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Chapter47
“WHAT THE HELLis he doing here?”
Decker, Mars, and Lancaster were walking into the police station the next morning when Childress stormed across the front lobby to confront them.
Decker eyed the police superintendent, who was attempting to stare him down. “I’m observing,” he replied. “Like I was told I could. Natty’s on board with it.”
“I don’t give a damn if Natty’s on board with it.” Childress put a finger in Decker’s face. “And I know damn well that you’re hardly just ‘observing.’ You’re working this case, I know you are, because I know you.”
“Then you know that I want to get to the truth.”
In a scoffing tone, Childress said, “You think you can just waltz back in here and try to do our work for us? We’re perfectly capable of investigating this case ourselves. We don’t need you or the FBI to help us.” He glanced at Mars. “Are you FBI?”
“No, just your friendly neighborhood vigilante.”
“Nothing wrong with cooperation,” interjected Decker. “Happens all the time.” He glanced at Lancaster but was not surprised to see her remain silent. This was her job, this was how she supported her family. And with her health issues, Childress could make her life miserable.
Now Childress got right in Decker’s face. “Just remember that we are still pressing charges against you. And you still have a court date to keep. Hired that lawyer yet? Because you’re going to need one.”
“Well, I won’t be hiring Ken Finger.”
Childress drew back. “Why not? He’s got a good reputation.”
“Yeah, he did such a bang-up job for Meryl Hawkins.”
“Hell! The world’s greatest lawyer couldn’t have gotten Hawkins off. The forensic case was overwhelming.”
“You think so?”
“You built that damn case, Decker,” snapped Childress.
“Only I built itwrong.”
Childress was about to say something but seemed to swallow his words. “What are you talking about?”
“We were all had, that’s what I’m talking about.”
“You’re nuts. Forensics don’t lie.”
“No, they don’t. But people do. All the time.”
“You’re making no damn sense at all.” Childress glared at Lancaster. “How the hell can you work with this guy, Mary?”
“He gets results. You know that as well as I do.”
Childress turned back to Decker. “One step out of line. One. And your ass is mine.”
“Well, that’s quite tempting,” replied Decker.
Childress looked like he was about to throw a punch, but he somehow marshaled his anger and marched off.
“Is he always that mellow?” asked Mars.
“He’s actually gotten better,” said Lancaster. “He went from Satan to just being an asshole.”
“You’re really being prosecuted, Decker?” asked Mars. “I thought it was just a joke.”
“For now, I am. I doubt it will ever get to an actual trial.”
