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Gonzo followed Malone into his office and closed the door. “Two things. One, I’m hearing from a number of people that they’d like to make a statement in support of the chief from within the ranks. We’d like it to say that, at a time like this, the last thing we need is a leadership change.”
Malone sat behind his desk as he pondered that. “I like it.”
“We’ll get to work on that.”
“Keep it on the down-low until you’re ready to go public with it. We’ll make sure to use it to our full advantage. Great idea, Sarge. The chief will appreciate it.”
“No problem. We thought it was important that the public—and the mayor and anyone else—hear it from the people who work for him.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but we need to act quickly. The pressure on him to resign is intense.”
“We’ll be quick. Second thing… We’ve pretty much got Randy Bryant nailed on murder-for-hire charges in the Fortier case. We’ll be talking to him this morning. But there’s a wrinkle.”
“Isn’t there always?”
“This is a big one. His father is a congressman from Milwaukee.”
“Well, that doesn’t change the facts, right?”
“No, it doesn’t, but I wanted you to be aware that he’s got a big-time lawyer talking about how he’ll have our badges.”
“Got it. Thanks for the warning.”
Gonzo appreciated that the lawyer’s empty threats had no effect on Malone. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks.”
Gonzo left Malone’s office and returned to the pit, where Cruz and Green were working at their desks. “Green light on the petition in support of the chief, but he wants us to keep it on the down-low until we’re ready to go public. He said we need to act quickly.”
“We’ll get on it,” Cruz said.
“What did he say about Representative Bryant?” Cameron asked.
“That who Randy Bryant’s father is doesn’t change the facts. Let’s get him and the attorney in a room and get this one finished up.”
“Do you want the AUSA?” Cruz asked.
“Yeah, give them a call and get someone over here.”
Gonzo went into Sam’s office and grabbed the case file that contained printed reports of everything they had so far tying Randy Bryant and Tori Stevens to the murder of Rachel Fortier. His phone rang with a call from a number he didn’t recognize. “Sergeant Gonzales.”
“This is Caroline Fortier, Rachel’s mother.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I was wondering if there’s any news in my daughter’s case.”
“We think we know what happened.”
“Can you tell me? The not knowing… It’s… Well, it’s all just devastating.”
“It’s not official yet, but we believe that Gordon’s ex-girlfriend—”
“The one who was harassing my daughter?”
“Yes. We believe she hired someone to kill Rachel.”
“Oh my God. How does a college student have the money for such a thing?”
