The Betrayal Read Online Free PDF

drawer, along with Boone’s car keys, telling his son where his car was parked.
    Boone felt guilty that he couldn’t be rid of his parents soon enough. He found himself pacing, aching, and looking forward to his once-every-four-hour meds. As soon as they were delivered, he called the office. Again he reached Haeley’s substitute.
    â€œWhat’s going on over there?” he said. “Where’s Haeley?”
    â€œNot in today, Detective. May I take a message?”
    â€œWhere is she?”
    â€œI’m not sure, exactly. I was asked to fill in. That’s all I know.”
    â€œReally? Why is the after-hours message in your voice and not hers?”
    Silence.
    â€œIs she still even working there?”
    â€œI’m not at liberty to speak to that, sir. I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou’ve replaced her permanently?”
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    â€œIs she still an employee of the CPD or not?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Detective, but I can’t—”
    â€œIs Jack Keller in?”
    â€œHe’s unavailable to come to the phone just now—”
    â€œTell him I need to talk with him immediately.”
    â€œHold, please.”
    Boone was ready to throw the phone against the wall. He paced to the end of the cord and back.
    â€œSir, Deputy Chief Keller told me to tell you he is still planning on visiting you this morning and to please wait until then to talk with him.”
    â€œTell him I need just thirty seconds.”
    â€œSir, I have other calls coming in.”
    â€œListen, you tell Jack that if he doesn’t call me back in ten minutes, I’m checking myself out of here and finding Haeley myself. And I’m not kidding.”
    Boone set his watch, shut the door, and changed into his street clothes, tears streaming as he gingerly worked the sling off, the shirts on, and then the sling back on. He sat, one knee bouncing.
    Thirty seconds after ten minutes had passed, he stood and drew his coat on, draping the left side over the sling. There would be no zipping it. He peered outside. Ice everywhere. Terrific.
    Boone could not be mad at Haeley. She’d call if she could. He was mad at Jack. Leaving him in the dark after all they had been through, after all Boone had suffered? Unforgivable.
    He peeked out the door, and the uniformed cops raised their brows at him. “Goin’ somewhere?” the big one said.
    â€œGetting out today, Ferguson.”
    â€œNo kidding? We hadn’t heard.”
    â€œYou’re hearing now.”
    â€œWe supposed to walk you out?”
    â€œYeah. Soon.” Boone hesitated only because he saw Francisco Sosa get off the elevator.
    â€œYou know this guy, right? He okay?”
    Boone nodded and backed into the room.
    Sosa knocked and entered. “What’re you doing, Boone? You know better than this.”
    â€œWhat’re you talking about?”
    â€œC’mon, man, don’t play me. Jack Keller called and asked if I was on my way. Wanted me to be sure to keep you—”
    Boone slammed his fist on a rolling tray. “Keller calls you and won’t talk to me? What’s going on?”
    â€œThey’re not telling me anything, Boone, but Keller will see you this morning. He promised.”
    Boone sat, shaking his head. “Do you know how hard this is?” He told Francisco about Haeley’s not showing the night before and now being unreachable. “I’m about to go crazy.”
    Sosa shrugged. “I know nothing except that they really don’t want you checking yourself out.”
    â€œI wasn’t checking out. I was just leaving.”
    â€œJack said something about jeopardizing the integrity of your insurance.”
    â€œScare talk. They’re not gonna leave me out in the cold after what I’ve done. And somebody’d better tell me something or they’re going to be sorry. How do I know Haeley’s not in danger? Do they