Fierce Defender: Book 2, Hard to Handle trilogy Read Free Page A

out of the boy.
    “What has he done so far?”
    “Let’s just say I don’t think those guys that kidnapped that lady and screwed up getting back the money from her numb nuts brother are gonna live to see their day in court.”
    Not giving too much information back, Gray said, “I would think they’d be keeping them in protective custody.”
    Barry snorted and then laughed. “Man, protective custody is some bullshit when you’re so rich and powerful that you got guys right there on the inside. Do you have any idea who this guy is?”
    “I have an idea, Barry,” he said. “Why don’t you go ahead and give me a confirmation on it?”
    “I ain’t saying his name, man. I already told you that. I wouldn’t live to see my first legal drink.”
    Gray hadn’t expected the boy to say Heston’s name. He almost acted as if it were akin to saying Beetlejuice three times. The guy would appear in the car next to him if he did. Gray chuckled to himself at the thought; if it were only that easy…
    “It won’t go any further than this car,” Gray promised, somewhat lying. The conversation was being recorded, as usual, and Gray would more than likely be sharing it with Lewis and Gomez, his superiors.
    Barry laughed again. “Man, I know you really believe that. That’s what’s so great about you, man. You still got this bleached-white outlook on things, even after all you’ve seen.”
    Barry had no clue about the kinds of things Gray had seen either as a DEA agent or as a Navy Seal on tour in Afghanistan. He only wished that his view of the world was still a white-washed one. Then maybe he could sleep better at night. “You’re talking about the informant in the DEA?” Gray asked him.
    “Yep, that’s the one,” Barry said. “Boss Man knows what’s happening before you do, sometimes. Except for that thing with the kidnapping and all that. He sure is pissed about that. Scary shit.”
    “Okay, Barry. Without saying his name, maybe you could tell me what his plans are now that over half his operation was seized.”
    “Well first, he’s gonna make sure those responsible ain’t never gonna see the light of day again. Then, he’ll rebuild the business. He’s got friends or relatives in Mexico with a lot of cash. His dad was a big time gangster years ago, I hear. Then, he’s gonna find that courier snitch and make sure he pays for his part in all of this. If it weren’t for him, Boss Man would still be sitting on top of the world.”
    “Who’s his dad?” Gray asked.
    Barry laughed. “Good try,” he said. “You got something soft and warm for old Barry today?”
    Gray sighed. This meeting had been quite unproductive. “Listen, Barry, I got a girl that you’re gonna abso-fucking-lutely love. But you gotta give me something.”
    Gray’s heart hurt when Barry spoke his next words. “Alright, man. I heard the DEA snitch’s first name a few days ago. It’s Samuel.”
    Gray snapped his head in Barry’s direction. He knew the look on his face frightened the boy. It was obvious in the way the boy reached for the door handle. He felt bad, knowing the violent history Barry had with his step-daddy, but he couldn’t hide his shock or anger.
    “Are you sure?” Gray asked him. “Positively, one-hundred percent sure?”
    Barry’s voice shook as he said, “Yeah, I’m sure.”
    Their conversation over, Gray drove him to where he’d be meeting the woman Gray had arranged for him that day. Before Barry got out of the car, he said, “Are you alright, man? You don’t look so good.”
    “I’m fine, Barry. Have fun and be nice to the girl, got it?”
    “Gotcha, thanks,” the boy said.
    Gray sat there for a few minutes. The wheels in his head were turning a thousand miles a minute. There were only six men in the Corpus Christi Field Office. One of them was named Samuel. He and Gray had gone to the academy together. They had been roommates. Gray had been an usher at his wedding and had been invited to the