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“Yes, sir,” Linc and Seth said in unison.
“Good. Don’t let me down,” the lieutenant said gruffly. He handed them a case file and opened the door for them to go inside while Pearce watched on the other side of the glass.
As soon as they stepped into the room, Seth and Linc sank into their roles. Lincoln sat down directly across from the guy, his face solemn, his big hands folded calmly on the table in front of him. Seth stayed on his feet, slowly pacing around the room. The lanky guy looked petrified, and his red-rimmed eyes showed he had either been crying or not sleeping, or both. Seth felt sorry for the kid. He didn’t seem like a dangerous offender, just someone whose life was spiraling beyond his control. Seth knew how to get to him—treat him like a person.
Linc had a powerful, calming presence that could scare your pants off or put you at ease, whichever the situation called for. Seth could talk circles around anyone, and he used his conversational skills and casual charm to get people talking. Besides, he could tell this guy was on the verge of breaking anyway.
“Your name is Cody Brian Fuller, but you prefer Brian,” Seth began.
“Yeah,” the guy muttered.
“Well, then, Brian. We have a few things to discuss,” Seth went on. “I’m sure you know.”
“I don’t know anything,” he mumbled.
“That’s not true. You know about Miami Blues. You know about Gentry Hays. And it seems like you might know a little something about alcohol,” Seth replied sympathetically. “How long have you had a drinking problem?”
Brian looked almost tearful. He hung his head. “Guess it all started a couple years ago when my grandpa passed. He basically raised me. His name was Brian, too.”
“That’s why you go by your middle name,” Seth confirmed.
Brian nodded, looking at Linc. “So, if he’s good cop, are you bad cop?” he asked.
Linc shook his head. “Neither of us is bad cop. We only want to do good around here.”
“Pfft. Yeah. Like you guys could ever understand the pressure I’m under.” Brian sighed.
Linc leaned in. “Try us.”
The kid bit his lip, holding back for a moment. Then, it all came pouring out.
“Man, I’ve been tryin’ so hard to stop drinking. Even went to a couple of those AA meetings and everybody was so nice. But then I have to go to Miami Blues and there’s booze everywhere around me and I get so stressed out I can’t say no,” he rambled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m so weak.”
“Addiction is a difficult battle,” Seth reminded him. “You’re a fighter.”
“We know you didn’t mean to cause any harm the other night,” Linc added.
“But you did give her a good shake-up,” Seth said.
Brian whimpered. “I’m so sorry I scared that girl with the pretty voice. I wasn’t trying to scare her, just warn her.”
Linc raised an eyebrow. “Warn her? About what?”
Brian went deathly pale. “Uh, never mind. I take it back.”
Seth sat down next to Linc and leaned in. “Brian, warn her aboutwhat?”
The suspect looked pained for a minute, then burst out, “He’s gone money-crazy. He doesn’t care who he hurts anymore. He just wants to make money, even if it puts everyone in danger. Even if it’s stressing us all out and driving me to drink. I just can’t handle being his lackey anymore. It’s too much. My Grandpa Brian would be so disappointed in me,” Brian lamented.
“But he’d be proud of you for coming clean,” Linc assured him.
“You think so?” Brian replied. Then his face crumpled into his hands again. In a muffled voice, he groaned, “Oh god. Ricky’s gonna kill me.”
Seth and Linc locked eyes. There it was.
18
Lincoln
