“So you want me to read the suspects.”Bryn closed the folder.“Why can’t the cops interrogate them?”
“Gosh, why didn’t I think of that?”Giles oozed sarcasm from every pore.
“You want my help or not?”
“Yes.Still not going to tolerate dumb questions because it’s against my religion.”
“What’s that?Devil worship?”
“Funny.We have three suspects, all museum staff with clean records and seemingly airtight alibis.Traditional interrogation methods have yielded nothing.”Giles poured himself a coffee.“I need someone who can cut through the lies with absolute certainty.”
“What’s your real interest in this case, Giles?Museum heists aren’t our department.”Gunnar crossed his arms, making his muscles bulge and Bryn lick his lips.
Giles hesitated.“The museum’s director is an old school friend.She called me personally about this matter.”
“Ah,” Gunnar said, “the truth emerges.This is a favor for a friend, not official business.”
“The artifact’s recovery is absolutely official GCR business,” Giles replied.“My personal connection to the case is incidental.”
“Right,” Bryn snorted.“Incidental.”
“And what’s it got to do with gene-affected people?”Gunnar added.
“One of the suspects is sanguine,” Giles said.
Bryn exchanged a look with Gunnar, who shrugged.“Your call.”
“If I agree to this,” Bryn said, turning back to Giles, “what’s in it for us?”
“Besides the satisfaction of helping solve a crime?”
“Yes, besides that heart-warming garbage,” Bryn said with an exaggerated eye roll.“And besides helping your old school chum save face.”
“I happen to know that Warden is planning to keep you both on desk duty for at least a week after your medical leave ends.Help me with this, and I’ll make sure you’re back in the field.”
Bryn drummed his fingers on the folder.“Warden is a sneaky son of a bitch… One condition.”
“I’m listening.”
“If I do this, you owe me a favor.No questions asked.To be determined at a later date.”
Giles hesitated.“Within reason.”
“Within reason,” Bryn agreed.“So, where are these suspects being held?”
“Basement meeting rooms.”
“You brought them here?Are you crazy?”
“Warden’s gone to New York for the day and he’s taken Emmett with him.”
“Hope Emmett remembered the lube.Okay, give us half an hour.”
Giles narrowed his eyes.“Why not now?”
“Because I haven’t had breakfast and you donotwant me doing this on an empty stomach.”
After Giles left, Gunnar turned to Bryn.“You sure about this?Helping Giles with his little favor?”
