Liar Liar - James Patterson Page 0,35

in the building.”

“Surely he never entered the building himself,” Whitt said. “He must have hacked the CCTV and looked around, found a route in. Maybe he bribed an ex-officer.”

“I don’t know.” Pops sighed. “Thousands of people come through this building every day. Perps. Witnesses. Security. Lawyers. Specialists. He might have stolen a swipe card. Worn a disguise. If he came in, we will find the footage. I’m also going to start cold-calling all the victims Harry has ever dealt with and warning them.”

“Oh, Jesus,” Whitt exhaled. “Really?”

“It’ll panic them. Sure,” Pops said gravely. “But if Regan can’t get ahold of one victim because she panicked and went to stay at a hotel for a few days, it’ll be worth it.”

“They’ll take your badge if you go too far,” Whitt warned.

“I hope they try,” Pops said.

Whitt watched the dark outline of some creature approach the riverbank below him, a slithering shadow.

“Do we need to be worried about Tox?” Whitt asked. “He’s a sitting target in that hospital. Regan might have said he’s going after Harry’s past victims, but we can’t trust his word. He could mix things up at any time. He’d want to finish Tox off, wouldn’t he? The man tried to kill him.”

“I asked for police protection for his hospital room and didn’t get any, of course,” Pops said. “I’m calling in a guy I know, an ex-cop. He works in private security now. He’ll watch the room. You take care of yourself. It’s public knowledge you and Harry worked together.”

Whitt watched as a car approached the two officers patrolling the end of the bridge nearest to him. His head felt hot and heavy, his temples throbbing. Whitt rubbed his face, tried to get a grip. He’d taken too much Dex. He was on edge.

“Regan told Harry he’s planning to meet her somewhere,” Whitt said, trying to focus. “Somewhere that she’ll be able to see the real him. That must be why he came out of the city.” He explained Harry’s call, trying to keep his voice even, resisting the urge to spew his words out in a jittering stream. He told Pops about Regan’s claim that Sam was responsible for his incarceration.

“But where would Regan go?” Pops wondered aloud. “Where do you get to see the real Regan Banks? And when is this meeting supposed to take place?”

“I suppose when he’s finished unraveling her. When she sees what he wants her to see.”

“The guy’s a nutjob,” Pops said. “We need to look closer at him. Figure out where he’ll be and when.”

Whitt didn’t answer. He forgot all about the call when he heard the shouting at the roadblock behind him.

Chapter 44

THE OFFICER STUMBLED back in shock from the window of the car, a young woman in a tight red dress exiting the vehicle on pretty velvet heels.

“He’s just a friend, Christopher!” she said.

“You said you were going to church!” said Officer Dunner, incredulous. “That’s how you dress for church? Who is that guy? Hey, you! Get out of the car!”

Whitt felt his heartbeat double and then double again. A strange desire prickled in him, a taste for violence. His world was shaking with the impact of his steps. The two officers were approaching the car as the male driver exited, his hands up in surrender.

“We’re just friends.” The young man’s voice was high-pitched with panic. “We just went to lunch, that’s all.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Dunner was crowding the young driver, his partner Swartout coming along for the ride, blocking the man up against the vehicle. “That’s my girlfriend, mate. That’s my car! What are you doing in my car with my girlfriend?”

Whitt watched as the girlfriend grabbed at Dunner’s uniform, trying to stop him barging the driver with his chest as the other officer came around him, hindering his escape.

“Tommy, Tommy, get back in the car,” the girl cried. “Christopher, leave him alone!”

Before Whitt could intervene, the two officers had taken hold of the driver and were shoving him into the hood of the car.

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Whitt pulled out his badge. “What happened? You two officers, stand down!”

“I didn’t do anything!” the young driver protested. “I didn’t know she had a boyfriend! Ow! Shit! Let go of me! This is assault!”

“We got this under control, Detective.” Swartout came toward Whitt, a hand up, trying to back him off. “It’s just a lovers’ tiff. Nothing serious. Why don’t you go check the roadblock at end of the bridge? We can handle this.”

“Officer, I told you to