Ryker (Hope City #6) - Kris Michaels Page 0,11
wrote to Clare Edelman, and the crates of pressed Gray Death that we removed from her greenhouse. The DA believes we can still go forward with the case.”
“There is no way to pin this to Peña without Desoto’s testimony.”
“I believe the DA is aware of that, too.” Cliff Sands was trying to get Clare Edelman to roll on Rubio, which would put them one step closer to Peña. He wasn’t sure if his superior had any idea about the connection between Rubio, Desoto, and Clare Edelman, and he would not put that information in front of his glory-mongering boss.
“This team is a miscreant-filled mess. Your mismanagement of the Edelman case borders on criminal. I’m watching you, Terrell. You breathe in the wrong direction and I’ll dismantle this team. You may have friends in high places, but mine are higher.”
Ryker arched an eyebrow. Fenton wasn’t the only one who could throw out threats. “Yes sir, and sir, may I ask why you didn’t inform anyone that Desoto made bail yesterday?”
The man squared his shoulders. “Are you suggesting I failed to pass on information that would have prevented the events of last night?”
Ryker stood his ground with Terrence right beside him. “No sir, I asked why the information didn’t come to us.”
“I didn’t receive any information about Desoto until Major Dewitt contacted me last night to inform me of yet another fiasco.”
“My detectives must have misunderstood what the Deputy told them.”
Fenton sneered. “That seems to be the standard for this team. I’m watching closely, Captain.”
“Duly noted, sir.”
The man spun on his heel and stomped out of the room. Terrence released a huff of air, his shoulders lowering a bit. “Motherfucker is a snake.”
“He is. Get with King. I need the name of the jailor he spoke with, and I need a copy of the paperwork showing Fenton received the notification. Make it happen before Fenton can cover his tracks.”
“On it, and Ryker, don’t let this guy get to you. The commissioner has your back and every person out there would go to the mat for you.” Terry dropped a heavy hand on his shoulder before he power-walked from the conference room. Ryker dropped into the chair and drew a deep breath while he stared at the fake wood grain of the table. It was one thing for Fenton to be gunning for him, but the people on his team were outstanding. When the asshole called them miscreants, a red flag had waved in front of his eyes. He should have said nothing. He should have taken the verbal barb and let it wash over him like the rest of the shit Fenton said, but damn it, he would not let that man take aim at his team.
He leaned back in his chair and stared up at the clock. There were options. Options he didn’t want to think about, but if push came to shove and his people were in Fenton’s direct line of fire, he could punch out. An early retirement would remove Fenton’s bullseye from the team. He could find work somewhere. He had friends; hell, he could beg his half-brother for a temporary job. His gut rolled at that thought. Humbling himself to his half-brother would be a last resort. Fuck, retiring and giving up the fight would be the last thing he’d imagine happening, but after months and months of Fenton’s accusations and attacks, it was a course of action he’d be smart to consider. A call to HR would start the rumor mills, but he could pull most of the documentation from HR’s website.
“Cap, Rayburn and Watson just brought in Mouse.” Patel’s voice from the doorway snapped him from his defeatist thoughts.
“Copy that. What interview room is she in?”
“Three. She’s tweaking a bit, but coherent.”
“I’ll be right there.” He stood up and squared his shoulders. Fenton could push and threaten, but until there was something to worry about, he had a drug enforcement team to run. Drug dealers never stopped pumping poison into the city.
“Cap, I heard that jailor say they called Fenton. Sergeant King had the phone on speaker. He read it right off the form. I know the jailor, too. He’s straight up and isn’t on the take. If that paperwork disappears, he’ll make a statement as to what he saw. We got your back.”
He smiled at Patel and nodded. “Thank you, but you shouldn’t have to worry about me, you have enough to worry about doing your job.”
“You watch out for family, Cap. This team