Read From a Dead Sleep for Free Online

of Hunter that featured a disgraced immigrant taking his own life. He soon shook his head in digression. “Oh, never mind . . . I’m thinking of a dagger through the stomach.”
    Lumbergh deflated back to his desk. “That’s Japanese ,” he muttered indignantly under his breath, frustrated with himself for giving Sean an inch. “And it’s called seppuku .”
    An annoyed and unimpressed grunt escaped Sean’s mouth. “Well, very good; someone just earned themselves a gold star by their name.”
    Lumbergh ignored him, not desiring to fuel another unproductive outburst. “I’m trying to make sense of your story, Sean. You don’t have the best track record for credibility.”
    “Oh, Jesus, Gary, don’t start this shit again! Do you think I’m just making this whole thing up?”
    Lumbergh’s eyes left Sean for a moment, taking a breath and searching for the right words. “I’m not saying that, Sean. But you have a way of letting your imagination run wild. You know you do.”
    Sean glared at him, shaking his head in disgust. “I’m not making this up, Gary. It happened, goddammit. Right in front of my eyes!”
    Lumbergh took a breath. “Sean, you had a lot to drink last night. I think that’s pretty safe to say—”
    “Oh, give me a fucking break! I’m hungover. I’m not crazy.” Sean’s blood was beginning to simmer again. “Are you going to check this out or not?”
    Lumbergh looked sympathetically into Sean’s eyes—the same way a father would look at a son who just missed the game-winning field goal. “Sean . . . I’ve given you a lot of leeway for obvious reasons . . .”
    Out of frustration, Sean’s face twisted and he quickly lunged forward, slamming his fist hard across the top of the desk.
    Lumbergh’s body jolted, but he kept his cool, raising his eyebrows to direct a silent warning.
    “I’ve never asked you for anything , Gary!” Sean shouted. “And I don’t want you to start doing me any favors! I just want you to do your goddamned job! You run this place like a Chicago police department, but when someone reports a dead body, you blow him off? Are you kidding me?”
    “Enough!” Lumbergh held up both palms in front of Sean’s chest. With his eyes large in sincerity, he said, “I’m going to check it out, okay?”
    “You are?” said a stunned Sean. He alertly stood up straight.
    Lumbergh held his hand beside his mouth and yelled, “Jefferson!”
    Three seconds later, Jefferson was heard racing down the hallway. He opened the office door and poked his head inside. He purposely didn’t make eye contact with Sean.
    Lumbergh didn’t look at his officer. “Pull the cruiser around back. We’re going to Meyers Bridge.”
    A sly smile formed on Sean’s face, and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “And make it snappy, Jefferson,” he added in a gloating tone.
    “Shut up, Sean,” said Lumbergh.
    Jefferson pretended not to hear the exchange and attempted to leave, but Lumbergh stopped him.
    “But first,” the chief said, “give Sean’s uncle a call and have him pick him up.”
    At the same time, but in different tones, both Jefferson and Sean replied with, “What?”
    Lumbergh held his hand up to Sean. “You heard me, Jefferson.”
    Even before the door closed behind the officer, Sean was up in arms. “What are you calling him for? I’m coming out with you guys!”
    Lumbergh shook his head and discreetly rolled his eyes. “We can take it from here, Sean. I’ve got the location. I’ll have Jefferson call you if we have any questions.”
    “This is unbelievable! This is un-fucking-believable! I witnessed the whole thing!”
    “And I listened to your entire story,” Lumbergh sharply added. “Now you have to let me do my job! If what you say is true, a crime wasn’t even committed. This will be open and shut.”
    Sean’s eye twitched as he glared back at Lumbergh.
    The chief lowered his head and took a deep breath. He then pressed his thumb against his