Page 89 of Chasing Honor

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“Lenox, a word?” My captain stopped me after the afternoon briefing.

“I’ll wait for you outside,” Lorenz told me and walked toward to exit.

“How’s Honor recovering?” he asked.

“Very well. Thank you for asking. I appreciate you approving my leave.”

“And Carson?” he asked, not bothering to acknowledge my gratitude.

“Five by five.”

“And you?”

“Not sure I’m tracking, Captain.”

“I need to know if your head’s in the game. I can’t have you out on the streets when you’re thinking about home.”

“Copy that.”

“And stay the fuck away from Detective Wild and the Harris case. I don’t want IA down here breathing down my neck.”

“Understood.”

“Good. Have a safe tour.”

“Thanks, Captain.”

When I made my way to the patrol car, Lorenz was already in the driver’s seat. I rounded the vehicle and got in.

“What was that about?” he asked.

“Head check,” I answered.

“Figured.”

I waited until Lorenz pulled out of the station parking lot before asking, “Did Sam give a statement?”

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” He shook his head but answered, “He’s maintained that he’s innocent and someone must’ve stolen his car. He swears he’s being set up.”

“What do you think? About the being set up part. We both know the car being stolen is bullshit.”

“He doesn’t have an alibi. He says he wasn’t feeling well after lunch, went to his hotel room and fell asleep—alone. But the fact remains there are no traffic cameras that captured an image of him driving the car. Even though it’s registered to him, I think the DA is going to have a hard time placing him as the driver.”

“I agree. The congressman could’ve hired someone to run Honor off the road. Why would he set up his son?”

“That’s the question. He has the means, motive, and opportunity, but setting up his own son is a stretch.”

“One-Palmer-One. This is Dispatch.”

“One-Palmer-One. Go,” I responded to the radio call.

“Active shooter at Autumn Lake Nursing Home. Three twenty-five Gilmore. Repeat 3-2-5 Gilmore. Male is wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black baseball cap. Caller advised shooter has one hostage—female doctor.”

“Copy that. En route.”

“Nothing like starting our shift with a bang,” Lorenz deadpanned.