Read Online The Devil's Snare: a Mystery Suspense Thriller (Derek Cole Suspense Thrillers Book 4) by T Patrick Phelps - Free Book Online
Authors: T Patrick Phelps
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son.”
Derek and Nikkie had agreed to not tell Crown their decision to split the investigation. Derek assumed Nikkie would find some reason to object and demand that both he and Nikkie spend every waking hour hunting down clues. What they didn’t agree on was what Nikkie should tell Crown.
“There’s a lot of ground work that needs to be done,” Nikkie began. “Derek and I spent most of last night planning our approach.”
“In other words,” Crown said, “Cole got into some cheap ass bottle of scotch while you sat around wondering if he has the hots for you.”
“Only partially correct. Derek was drinking scotch but only after we finished meeting with your ex. We decided…”
“Hold your ass a second,” Crown interrupted. “Scotch boy isn’t here but you are, which tells me something happened during your sit down with Louis yesterday.”
“Your ex-husband is quite an interesting character,” Nikkie said.
“And Derek thinks he knows something and isn’t talking, right?”
Somewhat amazed at Crown’s ability to figure her and Derek’s plan out after only a few words, Nikkie said, “Derek is investigating to see if there’s any connection between the fire, the victims, your son and your ex. I’m here to meet with your son and figure out where the ground investigation should begin.”
Crown folded her arms across her ample breasts, stared at Nikkie, then said, “That’s what I hoped you two would do. Something’s not kosher with Louis and how quickly he started talking about a plea bargain.”
“I’m actually surprised with your reaction,” Nikkie said. “Derek and I thought you’d be pissed we aren’t both working at finding something to get your son vindicated.”
“Louis is a dirty lawyer. Anyone with half a brain could figure that out. If Derek starts digging, he’s going to find a pile of shit that stinks from here to Alaska. I just hope he doesn’t chase too many rabbits down their rabbit holes. And trust me, there’s a shit-load of rabbits to chase in Louis’s past.”
Crown poured Nikkie a cup of coffee, then offered her a bowl of Cheerios. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “What can I say? Bo’s a bachelor. It’s Cheerios or yogurt that’s probably been in his fridge since two thousand and nine.”
Passing on breakfast, Nikkie sat at the kitchen island, pulled her laptop out of her carry bag and waited for Bo. When Bo walked into the kitchen, Nikkie could tell he was battling some seriously strong demons. His shortly cropped brown hair looked as if it hadn’t seen a brush in a few days, his face was darkened by stubble and his eyes seemed to be covered with a haze. He was taller than she’d expected, easily six foot two. Bo’s thin waist, broad shoulders and muscular arms would have made him a candidate for top billing in any fireman’s calendar. His deep, brown eyes suggested that Bo would find few challenges in the dating department.
Bo, still feeling the pain in his injured backside, limped closer to Nikkie, extended his hand, then, without emotion, said, “I didn’t do it. I didn’t start that fire and I didn’t kill Mack and his mom. You need to help me. You need to figure out who is framing me.”
“That’s why I’m here, Bo,” Nikkie said. “To find out exactly what happened.”
“My mom tells me you’re the smart one at the detective agency.”
Flashing a brief smile towards Crown, Nikkie said, “Derek Cole is one of the best, most dedicated private investigators I have ever known.”
“Then why isn’t he here?” Bo asked.
“He’s working in the field,” Nikkie responded.
Crown said, “He’s digging up dirt on your father. That should keep him busy for the rest of his life.”
“Why the hell is he investigating my dad? He had nothing to do with any of this.”
Nikkie was excellent at handling difficult situations. Over the next several minutes, she summarized the meeting she and Derek had with Bo’s father and explained
Derek and Nikkie had agreed to not tell Crown their decision to split the investigation. Derek assumed Nikkie would find some reason to object and demand that both he and Nikkie spend every waking hour hunting down clues. What they didn’t agree on was what Nikkie should tell Crown.
“There’s a lot of ground work that needs to be done,” Nikkie began. “Derek and I spent most of last night planning our approach.”
“In other words,” Crown said, “Cole got into some cheap ass bottle of scotch while you sat around wondering if he has the hots for you.”
“Only partially correct. Derek was drinking scotch but only after we finished meeting with your ex. We decided…”
“Hold your ass a second,” Crown interrupted. “Scotch boy isn’t here but you are, which tells me something happened during your sit down with Louis yesterday.”
“Your ex-husband is quite an interesting character,” Nikkie said.
“And Derek thinks he knows something and isn’t talking, right?”
Somewhat amazed at Crown’s ability to figure her and Derek’s plan out after only a few words, Nikkie said, “Derek is investigating to see if there’s any connection between the fire, the victims, your son and your ex. I’m here to meet with your son and figure out where the ground investigation should begin.”
Crown folded her arms across her ample breasts, stared at Nikkie, then said, “That’s what I hoped you two would do. Something’s not kosher with Louis and how quickly he started talking about a plea bargain.”
“I’m actually surprised with your reaction,” Nikkie said. “Derek and I thought you’d be pissed we aren’t both working at finding something to get your son vindicated.”
“Louis is a dirty lawyer. Anyone with half a brain could figure that out. If Derek starts digging, he’s going to find a pile of shit that stinks from here to Alaska. I just hope he doesn’t chase too many rabbits down their rabbit holes. And trust me, there’s a shit-load of rabbits to chase in Louis’s past.”
Crown poured Nikkie a cup of coffee, then offered her a bowl of Cheerios. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “What can I say? Bo’s a bachelor. It’s Cheerios or yogurt that’s probably been in his fridge since two thousand and nine.”
Passing on breakfast, Nikkie sat at the kitchen island, pulled her laptop out of her carry bag and waited for Bo. When Bo walked into the kitchen, Nikkie could tell he was battling some seriously strong demons. His shortly cropped brown hair looked as if it hadn’t seen a brush in a few days, his face was darkened by stubble and his eyes seemed to be covered with a haze. He was taller than she’d expected, easily six foot two. Bo’s thin waist, broad shoulders and muscular arms would have made him a candidate for top billing in any fireman’s calendar. His deep, brown eyes suggested that Bo would find few challenges in the dating department.
Bo, still feeling the pain in his injured backside, limped closer to Nikkie, extended his hand, then, without emotion, said, “I didn’t do it. I didn’t start that fire and I didn’t kill Mack and his mom. You need to help me. You need to figure out who is framing me.”
“That’s why I’m here, Bo,” Nikkie said. “To find out exactly what happened.”
“My mom tells me you’re the smart one at the detective agency.”
Flashing a brief smile towards Crown, Nikkie said, “Derek Cole is one of the best, most dedicated private investigators I have ever known.”
“Then why isn’t he here?” Bo asked.
“He’s working in the field,” Nikkie responded.
Crown said, “He’s digging up dirt on your father. That should keep him busy for the rest of his life.”
“Why the hell is he investigating my dad? He had nothing to do with any of this.”
Nikkie was excellent at handling difficult situations. Over the next several minutes, she summarized the meeting she and Derek had with Bo’s father and explained
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