AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well,” Brooks announced, “it looks as if—”
“This is on me,” Kerri blurted. “Falco was only doing what I asked him to do. I’m the senior detective. It’s my responsibility.”
Falco stared at her. She didn’t have to turn her head to know. She felt his gaze burning into her.
The LT frowned. “As much as I would love to hear whatever it is you’re referring to, Detective, it’s late. I’m sure we’d all rather just wrap this day up and go home.”
Kerri’s stiff posture deflated. She hunkered down into her chair and kept her mouth shut. She might as well prepare for the worst.Thankfully, whatever happened, Tori was safe and had been completely cleared of anything related to Brendal Myers’s death.
At this point, the Myers case was basically closed. Alice Cortez hadn’t admitted anything yet, but Sarah Talley had confirmed all that Tori had been saying from the onset. The statement from Violet Redmond helped to prove Alice was involved with the trouble at Walker as well. Contact hadn’t been made with the school head from Walker just yet. Sykes and Peterson were on top of locating Billings. In the meanwhile, José Cortez’s testimony had backed up Violet’s. As it turned out, Cortez and his wife had paid a hefty price for their involvement with Alice. He insisted they had lived in fear of her for the past nine months. There was no question at this point about who had done what.
The court would assign Alice an attorney and guardian ad litem.
As for the Cortez family and Alice, whatever had brought them together fell within the DEA’s purview. The information had not been shared with the BPD at this time. Alice was, apparently, the granddaughter of Carlos Osorio—who had been taken into custody today. As for the mayor, her connection had not been clarified—at least not as far as Kerri knew. She imagined some sort of deal was being made before details—if any—were released.
For Kerri and Tori, the nightmare was over.
“I called you into my office,” the LT went on, yanking Kerri back to the here-and-now, “to commend you for your excellent work on the Myers case. Sykes and Peterson have given most of the credit in solving the case to the two of you. I am certain the parents of children from both schools, Brighton and Walker, will be grateful as well. Not only did you help to resolve the Brighton Academy situation; you shed new light on what really happened at Walker. The department, the city, owes you a debt of gratitude. I’m certain there will be more coming on this for the two of you as well as for Sykes and Peterson.”
Kerri shared a look with Falco. “Thank you, sir,” they said simultaneously.
Brooks nodded. “As for the Walsh-Kurtz investigation, the two of you will continue working with the task force. However, in light of certain new insights, you will be lead. I trust that you’ll solve this case in the same thorough and speedy manner.”
“Yes, sir,” Kerri assured him.
“Absolutely,” Falco echoed.
“Good.” Brooks stood, fastened his jacket, and gave a nod. “Excellent work, Detectives. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Kerri pushed to her feet. Falco did the same. They both thanked the LT and filed out of his office.
In a sort of shock, they descended the stairs and headed into the parking lot. The LT was right. It was late. Kerri couldn’t wait to celebrate with Tori and the family. The nightmare was over.
At the door to Falco’s Charger, Kerri hesitated. “I want to do something with the family tonight to celebrate. You up for dinner with my crew?”
He smiled at her over the top of the car. “Always.”
Kerri really liked seeing that smile. “I think I need another vacation after this.”
They got into the car. Falco started the engine. “Damn. You read my mind. I was just thinking I needed one.”
Kerri hummed a sound of acknowledgment. “Yeah. A vacation sounds really good.”
Really, really good.
46
Sunday, April 18
8:15 a.m.
Sadie’s Loft
Sixth Avenue, Twenty-Seventh Street
Birmingham
The pounding on her door forced Sadie off the sofa. She’d heard the notification that someone had approached the fire escape and then the second notification that whoever the hell it was had started up the rusty metal steps. But she hadn’t wanted to move. Not even her eyelids.
