Murders & Romance, page 32
“Sorry for the delay, but ya don’t look like the pictures on the documents. I had to watch ya fer a bit to make sure ya were here fer me.”
“The documents aren’t for me.”
“So I gathered. Tell me, Sid. What does a social worker need with forged documents?”
Sidney watched a pair of little girls on the swings and thought about his question.
“Well social work involves helping people. Sometimes it involves helping people to protect themselves.”
“Ah. So ya help them run to safety, do ya?”
This question brought a new wrinkle of thought to Sidney’s mind, and she frowned.
“Is knowing what your documents are being used for a requirement for you?”
“Not at all. Ya simply intrigue me. It’s not often someone so good seeks my services.”
“Maybe I’m not as good as you think.”
Ronan chuckled, and the sound of it irked her.
“Don’t play games, lass. We both know this is your first foray into the dark side.”
Sidney grinned. She was beginning to enjoy being underestimated by men. Men who didn’t think she could stand up for herself or others.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. O’Dwyer, but you don’t grow up where I did and come out pure as the driven snow. You are not the first forger I’ve dealt with. Only the first in this state.”
“Well, now I’m doubly intrigued.”
He turned and looked directly at her, and Sidney met his gaze.
Ronan picked up the jacket between them and put it on, leaving the manila envelope behind.
Sidney placed the manila envelope inside her purse and replaced it with the envelope of money.
“You will get rid of any remaining pictures you may have from me, right?”
“Already shredded and deleted. Along with the texts and phone logs.”
Without another word, he picked up the envelope of money and walked away.
Sidney let out a slow sigh and settled back on the bench. She sat there for a long time just watching the children play. Then she gathered her purse and phone and headed back to her car.
On the drive back to work, she thought about those kids on the playground. Something about them sparked a memory of being at the park at that age, her mother seated on a bench nearby.
“Watch me, mommy!”
Cartwheels were never so much fun as when she had her mother’s full attention.
She didn’t get many trips to the park when she was a kid growing up in Compton. She knew things were different now in her old hood. Better. Safer. But back then, the parks were no place for children.
It was weird how one stray thought could lead you down a rabbit hole of memories and emotions. The park led her to thoughts of her mother. Which, in turn, led her to thoughts of what her life was like after her mother’s death.
And that, of course, led her back to her Aunt Bobbie. Her mom’s sister. The woman who had taken her in after her mom was killed by a drunk driver.
She hadn’t spoken to Aunt Bobbie in about three years. Not since Damien had threatened to break her jaw if she told the woman anything else about their relationship.
He’d been so stealthy in his campaign to isolate her from her loved ones. So stealthy that Sidney hadn’t even realized what was happening until it was too late.
She’d thought many times about contacting Aunt Bobbie back when she was in hiding from Damien, but she couldn’t risk it. Now that he was gone and her life was settled and she wasn’t living in fear anymore, she knew it was past time to reach out.
She pulled to the curb outside Hope House and parked the car. Then she grabbed her cellphone and dialed, hoping that the number hadn’t changed.
It rang three times before the familiar voice answered.
“Hello?”
Sidney opened her mouth to speak, but her emotions robbed her voice. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Hello?”
If she didn’t respond soon her aunt would hang up. She took a breath and forced sound from her mouth.
“Aunt Bobbie?”
A long heavy silence followed.
“Oh, my God. Sidney?”
A smile erupted on Sidney’s face.
“Yes. It’s me.”
“Oh, my God. Sidney! I thought… oh, never mind what I thought. Child, how are you? Where are you?”
Sidney laughed through her tears.
“I’m good, Aunt Bobbie. Things are great actually.”
“Oh, honey. Where are you? The last I heard from Simon, you were on the run from that son of a bitch who was beating you.”
“Yes.”
“But that was so long ago…”
“Yes, I know, and I’m sorry it’s been so long. But, I’m free now, Aunt Bobbie! Damien is gone, and I am wonderful.”
“What do you mean he’s gone? Where is he?”
“He’s dead. He can’t hurt me anymore.”
“Dead?”
“Yes.”
A tense pause.
“Honey, what did you do?”
Bobbie’s tone was tight and low.
