The White Angel Murder (33 page)

“
Helluva life you got.”

Stanton turned as Philip lumbered up to him and sat down on the sand. He still wore his suit coat and loafers and appeared uncomfortable, sweat glistening on his forehead.

“
I love the ocean,” Stanton said. “It doesn’t care who you are or what you do. It treats everyone the same. Our bodies have the same percentage of salinity as the ocean. We have a deep link to it.”

Philip shrugged. “So, what’d you want to talk to me about?”

Stanton reached underneath a towel that lay next to him and pulled out a manila envelope. It contained a digital recorder and a CD. He handed it to Philip.

“
I know why you left the FBI, Phil. And I know you don’t want to be on loan to the San Diego PD. This,” he said, pointing to the envelope, “is the biggest police corruption case of your career. Make it count.”

“
What is it?”

“
Listen to it in your car on the way back.”

Philip stood up and wiped the sand off his ass. “Guess you heard Noah tried to hang himself in his cell.”

“
No, I hadn’t heard that.”

“
He survived. Don’t know what’s worse, killing yourself or wanting to kill yourself and failing. Hey, by the way, the chief asked where you were at the press conference. He thanked you before he noticed you weren’t there. Made him look like a real asshole.”

“
Tell him I quit.” He stood up. “I’ll see you later, Phil. Listen to that CD.”

Philip began walking away. “I will.”

“
Hey, Phil?”

“
Yeah?”

“
Where’s Noah now?”

“
At the hospital I think.”

“
Not the prison infirmary?”

“
No, I think he’s too fucked up for that. He’s in a coma.”

“
They only assign one guard to escort to the hospital, don’t they?”

“
I don’t know. I guess. Look I gotta run, I’ll see ya.”

Stanton watched as he walked back to his car. He waved once as he pulled out of the parking lot and Stanton waved back.

“
Daddy, come on there’s a turtle!”

“
Coming.”

He turned and watched his children as they ran to him to show him their find. He grinned and held open his arms. For the first time in his life, he couldn’t think of a single other place he would like to be.

END

AUTHOR’S BIO

Victor Methos began his writing career with short fiction in such varied genres as science fiction, crime fiction, fantasy and literary fiction. He has been published in numerous magazines in the United States and United Kingdom and is a former prosecutor specializing in narcotics and violent crime prosecutions. He is currently a trial lawyer in the United States and on a quest to climb the “Seven Summits,” the highest peaks on each continent.
The White Angel Murder
is his third novel. To contact the author or learn about upcoming releases, please visit the author’s blog at
http://methosreview.blogspot.com/