登陆注册
10469700000007

第7章

Monday

Evening

Hillman led them into his small office. There was a comfy-looking couch against the wall but he directed them to the two uncomfortable metal chairs in front of his desk and sat down across from them. Keri could barely see him over piles of files that took up most of his desk.

"Good work out there, Detectives. Ray, you know that Brody's retiring at the end of the year, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"That means there will be an opening in Homicide. You interested?"

Keri watched Ray's mouth drop open. He stared at Hillman, then at her. She smiled at him even as her heart sank. That seemed to help him regain his composure.

"Do I have to answer right now?"

"Of course not. Just don't wait too long. There's a lot of interest but I want you to apply for it."

Thank you, sir."

Hillman nodded, then turned his attention to Keri.

"Locke, first off, well done. It was your tenacity that got this case rolling. We'd really be behind the eight ball if you hadn't gotten that head start. And after that rough beginning, you nailed the breakdown in the all-hands meeting in there. I think you've got a real future here."

She felt it coming.

"But…" she said.

Hillman looked genuinely pained.

"But this case is getting political fast. We have to tread lightly considering who's involved. And we're probably only hours from the Feds taking over. We can't have any missteps."

"There won't be," she promised.

Hillman's eyes flashed. Any sympathy he'd had disappeared from his face.

"Denton Rivers threatened to file a complaint against you for assault."

"For what?" Keri demanded, displaying more self-righteousness than she felt.

"How about that massive welt on his head?"

"He already had that when we got there. And then he tripped and hit it on a coffee table."

"Stow that bullshit! Don't insult my intelligence, Detective. The decision has been made. We can't have any more suspects tripping into coffee tables. You're off the case."

"Off?" she repeated, stunned.

Hillman nodded.

"We'll still tap you as a resource if need be. You're obviously well versed in the case particulars. But beyond that, yes, you're off. I can't risk anything that puts a conviction in jeopardy."

Ray cleared his throat.

"With all due respect, sir-"

Hillman held up his hand.

"Don't waste your breath, Sands. The decision has been made."

He continued to talk but Keri didn't hear it. An image flashed through her head of a little girl being tossed into a van, of a loud thud as her body slammed into the wall. Then a voice snapped her out of it.

"Locke, are you there?"

Hillman's voice was loud, as if he'd asked the question more than once.

She said, "Yes, sir."

"Okay. That's it then. Go home and get some sleep."

Ray stood up and said, "Sir, if she's off the case, I'm off too."

Lieutenant Hillman frowned.

"I need you to coordinate the surveillance footage with Patterson."

Ray exhaled, deciding, then said, "Detective Locke is my partner. We're both on or we're both off."

The look on Hillman's face was one Keri had never seen before. His mouth twisted into a warped pucker. The lines in his forehead formed even deeper grooves than usual. He seemed to be desperately struggling to contain his temper.

"It wasn't a request, Detective Sands," he finally growled.

"In that case, sir, I'm not feeling very well. I think I need to take some sick time."

Keri said softly, "Ray, don't."

He ignored her, staring hard at Hillman with his one good eye.

The older man stared back, and after what felt like an eternity, seemed to relent. He shook his head in disbelief and said, "Fine. Take your 'sick time.' Now get out of here before I suspend you."

They walked out of his office.

Keri turned to him; he looked as dazed as she felt.

"What do we do now?" Keri asked.

"Meet me at your car in five minutes. I have to wrap a few things up."

"Where are we going?"

"To get drunk," he answered.

*

Fifteen minutes later, at just after eight, they sat at a tiny corner booth at Clive's, a Culver City bar popular with cops. Keri was on her second Glenlivet. Ray sipped a light beer.

"Trying to keep your girlish figure?" she teased.

"I have to stay in shape in case the next suspect you attack tries to fight back."

"I deserved that. You know, I'm starting to think that having me for a partner isn't all that great for your career, Ray."

"Starting to think…?" he asked incredulously.

"Seriously-I don't have much in the way of impulse control and you always to seem to bear the brunt of that. You stood by me with Hillman, so now he's pissed at you, possibly putting that Homicide job at risk. I'm like a human tire fire. You should stay clear of me."

"What if I don't want to stay clear of you?" he asked with more sincerity than Keri was prepared for.

She downed some more scotch and let it warm her insides. The shots were starting to take the edge off and she considered giving a heartfelt response. Was there a better time to address this than now? Her position in the unit was in question. Ray might be moved to Homicide. Maybe they should finally shoot straight about what exactly they were to each other-partners, friends, more?

But before she could reply, Ray seemed to lose his nerve and spoke up quickly.

