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“Believe me, I know. But what the hell am I supposed to do when the order comes from the chief himself?”
Cruz stared at him, looking as shocked as Gonzo felt.
“He didn’t say anything about Tori, did he?” Cruz asked.
“No, thank goodness.”
“What the hell is this?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. Go release Bryant.”
“I, uh, okay.”
Gonzo was reeling as he went into Sam’s office and called Captain Malone’s extension. “I need to see you,” he said when the captain picked up. “Urgently. Sam’s office.”
“On my way.”
“Thanks.”
Gonzo put down the phone and waited for the captain as a roaring sound echoed through his ears. He’d been ordered to free a murderer. That was definitely a first.
Malone came in and shut the door behind him. “What’s up?”
“The chief just ordered me to release Randy Bryant. He said the order came from Forrester.”
“What?”
“That’s what we said, too. Cruz just went to see to the release. I’m not sure if the congressman father had something to do with it, but I thought you’d want to know.”
“You’re right. I want to know.”
“So, um, we’re still releasing him?”
“If the chief said to, then we are.”
“And no questions asked?”
“I’ll talk to him and see if I can find out more.”
“What if Bryant kills someone else after we release him?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Tori Stevens is being arraigned again tomorrow on additional charges that she orchestrated the death of Rachel Fortier. What do I say when the judge asks who did the actual killing? Our case against her isn’t as strong without him.”
“You can still charge her with arranging it.”
“It’ll never fly at trial without the coconspirator, and you know it. What am I supposed to tell Rachel’s heartbroken mother?”
“Let me talk to the chief. I’ll be back to you shortly.”
“And we’re still releasing Bryant?”
Malone paused before he said, “Yeah, we are.”
Jake Malone left the pit,feeling as confused as Gonzales was about what was going on. He went to the chief’s suite, where Helen was at her desk, even though it was an hour before her shift started He pointed to the chief’s closed door. “May I?”
“Let me check.” She picked up the phone. A few seconds later, she said, “Go ahead.” As he walked toward the door, she said, “Jake.”
