been in this position before. She nodded at his look of concern and he gave her the faintest of smiles. Damn, she loved that man.
Chapter 21
Brody rolled his shoulders. While the SUVs outside the housing development were concerning, he had a job to do. He was certain Desoto wouldn't be as uncomplicated as Clare had been. Clare was between a rock and a hard place, but millions of people handled financial troubles without turning to crime. She'd known what she was doing was illegal. She'd admitted as much, and thank God they had it on tape, both the confession and the waiver of her rights. Her statement tied Desoto to the transportation of the drugs. He was going away. The question was whether or not the man would take others down to mitigate his time.
Detective Rosen opened the door and a cuffed Desoto ambled into the light. His self-assured swagger and the 'fuck you' sneer he wore was completely inappropriate considering the circumstances. He glanced at Terrell. His captain’s eyes narrowed. Yeah, his boss saw it, too.
"What am I being arrested for, Officer?"
Brody glanced at Harlow and Delgado. "Have you advised him of his rights?"
"Yeah." Delgado placed a not too gentle hand on the guy's shoulder and shoved him into the chair. "He didn't want a lawyer. Harlow witnessed."
"Mr. Paul Desoto, I'm Detective Sergeant Brody King. You were placed under arrest for interstate drug trafficking."
"Really?" The man drew out the word like it was elastic, and he was waiting for a snap.
"Where were you taking the trays?"
"To the dump. Like I do every time Clare asks me to take out the trash."
"At about million dollars per tray, I doubt you throw them away."
"I'm sorry, Detective, but I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I was taking out the trash for my… paramour."
"Well, your paramour has stated you told her when to have her husband retrieve the flats."
"Really? Got any proof there, Detective… King, was it?"
Brody mimicked the guy's eat shit and die smile. "Yes, yes we do."
The man's bravado waned. "Put up or shut up." The uncertainty Desoto felt was lodged deep and it showed in his eyes.
Brody leaned forward. "Clare kept all the envelopes you gave her with the dates of the pickups. How long do you think it will take Aarón Rubio to put a bullet in your head? You are now a loose end."
"Sir, we have movement on the SUVs." Watson's warning snapped Desoto's head in that direction.
"Stop them." Terrell growled the instructions
"There's nothing to those notes," Desoto said, but it was more to himself than anyone in the room. His frantic eyes skittered around the kitchen.
Brody glanced at Terrell. His boss was staring at Watson waiting for an update. Brody pushed on with the interview. "What about the instructions on how she was supposed to explain the money to her husband?"
Desoto's eyes found their way to him slowly. "You have no idea what's coming for you, Detective."
"I'm not interested in your threats."
"You didn't think I came here alone did you? That much product without an escort? You're a fool, and unlike you, I'll be alive at the end of this." Brody moved away from the table at the same time a staccato burst of gunfire sounded from the front yard.
Instinct pushed him toward Desoto, but the man was fast. He jumped up and slammed his shoulder into Delgado who lost his balance and fell into Detective Harlow. As Brody gathered himself, Terrell was barking orders. He sprinted after Desoto who'd jumped through the breakfast nook's window. Desoto was struggling to stand as he hurdled through the windowsill and landed on top of the man.
"Two officers down!" Watson shouted.
"Take those bastards out!" Terrell shouted.
Brody and every cop in the house moved at once. A loud squeal of tires came from the street. The sounds of glass breaking were interspersed with rapid gunfire. It seemed to be contained toward the front of the house. Shouts from his fellow officers filled the air. Desoto spun to his back and kicked at him, catching him at the base of his chin and snapping his head back. Blinding pain dropped him to his knees, but not for long. He blinked to clear his vision and pulled his gun which he pointed directly at Desoto. He heaved to his feet and pushed Desoto onto his stomach. "Stay down. Move and someone is going to shoot you." He'd volunteer to imbed a bullet if no one else took on the job.