Page 191 of Broken
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YOU’RE FIRED
Jacqueline
Jacqueline opted to stay when Prescott and Ethan went to the police station. It took a little convincing, but she assured Prescott that she was safe behind the gated compound, hidden away on the executive floor of his office building. When she displayed her Glock tucked into the ankle holster under her pant suit, he finally agreed.
One kiss later, and he was out the door.
She was surprised he didn’t lock her in when he left.
In truth, she was beyond frustrated with her lack of progress with the case. Rather than wait for Z to check in with her again, she decided to bring him up to speed. After a few rings, he answered.
“I’ll call you back from a different number in two minutes.” The line went dead.
She reviewed her summary page, pausing over the name Terrence Maul. Maul was in a class of his own. He’d been a respected ALPHA Operative who went way off script, losing his shit at the worst possible time.
Her phone rang with no caller ID.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Hello, Jacqueline,” Z replied. “I look forward to seeing you this weekend.”
“Wow, Z, you never do small talk.”
He chuckled. “It’s not every day I have a daughter who’s getting married. Are you looking forward to being in the wedding?”
“I love Addison so much, but I’ve become so obsessed with this case. I hope I can enjoy myself.”
“Are you calling with an update?”
“Yes. I’ve reviewed every case Bert and Gloria worked together. Everyone they testified against is either in prison or deceased. My next step is to take a closer look at whether a prisoner is working with someone on the outside.”
“I see,” Z said.
“All my research points to one man, but Prescott said he’s dead.”
“Who?”
“Terrence Maul.”
“His body hasn’t surfaced, but they don’t always.”
“Or it won’t because he’snotdead. After he escaped prison, how did you track him down?”
“I had a team of agents hunting for him.”
“My gut tells me that if we find Maul, we find the killer,” she said. “If you send me over everything in his file, I’ll track him down myself.”
“You feel that strongly about it?”
“I do,” she replied. “Someone has to get him off the street, and that someone is me.”
* * *
Prescott
Prescott and Ethanwaited for Detective Kealing in the lobby of the police station. Since he couldn’t bring his weapon into the precinct, he’d left it in his office safe. Agitation had him biting back a growl.
