Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Matthieu felt his respect for the other man growing. He obviously cared about justice.
“So you decided not to go to IA because you didn’t want to risk ending up like that cop,” Ink said. “Kind of a dangerous move to come here, then.”
Reeves shook his head. “I didn’t say that I wouldn’t work with IA. I just have to be careful.”
What was he trying to say without saying it?
“They expect people to go to IA. They won’t expect anyone to talk to someone in the private sector.”
Matthieu thought that was likely true. This was a ballsy move, for sure.
“Probably because there’s a cost to going to the private sector,” Brody said.
The detective’s face tightened. “Obviously. But I have a way of working around that.”
Hmm. Was he going to ask Ink to work for free? Would Ink do that?
“So you think they have someone that they’ve paid off in IA?” Ink asked.
If so, that was bad.
Really bad.
“I’m guessing so.” Reeves shook his head, looking exhausted. “I don’t know, but I have to do something.”
“And how is it that you think we can help?” Stone asked. “We’re not cops. You want us to start investigating people on the force? That’s not going to be easy. In fact, it will be dangerous if they’re willing to kill one of their own to keep their secret.”
“You must see how bad things have become,” Reeves said. “There are a number of corrupt assholes who are out there demanding protection money from people. They’re pulling over women on trumped up charges and then demanding ‘favors’ so they can avoid being arrested. It’s messed up.”
“And you believe that the Chief of Police has something to do with this corruption?” Matthieu asked.
“Yes. I believe he is the corruption.”
Merde.
This was insane.
“Have you got anything to back that up?” Ink asked.
“Nothing yet but my gut and a bad feeling. It’s that or he’s being paid to look the other way. How can he not see what’s happening? Mind you, the guy never leaves his office. He’s not out there on the streets. But there’s got to have been complaints. I haven’t worked here long, about a year. But I’ve seen enough to make my stomach turn. So I don’t see how he can’t see it. The whole force isn’t corrupt, but the ones that are? Most of them are related to him. Or they have their heads far, far up his ass.”
“So what exactly do you want from us?” Ink asked. “Like Stone said that would be difficult and dangerous to investigate and even if we did find something what could you possibly do with it?”
“I have an idea of how you can get closer to him. Or, at least, close to someone in his family. Someone who also might have insight.”
“Yeah? Who? How?” Ink asked.
“The Chief is being threatened.”
“Threatened?” Brody asked, looking up from his laptop.
“What sort of threats?” Ink asked.
“At first he got several notes. Threats to kill him. To harm him. But then it escalated when someone tried to run him off the road. That’s when he decided that he needed security.”
Ink made a scoffing noise. “Okay, I see where this is going n, but there’s no way the Chief of Police would agree to us being his security. Don’t know the guy well, but he seems like he’d want someone slicker and more known. And wouldn’t he have plenty of protection?”
“He does. He has plenty of police security at his home and work. This isn’t for him. He’s not the only one being threatened. His kids have also been included. Marlin, his son, is a detective. He’s just moved back here and the Chief put him and his partner on the case. Which just happens to be me.”
“So you’re already getting closer to him,” Stone said, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re partnered with his son.”
“Yes, but I have to move very carefully. I don’t want to end up like the cop that went to IA. So the Chief has his son, Marlin, and two daughters. Maisy lives in New Zealand on a large sheep station. She and her husband have been informed of the danger. But it’s unlikely that anyone is going to travel that far to get to her. Which leaves us with the Chief’s youngest child, Maya.”
Ink frowned. “Why does that ring a bell? Maya . . . Maya . . .”
“Livvy,” Brody said without looking up. “Livvy was helped by Maya.”
“That’s it.” Ink clicked his fingers. “Sometimes Brody forgets to shower and change his clothes, other times he can remember bits of information that no one else can. One moment.”
Reeves frowned while Ink brought out his phone and tapped out a message.
“What are you talking about?” Reeves asked.
“Yep, Sav confirms that’s the same Maya that came to Livvy’s aid.”
Ink shared a look with Stone.