They'll Call It Treason Read Free Page A

relatively familiar with the area. Kate frequented the capital with classes and for her own political ventures, which if he was honest with himself, he did enjoy.
    Two streets down the trees gave way to the Old State Capitol Building, its neoclassical grey stone structure drawing to its domed top. Ethan diverted his attention from the building and back onto the road as he pulled the SUV onto Fayetteville Street.
    They moved past the mesh of buildings crowding the street side until they reached West Martin, where the report stated Representative Daniels had been found. It was easy to find. A series of squad cars, blue lights flashing brilliantly, blocked the entrance to the road. Just beyond the roadblock a small, dwindling crowd was assembled along the yellow Do Not Cross tape.
    Unable to spot any obvious parking nearby, Ethan pulled the rental onto the curb beside a mail stand and put it in park. Stepping out of the SUV, Ethan took in the mix of departments present based on the cruisers around the scene: a few Capitol Police, a Wake County Sheriff and a scattering of local Raleigh police.
    “Here we go,” he nodded to Jason as he came around the front of the car. Standing at six foot one Jason’s coltish demeanor towered three inches over Ethan’s taut presentation. Ethan took a deep breath, taking in the damp morning air to ground himself before seeing the body. He pushed down on his jacket, unkinking it from the ride in the SUV.
    As they made their way toward the crime scene, Ethan spotted a man in a black suit coming their way. As they reached the police tape Jason instinctively lifted the tape and ducked under it with Ethan right behind him.
    “Hey, can’t you read? You two need to stay behind the line.” It was the man in the black suit, waving at them to get back. His voice was deep, reeking of confidence, and his chest bulged.
    Ethan flashed open his badge, and the man’s self-assurance disappeared.
    “I’m Special Agent Ethan Shaw, FBI, and this is my partner Special Agent Jason Phelps,” Ethan said while absently pointing to Jason. “We’re here to investigate the murder of Representative Riley Daniels.”
    Without welcoming them the man responded, a tinge of irritation in his voice, “I’m Agent Scott Benson, State Bureau of Investigation. What interest does the FBI have in this case?”
    “Well, that’s what we’re here to find out, actually. We hope to rule out any connection to some previous cases.” Jason kept the details to a minimum.
    Agent Benson looked at them for a moment, without speaking. It seemed he was sizing them up, trying to determine whether to ask for more information.
    Tired of waiting, Ethan interrupted the silence. “So where’s the body?”
    As if clicking back into reality, Agent Benson responded, “Ah, yes, the body.” He turned and pointed behind him around the corner, “It’s just around the corner. It seems the killer was smart enough to hide him, but not smart enough to hide him well.”
    Benson turned and walked in the direction he had indicated down West Martin Street, waving at Ethan and Jason to follow. They walked past the open windows of a coffee shop that bordered both streets, patrons staring out at them as they walked down the sidewalk.
    Agent Benson began to brief them on the situation. Most of it Jason had mouthed off in the SUV. “His wife reported him missing last night at around eleven. The body was found this morning by a local man on his way to work at roughly four thirty AM. Said he likes to be up extra early before his shift and all. The first officer arrived at about four forty-five AM.”
    Benson sighed, “Poor woman – losing your husband is bad enough, but your son going into coma the same night,” he paused and grimaced, “That’s just effed up.”
    Jason could only imagine the heartache the woman was going through, but with a gentle nod he kept his demeanor professional and detached.
    “Who was the local who found him?” Jason