Double Cross Read Free

twisted her stomach.
    “What’s wrong?” Su-Min said. “You’re ghastly white.”
    If only she could mask her turmoil. “I recognize part of this code.” Laurel faced her partner and friend. “Morton Wilmington used a similar encryption to text his men.”
    “The exact?”
    “No, but similar enough for me to see a connection and decipher most of what’s written.”
    “No wonder you’re a mess. What does it say?”
    Laurel moistened her lips. “‘Same instructions. Contact me after. New leads.’ That’s all I can make out without spending time on it. But whoever wrote it didn’t give specifics.”
    “Do you think Wilmington’s operating from prison?”
    “Why not? He doesn’t fit the mold for rehabilitation.” Memories rapid-fired through her mind, burning thoughts that stoked the flames of regret.
    Su-Min crossed her arms over her small Korean frame as though holding back a tiger.
    “What are you not telling me?” Laurel said.
    “Two things.” Her voice softened. “We need boots on the ground to question him.”
    “I agree. Needs to happen immediately.”
    “There’s more,” Su-Min said. “Word is Wilmington’s found religion. Christianity. Lawyers are working on an appeal.”
    “No matter how long it takes. You’ll pay in blood.”
    Laurel gazed into Su-Min’s coffee-colored eyes. Admitting her deep, bloodcurdling fear of this man would make her look weak. “An appeal will take years, so I’m not the least bit concerned. Let’s sort this out. I see a link between a fraud targeting the elderly and Wilmington’s method of encoding messages.”
    “He’s in the thick of Bible studies and donating money   —”
    Laurel waved away her concern. “He’s always given to charities. Helps ease his miserable conscience.”
    “While advocating faith?”
    “Su-Min, my findings cement the unlikelihood of him ever reaching parole. I’ll get the truth out of him. After all, I put him there, and he’s not getting out. He can spout Bible verses all day long, but crimes are to be paid for. No one has more of a stake in him staying put than I do.”
    “He’s already gaining notoriety for his religious stand.”
    “Remember, Robin Hood loves the limelight. Our focus is the elderly fraud.”
    Su-Min shrugged. “Another agent can question him.”
    Laurel drew in courage. The only way she’d end the nightmares would be to face him. “I have to do this. And I’ll nail him for the scam. Arrange the interview.”
    “Hope you’re right. You know he hasn’t forgotten the past. I’m surprised one of his men hasn’t taken care of you.” She tapped her foot. “Are you careful when riding Phantom?”
    “Always.” She refused to fall prey to her friend’s caution. “Wilmington’s too busy running his business to care about me. I’m not worth it.”
    “Or maybe one of the reasons he has a new platform is to walk out of prison free and kill you himself.”

    11:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY
    Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton wove through the traffic of FM 1960 near Willowbrook Mall to a home invasion in progress,siren blaring and lights flashing, his version of parting the Red Sea. According to the call slip, a woman heard glass breaking at her back door and saw two men wearing ski masks and holding weapons. She hurried upstairs to grab her napping toddler and called 911. The operator kept the woman on the line. Other officers were on their way, but Daniel was the closest to the address.
    Two minutes later, the dispatcher updated the call slip and repeated the victim’s conversation while Daniel drove to the crime scene. The woman worked in the Galleria area but took the day off because her little girl was sick. If she hadn’t been home, the alarm system would have alerted the police.
    A red light stopped the car in front of him. Daniel slammed on the brakes while vehicles blocked him in on all sides. He alternated between the air horn and the siren. The driver ahead finally realized an HPD patrol