Vigilante Investigator Series Box Set

by Eden Sharp

  'It's pretty cool you being the main player in the op,' Kerpen said.

  Barstow had that at least but it was even more of a reason why he should have been kept in the main loop. He wished he had more details but Ortiz had his own way of working. The results he got spoke for themselves.

  Some of the glory might rub off but it would be tempered by the fact that not reporting his concerns may one day come back to bite him in the ass. If there was any hint of corruption it would be illegal not to report it. But who to talk to? Ortiz was his immediate boss. From there it was Kraner and they were tight. Go to anyone higher up the chain and he was too new in the department to have a take on any historical allegiances.

  Dawson came in. He was almost out of everything altogether. Maybe it was worth a shot.

  Barstow picked up a few more files off the pile in front of him and passed them over to Kerpen's side of the desk.

  'When you get finished on that one, you can start on these.'

  He walked over to join Dawson at the other end of the room.

  Barstow pointed at a spare chair.

  'You mind if I sit?'

  Dawson held out a hand.

  'Go right ahead.'

  'What's your take on this next phase? I mean first it was a sale and now it's a buy?'

  'That these kinds of things are fluctuating situations and someone somewhere has the big picture,' Dawson said.

  'It doesn't bother you that Ortiz keeps things to himself and doesn't keep us all in the loop?'

  Dawson smiled.

  'When things are finalized he'll throw a briefing. No point in making any big announcements if details keep changing.'

  'Do you think Ortiz always plays by the book?'

  The smile disappeared.

  'Son, you'll learn when you've been a cop as long as I have that it's practically impossible to always fly straight where criminals and politics are concerned.'

  Barstow hoped he was doing the right thing, putting it out there.

  'I just, you know, the other day when the dope was opened before we had the warrant? I don't want anything coming back to bite me down the line. Do we just pretend that never happened?'

  Dawson stared at him.

  'My advice is there's two things you need to know. You don't want to know everything, and this is a brotherhood. Some things are better kept to yourself.'

  Officer Stuart Kerpen

  Kerpen's eyes were tired, he needed to take a break from checking numbers in columns. He went over to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup of stewed black liquid reduced down to something resembling tar. On his way back over he stopped in front of Barstow's computer. On the screen was a report about Glen Secora. Barstow was tied up. Kerpen was bored. He stood sipping lukewarm caffeine and read a while.

  Barstow

  Barstow decided to put on a fresh roast before dragging himself back to the files and more unanswerable questions. Kerpen was standing in front of his side of the desk checking something out. A sudden thought occurred. What if the guy had been put there to check up on him? Ortiz may have orchestrated the whole thing to make sure his back was covered. In a moment of panic he escalated the notion into the idea that Kerpen could even be a plant from IA.

  He really needed to make that coffee. A combination of lack of sleep, boredom, and resentment was forcing him to overthink everything. All he needed to do was run a check on the guy and find out where he came from. It shouldn't be too difficult to discover why.

  'You good?' Barstow asked.

  Kerpen turned to face him.

  'Sure.'

  Barstow watched him return to the other side of the desk then ran Kerpen’s file while he waited for the coffee to brew.

  The guy had three years on patrol. Most would be expected to build their experience for at least three to five before moving on to a specialty position. And even then a less competitive one than that of detective. It would normally be expected that a candidate sought further training within the department to build investigative skills, but Kerpen didn't appear to have a sponsor on record which made it all the more baffling as to what exactly he was doing here.

  Fresh coffee aroma caught his attention so he shut down the window and went to grab himself a cup.

  Aaron was by the machine pouring out two cups. It was the first time he'd seen him all day. He was probably in conference with Ortiz somewhere.

  'Why are we trying to compromise the cousin we already flipped?' Barstow asked.

  Aaron turned to look at him, a hint of a smirk on his face and shrugged his shoulders.

  The guy could be such an asshole. Barstow nodded over toward Kerpen.

  'Then any idea why I've got him and what the hell he's doing here?'

  Aaron stirred in some milk and threw down the spoon.

  'It came from higher ups. That's all. Just do the fucking babysitting and quit whining.'

  Inspector Aaron

  Aaron tapped the meeting room door with his foot. Jordan opened it up. He put down one of the cups in front of Ortiz then looked back over his shoulder.

  'I didn't know you were here. If you want one, it's just been made.'

  'He's just leaving,' Ortiz said.

  Ortiz took a sip of coffee. He made a face.

  'This stuff gets worse.'

  Jordan closed the door behind him.

  'News?' Aaron asked.

  'GPS confirms McGlynn's been around First Street all day so no problems there. Now we use our friend to feed her a line. Pick some junkie we know and make out he was brought in on a bust. That he made a deal in return for ratting out some crack house owner disposing of a kid who'd OD'd. Maybe he knew her first name then picked her out from her profile picture online. Keep the bitch busy for a while until she's out of the picture permanently.'

