The Promise: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel Read Online Free PDF

described?”
    “My chemist says yes. He’s going to run more tests, but it’s real, Eli. Can’t be traced to a manufacturer, distributor, or contractor.”
    “Such a thing does not exist.”
    “The chemist says yes.”
    Eli hesitated, thinking.
    “They can deliver this now?”
    “You’re kidding yourself. They’re going to see what happened on the news and totally blow me off. This deal is history.”
    “Convince them. I will buy all they have.”
    “Eli, honestly, I have bigger problems than this right now.”
    “What?”
    “A K-9 officer saw me. He shined a light in my face and we had a conversation. He can put me at the house.”
    Eli was silent again, which Mr. Rollins sensed was a good sign. Eli was crunching more numbers and would reach the inevitable solution.
    “You would recognize him if you see him?”
    “Yes. Absolutely.”
    “I suggest we can each help the other. How much material remains with the chemist?”
    “Quarter of a pound, something like that. Not much.”
    “Enough to solve your problem if you solve mine.”
    “I hear you.”
    “You will speak with the sellers?”
    “Yes.”
    “I need this done quickly.”
    “Me too. My problem has to be solved right away.”
    “It will happen tomorrow.”
    Mr. Rollins lowered his phone. He watched the helicopter circle, then made a gun with his hand and tracked it. He could turn the helicopter into flaming garbage with the things he left in the house.
    Rollins eased into traffic and drove slowly away. He made up a list and recited it.
    Go slow.
    Stay in the right lane.
    Brake early.
    L.A. drivers suck in the rain.
    Making rules gave him order and following those rules gave him peace. His most important rule was one of the first he learned. Never leave a witness.
    The only person who could tie him to the house was a flatfoot with a dog. Not even a real cop. A clown with a dog.
    The clown had to go.

5
    Elvis Cole
    R EDMON ’ S PHONE BUZZED when we were a block from Rampart Station. He said nothing as he listened, then lowered his phone and glanced over his shoulder.
    “Detour. They want you downtown.”
    Furth slapped the wheel.
    “This totally blows.”
    I said, “Who’s they?”
    “Major Crimes.”
    Furth made a big sigh.
    “Anything good, they grab. Pricks.”
    The Major Crimes Division was a special investigative group based in the Police Administration Building along with the other elite detective groups. MCD caught hot, fast headline cases ranging from multiple homicides to celebrity victims to crimes with the potential to threaten the public safety. MCD detectives caught way more nightlynews time than a divisional dick like Furth would ever see. They also wore nicer clothes. MCD was the big time.
    I said, “Don’t give up hope, Furth. You might end up running the place.”
    Furth burned me in the rearview but her eyes softened.
    “Could happen.”
    The Police Administration Building was a beautiful glass-and-concrete building with a triangular atrium that looked like the prow of a crystal ship. The cops who worked there called it the Boat. The opposite side looked like a Borg mothership.
    Furth stayed with the car while Redmon took me up. I never saw her again.
    The Major Crimes squad room was large, bright, and filled with partitioned cubicles. Conference rooms lined an inner wall. Offices with views lined the outer wall. One office was open but the others were closed. Three of the cubicles were currently occupied, and three detectives stood by the open office.
    Redmon said, “Here we go. The show.”
    A tall, slim male detective with receding blond hair came forward to meet us. He wore tan slacks and a blue pin-striped shirt with suspenders. Redmon hooked his thumb at me.
    “This is him.”
    Redmon turned, and left without another word. I never saw Redmon again, either.
    The new guy smiled and put out a hand the size of a king crab.
    “Brad Carter. You’re Mr. Cole?”
    “Yes, sir. Elvis Cole.”
    He clutched my hand like