Sidney laughed again. “I didn’t kill him, Auntie. I promise. It’s a very long story, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. But I just wanted you to know that I’m all right.”
“Well, are you here in California?”
“No. I live in Ohio now.”
“Ohio?”
“Yes, Simon is actually here in Ohio too.”
“What?”
“We’re just four hours from each other, which has been great.”
“When did he leave Japan?”
“Only a few months ago. Listen, there’s so much to tell you, but right now I have to get back to work. Is it okay if I call you later tonight after I get home? I’ll tell you everything then.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course, call me back later! Can I save this number?”
“Yes. This is my cellphone number. Save it. Use it often. Share it with Erika and Tika.”
She’d missed her two cousins as much as she’d missed her aunt, and she couldn’t wait to reconnect with them.
“Oh, they will love that!”
“Okay. I have to go. I’ll call you later. I love you!”
“Oh, Sidney, I thought we’d lost you. I love you back honey.”
She ended the call and got out of the car. She entered the shelter with fresh hope blossoming in her chest.
24
The next morning, Gavin stood in the briefing room looking out over his dwindling troops. He’d just handed out a couple of assignments to the already taxed detectives of his unit, and now it was time for the big news. News he knew would be met with a mixed bag of emotions.
“Finally, I have an announcement to make, so quiet down.”
He waited for them to give him their undivided attention. When all eyes were on him, he took a deep breath.
“I am sorry to inform you that we will be losing Detective Gerri Miller, effective immediately.”
A low rumble of chatter went around the room.
“Yes, it is disappointing. However, it’s not entirely bad. Gerri has chosen to transfer out of the Homicide Unit and take a position in the Special Victims division of Violent Crimes. So, while we will lose her expertise in Homicide, she will still be here at the 3rd precinct, and I believe she’ll be on day shift, so you will still see her face around here on the fourth floor.”
Another rumble of chatter interrupted him again, and he raised his voice slightly in order to be heard above the din.
“Two new detectives will therefore be joining our team to fill the voids left by Miller and Dorn. Detective Jack Runyan will be transferring in from the 5th precinct Violent Crimes division, and the other, Officer Lonnie Spencer, will be rising from patrol, in-house. Now… due to the loss of Miller and Dorn, as well as Barker and Wheeler both being out for health reasons, there will have to be some significant shuffling of teams in order to pair our two new hires with seasoned detectives.”
More chatter began, and a couple of hands shot in the air before Gavin could go any further. He had a good idea what was coming next.
“Yes, Harris?”
“Forgive the interruption, Lieu, but what does that mean exactly?”
“I haven’t worked out all of the details just yet, but it means exactly what you think it does. Exactly what I just said — there will be some significant shuffling of teams in the near future.”
“So we’re all getting new partner assignments, sir? Whether we want them or not?”
“Harris, if you can figure out a way to keep everyone with their current partners and still pair the new hires with seasoned detectives, let me know.”
She didn’t like his response, but Gavin didn’t know any other way to do this. The fact was, they were simply too damned shorthanded right now to do it any other way.
“Sir?”
“Yes, Walker?”
“Is this significant shuffling only going to affect the day shift, or will the night shift homicide detectives get shuffled too?”
“Are you volunteering for night shift, Detective?”
“No, sir. Just asking.”
A soft laughter went around the room.
“I did begin my search for new detectives by offering the day shift to all those currently working nights. None of them were interested in the switch. However, a couple of them were open to filling in for a short time until the day shift is back fully staffed. So they may come into play over the next few weeks. I’ll just have to see how my reshuffling efforts go.”
He glanced around at them all and noted a few worried expressions. He understood it, but it couldn’t be helped.
“All right, dismissed. Let’s be safe out there.”
He marched for the door and exited the room before most of them had even had a chance to stand. He went straight to his office almost dreading the headache that shuffling his detectives around was going to cause.
But the reason for it made him smile.
Not all of it, of course. Not the part about Curt Dorn dying. But the part where he got to be with Gerri freely and not worry about jeopardizing his career?
That part he loved.
He plopped his paperwork down on his desk just as Ike Taylor stepped inside his office.
“Got a second, Lieu?”
Isaac closed the door behind him and walked toward Gavin’s desk.
“So, this transfer? I take it that has something to do with your new relationship status?”