"I mean, if I lost you as a partner, who would teach me all those dope Krav Maga moves?"

Keri felt the moment passing and decided to let it go-for now.

"Yeah, you'd be lost without me. Otherwise, you'd have to depend on those boxing hooks and jabs and crewcuts."

"Uppercuts," he said softly, smiling.

"Yeah, those."

"You know, that's what I thought Lenny Jack was coming at me with in that last fight, an uppercut. But he surprised me with that hook and-blam-goodbye eyeball. I was too arrogant."

"Arrogant isn't a word that comes to mind when I think of you; cocky, maybe, but not arrogant."

"You didn't know me back then, Keri. I was arrogant. I was raking in pretty good money. I had nice things. I had a woman who loved me and two kids who adored me. And I took it all for granted. I burned through cash like it was going out of style. I cheated on my wife. I didn't spend time with my children. I treated people badly. And I went into that fight lazy, feeling entitled. I got what I deserved."

"Don't say that."

"It's true. I deserved to lose that fight. And I deserved to go bankrupt. I deserved to have Delilah leave me and take the kids. And I deserved to lose that eye too. Looking back, it actually changed my life

for the better. I actually started to give a shit about other people. It gave me the freedom to try to make a difference. It's weird to say, but it may be the best thing that ever happened to me. Well, almost the best thing."

Pretending not to pick up on that last comment, Keri nodded. They'd both had life-changing events which sent them on a new career path. The difference was that for Ray, law enforcement was a calling. For her, it was a mission with one ultimate goal-to find her daughter.

"I had the dream again last night," she said.

"The one at the park?"

She nodded.

"This time I got so close. I was running so fast. I looked down and saw my bare feet leaving bloody footprints in the gravel. I could almost reach out and touch the back of the van. Evie was looking at me through the rear window. She was screaming but no sound came out. The van hit a bump and she dropped out of sight. Then I woke up. I was so soaked in sweat that I had to change clothes."

"I'm sorry, Keri," Ray said. She refused to look up at him, afraid to let him see that her eyes were damp.

"Ray, am I ever going to find her?"

"We'll find her together. I promise. And when we do, she'll have a lot of birthday parties to make up. Maybe I'll come as a clown," he added, trying to lighten the mood. She decided to go along.

"Because that's not scary at all."

"What do you mean? I'm a sweetheart!"

"You're a pituitary case. Putting you in clown makeup isn't going to make it better, Paul Bunyan."

"Whatever you say, Fievel."

Keri opened her mouth to fire back when Ray's phone rang. He answered it before she could get a word out.

"Saved by the bell," she muttered.

"What's up?" he asked the person on the other end of the line. He listened, pulling out his notepad and writing furiously. He didn't say a word until the very end.

"Thanks, Garrett. I owe you."

"What is it?" Keri asked after he'd hung up.

"We gotta go," he said, standing up and dropping some bills on the table. They headed for the door.

"Who was that?"

"Detective Patterson. Before we left the station I asked him to call me with any major updates. He's been checking surveillance from near the school. You know how the front license plate on the van was covered up?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, it looks like the guy forgot to cover the rear one. The security camera from a tattoo parlor on Windward caught it. They got a hit. It belongs to a guy named Johnnie Cotton. He's got a long rap sheet. I can fill you in on the details in the car. But the most important one is that he's a small-time drug dealer."

"Why does that matter?"

"Because you know one of his clients."

"Who's that?" Keri asked as they hurried down the street to her car.

"Denton Rivers. Patterson said the kid just admitted it to Sterling and Cantwell. That's who gave him the first bump on his head and the scratches too. Apparently Denton hadn't been paying his bills."

"You're thinking that Johnnie Cotton took Ashley as collateral?"

"It's a theory."

"So why are we in such a hurry?"

"First give me your keys," Ray said.

"Why?"

"Because you don't handle your Glenlivet as well as you think you do."

Keri had to admit that the warm feeling from the shots hadn't subsided. She tossed him her keys.

"Now will you tell me why we're in such a rush?"

"Because Patterson told me that Hillman's assembling a strike team to hit Cotton's place. They'll be there in about forty-five minutes."

"So what?"

"So, Cotton lives near the Baldwin Hills oil fields."

"That's ten minutes from here," Keri said.

"Yes, it is. Care to go on a field trip?"

"I thought we were off the case."

"You're off the case. I'm on sick leave. But I'm feeling better all of a sudden. Can I help it if you were in the car with me when I decided to pursue a viable lead?" He was grinning from ear to ear.

"Hillman's going to kill you."

