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“Meaning, I have a feeling my buddy won’t have a job in a couple days.”
“Interesting.”
“That smells of a government operation. A long-term undercover agent can lose himself in the process of his work, the rules of the game becoming unclear.”
“So I’ve been told,” I said, my instinct working overtime. Her father had gone rogue.
He shook his head. “Whatever the case, I don’t like it.”
“Let’s see if our good buddy, the chief can confirm that for us.”
As I knocked on the door of Chief Renard’s house, I had a smile on my face, the pictures I’d used against him in my coat pocket. He’d been friendly over the years with my father, even though they were on opposite sides, but there’d been no loyalty to our family.
Until now.
“Martin Banks wasn’t at his office yesterday,” Barrett said from behind me.
“He’s regrouping.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Let’s make certain our chief of police is aware Jade won’t be testifying.”
“It’s out of his hands.”
I gave him a look as I heard footsteps. “Yes, but the man has significant influence.”
Barrett lifted his eyebrows. “We shall see.”
As Renard opened the door, the look of surprise was immediately followed by one of anger. “Constantine Thorn. I’m surprised to see you.”
“I’m certain you are. We need to talk.”
He eyed Barrett then allowed us in, walking us back to what appeared to be his study. “This is my day off, so make it quick.”
“Don’t worry, Chief. I have no intentions of taking too much of your time. I have a question that you will answer. What is being planned by your police force in conjunction with the DEA?”
I could always tell by someone’s initial reaction whether they would tell the truth or try to act as if they had no idea what I was talking about. In this case, there was a slight look of fear in his eyes. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Because?”
“Because of an ongoing investigation.” He said the words methodically, as if they’d been practiced.
“Is that why you’re attempting to persecute my client for a nine-year-old crime that he did not commit?” Barrett asked.
Renard laughed. “I don’t control Martin Banks, Barrett. You of all people should know that. And your client did commit the crime. You know it. I know it. He was lucky to have you as his attorney, disparaging a poor young woman.” He threw me a smug look as if he had the upper hand.
“I suggest you be careful about what you say to Mr. Thorn. He is an upstanding citizen in this city, one who provides a significant amount of revenue. And you do control the detective who was involved in the case years ago.”
“Yes, you do,” I added.
“So what? They have a job to do,” the chief huffed. However, he was getting nervous.
“You should know the witness will not be testifying.” I said the words quietly, without any inflection.
By his expression, I was certain he’d been told about the surprise meeting. “If the case if brought to the grand jury, she will be required to testify. You already know that, Mr. Thorn. If she refuses, she will pay a significant price.”
“I doubt you want to spend taxpayers’ money on a case that goes nowhere, Chief Renard. Especially when your reappointment is only months away.” Barrett was enjoying tormenting the man.