Gavin pulled out his chair and sat down, but the grin on his face told Isaac everything he needed to know.
“We had dinner together with Trey the other night.”
“Oh yeah? How’d that turn out?”
Isaac took a seat in the chair across from Gavin’s desk.
“It went great actually. Trey said he thought it was high time I moved on and found some happiness.”
“Cause he’s a good son.”
“He and Gerri really hit it off too. And you were so right.”
“Of course, I was. About what exactly?” Isaac grinned.
Gavin chuckled at him.
“About Gerri having more in common with me due to this job. It’s funny, but she and Trey could not be further apart. It’s…” He paused, like he was searching for the right words. “It’s like she’s my age.”
Isaac shook his head. “Let it go, Lieu. That age thing. Just let it go. Don’t even think about it. It means nothing in your relationship.”
“I’ll try to embrace that.”
“Good. I’m happy for you both.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry we’ll be losing her though.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry that couldn’t be helped.”
“You went with my suggestion and hired Lonnie Spencer.”
“I agreed with your assessment of his file. Good detective material. I also took it a step further and spoke with his current sergeant, his current lieutenant, and his current partner. I’m confident we can build him into a good homicide detective.”
“Good.” Isaac nodded. “About this reshuffling thing you were talking about in the briefing…”
Gavin held up a hand, and Isaac stopped mid-sentence.
“I know what you’re going to say, Ike, and you don’t have to. Pete Vega seems very open-minded about your psychic stuff, and I think you’ve actually warmed to him quite a bit. So, don’t worry. I won’t be busting up the two of you.”
“Thanks for that. We’re finally working really well together, so I appreciate it.”
Gavin nodded and folded his hands on top of the desk with a sigh.
“I was toying with the idea of bringing Palmer and Driscoll up from nights permanently and moving the two new hires into their spots, busting up the other night shift team to make two new teams. That way the new blood is on nights, and the day shift gets two seasoned teams who work well together.”
“Meaning me and Pete, and Sasha and Lynn?”
“Right.”
Talking about the two female detectives brought to mind the memory of Sidney asking how effective the all-woman detective team was.
“That way we’d have two seasoned teams and two restructured teams on days,” Gavin continued. “But, neither Sasha Palmer nor Lynn Driscoll wanted the permanent move to the day shift. They like working nights.”
“Go figure. Well, what about Cruz and Polanski?”
“Palmer and Driscoll were my first choice. Apart from being the senior detectives on night shift, they have the better record. Besides, Cruz and Polanski weren’t interested in the switch either.”
Isaac shrugged. “Some people love working nights.”
“I guess. And I’m all for trying to make everyone happy with their shifts if I can, but it doesn’t solve my problem.”
Isaac sighed and gave it some thought.
“Well, there is another option, sir?”
“I’m open for suggestions.”
“Since one of the new hires is actually a seasoned violent crimes detective, why not simply partner the new hires together?”
Gavin stared at him, not blinking.
“I mean, it’s not like this Runyan fella is going to need the training, guidance, or hand-holding that a brand new detective would. And it’s not like he’s coming from another city, or another state where they do things a little differently than we do. He’s just coming from across town. He already knows how the CPD operates, and violent crimes isn’t all that different from homicide.”
The ghost of a grin hit Gavin’s lips before he lowered his head, and Isaac wondered what was going on. When Gavin finally looked up, he was quietly laughing.
“Wow.”
“Sir?”
“I have been so turned around by this whole thing with Gerri that I’m obviously not thinking straight.”
Isaac grinned. “It’s all right, sir. It happens to the best of us.”
“Damn. What has this woman done to me, Ike?”
“Don’t worry. The stupid will wear off eventually. Just give it time.”
Gavin laughed out loud, and Isaac couldn’t help but join in. He’d never seen his boss in such a state before. It was kind of nice. He stood and headed for the door.
“Pete and I have a pair of killers to catch.”
“A pair?”
“We’re pretty sure our killer had an accomplice. And we’ve been hitting a wall in trying to bring our suspect in for questioning, so we’ve got a small sting operation in motion for today. I’ll update you when we have ’em in custody.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Isaac got to his desk just in time to hear Pete end a phone call. He looked up at Isaac with an almost gleeful expression.
