The Speed of Sound (Speed of Sound Thrillers #1)(59)
CHAPTER 48
Sixth Precinct, New York City, May 27, 3:11 p.m.
Interrogation Room Five was pretty much the same as the other four interrogation rooms inside the Sixth Precinct. A windowless box with a metal table and two chairs in the middle. The table was scratched with graffiti. The chairs repaired with duct tape. Eddie stood, slowly rotating his head back and forth as he made himself comfortable. They had parked two blocks away on Beach Street, and entered the station through the west emergency exit, just as the lieutenant had instructed. “Detective McHenry, why is this room called an interrogation room?”
“Because it’s where we interrogate suspects.”
“Why do you interrogate suspects?”
“To see what they will reveal about a particular crime.”
“Do they ever lie?”
“Only when they open their mouths.”
Eddie looked around the walls of the room. “There are probably a lot of very interesting echoes bouncing all around us.”
Skylar chimed in. “I bet there are, too.”
“Why would you bet, Skylar?”
“Because I believe you are correct. And if you believe something is correct, people sometimes make a wager on that belief.”
“I don’t have any money.”
“Would you like me to lend you some?” she asked with her usual warmth, which kept Eddie at ease.
“Five million dollars, please.”
She was reminded that money had no meaning for him. Skylar took out a bill. “I don’t happen to have that much on me at the moment. How about one dollar?”
“Is that enough to bet with?”
“Yes, Eddie. It’s plenty.”
“Okay. One dollar.” Eddie accepted the currency, staring at it with interest. He wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it, or even how to hold it. “I bet one dollar.”
“I bet one dollar, too.” She placed a bill on the table. Eddie copied her action, putting his dollar next to hers.
“That’s two dollars in the pot,” she told him.
“What pot?”
Skylar clarified, “Whoever wins the bet gets to keep both dollars.”
“Forever?” Eddie asked with a degree of amazement.
“You can do whatever you want with them.”
“Can I buy a car?”
“No, Eddie, you cannot buy a car.”
“You said, ‘You can do whatever you want with them.’” Butler was visibly amazed at Eddie’s imitation of Skylar.
“You can do anything that only costs two dollars.”
“What costs only two dollars?”
“Well, a pretzel, for one thing.”
Butler interrupted, “Could we please get on with this?”
Skylar nodded to Eddie. “I will tell you some things you can buy for two dollars after you win the bet. Let’s hear the echoes.”
CHAPTER 49
Main Entrance, Sixth Precinct, May 27, 3:42 p.m.
Lutz and Hirsch had been standing in front of the station for fifty-seven minutes. There had been no sign of Dr. Drummond or Edward Parks, and the two former intelligence agents were beginning to doubt there would be. Hirsch scanned the passing pedestrians. “This is a jerk-off.”
Lutz agreed. “They’re either already inside, or holed up somewhere.”
“If they’re inside, we’re going to need help getting them out.”
“I think the cavalry just arrived.” Lutz was staring at two black Suburbans, which screeched to a halt in front of the station. Six Homeland Security agents got out of each van, moving quickly toward the entrance to the station. “Thanks for coming.”
The lead agent was more amused than annoyed. “Who the hell are you?”
“We work for Michael Barnes at Harmony House.”
The agent stared at them blankly. “Who the hell is Michael Barnes?”
Hirsch and Lutz waited for the agent to crack a smile and let them in on the joke. But the federal agent was dead serious. Lutz didn’t like being toyed with. “He’s the one who sent you here, asshole.”
“No, he didn’t. The director of Homeland Security, Arthur Merrell, did. I’m Agent Harold Raines. Step out of the way.”
Lutz didn’t move. “Call your boss. You were sent here to assist us.”
“You’ve been misinformed.” Agent Raines turned to his associates. “Arrest him if he doesn’t move.” The agents eyeballed Lutz, waiting. After a moment, Lutz stepped backward, allowing Raines and the others from the Department of Homeland Security to enter the police station. All except two, who remained by the entrance with the Harmony House security personnel.
Hirsch stepped away from them as he dialed Michael Barnes. “Sir, we have a situation.”
The station went eerily quiet as Raines led the parade of Homeland Security agents toward the office of Deputy Inspector Nataro. Every cop, perp, lawyer, victim, witness, and loved one stared with curiosity as the dark-suited men marched past them. What the hell was going on? Everyone had a guess. It must have something to do with the subway gas attack. Did the agents know who did it? Was the perpetrator in the building?
Suddenly, everyday adversaries were united against the enemy that had ripped open the wound this city would never recover from. They readied their cell phones to snap pictures or tweet the news. Some didn’t even bother to wait, and speculated on the proceedings. If they guessed right, they might even become famous. Sadly, no one was ever punished for being wrong these days. And no one was rewarded for coming in second. All anyone cared about was breaking a story, whether they broke the right one or not.