destructive decision after another. Cass wasn’t Kristin. At least she hadn’t dragged a kid down with her.
“She wants to talk to you but didn’t want to jam you up. She had to turn in her department-issued cell.”
Nate nodded. It was more likely that IA was holding it for evidence. Additionally she’d have been asked to turn in her access cards, ID, radio, and weapon, along with her shield.
“But she’d like to talk to you, if you think you can meet her and not have it come back on you some way.”
Interest sharpening, Nate asked, “Where is she?”
“Around the corner at Barney’s. That little diner? Shouldn’t be anyone from here at this time in the morning. But if you want me to let her know it should be somewhere else—”
Glancing at the clock, Nate rose. Grabbed his jacket. “I’ll meet her now.” Morales might not be thrilled with the decision, but he’d leave the politics to the brass. There were times when friendship superseded the job.
This was one of those times.
Cass Recker huddled over a coffee at Barney’s cracked laminate counter, the picture of dejection. Nate slid onto the stool next to her, caught the waitress’s eye, and she ambled over. “Coffee.”
Trying for a smile that didn’t quite come off, Cass said, “I wasn’t sure you’d come. That you could.” Then her eyes filled with nerves. “This isn’t going to get you in trouble, is it?”
“Don’t worry about me. How are you doing?” He accepted a steaming mug from the woman in the pink uniform and hoped it was at least as good as Darrell’s.
She lifted a shoulder. “Wishing I’d listened to you. I just can’t believe Donny would do this to me.” Cass lifted her cup to her lips. Drank. “I know what you’re thinking. I’ve taken a lot of shit from him. But this . . . he’s telling them he didn’t make those calls on my cell. That I did it. Can you believe that? He’s implicating me in a burglary ring.”
“Look at me.” He waited until she did. Hoped that she was paying attention with her head as well as with her ears. “You have to cut him loose. Here.” He tapped her chest above her heart. “This is about survival. He’s thrown you to the wolves. You don’t owe him a thing. And if you try to help him, you’re going down with him.” Fear flared in her eyes. Good. Nate hoped to hell she was scared. He was scared for her.
“I know it. I do,” she insisted, when Nate opened his mouth again. “My rep says no contact, and believe me, if he came near me right now, I’d be tempted to put a bullet in him.” Her smile was bitter. “If I hadn’t had to hand in my weapon.”
“Hopefully IA has enough on the burglary ring that ties him to it, and it’ll end up being his word against yours. Cop. Known felon. Balances out in your favor.”
“Cop who’s been colluding with known felon.” Her tone and her eyes were bleak. “Believe me, I know the score here. I might lose my shield over this.”
He didn’t give her false platitudes. They both knew she was right. Whatever the outcome, she wouldn’t be returning to work with him. If she was reinstated, this was a stain that would remain on her record for years to come. Nate leaned in to bump her shoulder companionably. “This’ll give you a chance to catch up on those soap operas you’ve been missing out on.”
“Jesus.” She gave a short laugh, swiped at her eyes. “Shoot me now.”
“You can always go visit your mom and sisters.”
“Two hours in a room with them and I want to jump out a window. Three hours, and they’re lining up to give me a push.”
A thought struck. He hesitated, then said slowly, “Or if you’re really desperate for something to do . . . Kristin has disappeared. Took Tucker with her. They were gone when I got home last night.”
Clearly glad to have something other than her own misery to concentrate on, Cass touched his arm. “Shit. I’m sorry, Nate. Any ideas where she went?”
He shrugged. “No note. Her friends aren’t talking. At least not to me.”
“But they don’t know me. I might get something out of them.” Her expression lightened. “I wouldn’t mind looking into it. It’ll give me something to concentrate on. And I need to take my mind off this mess, or I’m going to jump off a bridge, I swear.”