“That was our lookout at the institution.”
“Nurse Freya Altman?” Or Gossipy Snow White, as he thought of her in his mind. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
“She says Amber’s BFF just showed up for his regular visit.”
“That’s our cue.”
They high tailed it out of the pit and snagged a two-man patrol car to join them. Then they raced across town to the Lakewood Mental Institution.
After instructing the two uniformed officers on what was about to go down and who their target was, they rushed inside, badges at the ready.
They moved with precision, knowing exactly which room they were headed for.
In the hallway across from Amber’s door, they saw nurse Josephine Turner speaking to a tall, dark haired young man that Isaac recognized from pictures he’d found during their investigation as Danny Broderick.
The instant the pair looked up and spotted them, the man bolted.
He took off down the hallway, and the chase was on.
The unfamiliar corridors were like running through a maze. Danny led them this way and that, finally ending up in Amber’s room.
When they caught up to him, Danny was kneeling at Amber’s feet, holding her hands, and speaking softly to her.
Panting, Isaac and Pete looked at each other, and Pete pulled out his handcuffs.
“Wouldn’t it have been a whole lot easier without the sprint through the hallways, Danny?” Isaac asked.
Danny grinned. “I needed a few moments to accept my fate.”
Isaac motioned to Pete with a nod of his head.
“I’m going to need you to stand up, Mr. Broderick. You’re under arrest for the murders of Bobby Cook, Craig Wentworth, and Michael Rivers. You have the right to remain silent.”
While Pete continued to recite Danny Broderick his rights, Isaac looked and saw nurse Josephine Turner watching intently from the hallway. When she caught him staring, she put on her most distraught face.
“I can’t believe it. He’s such a nice young man. So caring and loving toward Amber. I can’t believe he’d do something like this, Detective.”
“Really? Even though you helped him?”
“What? Helped him! Why, I never…”
“We have video surveillance of you and Danny buying tools for your revenge murder spree, so save your lies for the coming trial jury, okay.” He looked at the two uniformed officers standing behind her in the hall. “She’s coming with us, gentlemen.”
They took her into custody, and Isaac turned his attention back to Danny.
“The documents aren’t for me.”
“So I gathered. Tell me, Sid. What does a social worker need with forged documents?”
Sidney watched a pair of little girls on the swings and thought about his question.
“Well social work involves helping people. Sometimes it involves helping people to protect themselves.”
“Ah. So ya help them run to safety, do ya?”
This question brought a new wrinkle of thought to Sidney’s mind, and she frowned.
“Is knowing what your documents are being used for a requirement for you?”
“Not at all. Ya simply intrigue me. It’s not often someone so good seeks my services.”
“Maybe I’m not as good as you think.”
Ronan chuckled, and the sound of it irked her.
“Don’t play games, lass. We both know this is your first foray into the dark side.”
Sidney grinned. She was beginning to enjoy being underestimated by men. Men who didn’t think she could stand up for herself or others.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. O’Dwyer, but you don’t grow up where I did and come out pure as the driven snow. You are not the first forger I’ve dealt with. Only the first in this state.”
“Well, now I’m doubly intrigued.”
He turned and looked directly at her, and Sidney met his gaze.
Ronan picked up the jacket between them and put it on, leaving the manila envelope behind.
Sidney placed the manila envelope inside her purse and replaced it with the envelope of money.
“You will get rid of any remaining pictures you may have from me, right?”
“Already shredded and deleted. Along with the texts and phone logs.”
Without another word, he picked up the envelope of money and walked away.
Sidney let out a slow sigh and settled back on the bench. She sat there for a long time just watching the children play. Then she gathered her purse and phone and headed back to her car.
On the drive back to work, she thought about those kids on the playground. Something about them sparked a memory of being at the park at that age, her mother seated on a bench nearby.
“Watch me, mommy!”
Cartwheels were never so much fun as when she had her mother’s full attention.
She didn’t get many trips to the park when she was a kid growing up in Compton. She knew things were different now in her old hood. Better. Safer. But back then, the parks were no place for children.
It was weird how one stray thought could lead you down a rabbit hole of memories and emotions. The park led her to thoughts of her mother. Which, in turn, led her to thoughts of what her life was like after her mother’s death.
