The Speed of Sound (Speed of Sound Thrillers #1)(54)

Skylar was about to explain, when Butler cut her off. “I don’t even want to know.”

She smiled slightly. “Eddie, I would like to speak to Detective McHenry privately for a few minutes. Would you mind staying here?”

“How many minutes is a few?”

“Not more than fifteen.”

He scanned the kitchen for any visible signs of purple food. There were none he could see. “No, I would not mind.”

They left Eddie alone in the kitchen with the echo box to enjoy his graham crackers and milk while they spoke in the hallway. Skylar glanced at the numerous family photos on the walls. She focused on several of Butler with two small children. “These your kids?”

Butler nodded. “Clayton’s my son. He’s thirteen now. Katherine’s nine.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“They live with their mother in Colorado Springs.” His voice was tense.

“How often do you get to see them?”

“Not as much as I’d like.” It was clear he wanted to change the subject.

She turned to an older picture, which featured Butler when he was about the same age as his son was now. He stood beside a muscled, stern-looking man. “Your father?”

“Stepfather.” His eyes went cold. “How about you start from the beginning so even an idiot like me can understand what the hell is going on.”





CHAPTER 43

Butler McHenry’s Townhome, Queens, New York City, May 27, 2:06 p.m.

Lutz and Hirsch peered inside the windows of Butler’s town house. The lights were off. No car in the driveway. Didn’t look like anyone was home. They walked around back to the kitchen door. Lutz scanned the neighbors’ houses as Hirsch went to work on the lock. They were inside McHenry’s residence in less time than it took most people to find their keys.

With well-rehearsed precision, they fanned out through the house. Butler wasn’t there. Lutz called Barnes. “Nobody’s home.”

“Enough hide-and-seek. Let’s make him come to us.”

“How, sir?”

“I’m reporting to Homeland Security that New York Detective Butler McHenry is harboring fugitives in possession of stolen classified technology. Federal warrants will be issued for all three.”

“Hard core. Love it.” Lutz actually thought it was dumb as hell, but a little ass kissing seemed to be in order.

“It won’t take long for McHenry’s lieutenant to contact him and ask what the hell is going on. The detective will try to explain and get nowhere. He’ll be ordered to report to his precinct, which he’ll agree to because he’ll want to play the box for them.”

“Doesn’t it concern you what they might hear?”

“Anything they hear would be inadmissible. But they’re not going to hear anything, because you’ll intercept them outside the precinct and take them into your custody.”

“On our way.” Hirsch and Lutz exited the way they came, locking the door behind them. McHenry would never know anyone had been there.





CHAPTER 44

McHenry’s Mother’s House, Queens, New York City, May 27, 2:09 p.m.

Skylar had been talking to Butler for just over twelve minutes when she completed her account of recent events. He hadn’t stopped pacing the entire time. The more he heard, the more anxious he became. Detective McHenry was now sure of only one thing. He was in way over his head. “The only shot you have at going after your boss will be to prove this mystery guy acted under his instructions, but that’s never going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“He killed Professor Hendrix in front of eighty-seven people, and no one can describe him any better than ‘He was a homeless guy with a beard.’ Whoever he is, he’s a professional. We’ll be lucky to ever find him, much less arrest him.”

“If you’re trying to scare me, it’s working.”

“I’m not trying to scare you, just trying to help you realize what we might—”

He stopped talking as they heard glass breaking inside the kitchen. Quickly followed by screaming.

Butler responded on instinct, lightning fast. “Stay here.” He had his weapon out and was racing down the hall before Skylar could react.

“Like hell.” Going after him, all she could think of was that if any harm came to Eddie, she would never forgive herself.

She arrived in the kitchen a moment behind Butler to find Eddie sitting calmly by himself at the table. His graham crackers and milk were gone. Eddie became terrified when he saw McHenry pointing his gun around the room. Eddie started screaming, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” The food in his mouth sprayed everywhere as he slapped himself repeatedly. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

The detective was dumbfounded as Skylar rushed to Eddie, wrapping her arms around him as tightly as she could. “Shh.”

Eddie was hysterical. “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!”

She continued holding him, trying to sound as reassuring as she could. “He wasn’t going to shoot you, Eddie.”

“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” His eyes remained fixated on the gun.

Skylar glared at Butler. “Would you holster your weapon, please?” The way she said “please” made it sound more like you goddamn idiot.