“I’m looking for the detective in charge of the Connor Hayes investigation.”
“I’ll go see what I can do for you.” She disappears down a corridor.
A few moments later footsteps come my way and it’s not long before the lady reappears in front of me with a man behind her. “Good afternoon, I’m Superintendent Hawk.” The balding man holds out his hand and I take it.
“Kyler Young. I was wondering if I could talk to you about—”
“Connor Hayes,” the rather fat chief agent says immediately. “What do you know about him? Have you seen him?” He gestures with his arm to clarify that I can enter, what I guess is, his office.
Ahead of him, I walk quietly past the desk. “Not much and no, I haven’t seen him. An old friend of mine is his wife. I was wondering if you’ve found out anything about him yet.”
“Here on the left, Mr. Young.” We’re standing in front of an open wooden door with a sign that readsSuperintendent Hawk. I do as he asks, and lower myself onto the brown leather chair in front of the desk. Hawk sits down in the chair on the other side of the desk. “What can you help us with?”
A grin appears on my face. “Oh, I can’t help you, but you might help me.”
“You think I’m going to share details of the investigation with you?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the p. “Iknowyou’re gonna share those with me.”
A multitude of framed accolades adorn the wall behind the man. Apparently he’s quite the overachiever.
A snort echoes through the room. “You’re quite certain of yourself.” Hawk pushes some papers around on his walnut desk with his chubby fingers.
“They told me that you’re the right guy for this case. I also know that when you help me, I can help Mrs. Hayes.”
“Mr. Young, I think we’re able to help Mrs. Hayes just fine.” A forced smile appears on the man’s puffy face.
I suspect he’s into cigars, if I can judge by the case of cigars behind him. I detest cigar men, ‘cause they often think they own the world.
I pull up the right corner of my mouth in a wicked grin. “With all due respect, Superintendent Hawk, I’m quite sure you can’t, as you’re not even doing it right now.”
Suddenly the man leans across his desk and stares right into my face. “Why should I share information with the Renegades? You’re not my problem. I’m not on your payroll or any other MC whatsoever. Besides, there isn’t any indication that Mrs. Hayes needs protection. Her husband disappeared and for now it looks as though it’s been by his own accord.”
The superintendent’s got more balls than I suspected. “You want money?” I pull up my left eyebrow and start patting my cut excessively. My fingers slide into the inner pocket. Not that I have a dime in there.
Faster than the speed of light he shoots upright against the back of the chair. “No, I don’t want that at all. I want you to leave.” He pushes his chair back roughly and gets up.
I put my left ankle onto my right knee. I fold my hands together and say: “If you want me to leave, you should give me the information.”
“What information? How many times do I have to say the man disappeared and Mrs. Hayes is the only one who claims it’s something else.”
“Murdered.” Uninterested, I check my nails.
Superintendent Hawk shakes his head. “Disappeared. There’s nothing, except for the story his wife spins, that even suggests murder. We can’t take action because of a tale by some scorned woman with no evidence backing said story.” He crosses his arms. “As far as the evidence, Layne Turner-Hayes is a suspect in the investigation as well.”
“Suspect?” I mock. “I thought you just told me he disappeared, and it looked like it was of his own accord.”
The phone on his desk rings, and he puts up a finger. He answers the call and after a couple of seconds he says, “Coming.” Then he puts the phone down.
“’Scuse me. I think it’s best if you leave. I’ve got better things to do right now.”
Uninterested, I stare at him. “I’ve got all the time in the world. I said I ain’t leaving without info. See ya soon, Officer Hawk.” I gesture toward the door.
He looks from me to the door, and after a couple of seconds, he goes.
As soon I know he’s at least six feet away for sure, I dive for the file that’s been on his desk this entire time. I pull it toward me and open it.
Bingo.