"Not if he wants me to take that Homicide job, he's not. So are you in or not?"

Keri raised her eyebrows.

Did this guy forget who he's talking to?

"Drive," she said.

Within seconds they were tearing down the street, siren blaring. If they made good time, they'd be at Cotton's place a half hour before the cavalry.

And if Ashley's hurt, you're going to be begging for them to show up.

同类推荐
  • Jack and the Geniuses
  • Tales from the Hood (The Sisters Grimm #6)

    Tales from the Hood (The Sisters Grimm #6)

    Fans of fractured fairy tales will be delighted to discover the fantasy, mystery, adventure, and humor in the beloved New York Times bestselling Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley, now with new cover art. The nine wildly popular books are favorites around the world. They were among the first books to bring a distinctly girl-power spin to fairy tales—a trend followed by hit television series and movies such as Grimm and Maleficent; the bestselling book series the Land of Stories; and more. Now, books one through six in this smash-hit series appear with new covers, with books seven, eight, and nine available as revised editions soon.
  • Cause to Run (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 2)

    Cause to Run (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 2)

    "A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go."--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone)From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense.In CAUSE TO RUN (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 2), a new serial killer is stalking Boston, killing his victims in bizarre ways, taunting the police with mysterious puzzles that reference the stars. As the stakes are upped and the pressure is on, the Boston Police Department is forced to call in its most brilliant—and most controversial—homicide detective: Avery Black.
  • 复活 (龙人日志系列#9)

    复活 (龙人日志系列#9)

    在《复活》(《龙人日志》#9中),十六岁的斯嘉丽·潘恩发现自己发生了不可思议的变化。她变得对光敏感,可以读出他人的想法,并比任何时候都更迅速更强壮。她不明白自己发生了什么,并试着不去理会这些。但是她对这些的不加理会只能到此为止了。她的妈妈,凯特琳·潘恩,太了解自己的女儿发生了什么事情。多个世纪以前,她曾经遭遇过同样的转变为龙人的过程。但是,如今,作为一个纯粹的人类,她已经完全不记得了。她所有可以了解的来自于那本她在阁楼上发现的日记本——她神秘的龙人日记——讲述着她在另外的时代和地方里的经历,以及讲述着龙人种族被抹去的事实。但是规则之外是否有特例?她的女儿,斯嘉丽,可不可能是地球上最后一个幸存的龙人?当斯嘉丽竭力与自己正在发生的改变做斗争时,她也在极力与自己对布雷克——一个与她同级的她深深迷恋的人——的强烈情感做斗争。然而,她不肯定,他是不是也爱着她。而随着万圣节前夕大舞会的到来,紧张一触即发。她愿意为布雷克付出一切。但是,薇薇安——所有受欢迎的女孩中最可恶的一个,也喜欢布雷克,而且她会不择手段得到布雷克——这让斯嘉丽的生活犹如堕入地狱。幸运的是,斯嘉丽有自己的朋友圈子支持她,这包括她最好的朋友玛利亚和贾丝明。她们同样,面临着男朋友的问题,但是那是在赛奇出现之后的事——那是一个新来的神秘男孩,那个男孩让她的朋友们着迷。斯嘉丽发现自己也被他吸引了——而让她惊讶的是,在学校所有的女孩中,他唯一只关注她一个人。但是她的心意仍然在布雷克身上——至少目前仍是,并且她仍然希望他会邀请她一起跳舞。就在斯嘉丽觉得一切触手可及的时候,她的身体发生了变化。不久,她也许就不能再待在人类伙伴中间。不久,她就要在她活着的渴望和爱的渴望之间做出选择。《龙人日志》#10《渴望》,现在也已有售!
  • 英雄,叛军和女儿 (皇冠和荣耀—第六部)

    英雄,叛军和女儿 (皇冠和荣耀—第六部)

    17岁的西瑞斯,来自帝国提洛斯城的一位美丽却可怜的姑娘。她从噩梦中醒来,发现自己无能为力。她被斯蒂芬尼娅囚禁了起来。魔法小瓶的毒药夺取了她的力气。西瑞斯的命运遇到了残酷的低点,并且她无法阻止命运的车轮碾过她。萨诺斯杀死路西斯后,踏上了回提洛斯城的旅程。他要拯救西瑞斯,拯救他的家乡。但是飞灰城的舰队已经起航了,裹挟着全世界的威力压向提洛斯城。可能为时已晚了,他无法挽回他所拥有的一切。随之而来的是一场史诗般的战争,决定着提洛斯城的命运。《英雄,叛军和女儿》讲述了一个悲剧性的爱情、复仇、背叛、野心和命运的史诗故事。充满了令人难忘的人物和令人心悸的动作情节,它将我们带入一个永远难忘的世界,让我们再次爱上幻想。
热门推荐
  • 培养青少年感受亲情的故事(青少年健康成长大课堂)

