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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Grady
“I wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t right there in front of me,” my father said sadly.
I pursed my lips and stared at the small computer screen a state police detective had put on my desk, feeling the same way. But there was no mistaking the identity of the man walking across the Minneapolis bank lobby in the video.
“Dale Meecham,” Dad said, disbelief ringing in his tone. “All this time being mayor has been a front for his scheme.”
Once the state police found out Leo Bardot was alive and involved in money laundering through the City of Sven’s Beard’s accounts, things had moved quickly. My buddy from the police academy, Steve Haroldson, was one of the state police detectives on the case, and he’d brought the video footage by my office as a courtesy.
“Mr. Meecham is being taken into custody at his home,” Steve said, looking at his watch. “Right now, actually.”
Coulter put a hand on my back, looking as sick as I felt. All these years, Meecham had gotten away with this on our watch. He’d covered his tracks well, choosing Mrs. Jenkins as treasurer because she didn’t question his authority.
“I promised Avon the details she needs for a story,” I told Steve. “Can I give her your number?”
He looked wary. “We’re not there yet, Grady.”
Avon wasn’t going to be thrilled with that news. She’d been more than patient, and once Meecham was arrested, everyone would be talking.
“How much longer?” I asked. “And what about Bardot? You got eyes on him?”
Steve shook his head. “We’re hoping to use Meecham as a decoy to draw him out. But once the news hits, we won’t be able to do that.”
I considered the different options I had. It was New Year’s Eve, but there wouldn’t be any celebrating until Bardot was behind bars. I’d let him slip away once; I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“I’ll talk to her,” I said.
“Turn on the charm,” Steve said, grinning. “Assuming you’ve still got some, that is.”
I wasn’t in the mood to come up with a response. Worry and regret swirled in my gut over Bardot. It didn’t matter if we busted up his money laundering scheme with the mayor if he escaped yet again. He’d killed a police officer and paralyzed another. If I failed to deliver justice yet again, I wasn’t worthy of the badge I wore.
“We’ve got this covered,” Steve said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve done everything you can do, man, and you did good. I’ll let you know when we have any news.”
I shook my head. “I need to be involved. I can’t just wait to see what happens.”
“Give us a few days,” he said. “Let us do what we do. You’re too close to this.”
It was because of how close I was that I couldn’t just stand by and wait. If it had been Steve’s father who was paralyzed or his girlfriend who was murdered, he’d get it.
“He’s right,” my dad said. “The case is in good hands. You need to sit this one out.”
Pacing to the other side of the room, I laughed humorlessly. “I’m not sitting out shit. I never gave up on this case. I run Bardot’s name through every database I can on weekends. I may not have known he was as close as he was, but I never gave up. I’m sure as hell not giving up now.”
Steve gave me a pained look. “No one’s asking you to give up. But this is out of your jurisdiction now. You know how this needs to go down.”
“That’s bullshit.”
His cell phone buzzed, and Steve looked down at the screen, reading the message there aloud. “We have Meecham in custody. I have to go, but I’ll update you when I can.” He arched his brows in a serious look. “Out of courtesy. Because this isn’t your case anymore.”
I flipped him the bird as he went for the door of my office.
“I saw that, you know,” he said, his back to me as he turned the doorknob.
“Good.”
He left the room and Coulter, Dad and I just stared at the empty door for a few seconds.
“Guess we just try to make it look like business as usual,” Coulter said. “Helps that it’s a holiday and not a normal workday.”
I ran a hand down my face, feeling like a caged beast. How could I just stand by and wait for others to take Bardot down? Especially when that plan relied on help from that snake Meecham?
“Go see your girl,” Dad said to me.
I imagined having Avon in my arms and suddenly felt more relaxed, knowing I had someone, someone special, to talk about this with. If I had to stand back and wait, there was no one I wanted to be with more than her.
I nodded. “Yeah, I think I will.”
