She could live with those stipulations. “You are.”
“I can’t stress this enough. This Hernandez is a serious fella, and not to be messed with.”
There was a stretch of silence, during which Amanda’s mind dipped to the past and the lost brothers in blue. She certainly had no interest in becoming another casualty.
“All right, get this over with. But use caution.” Malone emphasized his last sentence, and it shot a cold shiver down Amanda’s spine.
Amanda and Trent left Malone’s office. Her steps were weighed down by this horrible feeling that something bad was going to result from speaking with Hernandez. She touched Trent’s forearm to stop him, and he turned to face her.
“I can do this without you,” she told him.
“No way am I leaving you to go talk to this psycho alone.”
“Hernandez will make an enemy of us, just for questioning him. You don’t need to get caught up in this.”
“I seem to recall someone saying just a couple months ago that we don’t intimidate easily.”
Having one’s words come back around was never fun. “There is a distinction between those who hold powerful positions within the community and Hernandez.”
“Sure, he’s more likely to kill you if you piss him off than the mayor is.”
“Hmm. I can think of at least a few powerful people we’ve taken down who were sick and murderous.”
“All right, fair enough, but the point is there’s no way I’m sitting this out, so get that through your skull.” He pierced her eyes with adamant intensity. Even his posture became rigid. Feet planted, shoulders back and square. She might be witnessing the mindset that got him shot when he assisted the FBI with their case years ago.
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She resumed walking, and Trent matched her strides. She just wished she could shake the feeling that following this lead signaled the start of a storm.
THIRTY-TWO
Amanda turned down Trent’s suggestion that they get something to eat before heading over to the latest address they had for Lucas Hernandez. Her stomach was too nauseous to accept food since Hernandez was mentioned.
Two uniformed officers were following them in a cruiser.
“Trent, pull over.”
“We’re almost there.”
“Please.”
He parked at the curb, and the cruiser pulled behind them.
Amanda got out of the car and went to the officer, laying out her directions. “I want you out of sight. If Hernandez sees you, this will change the friendly tone of the visit.”
“We’re supposed to be there to assist you. How are we supposed to do that if you have us posted down the street?” Officer Jensen was newer to the PWCPD, but not new to the badge. He was a transfer from another department.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but Hernandez can’t feel threatened in any way.” She couldn’t stress that point enough. It struck her on the drive over, and it had her stomach roiling.This is just a chat…She reiterated her adopted mantra in her head.
She returned to the car with Trent. The cruiser pulled a U-turn behind them.
“Where are they going?” Trent’s eyes were fixed on the rearview mirror.
She told him what she’d told the officers, and how they were going to set up on the closest side street to Hernandez’s home. “They are still close enough to step in if things turn sideways, but Hernandez or his men can’t see them.”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this, even if I get your point. This guy’s that touchy?”
“I’m not willing to take the chance he’s not and get my head blown off.” She gestured toward the windshield. “Let’s go.”
Trent clenched his jaw and fixed his eyes ahead of him. If he was pissed off with her, so be it. Couldn’t he see she was just looking out for both of them?
