this time. Alice was, apparently, the granddaughter of Carlos Osorio—who had been taken into custody today. As for the mayor, her connection had not been clarified—at least not as far as Kerri knew. She imagined some sort of deal was being made before details—if any—were released.
For Kerri and Tori, the nightmare was over.
“I called you into my office,” the LT went on, yanking Kerri back to the here-and-now, “to commend you for your excellent work on the Myers case. Sykes and Peterson have given most of the credit in solving the case to the two of you. I am certain the parents of children from both schools, Brighton and Walker, will be grateful as well. Not only did you help to resolve the Brighton Academy situation; you shed new light on what really happened at Walker. The department, the city, owes you a debt of gratitude. I’m certain there will be more coming on this for the two of you as well as for Sykes and Peterson.”
Kerri shared a look with Falco. “Thank you, sir,” they said simultaneously.
Brooks nodded. “As for the Walsh-Kurtz investigation, the two of you will continue working with the task force. However, in light of certain new insights, you will be lead. I trust that you’ll solve this case in the same thorough and speedy manner.”
“Yes, sir,” Kerri assured him.
“Absolutely,” Falco echoed.
“Good.” Brooks stood, fastened his jacket, and gave a nod. “Excellent work, Detectives. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Kerri pushed to her feet. Falco did the same. They both thanked the LT and filed out of his office.
In a sort of shock, they descended the stairs and headed into the parking lot. The LT was right. It was late. Kerri couldn’t wait to celebrate with Tori and the family. The nightmare was over.
At the door to Falco’s Charger, Kerri hesitated. “I want to do something with the family tonight to celebrate. You up for dinner with my crew?”
He smiled at her over the top of the car. “Always.”
Kerri really liked seeing that smile. “I think I need another vacation after this.”
They got into the car. Falco started the engine. “Damn. You read my mind. I was just thinking I needed one.”
Kerri hummed a sound of acknowledgment. “Yeah. A vacation sounds really good.”
Really, really good.
46
Sunday, April 18
8:15 a.m.
Sadie’s Loft
Sixth Avenue, Twenty-Seventh Street
Birmingham
The pounding on her door forced Sadie off the sofa. She’d heard the notification that someone had approached the fire escape and then the second notification that whoever the hell it was had started up the rusty metal steps. But she hadn’t wanted to move. Not even her eyelids.
She’d been up until five this morning searching, digging through papers.
She stood. Swayed for a bit until she found her bearings.
“Cross, it’s Snipes. Open the fucking door.”
The concept that Snipes had what she needed prodded her into action. She staggered to the door and unlocked all the dead bolts. Pulled the door inward.
“Holy shit.” Snipes made a face. “You look like hell.”
Sadie blew out a breath. “Feel like it. No sleep.”
Snipes made a knowing face. “You need coffee and a shower.”
Sadie held up a finger. “Coffee I can do. The shower will have to be later, when I’m feeling reasonably human.”
She turned and launched herself toward the counter, where the coffeepot waited to revive her. The sound of the door closing confirmed that Snipes had let himself in.
“What’d you find?” She asked this while going through the steps to load the machine that would ultimately resuscitate her.
Snipes laid a stack of spreadsheets and the thumb drive on the counter. “Lots of numbers and dates. I don’t know what any of it means, but there it is.” He tapped the stack. “Enjoy.”
The scent of brewing coffee awakened a few more of her senses. He was halfway across the room before she managed, “Hey. Thanks, man.”
He waved without looking back.
Sadie shuffled to the door, closed it behind him, and engaged the four dead bolts. As much as she despised the idea, she headed for the bathroom. A hot shower would help clear her head. By the time she was finished, the coffee would be ready.
She peeled off her clothes on the way, leaving them wherever they fell. While the shower spewed out cold water, she took a piss. Once the steam started to fill the tiny room, she climbed into the thirty-two-inch-by-thirty-two-inch shower stall and leaned against the plastic wall while the water pummeled her body.
Why was it that everyone she cared about ended up dead?
The whole thing had started