Switchblade

by Carsen Taite

  “You plan on telling me where we’re going?”

  She walked into the room, wearing only a towel, and I struggled to stay on track. “We’re meeting with Ryan Foster.” I watched to see if she was going to back out, but all I got was a nod. She’d said she trusted me, and she must’ve meant it. Now I felt bad for not trusting her. Again.

  An hour later, we met Ryan in the reception area of her office. If Ryan was surprised I’d brought Jess along, she didn’t show it.

  “Nice to see you, Detective Chance.”

  “Call me Jess.”

  I watched the simple exchange, aware it was a huge step for both of them. Lots of trust going around.

  Ryan led us back to the conference room and invited us to take a seat. “I’m not sure where to start. It seems like we have a lot of connections, but none of them really lead anywhere.”

  “I think Perez and Jackson are the key,” I said. “I just don’t know how we prove it.”

  Ryan nodded. “It would help if we had some idea about how they got so tight in the first place.”

  Jess reached into her pocket and pulled out a flash drive. “I think I can help with that. Before I left work yesterday, I pulled a report cross-referencing all the cases they ever worked together or that had witnesses in common.” She set the drive on the conference table. “Everything’s on here.”

  “Holy shit, Jess. When were you going to tell me about this?” I couldn’t help my reaction, but the sly smile she gave me in return told me I should’ve kept my mouth shut unless I wanted Ryan to know I’d chosen sex over work the night before. “Uh, what I meant to say is wow, that’s great.”

  Jess looked at Ryan. “What do you say, Counselor? Got a couple of extra computers around here so we can all chip in?”

  A few minutes later, Tony appeared with a couple of laptops to go with the one already in the room. Jess copied the files from the drive onto the computers and the three of us started searching. After an hour of pecking away, I wanted to gouge my eyes out. I hated work like this, but Jess acted like we were on a treasure hunt. I glanced over at Ryan who seemed totally in her element. Whatever.

  “Restless?” Jess asked with a knowing smile.

  “A little. Maybe I should get us some lunch.”

  “It’s ten a.m.”

  “If you’re hungry, I can get Tony to order some food,” Ryan offered.

  “She’s not really hungry. She’s bored.”

  “I’m not bored. It’s just I feel like I should actually be doing something.”

  Jess turned to Ryan. “Don’t worry. She’s not insulting us or the work we’re doing. She doesn’t think it’s a full day’s work unless she gets to use a gun or handcuffs.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but my phone rang. Ronnie. For the thousandth time. Jess raised her eyebrows and I showed her the display.

  “You should probably get that.”

  “No need.”

  “You’re going to have to talk to her sometime.”

  “I guess.”

  “Now’s as good a time as any. Answer the phone, Luca.”

  I stared hard at Jess, trying to penetrate any hidden meaning, any trick behind her words. Nothing. She was right. It was time to act like an adult, face the other woman, and tell her to buzz off. I answered the call. “Bennett.”

  “Where have you been? I’ve left a dozen messages. We can’t work together if you won’t communicate with me.”

  “About that.” I fumbled for what to say. Jess was staring straight into her computer screen, but I knew she was listening. “We need to talk.”

  “You bet we do. Did you know Jackson’s out of his coma? That he’s on his way home right now?”

  “What?”

  “I called the hospital this morning. Pretended to be Detective Perez and the nurse was more than happy to tell me he’d been discharged. Apparently, his injury wasn’t as severe as they first thought. She was a little confused, since she thought I, make that Perez, had been the one to take him home.”

  “You’re insane. What were you thinking?”

  Ryan and Jess were both staring at me now, neither pretending to continue looking up files in favor of eavesdropping on my conversation. I didn’t blame them. I could hardly believe what Ronnie was telling me, but I was already thinking of how to take advantage of the information. “When did you call the hospital?”

  “About eight this morning.”

  “And you’re sure they said he left with her?”

  “The nurse said he was going home with me, I mean Perez. Luca, what are you going to do? What have you been doing? Jorge’s been a mess ever since his wife got back from the hospital. They’re staying at my mom’s, which only makes me worried about her.”

  I tuned her out in favor of the train of thought chugging through my brain. “I have to look into something. I’ll call you back when I know more.”

  So much for telling Ronnie to get lost. I hung up and turned to face Jess, while Ryan kept her gaze focused on the computer screen in front of her.

  “Yes?” Jess asked.

  “Jackson left the hospital with Perez this morning. He’s out of his coma.”

  “That seems sudden.”

  “I guess. I’d just assumed he was done for. Anyway, I’m thinking I should go over there and see what I can find out.”

  Jess shook her head. “Are you crazy?”

  I assumed it was a rhetorical question. “We’re trying to find the connection, aren’t we? Why not show up where I know they’re both going to be and settle this once and for all?”

  “Down, girl. You’re not going to settle anything by going over there. Perez’ll shoot you before she lets you through the door. Sit down and let’s think this through.”

  “Maybe you should both sit down,” Ryan said. “I think I’ve found something.”

