The Face of Fear: A Powers and Johnson Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

especially if he finds out we’re poking around.” Bud had a puzzled look on his face. “Are there any cops that are not fucking Irish?”
    “I guess it’s in our blood,” Paul replied. “Come on,” he added, “I’ve got a ton of paperwork to do.”
    When they got back to the station, Detective Lieutenant Cronin called Bud into his office.
    “Are things OK?” he asked Bud.
    “He’s fine,” Bud replied. “Don’t worry about a thing. He’s got me for backup,” he added as he left the office.
    “That’s what I’m worried about,” Cronin said out loud to no one but himself.
    Rachelle thanked Madison with a kiss and an “I love you” as she got out of the car to her Now office. They always had a close relationship, but it had gotten even closer when their parents died within a year of each other. They never said goodbye on the phone or in person without an “I love you.” Rachelle loved writing for the Port Jefferson Now paper, and she loved Z Pita. She felt blessed doing two things that she loved to do. Her boss at Now, Steven Anderson, was a good boss and treated her well. She always waved to his glass wall as she walked by, and he always greeted her with a smile and a wave. But today he waved at her to come into his office.
    “Yes, Mr. Anderson?” she said as she came in.
    “Rachelle, I have an assignment that I think is perfect for you. You wrote such a beautiful piece about Port Jefferson history that included the Revolutionary War period that we think it would be a great read to have an article about Philadelphia, ‘the Birthplace of Freedom,’ and how there is any correlation with the war and the founders, if any, with Port Jefferson. I want you to feel it and live it. Which means you would have to stay in Philly over the July 4 th holiday and not only write about the history but the events going on down there.”
    “It sounds great!” Rachelle replied. “Let me check with the restaurant to see if Joey Z has it covered with me gone for a few days. I assume I can bring someone with me on this trip?”
    “Yes, yes, of course,” Anderson replied. “Let me know in the next week or so.” Rachelle went to her cubicle and, as she sat down, a big smile came across her face. Philadelphia , she thought. She had read about it, the most historic square mile in the United States, and to stay there for a few days with all expenses paid sounded exciting to her. The first person she called was Madison.
    “That’s wonderful. Let’s talk later. I’m in the middle of class. Love you,” Madison said, and then there was a click as she hung up. Rachelle sat down at her computer and started writing about Timothy’s’ Bar and Grill. She had been there many times with it being so close to Z Pita, she thought it was time to write an article for Timothy. The article was finished within an hour. She called Timothy’s Bar and Grill “the place to be for casual drink and food, especially for burgers and fries.” Rachelle credited the success of the bar to Tim’s hard work and enthusiasm to have a fun, casual place for “talk, dining, and drinking.” The row of flat-screen TVs across the bar was a favorite for those who became regulars. Some nights you could not get in, and other nights it was a comfortable, quiet place for a conversation.
    She gave the article to her editor and left to walk the half-mile back to Z Pita to get ready for the lunch crowd. As fate would have it, Rachelle was five minutes into the walk when she heard a car horn. She turned around, and Timothy had already pulled his Kona Blue Mustang convertible to the curb. He said, “I know you’re going my way.”
    Rachelle laughed and got into the car. “What a gorgeous car,” she exclaimed. “This color, I’ve never seen a blue like it.”
    “Thank you, Miss Robinson,” Tim replied. He pulled up to the curb between Z Pita and Timothy’s Bar and Grill, right in front of Yogo Delish Frozen Yogurt, and as Rachelle was getting out