“I want Axel Washington to pay for the crimes I know he committed. He needs to be held accountable for the things I saw him do, and the things he hired others to do. It makes me fucking sick to know he’s walking the streets.”
“I understand,” Gabe said, sounding resigned as he broke eye contact to look at his hands.
“But, I don’t see how my death will bring Axel to justice.” Gabe’s head jerked up, and his eyes locked on mine once more. “Even if I captured him killing me on video or audio, the evidence would just turn up missing again. What good would it do? Captain Barker need to come up with a plan that doesn’t include me.”
“Those were my thoughts exactly, but I didn’t want to influence your decision. Had you wanted to go, I would’ve permitted it.”
“That means a lot to me, Captain.”
“Now, which one of us calls Barker and tells him to go fuck himself?”
I snorted. “It needs to come from me.” I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed his number. I pressed the button to turn on my speakerphone and relaxed in my seat while waiting for him to answer.
“Elijah, thanks for getting back to me so soon, although to be honest, I expected to hear from you last night after your captain discussed my proposal with you. How soon can you be here? I need to—”
“I’m not coming,” I said firmly, interrupting him.
“What? How many detectives does a small town need?” Captain Barker snorted like he’d said the funniest thing in the world. “Is cow tipping still a big thing?” I hoped like hell he never found out about the chicken snatching that went on over the summer. “Come on, Elijah. You know you miss playing with the big boys.” I nearly laughed out loud when Gabe silently flipped Barker off.
“It’s not the size of the police force that matters, Captain; it’s how you use it.” I glanced up and saw Gabe smirk.
“I’m not sure I follow, Elijah.”
“Let me explain in a way you will understand. I am grateful you acknowledged the sacrifices I made while working under your command. I am also humbled you think I could single-handedly bring down Axel Washington for a second timeandlive to tell about it. My survival did factor into your schemes, right?”
“Of course,” he scoffed. “I had no intention of sending you to your death.”
“That’s just what you’d be doing. You told me Axel blames my undercover persona for the reason he got caught, and his hatred grows for me every day he goes without making a drug or gun deal. Not to mention how cranky he is without his daily massages at one of his illegal parlors. It’s a recipe for my death, and I have no desire to engage in a suicide mission.”
Captain released a short, frustrated huff. “Well, I won’t pretend I’m not disappointed in your answer.”
“And I won’t pretend I’m not disappointed my life has so little meaning to you.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“Likewise, Captain. I think I’ve said all I care to about this matter. In the future, I would prefer you call me directly instead of going through Captain Roman-Wyatt.”
“You won’t hear from me again, Elijah. Take care of yourself and watch your back. You never know when demons from your past might rear their ugly heads and destroy your happy new life,” he ominously said before disconnecting the call.
I stared at my phone for several seconds before I looked at Gabe. “Did he just threaten me?”
“I took it as a threat.”
“So did I.”
“Elijah, you let me worry about the situation with Axel Washington from now on. I have connections, and I promise you we won’t be kept in the dark.”
“Thank you, but I can’t—”
“I’m not asking you to turn this over to me; I’m ordering you to do so as your commanding officer. Do you trust me?”
“With my life.”And Maegan’s.My decision to keep the situation from her hadn’t changed, and my reasoning remained the same even if a small voice called me a hypocrite and reminded me how it felt when Maegan went to see the oncologist without telling me first.
“Then it’s settled. Get back to work. I’m sure somewhere in our town a devious mind is plotting to steal Halloween decorations. You need to be ready.”
“You can count on me, Captain.” I gave him a jaunty salute which he returned.
“This I know, Detective.”
