head slowly, he said, “No. I allow the law and justice to take its course and, from your surroundings, I’d say that’s happening. For me, I’m satisfied with knowing my sister is well, happy, and healthy.”
Doug held his gaze, then shook his head. “For what it’s worth, I never intended Tara to get caught up in the… situation.” His face hardened as he added, “I have no idea what you think we need to talk about.”
Refusing to give in to the verbal baiting, Kyle began. “The arrangement you had with Beth Washington was not just between the two of you. You helped organize the drug runners and profited, but you’re just a cog in the wheel.”
Doug remained quiet, his gaze never wavering.
“You pleaded guilty, so it never went to trial, but you also never gave up anyone else. Well, except those below you.”
Doug continued to remain silent.
Alex took over. “You may be smart but not smart enough to organize everything. You’re only a small cog, not as big as you liked to think you were.”
“What is it exactly you think I’m going to say?” Doug finally bit out. “If I didn’t give up anything months ago, why do you think I’m going to say anything now?”
“Because months ago you hadn’t been in here.” At that statement, Kyle waved his hands slightly to indicate the bars on the window and the guard standing behind him. He saw a faint flicker move through Doug’s eyes and wondered if the prison was already taking its toll on him. Doug had tried to maneuver into a position of authority by volunteering in the prison’s clinic. The warden didn’t want him close to medications or other prisoners who might have battled addiction, so his request was denied.
Shaking his head, Doug replied, “Detectives, I’ve got nothing to say.”
“So, you’re willing to sit here in prison and let those higher up the chain get away with everything.”
A slight snort was the only indication that Doug had any reaction to Kyle’s question. He leveled the detectives with his gaze and said, “You’re the detectives, you figure it out. If you’re so sure I was in the middle of the chain, then you figure out who profited the most.” Standing, he turned toward the guard. “I’m finished here.”
Kyle and Alex stood also, watching as Doug stopped right before he passed through the door.
Doug looked over his shoulder and said, “There’s a lot of money in drugs. Think about that the next time you go to pick up your aspirin at the drugstore. Advertising, pharmaceutical companies lobbying physicians and politicians… lots of money exchanges between the hands that go into that bottle you pick up when you’re trying to stop your headache.” Without another word, he turned back to the guard and exited.
For a moment, Kyle and Alex stood silently. Finally, Alex huffed, “What the fuck?”
Kyle nodded slowly. “I know he just told us something, but what the hell he meant, I don’t know. Looks like it’s back to following the money trail.”
As much as she would have liked to spend the afternoon with Kyle, Kimberly could not deny that it was nice to have a chance to catch up on everything she needed to do at home. She had showered at his place but dumped her dress and underwear into the dirty clothes and hauled it to her laundry room, starting a load to wash.
Dressed in comfortable clothes, she vacuumed and dusted, neither an activity she enjoyed beyond simple tasks that everyone has to endure. Her house was smaller, but she loved Kyle’s house, especially the third-floor bonus room and deck with its harbor view. Bob had finished her basement also, which would be great for a family but was rarely used by her.
Finally finished with household chores, she sat down on her sofa and pulled out the notes she’d taken from her various interviews. Opening her laptop, she typed the notes, remembrances, impressions, and even included the pictures she’d taken with her phone.
Scrolling through the photographs, it was amusing to see the different offices. Tammy’s had been tiny, organized, filled with maps and files for the drivers. Bob’s had been utilitarian, somewhat neat, but she had the idea that occasionally he might have to search to put his hand on something he needed. She was used to John’s office but now realized it was similar to Helen’s, which would make sense as they were both department supervisors, although hers was more organized. Dr. Chen’s office was filled with