  Jess and I crowded around Ryan’s computer and watched while she brought up several reports on a split screen. “See here.” She pointed. “This looks like the first time Perez and Jackson crossed paths in an investigation, back when they both worked in vice. And here, look at this one. The defendant in this case, Jose Calderon, is listed as a CI in this one.” She pointed to another section of the screen. “And here he is again. And again.”

  “Okay, so what’s that mean?”

  “By itself, it means nothing, but I just happen to recognize the name. It’s come up at least a dozen times on the police reports from when my clients were arrested. Supposedly, he’s a fairly big-time dealer vice and the feds have been investigating. Word is he’s the one who supplied the drugs that were the source of all these busts. Of course, all the drugs in the Dallas County cases turned out to be fake, so he may be a big bunch of nothing, but I think it’s a little odd that someone who used to be a CI and did extensive work for Jackson and Perez is now a wanted man.”

  “Maybe it’s just a case of once a criminal, always a criminal,” Jess said as she reviewed the reports on Ryan’s computer screen. “Looks like he was never arrested again after this first time, but he turned into Perez’s go-to witness. She must’ve cut a deal with him.” She rocked back in her chair, and I recognized her thinking look.

  “When’s the last time you show him listed as a CI on these reports?” Jess asked.

  “Let me check.” Ryan punched a few buttons on the keyboard and pages started whirring by. “Interesting. Looks like the last time Jackson used him as a CI was about a month before the first documented fake drug case. Of course, Perez was in homicide at the time, so she wasn’t involved in that case, so I don’t know what this means.”

  I didn’t know what any of it meant, but I had an idea. “I think it’s time I paid her a visit and got some answers.” I was tired of trying to figure things out in the abstract. Perez was up to no good, and I was convinced I could persuade her to talk.

  Jess stood up. “Actually, I think that’s not a bad idea, but you’re not going. I am.”

  “The hell you are.”

 
“Ryan, can you give us a minute?”

  Ryan shot me a look that said “you’re in for it now” and left the room. I took the time to square up for a fight. “You’re not going over there. It’s insane. Besides, aren’t you supposed to be in Ohio?”

  “Maybe I can use that to our advantage. If Perez acts like I shouldn’t be there because I’m supposed to be out of town, we’ll know she’s been the one watching us. But I don’t think Perez was the one who sent you that note. It’s not her style. If she has something to say, she just comes out and says it. Face it. She’s way more likely to talk to me than you. I’ll record whatever she has to say and get out as fast as I can. I know what I’m doing.”

  She did know what she was doing, but it didn’t stop me from worrying. Hell, I’d been ready to throw away a chance at a future with her to keep her safe. Looking into her eyes now, I realized I could never keep her completely safe. She was a cop, a good one. She took risks and put herself in danger on a regular basis. It was who she was. If we were going to be together, I had to accept that she wasn’t going to change and I had to love her for exactly who she was.

  But I didn’t have to like it.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “I’m going to go get Ryan so we can fill her in,” I said.

  “Wait. Not yet.”

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “She can’t be part of recording someone without their permission.”

  “I know the law. You only need one person’s permission to record a conversation, and that would be you in this situation.”

  “Sure, unless you’re a lawyer, and then you can’t record anyone without their knowledge. It’s an attorney rule.”

  “Sucks to have high standards.” I was serious, but Jess just grinned. “How’re we going to do this?”

  “I’ll see if Ryan will let me borrow her car in case yours is being watched. As for the recording, give me your phone.” She held out her hand and I handed over my iPhone, trying not to act too superior that at least in the technology department, I had her beat. Jess still had a department-issued Blackberry and an ancient flip phone for personal calls. Never mind I didn’t use half the features available on the phone because I couldn’t really figure the damn thing out.

  Jess scrolled through the screens on my phone. “There’s this app, it’ll let me record the conversation, but show something else on the screen to keep anyone from seeing what I’m doing.”

  “Jess, I need to be able to hear what’s going on. I know you don’t think Perez was behind the shooting, but you don’t know that. I don’t trust her.”

  She ignored me and kept scrolling. “Here it is. This one will let me record and use other functions at the same time.”

  “English, please.”

  “I can keep the phone line open while I’m recording and hide what I’m doing with a fake screen. I’ll take your phone and leave mine with you. You can listen in, but you’ve got to promise you’re not going to go busting down Perez’s door just because you think she’s being an ass.”

  “Pretty much a given she’s going to be an ass. How about you come up with a safe word? Something you wouldn’t normally say. If I hear the word, all bets are off.”

  “Sure, great idea. How about rabbit?”

  “Rabbit? How are you going to work that into conversation?”

  “Easy. You know, like falling down a rabbit hole, or scared like a rabbit?” She put an arm around me and shoved a piece of paper into my hand. “Here’s Perez’s address. She lives in Oak Cliff, not far from here. I promise, I’ll be fine, but if you hear me talking bunnies, rush in like the badass you are.”

  I knew she was teasing, but I’m not immune to flattery. I ducked to hide the blush I could feel creeping across my face. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be there if you need me.”