And that, of course, led her back to her Aunt Bobbie. Her mom’s sister. The woman who had taken her in after her mom was killed by a drunk driver.
She hadn’t spoken to Aunt Bobbie in about three years. Not since Damien had threatened to break her jaw if she told the woman anything else about their relationship.
He’d been so stealthy in his campaign to isolate her from her loved ones. So stealthy that Sidney hadn’t even realized what was happening until it was too late.
She’d thought many times about contacting Aunt Bobbie back when she was in hiding from Damien, but she couldn’t risk it. Now that he was gone and her life was settled and she wasn’t living in fear anymore, she knew it was past time to reach out.
She pulled to the curb outside Hope House and parked the car. Then she grabbed her cellphone and dialed, hoping that the number hadn’t changed.
It rang three times before the familiar voice answered.
“Hello?”
Sidney opened her mouth to speak, but her emotions robbed her voice. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Hello?”
If she didn’t respond soon her aunt would hang up. She took a breath and forced sound from her mouth.
“Aunt Bobbie?”
A long heavy silence followed.
“Oh, my God. Sidney?”
A smile erupted on Sidney’s face.
“Yes. It’s me.”
“Oh, my God. Sidney! I thought… oh, never mind what I thought. Child, how are you? Where are you?”
Sidney laughed through her tears.
“I’m good, Aunt Bobbie. Things are great actually.”
“Oh, honey. Where are you? The last I heard from Simon, you were on the run from that son of a bitch who was beating you.”
“Yes.”
“But that was so long ago…”
“Yes, I know, and I’m sorry it’s been so long. But, I’m free now, Aunt Bobbie! Damien is gone, and I am wonderful.”
“What do you mean he’s gone? Where is he?”
“He’s dead. He can’t hurt me anymore.”
“Dead?”
“Yes.”
A tense pause.
“Honey, what did you do?”
Bobbie’s tone was tight and low.
Sidney laughed again. “I didn’t kill him, Auntie. I promise. It’s a very long story, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. But I just wanted you to know that I’m all right.”
“Well, are you here in California?”
“No. I live in Ohio now.”
“Ohio?”
“Yes, Simon is actually here in Ohio too.”
“What?”
“We’re just four hours from each other, which has been great.”
“When did he leave Japan?”
“Only a few months ago. Listen, there’s so much to tell you, but right now I have to get back to work. Is it okay if I call you later tonight after I get home? I’ll tell you everything then.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course, call me back later! Can I save this number?”
“Yes. This is my cellphone number. Save it. Use it often. Share it with Erika and Tika.”
She’d missed her two cousins as much as she’d missed her aunt, and she couldn’t wait to reconnect with them.
“Oh, they will love that!”
“Okay. I have to go. I’ll call you later. I love you!”
“Oh, Sidney, I thought we’d lost you. I love you back honey.”
She ended the call and got out of the car. She entered the shelter with fresh hope blossoming in her chest.
24
The next morning, Gavin stood in the briefing room looking out over his dwindling troops. He’d just handed out a couple of assignments to the already taxed detectives of his unit, and now it was time for the big news. News he knew would be met with a mixed bag of emotions.
“Finally, I have an announcement to make, so quiet down.”
He waited for them to give him their undivided attention. When all eyes were on him, he took a deep breath.
“I am sorry to inform you that we will be losing Detective Gerri Miller, effective immediately.”
A low rumble of chatter went around the room.
“Yes, it is disappointing. However, it’s not entirely bad. Gerri has chosen to transfer out of the Homicide Unit and take a position in the Special Victims division of Violent Crimes. So, while we will lose her expertise in Homicide, she will still be here at the 3rd precinct, and I believe she’ll be on day shift, so you will still see her face around here on the fourth floor.”
Another rumble of chatter interrupted him again, and he raised his voice slightly in order to be heard above the din.
“Two new detectives will therefore be joining our team to fill the voids left by Miller and Dorn. Detective Jack Runyan will be transferring in from the 5th precinct Violent Crimes division, and the other, Officer Lonnie Spencer, will be rising from patrol, in-house. Now… due to the loss of Miller and Dorn, as well as Barker and Wheeler both being out for health reasons, there will have to be some significant shuffling of teams in order to pair our two new hires with seasoned detectives.”
