Transparency: Bio-Tech Cavern Secrets Untold Read Online Free PDF Page A

Senior Detective Leo Bergman was untouchable. Either he or Gladstone would get axed. The chosen candidate would have to transfer to Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Stockton, where he’d get a pay raise to match the stress. Any detective on a small force could consider a transfer to a big city police force a promotion. Rich Gladstone wouldn’t cut it as a detective in the big city. They’d transfer him to some bullshit department like the Office of Internal Affairs. Gladstone would fit into the political goings on at IAO just fine until he got lonesome for Santa Reina.
    As for Halliday, everyone knew his qualifications overshadowed Rich Gladstone’s lack of experience.
    However, no one would lose any sleep if Halliday left Santa Reina.

Chapter Five

Cindy’s Diner had been serving Santa Reina and the PD for over fifty years. The diner’s walls were layered with paint, the ceiling with grease. Overhead fans droned over loud conversations accompanied by breakfast odors that pervaded the diner 24/7. Late in the afternoon, grease stained Santa Reina Tribune pages flapped on the tables.
    Gladstone sat in a corner booth staring into a cup of coffee while gazing at the sports page.
    Halliday scooted into the booth across from him.
    The scruffy linoleum covered floor creaked until a waitress ambled over to the vinyl covered booth. “The usual John?”
    He nodded. “Thanks, Carmen.”
    Halliday interrupted Gladstone’s sports page. “Why in hell didn’t you advise me about your conversations with Sheriff Barnes and Chief Brayden?”
    Gladstone held up his hands as if to ward off a defensive tackle. “Hey boss, I heard you had your hands full out at Sur on a domestic violence.” He paused too long and said, “That’s what Sergeant Garcia told me.”
    Halliday held up his phone. “If we are going to work together I expect you to keep me advised of information that’s pertinent to an investigation. If I don’t answer, then you leave a detailed voicemail. Is that clear?”
    “Sure, boss, I’ll keep you in the loop.”
    The waitress placed Halliday’s ice tea in front of him.
    When she left, he responded. “Another thing. I’m not your boss , Gladstone. Sure, I have seniority. You can call me Halliday or Detective Halliday in front of witnesses, perps, officials, and waitresses.”
    Gladstone gulped. “Sure, Halliday.”
    He moved inches closer. “My expectations are that you are going to grow as a professional with regards to your approach to investigative detective work.”
    Gladstone digested what he had said with a gulp of coffee that went down the wrong way.
    The kid coughed it out. If Gladstone didn’t shape up Halliday would jump in his shit at every opportunity.
    Halliday said, “What did you learn regarding Lamar Festus?”
    The lanky detective straightened up, clearing his throat. “Not much, really. Do you know Sheriff Barnes?”
    “No, never met the man.”
    “Barnes is… well, he gave me an earful. He believes Genevive had a hand in all the missing animals . He said Lamar Festus was looking for his missing dog, a German shepherd named Shack. Of course, you knew that from your discussion with Festus this morning.”
    “No, I found out when Chief Brayden informed me during our meeting.”
    “Shit. Festus didn’t tell you?”
    “He said his friend was missing. I assumed it was a person not an animal.”
    Gladstone glanced at him with a sheepish grin. “I should have contacted you earlier.”
    “In the future let’s stay on the same page so we don’t embarrass ourselves in front of the chief. Or, for that matter, anyone involved in an investigation.”
    Halliday accepted the kid’s nod. “What did Sheriff Barnes have to say about Genevive Labs?”
    Gladstone’s eyes widened. “The evil empire is at the top of his shit list. He’s a minority, though.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “Most folks in the county are thrilled to have Genevive Labs as a neighbor. Genevive pays good wages with