Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(66)

“Rattori was a snitch the vice squad used on occasion,” Tower said, as if Wexler hadn’t even spoken. “A known informer. You are no longer on the force, Montgomery, yet he showed up to talk to you several times. Wexler, you’ve been less than forthcoming with your investigations. If I were a suspicious man, I’d think you were working together. Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

Gabe shrugged. “I wish I could help, Sheriff. With the struggling economy, I’ve got beggars coming to the back of the bar all the time asking for handouts.” Gabe shrugged. “I gave him a meal a few times.”

“I thought you might deny any involvement. You’ve spared yourself an interrogation. For the moment.”

Two more sheriff’s cars pulled into the parking lot. Four deputies exited. Two with smiles, two looking as if they’d just downed a bad batch of wings.

Gabe’s urge to slip his hand to his weapon nearly overcame him. “What’s going on?”

One deputy pulled out his handcuffs. “Detective Wexler?” The guy gulped. “I’m sorry, sir. I have to arrest you for conspiracy and theft of official evidence.”

Neil stood, stoic, while the deputy’s voice shook. The officer pulled Neil’s hands behind his back. His jaw jerked, but he said nothing.

“This is crazy, Tower.” Gabe stepped forward, but two of Tower’s musketeers placed their hands on their weapons.

“Take him away.”

The deputy read Neil his rights. He looked over at Gabe. “I didn’t do this.”

“I know.” Gabe was certain, but innocent men went to jail. Especially when the brass wanted you to, and Tower looked much too confident.

“I’ll call your rep,” John promised.

“More important business first,” Neil said. “Call my wife. Tell her I love her . . . and I miss her.”

The deputy pushed Neil into the vehicle. Tower placed his hand on his weapon and faced Gabe. “If I discover you’re in collusion with the detective, I won’t hesitate to arrest you. I suggest you stay out of trouble, Montgomery.”

The sheriff turned on John Garrison. “Meet me in my office first thing tomorrow morning, Captain. We’ll be having a discussion about how you run your division . . . and exactly how little control you have over your staff . . . and ex-staff. I believe it’s time for some changes.”

Sheriff Tower sauntered away.

“He’s a piece of work,” Deb said. “What are you going to do?”

“Gabe’s not doing a damn thing but continuing his investigation,” John said. “I’ll take care of Neil. Tower just overplayed his hand. I have friends, too. In the Justice Department.”

“He’s been planning this,” Deb said.

“You’re right.” Gabe surveyed the scorched parking lot and what remained of the bar. “What I don’t get is why, along with the Gasmerati evidence, they accused Neil of taking the information on Shannon Devlin’s case. It doesn’t make sense. Tower had plenty of cases to choose from.”

“Unless he’s planning to pull you into his web,” Anna said, her eyes worried.

Gabe touched her cheek. “I’ll be fine.”

She shook her head. “No, you won’t. Not until this is over.”

His mother was right. As always. “We do know one thing,” Gabe said. “It won’t hold water in a court of law, but I think we just got our proof that Tower is in bed with Jeff Gasmerati.”




The cold January air whipped from off the Rockies and sent a shiver through Deb. Gabe followed her up the stairs to her apartment, though this time they went more slowly in deference to his leg. “I’ll just change clothes.”

“Pack for more than one day,” Gabe said, his hand hovering over the holster sitting under his jacket. “Until this is over, I don’t want us staying in one place.”

When she reached the landing, Deb paused. A package rested on her doorstep. “Weird. I didn’t order anything. Especially overnight delivery. That’s not in the budget.”

“Step away from the package,” Gabe ordered sharply. He set down the duffel he’d packed before leaving his house, unzipped it, pulled out a small leather kit and a cotton swab. Gently he swiped the outside of the package, then placed the swab into a test tube. He shook it.

The liquid turned green.

“No explosive residue. But that doesn’t mean it’s not rigged—”

“You always carry an explosive detection kit around with you?”

“After last night, I carry a lot of things on me that I never did before.” He handed her the padded envelope.

“Oh my God!” Deb stared at the address label. “Ashley.” Her knees shook. She threw her arms around Gabe. “She’s alive!”

“How do you know?” He took the package from her and studied the address label. “From Intelligent Solutions?”

“No, no. Look who it’s addressed to.” Deb pointed to her name. Admiral Deborah Lansing. “No one but the family uses that nickname. She’s alive.”

Deb couldn’t stop grinning. She unlocked the door, hurried across the room, and checked her answering machine. “No messages. Ashley didn’t call.” Deb scrubbed her hands over her face. “But, somehow, she sent me a message.”