More chatter began, and a couple of hands shot in the air before Gavin could go any further. He had a good idea what was coming next.
“Yes, Harris?”
“Forgive the interruption, Lieu, but what does that mean exactly?”
“I haven’t worked out all of the details just yet, but it means exactly what you think it does. Exactly what I just said — there will be some significant shuffling of teams in the near future.”
“So we’re all getting new partner assignments, sir? Whether we want them or not?”
“Harris, if you can figure out a way to keep everyone with their current partners and still pair the new hires with seasoned detectives, let me know.”
She didn’t like his response, but Gavin didn’t know any other way to do this. The fact was, they were simply too damned shorthanded right now to do it any other way.
“Sir?”
“Yes, Walker?”
“Is this significant shuffling only going to affect the day shift, or will the night shift homicide detectives get shuffled too?”
“Are you volunteering for night shift, Detective?”
“No, sir. Just asking.”
A soft laughter went around the room.
“I did begin my search for new detectives by offering the day shift to all those currently working nights. None of them were interested in the switch. However, a couple of them were open to filling in for a short time until the day shift is back fully staffed. So they may come into play over the next few weeks. I’ll just have to see how my reshuffling efforts go.”
He glanced around at them all and noted a few worried expressions. He understood it, but it couldn’t be helped.
“All right, dismissed. Let’s be safe out there.”
He marched for the door and exited the room before most of them had even had a chance to stand. He went straight to his office almost dreading the headache that shuffling his detectives around was going to cause.
But the reason for it made him smile.
Not all of it, of course. Not the part about Curt Dorn dying. But the part where he got to be with Gerri freely and not worry about jeopardizing his career?
That part he loved.
He plopped his paperwork down on his desk just as Ike Taylor stepped inside his office.
“Got a second, Lieu?”
Isaac closed the door behind him and walked toward Gavin’s desk.
“So, this transfer? I take it that has something to do with your new relationship status?”
Gavin pulled out his chair and sat down, but the grin on his face told Isaac everything he needed to know.
“We had dinner together with Trey the other night.”
“Oh yeah? How’d that turn out?”
Isaac took a seat in the chair across from Gavin’s desk.
“It went great actually. Trey said he thought it was high time I moved on and found some happiness.”
“Cause he’s a good son.”
“He and Gerri really hit it off too. And you were so right.”
“Of course, I was. About what exactly?” Isaac grinned.
Gavin chuckled at him.
“About Gerri having more in common with me due to this job. It’s funny, but she and Trey could not be further apart. It’s…” He paused, like he was searching for the right words. “It’s like she’s my age.”
Isaac shook his head. “Let it go, Lieu. That age thing. Just let it go. Don’t even think about it. It means nothing in your relationship.”
“I’ll try to embrace that.”
“Good. I’m happy for you both.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry we’ll be losing her though.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry that couldn’t be helped.”
“You went with my suggestion and hired Lonnie Spencer.”
“I agreed with your assessment of his file. Good detective material. I also took it a step further and spoke with his current sergeant, his current lieutenant, and his current partner. I’m confident we can build him into a good homicide detective.”
“Good.” Isaac nodded. “About this reshuffling thing you were talking about in the briefing…”
Gavin held up a hand, and Isaac stopped mid-sentence.
“I know what you’re going to say, Ike, and you don’t have to. Pete Vega seems very open-minded about your psychic stuff, and I think you’ve actually warmed to him quite a bit. So, don’t worry. I won’t be busting up the two of you.”
“Thanks for that. We’re finally working really well together, so I appreciate it.”
Gavin nodded and folded his hands on top of the desk with a sigh.
“I was toying with the idea of bringing Palmer and Driscoll up from nights permanently and moving the two new hires into their spots, busting up the other night shift team to make two new teams. That way the new blood is on nights, and the day shift gets two seasoned teams who work well together.”
“Meaning me and Pete, and Sasha and Lynn?”
“Right.”
Talking about the two female detectives brought to mind the memory of Sidney asking how effective the all-woman detective team was.
