“Mind if we take a look around the inside of your car?”
“I do mind. What’s this about?”
“A car like this was used in the drive-by murder of some Christmas carolers a few days ago.”
“Not my car,” he said with confidence.
“Where were you that evening?”
“Get the fuck out of here. I didn’t do nothing.”
“Do you know Father Callahan?”
Edwin chuckled. “Do I look like I go to church?”
“You run with a gang?”
“Naw, I ain’t into that shit,” he said, looking away.
I didn’t buy it for a second.
“Look, man. I gotta go to work. Do you mind?”
I didn’t move from his path. “Where do you work?”
“Am I being detained? Am I under arrest?”
I shook my head and said, “No.”
He stared at me for another beat, then I stepped aside. Edwin clicked the key fob, and the lights flashed. He brushed past me, pulled open the door, and slid behind the wheel. The aftermarket exhaust growled as he fired up the car.
JD and I stepped out of the way as he pulled out of the space and took off, the exhaust singing.
Jack looked at me and said, “Now, that guy’s up to no good.”
Our adventures on the wrong side of town took up most of the day. I called Lindsey, who had witnessed the shooting. When she answered, I said, “This is Deputy Wild. Do you remember if the assailants’ vehicle had bullet holes?”
She paused. “I don’t. I’m sorry.”
“Was there anything else about the car you remember? Faded paint? Bubbling tint?”
“I’m sorry. Like I said, it all happened so fast.” After a beat, she asked, “What do you need me to say?”
She was clearly willing to say whatever was necessary. People were scared. They wanted a resolution.
“I need you to tell the truth.”
I thanked her and ended the call.
We headed back to theAvventuraand regrouped.
It was early afternoon when the sheriff called and told us to get back over to Holy Cross.
“What happened now?”
41
Red and blue lights flashed atop patrol cars. An ambulance and the medical examiner’s van were on site. First responders swarmed the area in front of the church.
