The Possibilities - Desire - A Collection of Short Stories Read Online Free PDF

took two pretty decent photos of is an entirely unpleasant man
who works for one of the Mexican drug cartels.  He is a native Colombian
who went with the highest bidder after the takedown of the Colombian cartels in
the late 90s.  He is a very nasty individual known for his cruelty and his
love of killing.”
    “I don’t know why you are trying to
scare me, Detective Sterling, or what the police department is trying to hide,
but I will tell you I think I need the newspaper’s lawyer and right now!”
Bridie said angrily.
    “No,” Detective Sterling told her,
suddenly all business again, the friendly look and calm tones gone.
    “I know my rights!”  Bridie
snarled, “You have to give me access to my lawyer!”
    “You need to read the law again Ms.
Halloran,” Sterling said drily.  “I have to provide you with a lawyer only
if you’re being charged with a crime.  If you wish to sign a release
saying that you refused protective custody when the need for it was explained
to you and when it was offered, you are free to go at any time.”  He
pushed the unsigned form towards her with absolutely no emotion on his
face.  Bridie was livid, but she signed the form and left…heading straight
for the editor’s office even though it was now one a.m.  She called for a
cab on her cell phone.
    The plain, dark gray Ford pulled out
after the cab was on the street and moving.  It stayed back, barely
keeping the cab in sight.  He was pretty sure he had gotten away before
she had taken any photographs, but not certain.  In any case, she had
talked with the police now.  If she had seen him or taken a photo, it was
not in his best interests to leave her alive to testify in court. 

 
     
     
    A
HARD SURPRISE
     
    “I know it’s not my regular beat
Jason,” she said, “but I was right there when it happened and I’m already
inside with the detective working the case.”  She neglected to mention
that they really disliked each other and that the wounded officer was an
insufferable prick.  What she also didn’t mention was that it was a quick
way out of the ranks of the fashion editor’s office and into the excitement and
opportunities of a hard news reporter. 
    Jason Enders knew exactly what
Bridie was about.  He had started out writing fluff pieces for the
‘Community Living’ section, and he remembered the despair of ever writing hard
news.  He had gone straight to the Police Beat, a job he had fallen in
love with.  He had stayed with it until he had been promoted to editor
against his will.  He looked at the time on his computer screen. 
“All right,” he said, “you have less than an hour to get something written up
so I can get it in print. I’m holding a slot on page two for three paragraphs
and a photo.  If you don’t do it and do it well, it goes to Tom Banks
tomorrow.”  Tom Banks was the current Police reporter.
    While Bridie sat at her terminal and
worked on her three paragraphs from the notes she had been taking since the
beginning, Jason made a call to Bill Sterling.   They were old
friends.  “Jesus Jason,” Sterling answered, “I’m glad you called! 
That lady reporter of yours is in really deep shit and she won’t listen to me…”
    “Tell me all,” Jason sighed, leaning
back in his chair.  Sterling spoke for a few minutes, giving Jason the
details as he knew them.  “So she refused protective custody even after
you explained who Torres is?” he asked.
    “Firmly,” Bill said, “you’d have
thought we were covering up a presidential assassination.”
    “Are you thinking what I think you’re
thinking Bill?”
    “Come on Jason, she doesn’t have to
know about it.”
    “You don’t think the name and the
close resemblance will tip her off Bill?”
    “If it doesn’t click when she sees
him again she doesn’t deserve to be a reporter Jason, and you know it. 
Besides, Nathan Harcourt quit the department when Nick made Lieutenant. 
They’re fraternal twins, not