“That way we’d have two seasoned teams and two restructured teams on days,” Gavin continued. “But, neither Sasha Palmer nor Lynn Driscoll wanted the permanent move to the day shift. They like working nights.”
“Go figure. Well, what about Cruz and Polanski?”
“Palmer and Driscoll were my first choice. Apart from being the senior detectives on night shift, they have the better record. Besides, Cruz and Polanski weren’t interested in the switch either.”
Isaac shrugged. “Some people love working nights.”
“I guess. And I’m all for trying to make everyone happy with their shifts if I can, but it doesn’t solve my problem.”
Isaac sighed and gave it some thought.
“Well, there is another option, sir?”
“I’m open for suggestions.”
“Since one of the new hires is actually a seasoned violent crimes detective, why not simply partner the new hires together?”
Gavin stared at him, not blinking.
“I mean, it’s not like this Runyan fella is going to need the training, guidance, or hand-holding that a brand new detective would. And it’s not like he’s coming from another city, or another state where they do things a little differently than we do. He’s just coming from across town. He already knows how the CPD operates, and violent crimes isn’t all that different from homicide.”
The ghost of a grin hit Gavin’s lips before he lowered his head, and Isaac wondered what was going on. When Gavin finally looked up, he was quietly laughing.
“Wow.”
“Sir?”
“I have been so turned around by this whole thing with Gerri that I’m obviously not thinking straight.”
Isaac grinned. “It’s all right, sir. It happens to the best of us.”
“Damn. What has this woman done to me, Ike?”
“Don’t worry. The stupid will wear off eventually. Just give it time.”
Gavin laughed out loud, and Isaac couldn’t help but join in. He’d never seen his boss in such a state before. It was kind of nice. He stood and headed for the door.
“Pete and I have a pair of killers to catch.”
“A pair?”
“We’re pretty sure our killer had an accomplice. And we’ve been hitting a wall in trying to bring our suspect in for questioning, so we’ve got a small sting operation in motion for today. I’ll update you when we have ’em in custody.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Isaac got to his desk just in time to hear Pete end a phone call. He looked up at Isaac with an almost gleeful expression.
“That was our lookout at the institution.”
“Nurse Freya Altman?” Or Gossipy Snow White, as he thought of her in his mind. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
“She says Amber’s BFF just showed up for his regular visit.”
“That’s our cue.”
They high tailed it out of the pit and snagged a two-man patrol car to join them. Then they raced across town to the Lakewood Mental Institution.
After instructing the two uniformed officers on what was about to go down and who their target was, they rushed inside, badges at the ready.
They moved with precision, knowing exactly which room they were headed for.
In the hallway across from Amber’s door, they saw nurse Josephine Turner speaking to a tall, dark haired young man that Isaac recognized from pictures he’d found during their investigation as Danny Broderick.
The instant the pair looked up and spotted them, the man bolted.
He took off down the hallway, and the chase was on.
The unfamiliar corridors were like running through a maze. Danny led them this way and that, finally ending up in Amber’s room.
When they caught up to him, Danny was kneeling at Amber’s feet, holding her hands, and speaking softly to her.
Panting, Isaac and Pete looked at each other, and Pete pulled out his handcuffs.
“Wouldn’t it have been a whole lot easier without the sprint through the hallways, Danny?” Isaac asked.
Danny grinned. “I needed a few moments to accept my fate.”
Isaac motioned to Pete with a nod of his head.
“I’m going to need you to stand up, Mr. Broderick. You’re under arrest for the murders of Bobby Cook, Craig Wentworth, and Michael Rivers. You have the right to remain silent.”
While Pete continued to recite Danny Broderick his rights, Isaac looked and saw nurse Josephine Turner watching intently from the hallway. When she caught him staring, she put on her most distraught face.
“I can’t believe it. He’s such a nice young man. So caring and loving toward Amber. I can’t believe he’d do something like this, Detective.”
“Really? Even though you helped him?”
“What? Helped him! Why, I never…”
“We have video surveillance of you and Danny buying tools for your revenge murder spree, so save your lies for the coming trial jury, okay.” He looked at the two uniformed officers standing behind her in the hall. “She’s coming with us, gentlemen.”
They took her into custody, and Isaac turned his attention back to Danny.
