Suffer Read Free Page A

headed to the dispatch center located down the hall. “You do know a signal 5 is a homicide?”
    “Yes, Chief,” said Parker. “That’s why I came to get you. I’ve never heard it used since I’ve been here. I had to look it up to make sure.”
    They walked into the dispatch center where the supervisor, Bill Clayton, was relaying information to the officers responding to the call. “Set up the roadblocks at both entrances to the subdivision. We’re contacting the state troopers now to assist with the roadblocks at the bridges, over.”
    “What the hell are you doing, Bill?” barked Chief Hill.
    “The FBI agent requested we set up roadblocks and checkpoints around the island, sir. He believes the killer may still be in the area. He also requested I contact the FBI field office in Miami so they can get mobilized as quickly as possible.”
    “FBI agent? Bill, don’t make another call until I tell you,” said Chief Hill. “We don’t know if there’s an actual crime scene yet, and we sure as hell don’t know if this guy is a real FBI agent.”
    “Sorry, Chief,” said Bill. “He sounded official.”
    “Is anyone on scene?” asked Chief Hill.
    “Car 23 is five minutes out,” replied Bill. “The ambulance should be pulling up any second. Should I cancel them?”
    “No. Keep them rolling. I’ll head out there myself and let you know if we need assistance.”
    “Yes, Chief.”
    “Here, these are for you,” said Chief Hill, handing Bill the bag of evidence Mrs. Habersham had provided.
    “What is it?”
    “Truffles.”
    “Is there dairy in it? You know I can’t eat dairy, Chief.”
    Chief Hill looked up at the ceiling and sighed. “Why did I leave Philly?”
     
    *****
     
    Paul was catatonic on the floor with Evan’s arms and legs wrapped around him. Grey walked out of the bedroom with no expression. His hands were covered in blood.
    “Let’s get him outside. The police are on their way.”
    “What happened, Grey? Paul keeps mumbling for God to help them.”
    “We need to get him out of here,” repeated Grey.
    They helped Paul to his feet and guided him out of the house into the front yard. An ambulance was parked on the curb as a police cruiser pulled into the driveway. Grey sat Paul on the lawn and approached the officers alone.
    “I’m Special Agent Grey Collins with the FBI. The man sitting there is Paul Freeman. We just discovered his wife and son murdered upstairs in the bedroom. The house isn’t cleared. The only things I touched were the victims to check for pulses. I couldn’t find one on either. Are the roadblocks in place?”
    “Our chief will be here in a couple minutes, Agent Collins,” said the first officer. “He’ll explain everything.”
    “That’s a yes or no question, officer.”
    “We need to clear the house. The chief will be here shortly.”
    As the officers entered the Freeman home, several other emergency vehicles arrived on the scene. A few moments later, the medics were cleared to enter. Grey was on the phone with an agent out of his field office in Atlanta when Chief Hill made his way across the yard.
    “I need to speak to Mr. Collins,” said Chief Hill.
    “I’m Special Agent Collins,” replied Grey. “The first officers couldn’t tell me if the perimeter had been set up. The unsub may still be in the area. He should be easy to spot because he’ll be the guy covered in blood.”
    “Unsub?”
    “Unknown subject,” answered Grey.
    “First things first, son,” said Chief Hill. “I’m going to need to see some credentials.”
    “Credentials? Are you kidding me?”
    “No, sir, not at all. I have no idea who you are.”
    “I’m the guy who discovered two butchered bodies upstairs in that house,” said Grey, stepping closer to Chief Hill. “I’m also the guy who strongly believes the killer may still be in the area. Every second you stand here trying to verify my credentials is more opportunity for him to escape.”
    “That may be true, but