Bad Moon Rising (Pine Deep 3)

ering, Weinstock said, “Look, is there any way we can get together to talk?”

“About what?”

“About what’s happening in Pine Deep. About the thing with Boyd and Ruger. ”

“Saul, that case is pretty much closed, at least as far as my involvement in it. Our homicide guys are working with the FBI on it. My partner Vince and I were only dragged into it by circumstance, following the drug angle out of Philly, so with Ruger and Boyd both dead…well, our involvement dried up—”

“It’s not over!” Weinstock barked. “It’s still happening. ”

Ferro set down his pen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You thought everything was over when Boyd died, huh? Well, let me tell you, Frank, that was just the start of it. Things have been happening here in town you should know about. ”

“Like what?”

“Like…well, I really don’t want to go into this over the phone. ”

Oh brother, Ferro thought. “Why not? Are you afraid someone might be monitoring your call?”

“No, it isn’t that. ”

“What, then?”

“What I have to say involves a lot of very detailed material. Forensic evidence. X-rays, tests results, stuff you should come and take a look at. ”

“It’s not my case anymore. The FBI is in charge now. ”

“Oh, please…those two jokers who were here during the manhunt? Neither of them could find his butts with both hands and a map. You ran that investigation. ”

“I helped to coordinate it, but—”

“You ran it. Look, Frank, I’m really not in the mood to mince words. I’m under one hell of a lot of pressure right now, and to tell you the truth, I’m pretty scared. ”

“Scared?” Ferro echoed, half-smiling. He leaned back in his chair and put his crossed ankles up on his desk. “Scared of what?”

Again that long silence. “Of what I found out during my autopsies…and what I’ve discovered since then. ”

“Have you discussed this with Sheriff Bernhardt?”

“Oh, of course not. He’s hopeless, and you know it. The mayor’s still in a coma, so there’s no one here to talk to except Malcolm Crow and Val Guthrie and both of them are sitting here in my office right now. We all want to talk with you. ”

“They’re both there?”

“Yes,” Weinstock. “Look, I know it’s a lot to ask, but if you could just meet us, let us share our concerns with you. ”

Ferro sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Saul…I just can’t see how I can manage that. ”

“What if I told you I found some of the missing cocaine?”

“Say that again?”

“Would you be interested if I found some of the cocaine that Ruger misplaced somewhere here in Pine Deep?”

“Are you saying you have found some?”

“Would it make a difference if I have? Would it get you to come back to Pine Deep? Would you be reassigned to the case?”

“I could request it,” Ferro said cautiously. “If, and I say if, you actually had located some of the missing coke. I want to be really clear on that. ”