Read the First Rule (2010) for Free Online Page B

vibrated, three minutes late.
    Pike said, I'm here.
    Carson Epp said, Lonny, can you hear him okay?
    Lonny's voice was high-pitched and soft.
    Yeah, I hear him fine. Hey, Joe.
    Epp said, I'm going to hang up now. That will leave the two of you on the line. Lonny, when you're finished, just hang up. I'll check back with you to make sure everything is all right.
    Okay. Thanks, Carson.
    Righto, then.
    Pike heard a click as Epp left the line, then the hush of Lonny Tang's voice.
    Must be bad, you calling like this.
    Pike didn't know how else to say it, so he gave it to Lonny head-on.
    Frank's dead. He was murdered two nights ago. Frank and his family.
    Lonny was silent on the other end, but then Pike heard a gentle sobbing. Pike let him cry. If any of them had a right to cry, it was Lonny.
    Lonny said, Sorry. I don't mean to carry on.
    It's okay.
    Lonny got himself together and cleared his throat.
    Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it, Joe. The bastard who did it, they get him?
    Not yet. The police think it's a home invasion crew. Frank's house was the seventh home they've hit.
    Lonny cleared his throat again.
    Okay, well, I don't know what to say. When they get these pricks, will you let me know?
    I have to ask you something.
    What's that?
    This crew, they work on good intelligence. Their first six targets were all people like dope dealers and money cleaners. You see where I'm going?
    Frank had an import business. He imported clothes.
    If Frank was importing something else, he was in business with someone who gave him up. That person knows who killed him.
    You think I'm holding out on you, Joe?
    I don't know.
    This is Frank, man. Are you serious?
    Did he tell you something I should know?
    Lonny was quiet for a while, breathing, and his voice was calm.
    He came to my trial. Not every day, but a couple of times. This once, I asked him if he was sorry he saved me, you know, because if he hadn't saved me, those men I murdered would still be alive. So I asked if he regretted it. He told me guys like us had each other's back, so he had my back. He didn't have any choice.
    Way it was, Lonny. What would you expect him to say?
    I know. I just wanted to hear it, I guess, that I still meant something to someone, and wasn't just a murdering piece of shit.
    Pike remained silent, which spurred Lonny to laugh.
    Thanks for chiming in there, boss. Appreciate the support.
    Lonny suddenly burst out laughing, but the laughter shivered into a sob.
    Lonny said, Shit. I'm sorry.
    C'mon, Lonny, yes or no. Did Frank tell you he was into something? Maybe ask about certain people or say something that left you wondering?
    You think if I could help get the pricks who killed him, I wouldn't be all over it? I'd kill those fuckers myself.
    You're sure?
    Yes. He was the same Frank we knew. Being an Eagle Scout was in his frakkin' DNA.
    Pike felt the tightness in his chest ease, feeling a sense of relief.
    Okay, Lon. That's what I thought, but I had to be sure. You're the only one he stayed in contact with.
    I know. She drove a hard bargain, that girl.
    Cindy.
    Pike was finished. He wanted to hang up, but he hadn't spoken with Lonny in a long time, and now he felt guilty. Lonny Tang had been one of his guys for eleven years, on and off, until Lonny got hurt.
    Pike asked the obvious.
    How you doing in there?
    You get used to it. Thirteen years to go, I'm on the beach with a smile.
    You need anything?
    Nah. I get all the free meds and medical care I need. I crap blue nuggets and can't eat spicy foods, but other than that I'm fine.
    On the day Frank Meyer saved Lonny Tang's life, an RPG explosion sent a rock the size of a golf ball through Lonny Tang's abdomen. Lonny lost his left kidney, a foot of large intestine, two feet of small intestine, his spleen, part of his liver, half of his stomach, and his health. He was left with a growing addiction to painkillers and no way to pay for them. The Perco cets led to harder drugs, and finally to a bar in Long