  FORTY-THREE

  Angela McGlynn

  By late afternoon I realized I was starving and that Knox hadn't called. I had my concierge get me a cab to Bayview and got the driver to stop at a food truck on the way for a double order of Filipino sweet pork with pico de gallo and cilantro cream sauce salad, and a couple of bottles of water. I got him to drop me at the end of the street and walked up to the car. The house looked quiet and Knox looked bored. I got in beside him, handed him a package of food, and dropped a bottle of water into the center console.

  'The place looks like it did yesterday,' I said.

  'Yeah. Nothing to report.'

  He peered inside the bag.

  'Smells good, thanks. So what have you been up to?'

  'Running through databases.'

  'Find out anything?'

  Knox put some of the food in his mouth.

  'A few relatives that we might be able to get something from but no immediate breakthroughs.'

  He closed his eyes for a moment. Then pointed at the bag.

  'This is freakin' awesome.'

  'Right?'

  'It's got that whole Asian and Mexican thing going on. Outstanding.'

  I fixed on to Cantrell's house and let him finish the food and relax for a while.

  Before long he was done. He cleaned up with the paper napkins and drank most of the water in one long gulp. Then he sat and stared at me.

  'I needed that thanks.'

  'You're welcome.'

  'Why don't you go take a walk? Get some fresh air,' I said.

  'Maybe.'

  Still with the staring.

  I looked away from the house and over at him.

  'So we're just not going to talk about last night?' Knox said.

  I didn't have him pegged as a touchy-feely type. But clearly he was a talker. I wasn't.

  'I had a great evening and I have to say the sex was fantastic. But I'm not what you're looking for,' I said.

  He shook his head. 'I'm not looking for anything.'

  'That's good.'

  'Alrighty then, good talk.'

  He looked away and back at the house.

  I struggled for something else to say but nothing
came so I gave it up.

  So when do we go check out the relatives?' Knox asked.

  'Maybe now before we call it a day. Nothing’s doing here that's for sure.'

  As if fate planned on calling me out, an old red Chevy Cavalier pulled up outside Cantrell's house and a Hispanic male stepped out. Not Pulido. But possibly Cantrell.

  I waited to see if he was resident or just a visitor. He reached the top step and pulled out a key. Questioning him would be tricky. I would be playing my cards. He would know I was looking for Pulido so there was a chance he could warn him of that fact if they were still in contact. I decided to play it straight, minus the private investigator part, unless absolutely necessary. I'd learn something just from Cantrell's reactions. Knox wasn't happy to wait in the car but did as he was told.

  I walked up to the door and knocked.

  Cantrell opened up pretty much straight away without hesitation. He still had his coat on.

  'Yeah?'

  'Do you know a guy called Lorentz Pulido?'

  'Why?'

  Probably a yes then.

  'I need to contact him. Do you have a number where I can reach him?'

  'What's it about?'

  'That's between me and him.'

  'Then I don't know him.'

  Change of plan.

  'I had a kid,' I said.

  He looked me up and down. Seemed to be tying his brain up for a while.

  'You punkin' me.'

  'No. Look I just want to call him and let him know. I don't want money. He may want to see the baby. Please if you have a number.'

  'I don't have a number but I might be able to get a message to him if I see him around some time.'

  'Then can I at least take your number? Please? I'll give you mine.'

  He smiled. 'All right.'

  He took out a cell and we swapped numbers.

  'What you called?'

  'Cindy.'

  He looked me up and down again.

  'Damn.'

  I could crack Cantrell's cell to find out who he called but then I'd have a dilemma. There was a reason for keeping hacking separate. If it came to court and there was a need for me to explain things there were only so many times I could fudge it. I'd told Ortiz about a working girl pointing out Neiger's place when I'd only had an alias. In that instance I could probably get away with making out I couldn't find the witness in question should they ever need to be called. The two things, one illegal and the other dealing with the strict rule of law, mixed like oil and water.

  I filled Knox in on the conversation. He clearly found it amusing.

  'Shut up. I feel like I need a bath,' I said. 'Let's go get a drink.'

  'Okay,' he said. 'You're the baby mama.'

  Officer Stuart Kerpen

  Barstow closed the file he'd been working on and threw it down on the desk.

  Kerpen did the same. The words on the page looked like a blur. He looked over at Barstow.

  'Hey you wanna grab a drink?'

  This could be his chance to find out what Barstow knew about Ortiz and the set up in the unit. What it might mean for his future prospects.

  Barstow thanked him for the offer but declined.

  Aaron came into the squad room. Looked like he was there for coffee. No Ortiz though. He hadn't been around all day.

  'Hey Dawson you want a cup?' Aaron asked, looking over at the far end of the room.

  'Sure.'

  Aaron didn't ask anyone else. He delivered a cup over to Dawson.

  'This job, you know? Just when you think nothing can get to you. One little thing makes you sick to your stomach,' Aaron said. 'Had this junkie in on a bust, wants time off for serving up a body he dumped. Young girl from a good family new in town, ODs in a fucking crack house and gets dumped like a piece of garbage. He gave up a name. You check it out for me?'

  'In the morning,' Dawson said.

  Aaron laughed and patted him on the back.

