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“That’s fine,” I rush out, waving in the air as though it’s nothing. “Call me if you need anything.”
The statement is for Kaden, but Rhiannon nods. Looks like I’m going home alone. Maybe Dempsey will come back over later when I’m no longer trying to be quiet. The thought sends a thrill down my spine.
After saying goodbye, I slip out of the house and head back out onto the road. Instead of going home, though, I take the route to the station. I’m not exactly keen on being back there after the rigorous questioning I received from Tanaka last night, but I do want answers.
Since it’s the weekend, there’s an entirely different crew of officers than I’m used to seeing. A guy I’ve never met mans the front desk. I guess they do give Tara a break every once in a while.
To my surprise, Bishop and Montgomery are both at work. As I approach, Bishop takes a call and walks off, leaving me with Montgomery.
“Hey,” I say, voice clipped. “Any leads?”
Montgomery frowns. “On what?”
I blink, waiting for the punchline of a stupid joke. “The homicide from last night. Don’t play cute. I’m not in the mood today.”
His jaw muscle ticks. “I’m not being cute. I thought you were expressly told not to touch this case.”
“I’m not touching it,” I grumble. “I’m asking about it. That’s not a crime, Montgomery.”
“No, but it goes against a direct order.” He crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his desk chair. “Back off, Thurman.”
I know he’s right, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. With a frustrated sigh, I storm over to my desk and decide I’ll do my own digging. I’m barely scratching the surface when Tanaka breezes past me, motioning for his office along the way.
“Now,” Tanaka barks over his shoulder.
I glower at Montgomery for tattling and he simply shrugs. As I pass Bishop, he mouths, “sorry,” to me. Whatever. If I could survive last night’s interrogation, I can survive another bitch out from Tanaka. As soon as I close the office door behind me, Tanaka lays into me.
“You have to distance yourself from this case,” Tanaka hisses. “Why is that so damn hard to understand?”
I take in the fury flickering in Tanaka’s dark eyes and the grinding of his molars. The cool, unflappable chief of police is actually pissed.
Because I care about this case?
Or because he’s hiding something and I’m dipping my toes somewhere they don’t belong?
“Let the detectives do their job,” he says icily. “I don’t know how many other ways I can say that for you to get it through your thick skull.”
My nostrils flare with anger, but I reel in a scathing remark that might get me canned. “Montgomery is an idiot. If we actually want to catch this killer, we need all hands on deck, Chief.”
“I disagree with one of those statements.” He narrows his eyes at me. “And we don’t need all hands on deck. Especially not yours. The deceased is your sister’s boyfriend, for fuck’s sake, and your nephew is a suspect!”
I shake my head in vehemence. “I told you. He didn’t have blood on him. He was scared.”
“You’re his aunt. Of course you’re going to see what you want to see. Like I said, you’re too close to this case. Goddammit, don’t make me put you on leave over this.”
Shrinking back from his words, I study his eyes for the truth. He’s hanging on by a thread. If he puts me on leave over a disciplinary action, I may as well kiss my career goodbye. Gritting my teeth, I force back all the arguments I’m desperate to unleash.
“Got it, sir.”
Tanaka nods and huffs out a sharp breath. “Good. Thought so. Now go enjoy the rest of your weekend. We’ll handle it from here. I promise.”
His promises mean nothing to me.
“Thanks,” I grind out. “I hope you catch the real killer soon.”
While Montgomery chases his tail in circles, I’ll get to the bottom of this on my own time. If I have to submit anonymous tips, I will. Maybe I can even get Dempsey to help me.
One way or another, I will figure out who did this and clear my nephew’s name.
