Read The Devil's Snare: a Mystery Suspense Thriller (Derek Cole Suspense Thrillers Book 4) for Free Online

help your son out, but it sounds to me like he needs a good lawyer and, based on what you’ve said, he already has that covered. Not sure what we could do for him.”
    Crown said, “Listen, I know my son. Sure, I haven’t spoken to him much in the past ten years, but I know he isn’t capable of arson and I’m even more sure he could never burn a house down with people inside. Especially people he knows and considers friends. He’s in trouble based on what my ex told me. My ex will do everything he can but without some good old fashioned private investigator work, you know, gumshoe type of shit, my boy’s in trouble.”
    “What’s your ex-husbands name?” Alex Manner asked.
    “Louis Randall. He’s managing partner at Randall, Levine, Mahoney, Randall and Patterson Law Firm outside of Albany, New York.”
    “Who’s the other Randall?” Derek asked. “He have another son or daughter who’s a lawyer?”
    “He’s the only Randall at the firm. Son of a bitch demanded his name be listed twice, just to remind the other partners that he’s the reason the firm is in business.”
    “You and he get along?” Alex asked, his voice sounding thin and stretched.  
    “As long as he keeps paying me, we do. I caught him screwing some bimbo a few years after we got married. That bimbo turned out to a Congressman’s wife. Call it hush money, alimony or whatever the hell you want to call it, he pays me a salary to keep my trap shut. Which isn’t easy for me to do. I should be getting additional hazard pay.”
    “What I’m asking,” Alex continued, “is will there by any reason he won’t cooperate with us knowing you’re part of this firm?”
    “I’ll cut his balls off if he so much as puts up a detour sign in our way.”
    “I’ll take that as a ‘no.’ ”
    “Okay, Crown,” Derek said, “we’re on the case. Nikkie and I will handle the on-scene investigation. Brian and Alex will work their cases and Crown, you provide backup support as usual.” He paused, stood, then turned to Crown and said, “Where does your son live?”
    “Small town called Ravenswood, New York.”
    “Alex, find out how far you are from Ravenswood,” Derek said. “I might need your help on this one.”
    “Got it,” Alex said.
    “Good. Crown, you stay back here and keep things running. I don’t want the entire team out of the office in case more cases come knocking on our door.”
    Crown said, “Cole, you’re as stupid as I thought if you think I’m staying here and letting you run this investigation.”
    Nikkie said, “Crown, Derek’s right. You’re way too emotionally invested in this case. You won’t be able to maintain professional indifference.”
    “Go screw yourself,” Crown said. “How about you shove your professional indifference up your ass?”
    “How subtle,” Derek said. “Here’s the thing, Crown, I have a process I follow when I’m working a case and I’m pretty damn sure that you being around will…how shall I say it?…screw me up so bad I won’t be able to do what I need to do. You’re free to take some time to be with your son, but, when it comes to work on the ground, you’re off the case.”
    Crown said, “Your process is drinking shit scotch and stumbling and fumbling you way through the case.”
    “Not going to argue,” Derek said, “but my process works. Nikkie and I will fly out to Ravenswood tomorrow. We need you to make our travel arrangements, and make sure we have a rental car and hotel, both reserved for at least five days.”
    Crown stared at Derek, jaw clenched, body tensed as her thoughts raced to a thousand different conclusions. Knowing Crown and her explosive personality, the conference room’s air was dripping with tension. Derek began tracing the three-inch scar on the left side of his face, a habit of his since a few months after he had put a bullet through his face, causing the scar. For Derek, the scar was a reminder. It reminded him of his wife, Lucy, and how she