The Bone Field Debra Bokur (novels for beginners .txt) 📖

cat resisted, holding on to the edge of the doorframe with its front claws, mewing loudly in protest.

“Oh, uh, just the studio cat,” said Chad. “Kind of likes me, I guess.”

“Sure does.” Walter’s voice was innocent. He was fully aware that Chad had lost his dominance over the interview. “Nice coincidence for you that the cat’s name is Cleopatra. And that it lives in the studio attached to your house.”

Chad’s face flushed. He readjusted his headset and moved his chair back into position in front of the microphone. “As we were discussing,” he began.

“I guess I didn’t take you for the sentimental type,” Walter continued, still focusing on the cat.

“I’m not at all sentimental,” said Chad, eyes narrowing.

“Hey, what’s that thing Julius Caesar wrote?” asked Walter. “Something about no one’s so brave that they can’t be disturbed by something unexpected?”

Chad pushed his chair away from the table slightly, and turned to the camera. He forced a smile. “Looks like that’s all we’re going to have time for today, everyone. Remember—stay safe, which means don’t take candy from strangers; and if you think of anything useful, call the Maui Police Department’s hotline.” He looked back at Walter, his trademark blend of sparkle and arrogance having evaporated. “Um, thanks for joining us today, Captain. Tell Detective Mhoe hello for me, won’t you? Perhaps we can have her on the show next time.”

“I’ll be sure to ask her,” said Walter. “And thanks for your help with the investigation. This has been a lot of fun.”

* * *

The ocean breeze lifted the faded curtains at the kitchen window, making its way across the room and stirring the papers on the table. Kali grinned, then closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair. Then her phone buzzed. She answered, and Walter’s voice came through the speaker.

“Turns out the high-and-mighty Chad Caesar was conquered by a fifteen-pound cat,” he said.

“Yeah, I saw that,” she laughed. “Somehow, it makes me like him a little bit. Just a tiny bit, but you know. More than before.”

“It’s wearing a collar that looks like jewelry.”

“Did you get a picture?”

“You bet I did.”

“Good job! As thanks, I won’t bitch too much while we’re on rooster patrol tonight.”

“I’ll make sure you remember you said that.”

After Walter hung up, Kali opened her laptop again, scanning the podcast site still on display. She dragged the time bar back a few seconds, then watched again as the cat leapt into Chad’s lap and began to purr loudly as it snuggled into his neck. She watched it three more times, then got up, laughing, to make herself something to eat.

CHAPTER 20

The pathway led between a barn with peeling paint and a dilapidated, wood-framed house. It was dark, an inky blackness that seemed to move on its own in the slight evening breeze. What was left of the waning moon was obscured behind a thick layer of heavy clouds that had settled, bloated with rain, just above the surface of the world.

Gun drawn, Kali slipped quietly along a path of uneven brick pavers that had been laid out in a ragged, narrow line in the sandy ground between the buildings. At the end of the path on her left, a thin shaft of light reflected on a row of bushes, emanating from a cracked doorway in the house. She stood frozen, listening. From inside the barn to her right, there were muffled shouts and cries.

She moved to the end of the path. There was a field spread out below the barn, sloping downward between a row of grassy hillocks barely outlined in the night. Faint glints of moonlight on metal showed that the field was filled with vehicles.

She turned, waiting as Walter slipped along the path just behind her. As she halted in the shadows at the corner of the house, he caught up, speaking quietly. He reached up and fingered the earpiece he was wearing.

“Vice says hold back a minute,” he whispered. “They’ll signal when to go.”

Kali nodded. She could see other figures now, moving against the side of the barn among the darker areas created by the undergrowth and shadows. She could tell from their thickened silhouettes that the moving figures were wearing bulletproof vests and helmets.

“This body armor is making me nervous,” she whispered back, tugging at the straps holding her vest in place. “Did someone forget to tell us something?”

“Just hang tight. We let them go in first.” He adjusted his own padded vest and nodded toward a smaller door directly across from them, located on the side of the barn. “Keep your eye on this exit.”

They watched as the vice squad moved into position in the front, outside of the barn’s huge main double doors, spreading out in a wide fan. There was an imperceptible movement from the figure closest to the doors, then a silent rush as the doors were pulled open and the team streamed inside. Sounds of people shouting and animals screeching could be heard clearly now. Seconds later, the side door across from Kali and Walter was flung open, and three people came running out, heading away from the car park into the darkness on the far side of the house.

Kali and Walter leapt forward, pointing their guns.

“Freeze!” yelled Walter. “Police!”

“Hands on your heads NOW!” shouted Kali. In the light of the open door, she could see that there were two men and one woman. One of the men looked familiar.

“Hey there, Angelo!” called Walter.

Angelo and the other man came to a halt, but the woman pivoted on her heel and turned in the opposite direction. She was large and heavy, and was carrying something in the crook of her arm that made her look larger.

Kali trained her gun on the woman and moved to intercept her, impressed that the woman was so nimble. “Stop where you are, ma’am!” she yelled. “Drop whatever you’re holding! DROP IT NOW!”

Instead of dropping it, the woman took a half step forward and flung her arms at Kali,