    培养青少年感受亲情的故事(青少年健康成长大课堂)

    品读人生的故事,便走进了有故事的人生。在现代社会如此快节奏的生活中,我们似乎忘记了那曾经的宁静、真情与虔诚,更忘记了品味生活的苦涩与甘甜,只是无奈地慨叹时光的匆匆流逝、生活的平淡乏味。为我们的心灵找一个安静的角落吧!翻开本书,于每一则小故事中感受生命的真谛,于优美的文字中倾听世界美的旋律。
  • 流年,不负你我

    流年,不负你我

    等待总是漫长无比,但等一个熟悉的陌生人更加寂寞。雨露每次都会去老地方等待,她只要一个理由,他给的理由,直到再次遇见。她以为时间会抹去以前的不好,没想到这次却得知一个连她自己都无法原谅自己的事情,因她的间接因素导致他父母离世,他选择一个人承受也不愿她愧疚一生,只是他再也无法面对,就在她选择离开时一切似乎变了。
  • 韩伯仁家的水羊

    韩伯仁家的水羊

    伯仁家的羊是水羊,也就是母羊,水羊是皖北的说法。皖北人很有意思,家里养的牲畜,除了鸡和狗按公母来区分之外,其他的动物就各有说法了,比如牛,公的叫老犍或者牤牛,母的叫舐牛,公驴是叫驴,母驴是草驴,公猫不叫公猫,叫做郎猫,母猫则叫做咪猫,羊也是,公的叫骚货头,母的叫做水羊。当然,骡子是要和这些动物区别开的,骡子是个杂种,它干的活最累,出的力最多,皖北人也没有给它另起个名字,不管公的还是母的,它不能生,也不能养,二韩人说一个人没有本事,常常用一个歇后语来形容,说他是骡子的家伙——就是一个摆设。
  • 末世胜者为王

    末世胜者为王

    身在遍布僵尸的末世,耕田种地得温饱那是需求;打打僵尸升升级那是乐趣;如果再进一步,搞搞远交近攻,玩玩顺着昌逆者王的把戏,说不定在这个乱世也能成为一个王图霸业笑谈中的不世英雄。秦川是个商人,也是一个有着特殊经历的人。眼前的世界是他的战场,他所要做的就是——提剑跨骑挥鬼雨,搞他个白骨如山鸟惊飞!末世枭雄就是如此……
  • 时空沙漏:腾格里狼王

    时空沙漏:腾格里狼王

    腾格里的召唤,命定的轮回,生生世世的姻缘,灵魂最终的归宿,造就今世重逢。小萝莉撞上银发银瞳的俊美狼王,演绎腾格里广袤大地上独一无二的爱情神话。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 薄幸

    薄幸

    刚嫁给老公,婆婆就有诸多规矩,要求我和老公一个月只能三天同房,而且晚上还站门口不让我们……
  • 黄药师

    黄药师

    黄药师纵横天下事,赢得生前身后名,射雕英雄传的前传,属于黄药师的传奇。
  • 绝世魂主

    绝世魂主

    洛城,方鲁镇。传说中有一种古魂瞳,奇异而又神奇,世人一直在寻找古魂瞳的存在。七年的时间,他曾是一个受人嘲笑与白眼的瞎子。如今,他重见光明,不再是受人耻笑的瞎子与被人收养的弃儿。七年的黑暗时间,他沉寂,他隐忍,他独自承受黑暗的痛苦。七年后的破茧,练就古魂瞳,成为地位之高的符师,成为族人的领袖...乱世之中的英雄,绝世中的魂主,掀起了一方狂潮...只为俯瞰众人,成为最强者。乱世英雄,儿女情长,情深薄寡,谁是他心中的佳人……
  • 中华青少年成长必读集萃:时文选粹

    中华青少年成长必读集萃:时文选粹

    漫漫人生寻寻觅觅,可有亳端蕴秀使你怦然心动?悠悠岁月走走停停,何处暗香袭来让我心有灵犀?与你一起,谛听时代的足音,追寻生命的履迹,发现社会的真实,感受文字的魅力。精选的时文为你采撷一路芬芳,在感悟和思索中伴你成长。
  • 唯美浪漫

    唯美浪漫

    真的同一屋檐下之后,才发现,她,竟真的,不能不爱他……