready to close the case, but Kruger did not believe the homeless man was even capable of committing the crimes.
    Despite strong disagreement from both Kruger and the local police chief, Dollar scheduled a press conference to announce they had captured the suspect, and the case was officially closed.
    Two days later, another young woman disappeared and was found dead, tortured like the others.
    The morning after the eighth girl was found, Kruger was waiting for Dollar in the Utah FBI office. When Dollar entered, Kruger said, “Dollar, you're an idiot.”
    He stared at Kruger. “What are you talking about?”
    “The guy you have in custody is totally innocent of these crimes. He can barely read and has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.”
    “He’s our guy.”
    “The person who committed these murders planned them with great care and forethought. The guy you have in jail can’t even plan his next meal, let alone a complex crime.”
    Dollar’s face grew crimson. He screamed at Kruger, “Your fucking psychological mumbo jumbo hasn't produced one damn suspect. At least I've been doing something.”
    Shaking his head, Kruger said. “All you've accomplished is to embarrass the agency with this ridiculous arrest. The man isn't capable of this type of violence.”
    “Oh, the great Sean Kruger. The Bureau’s savior and seer of all men’s souls, I suppose you know who it is. Tell me, who is it?”
    Kruger was tired of the exchange. He stood, headed toward the door and opened it. Before he walked out, he turned back to face Dollar.
    “It's a cop.”
    The next night, a police officer was caught with a drugged young woman just before he assaulted her.
    Dollar held a press conference the next day and took full credit for the arrest and closing the case. Completely disgusted, Kruger left Utah, flew straight to Washington and filed a formal report critical of Agent Dollar. When he was told Dollar had the support of upper agency management, Kruger offered his resignation.
    What followed was a typical agency cover up. Kruger was offered a promotion and a promise he would never have to work with the man again. He demanded Dollar at least be reprimanded. Needless to say, that didn't happen either.
    Now the incompetent Neanderthal was in charge of the Kansas City Office.
    Well, that made his decision easy. He would retire. He really didn’t want to work for an