Chapter EightThree Days Before
Paul Mason stood on the beach watching the sun turn the distant clouds a deep orange-red as it prepared to disappear over the horizon. He dialed Brian Gallagher's number and waited.
“Yes,” Brian said when he answered.
“Are you on schedule?”
“Yes. You?”
“Affirmative. I just checked into the Coronado Hotel for the next week. Just going to be sitting on the beach and seeking out untried umbrella drinks.”
“Nice. Well, have a wonderful vacation.”
“You all set, too?”
“I'll be working from home all week if you need to get hold of me.”
“Great. Have fun.”
“Yeah, you too. Bye.”
* * *
When Chris Morgan told Connie about the interview with the investigator, she stared at him silently. At first she listened attentively and supportively. As he described the s**
