Washington coughed hard, not as a commentary, however. It sounded like the cold had travelled to his lungs.
Michael looked at him and frowned. “Seriously, man, you need to go home or something.”
“I’m fine,” his partner said stubbornly.
“Why do you want a fresh face?” the lieutenant asked, then held up his hand. “Never mind, stupid question. You think someone in the department is on this pimp’s payroll.”
“Yes, sir, I do, and believe me, it pains me to say it.”
“Crap,” Bates muttered and heaved a big sigh. “I agree.” He tapped a pen against the edge of his desk in obvious thought. “I think I’ve got the right guy. You know Sergeant Daire Callaghan?”
“By reputation, yes.”
“Well, his youngest brother just graduated at the top of the Academy’s class earlier today. I dropped by for the ceremony, because Daire and I were classmates. The kid, Finn, fits the bill perfectly. You’d swear he was seventeen, tops, and even a straight guy like me recognizes he’s a looker.”
Michael stiffened a fraction of a second at the mention of sexuality before relaxing again. He knew Bates didn’t mean anything by it, even knowing Michael’s orientation. While Michael didn’t exactly march in any parades, he wasn’t completely in the closet, either.
“Sounds like our man,” he said neutrally.
“I can’t say he wouldn’t be recognized after giving the graduating speech, but maybe if we let his hair grow a little and put him in the right clothes, even someone who had seen him might not recognize him.”
“It’s a risk we have to take. We have to use a cop for the role, and a rookie is our best bet.”
“Okay, then, I’ll call Daire and set up a meet between you and Finn. We’ll do it at their house so no one sees it.”
Standing up, Michael nodded. “Sounds good, LT. Thanks.”
“Yes, sir, thanks,” Washington added before bending over in a half sneeze, half cough.
“Jesus, Washington,” the lieutenant said as he picked up the phone. “Caruso’s right. Go home.”
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