  Now that we’d exhausted any reason for delay, I felt awkward. If I was such a badass, why was I staying behind while the woman I loved took care of business? We’d agreed I shouldn’t follow her in case my tail had figured out where I was. If something did go wrong, I wouldn’t be close enough to do a damn thing about it. Jess’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  “I can handle this.”

  “I know.” Knowing didn’t make me feel any better.

  “I’ll be back soon.”

  “You better be.”

  “Count on it.”

  Jess opened the door of the conference room. She had her back to me. Coming or going, she was beautiful, but I couldn’t let her go like we’d just had one of our usual casual encounters. “Jess?”

  She stopped and turned. A flash of a smile in her eyes, like she knew I’d have one more thing to say. “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  “I know. I’ve known longer than you have. Now, take some time and get used to it, Bennett, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  Seconds later, she was gone and I started worrying.

  “Everything okay in here?” Ryan entered the room with another woman. “Mind if we wait with you? Luca, this is Brett Logan, my wife.”

  “Nice to meet you. I hear we’re about to be part of a clandestine operation,” Brett said.

  “Actually, I think I’m supposed to keep you two out of it. Something about lawyers being held to a higher standard.”

  Brett sat down and Ryan took the seat next to her, saying, “Let me guess. She’s going to meet with Perez and record their conversation.”

  I’m sure my expression confirmed she was right and she had more to say on the subject. “We’ve talked it over and decided to deal with any fallout when it comes, if it comes. Technically, we’re not doing the recording, and we think it’s important to be here with you while Detective Chance is off taking a risk.”

  “You should probably start calling her Jess. That’s what her friends call her. Detective is kinda like ma’am.”

  We chatted about inane stuff for a few minutes until Jess’s phone, which was sitting in the middle of conference room table, buzzed wildly. I lunged for it and flipped it open. “Jess?”

  “Hey, Luca. I’m about a mile away. I’m going to get set up to record in a minute. Go ahead and put the phone on mute so they can’t hear anything you might inadvertently say.”

  “I’m going to put you on speaker. Ryan and Brett are listening in. They feel like living on the edge.”

  “Good. I’m glad you have people with you. Oh, and I guess I should tell you I love you now, so they can wonder why you’re blushing.”

  I squelched a grin. “Putting you on speaker now.”

  I put the phone on speaker, hit the mute button, and set it in the middle of the table. Brett reached over and put her hand on my arm and squeezed. Normally, I would’ve been put off by the invasion of my personal space by someone I didn’t know, but the touch felt kind of, I don’t know, nice.

  Jess’s voice came through the phone. “I’m pulling onto her street. Next sound you hear should be me getting Perez to talk.”

  We sat silently through the slam of the car door and her footsteps striking the pavement. Her stride sounded strong and sure. Good for her—I was coming out of my skin. I held my breath when she stopped walking. I imagined her pressing the doorbell, taking a deep breath, preparing for Perez’s surprise when she found her standing there.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Hey, Teresa. I came to check on Jackson.” Jess’s voice sounded calm and friendly.

  “He’s fine. I’ll tell him you came by.” A creaking sound, like Perez was closing the door.

  Jess. “Actually, I’d like to talk to you if you have some time.”

  “I’m pretty busy. Another time.” More creaking, followed by a loud smack. Jess’s hand against the door?

  “It’s urgent.” Steps and then the thud of the door closing. “We need to talk about Jose Calderon.”

  “You need to leave,” Perez said.

  “Come on. I did what you said.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Benn
ett. I figured out she’s bad news. You were right about her. You’ve always been right.”

  I winced at the words. Jess was acting a part and she had to say that stuff, but it stung just the same. I steeled myself for whatever else she had to say.

  Jess kept talking, faster now. “Problem is she’s on to you. However much of a fuckup she might be, she’s not stupid, and if you’re not careful, you’re going to get caught.”

  “Is that right? I think you’re blowing smoke.” Perez.

  “I think you’re in way too deep with one of your own CIs and you’re covering for him. Maybe even working with him. What’s Calderon got on you that would make you cross sides? Did he figure out you and Jackson were an item while Jackson was still married? Did he threaten to tell Jackson’s wife? Or maybe better, he threatened to tell the department that Jackson’s a wife beater?”

  Jess was fishing, but maybe one of her crazy theories would get Perez talking.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Did you bring Jackson here to keep him from talking to anyone else, or is he in this with you?”

  “Seriously, Chance, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You need to leave.”

  “What I can’t figure out is why you decided to point the finger at Jorge Moreno. You know his family, especially his sister. Did you really think she wouldn’t turn over every possibility to find out who framed him?”

  “Who says he was framed?”

  “I’m not stupid. He’s the newbie. It was easy for Jackson and others to set him up.”

  “You think the fresh-faced boy is so innocent? Guess that shows what a lousy cop you are. I thought I trained you better, Chance.”

  Jess wouldn’t be baited. She kept punching. “Come on, Teresa, what are you getting out of this? Is Jackson so good in bed that you’d risk a distinguished career just to stand by your man?”

  Silence. Then Jess again. “Did I strike a nerve?”