  Kerpen hoped that he never ended up as jaded.

  'You in over the weekend?' Barstow asked.

  Kerpen wasn't sure. Ortiz hadn't said anything. Aaron looked over. It was good to look keen. Better take advantage of the situation.

  'Yeah. I'll be in all weekend.' He put on his jacket.

  Barstow watched Aaron leave.

  'Maybe we should go for a drink,' he said. 'You know anywhere good? Not the usual cop bar?'

  This was good. He could also check out what Dawson was working on tomorrow.

  'Yeah, I know a few places.'

  FORTY-FOUR

  John Knox

  As soon as they stepped through the door Knox could see Sin Nombre was full of Friday night suits. The place was already small. Now it felt claustrophobic and noisy in contrast to the space and calm of their previous visit. Bodies were three-deep at the bar. Looked like the place had been taken over by an office party. They both spotted one free booth.

  'Go grab it. I'll get Dwayne's attention,' McGlynn said.

  The booth was nearest the bar, only five yards away. Someone peeled off from the throng concentrating on not spilling the drinks they were holding and headed towards it. Knox turned and took a couple of large strides and slid in to the seat. There was a suit jacket on the seat he hadn't seen before. He picked it up and launched it on to the seat of the booth next door ignoring its occupants. The man with the drinks joined the group. They were loud and seemed full of their own self-importance. They could start if they wanted to. He was feeling irritable after sitting in a car for so long by himself. It would be a pleasure to let off some steam. No one complained which under the circumstances he felt was a shame.

  McGlynn was tall but the guys in front of her were taller. She held up her hand to get the barman's attention. Whether he saw her or not Knox couldn't be sure but the two guys standing in front of her locked right on.

  'You want me to buy you a drink sweetheart?' one of them slurred.

  He didn't have a jacket. Knox wondered if it was the same one he had just dumped in the next booth.

  'No,' McGlynn said.

  'It's okay. What you having?'

  McGlynn ignored him.

  'Hey let me get you a drink,' the guy said.

  Knox wondered if he should go over but changed his mind. He figured staying put was going to be a whole lot more fun.

  McGlynn saw an opening as a guy moved away from the bar and out of the barman's eyeline. She raised her hand again to get his attention. The guy minus a jacket went to grab it. McGlynn caught his wrist and twisted it into an unnatural position. He dropped to his knees.

  'Try and touch me again and I'll break it,' she said.

  She released him and caught the barman's eye. He nodded back.

  Knox watched her head back over.

  'A different vibe to last time,' he said.

  The barman squeezed past the bodies and placed a tray on the table containing a bottle of Jack and two glasses with a bottle of Coke and beer on the side then headed back towards the bar.

  'I hate it when it's like this.'

  'You wanna go someplace else?' Knox said.

  'How about your place?' McGlynn said.

  He thought about it for a moment.

  'So you can leave again in the middle of the night?'

  She stood up.

  'Take it or leave it.'

  Knox slid out of his seat.

  'No contest.'

  She turned back.

  'Bring the bottle Knox.'

  'You trying to get me drunk McGlynn?'

  'Do I need to?'

  'Absolutely not.'

  When Knox brought her to him he felt she was with him again. Afterward, lying kissing and warm in the darkness, he thought the closeness might last. That time was irrelevant, that the kissing was forever, and the goodbye would never come. He didn't want to fall asleep and despite the lack of it felt wide awake and energized.

  'I've been thinking about something you said to me after we got jumped by Sureños. You said, if you're not
afraid to die you have to ask yourself if you really want to live.'

  'Yep.'

  'What does that mean exactly?'

  'What if you knew there was something better than this?'

  'You religious? I saw the Buddhist shrine in your house.'

  'I think that all religions are different roads to the same destination. I think quantum physics is crazy enough to suggest that science and religion are the same thing. Maybe the big bang happened because a creative force alone in the universe decided to bring into existence something by which it could experience itself. Maybe it exploded into billions of tiny versions of itself and we're all fragments of that big explosion. Every one of us with the power of creation and destruction to do with as we so choose.'

  'So we're all gods.'

  'Maybe we are.'

  'I told Besson you were fearless. He said it's fear that keeps people alive. It was though he was telling me to look out for you.'

  She shook her head.

  Knox propped himself up on one arm.

  'How come you're not afraid?'

  She looked up at him.

  'Because I already died.'

  Her eyes said she was being serious.

  'How?'

  'At a beach in Kamakura in Japan when I was seventeen. I got caught in a rip tide and drowned. My heart stopped for ten minutes until they brought me back. Except I didn't die. My consciousness remained. The whole time it was happening I was looking down at the scene aware of everything.'

  'I'd very much like to believe that when people die they go to a better place,' he said.

  'It's only sad for those that are left behind.'

  'Buddhists believe we get more than one life right?'

  'Yes but the main philosophy centers around the truth that everything is impermanent and ever-changing and that our dissatisfaction arises from not accepting the fact that nothing lasts forever.'

  Maybe with what she'd said about her childhood she was frightened of loss.