“Sorry. It was such a chaotic mess.” George shrugged, not thinking too hard about why Andi only now realized the contents of the fridge were in new places. He had done that the case before this one. His partner tended to ignore small things, and that was a better explanation than that he simply didn’t open the damn fridge door often enough to realize when something was different.
“It’s fine.” Andi cocked his head. “I can see how it makes more sense to have the jam with the butter.” He took all three items out of the fridge while the toaster sent the first wafts of warming bread into the air.
They finished breakfast with minimal crumbs on the table. After a quick shower and another round of ibuprofen, George felt ready to not only tackle driving but also whatever the day would throw at them, hopefully a talkative contract killer.
AT THEprecinct they did get talkative, though not from the contract killer but from Chief Norris. She ordered them into her office with a viciously barked, “Donovan, Hayes, here.”
“What have we done now?” Andi had his hackles up already.
“We won’t have to wait to find out.” George closed the door to Norris’s office behind Andi. They both sat down in front of her desk, a place George was by now all too familiar with for his taste.
“Can you explain to me why there was a car chase yesterday in one of Charleston’s nicest neighborhoods?” Chief Norris yanked a newspaper with a picture of the crash scene on the front from her desk, shaking it so violently it created an actual draft on their faces. “It also made it onto local TV, and there’s videos on the internet.”
“We were apprehending a prime suspect in the killing of our three victims. The man in question chose to flee, and we had to chase him.” George tried to sound as calm as possible despite him simmering inside. The chief hadn’t bothered to ask how they were doing, even though his split lip and swollen cheek were clearly visible. The woman just didn’t care about them, which worried George more and more.
“A ‘prime suspect.’” The chief did nothing to hide her disbelief. “And you let him get away?” While saying this, she pointed her chin toward George’s face.
“Well, you know, professional assassins tend to not want to get arrested. They’re a bit peculiar in that respect. Oh, and they are trained to kill other people in every way imaginable. Makes it hard to reason with them.” George winced. Andi did nothing to keep the sarcasm from his tone, his hard gaze a direct challenge for Chief Norris. As so many times before, George could see her calculating the benefits of throwing Andi out on his ass versus the downsides of doing it. And as every time before, Andi came up on the winning side of that equation. Much to Norris’s anger and George’s relief.
“I’d advise you to watch the tone, Detective Hayes, but I also know for you this is an exercise in futility. I understand the suspect is in the hospital?”
“He was shot and in a car crash. We wanted to drive over later today to see if he’s ready for interrogation.” George tried his best to infuse professionalism into the tense atmosphere.
“You think he is your guy?” The chief looked eager and disappointed at the same time.
“We’re not sure. All the evidence points to him, though.”
“Then let’s hope you can close this case today. A success would make the car chase appear in a better light.”
It was a clear threat, one George would make sure to mention in his memory protocol. He just wished again it wouldn’t be necessary to write one in the first place. “Yes, we’re optimistic. Was there anything else?”
“No, you can leave.” She waved them off, already turning back to her PC. George held the door for his fuming partner and even managed to guide him to the currently empty break room before Andi exploded.
“That stupid bitch! That arrogant, incompetent, useless waste of space occupying the chair of a chief! I wish we could get rid of her.”
“Amen to that.” George watched as Andi started pacing like a rabid lion in a too narrow cage. “But if something happens to her, we’d be the first ones they’d look into. It’s not worth the hassle.”
“Damnation! You’re right.” Andi sighed. “Another memory protocol?”
“Definitely. I’m afraid we’re going to need them.” George turned toward the door. “Let’s visit Evangeline and Shireen. We also have to call the hospital to see if Holway is awake.”
As it turned out, Evangeline and Shireen didn’t have anything to contribute. On the upside, the hospital confirmed Daniel Holway was awake and ready for interrogation. They spent another two hours getting the reports and evidence they had gathered so far in order to make sure they hadn’t overlooked anything. Around noon, George drove them across Ashley River on the Savannah Highway to Charleston Memorial Hospital where Daniel Holway was treated. They were lucky to find a parking spot almost immediately and went inside.
The officer guarding Holway’s room took a look at their badges before letting them pass, a gesture that earned him George’s immediate respect. He knew how downright boring guard duty was, especially in a hospital, and how easily a police officer got distracted or lazy about his work. He thanked the young man for being so diligent, which got him a ferocious blush in return.
Holway was handcuffed to his bed with one hand and upright, holding a magazine with the other one. When they entered, he looked up. His eyes narrowed. “You!” he spat.
“Yes, we.” George dragged two chairs toward the bed. Andi took the one closer to Holway’s feet, making it clear he wanted George to take the lead. George had no problem with that. “You gave me quite the shiner.” He pointed at his bruised cheek. Holway scoffed, then winced, reaching for his ribs with his free hand. Apparently the crash had given him some nasty bruising as well. Somehow, George didn’t feel a lot of pity for the man.
“And your partner shot me. I’d say we’re more than even. Now what do you want?”
“So kind of you to ask.” George smiled coldly. “It has come to our attention that you took on a contract for Harry Alexander McHill, David Hector Portius II, and Lawrence Miller. The contractor was one Peter LaFarge. Is that correct?”
Holway’s face turned into an impenetrable mask. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I think we can help your memory. Detective Hayes?”
Andi had his cell ready, showing Holway the screenshot with the chat between Holway and LaFarge. Holway groaned.
