Read an Exerpt of Somewhere Along the Road
Josiah looked critically at the senior ATF agent and sat on the corner of Larabee’s desk, shaking his head almost sadly.
“What do you want me to say, Chris? Right now Ezra is like a drowning man and, like it or not, you’re the one he’s reaching out to. The way I see it, you can do two things. You can turn away and leave him floundering, hoping he’ll make his way to the shore on his own, or you can dive in, get wet, and help him to make his way back.”
Larabee pushed himself back in his chair and threw the pen he had been doodling with down onto the blotter in frustration.
“Hell, Josiah. I’m no good at this stuff. I don’t have the patience.”
The profiler, himself a clinical psychologist, smiled; fully aware that Larabee’s objections were token protests. Knowing also that Chris had no intention of abandoning the Southerner but needing the reassurance that he was doing the right thing.
“I don’t think you have any choice, Chris. Ezra not only trusts you, he respects you --he’s already shown that by telling you as much as he has --and if anyone can get him through this and bring him out the other side still in one piece, I have a feeling it’s you.”
“That’s a distinction I can do without,” he muttered, sullenly, “But I have to take some responsibility for him being in this mess, so I guess this can be my penance.”
Sanchez looked keenly at the blond man. “This is not your fault, Chris. Any more than it’s Ezra’s fault. You both did what you had to do to get the job done and no one is going to think any less of you because of it.”
“Not of me, but if it becomes common knowledge that Ezra’s been using, even under these circumstances, the mud is likely to stick. He might as well hand in his badge right now.”
Josiah frowned. “You’re going to cover it up?”
Larabee launched himself away from the desk and started to pace, chewing the inside of his lip.
“As much as this goes against the grain…yes, I am! But not a cover up, Josiah, I just don’t intend to make it public knowledge.” He looked up anxiously. “You’re with me?”
“Do you really have to ask?”