Cap shrugged because, again, life wasn’t a TV drama. Nothing got wrapped up in an hour. Everything was a process, and as new cases came in, priorities changed. Cases went cold as they got shuffled lower and lower on the list.
Rhys crossed his arms. “Already paying my employees for this week. I can’t do that shit indefinitely.”
“Then you need to let Detective Oscar do her job.”
Rhys’s expression stayed stony for a few stretching seconds before he left without another word or even a glance my way.
I have no clue if that was a resentful acceptance or a resentful rejection.
I waited to make sure he was actually gone before I asked, “What’s this really about?”
Captain jerked his head toward the door. Once I closed it and sat, he explained, “My guess is there’s some donor who has property in the area, and he’s calling in favors.”
“Favors that include a costly undercover assignment?”
Because even if Mr. Monopoly himself had his mustache in a twist over his property values, the proposed investigation was overkill.
He shrugged. “All I know is that they want this dealt with quickly. And they aren’t wrong. Mr. Walker’s business has built up a long list of complaints. If it’s sabotage like he claims, the escalation last night is a concern. It’s a damn miracle no one was shot. We might not get so lucky next time, and then we’ll be left looking like incompetent morons who failed to act.”
“Ifit’s sabotage?”
“Deputy Chief Coalson brought up the possibility that the bar is a front for criminal activity and the shooting was retribution from a rival.”
“Did he say why he thinks that?”
“No, just that he wants it looked into. Placing you undercover gives us an in and coverage either way.” He leaned back and steepled his fingers as he stared at the closed door. “I’m not saying Mr. Walker is guilty of anything. But heishiding something.”
I’d gotten the same feeling when I’d asked him about anyone with a motive to mess with him or Rye.
He drew his focus back to me. “Spend today reassigning your active cases and tomorrow prepping. I want you ready to roll Monday.”
Why didn’t I just stay home?
Oh. That’s right.
Because I’m too stubborn to obey orders.
CHAPTER SEVEN
WHACK-AN-ELF
LUNA
“There you… What the hellhappened to your face?”
At my dad’s greeting the moment I stepped into his living room, I lifted the bag I held away. “If you’re going to be rude, I’m keeping these lemon cookies to myself.”
His concern was still evident, but so was his sweet tooth. “Homemade?”
“Yes. By the most skilled elves in the finest tree bakery.”
I should’ve known the store-bought, processed crap wasn’t going to offer the diversion I wanted, but I’d run out of time to get anything better.
Prepping to go undercover was a shit-ton of work to do in a couple days’ time. For each detail I settled, four more seemed to pop up like an unending game of Whack-a-Mole.
Even though Rhys eventually agreed to let me go undercover at Rye, he’d raised the valid point during his phone call with the captain. Having me stay with him would create enough questions and skepticism to sink the whole thing before it evenbegan. Fortunately, the townhouse two doors down from him was empty.
Or it had been before the department commandeered it by paying cash on my behalf for a speedy rental.
