“We’ve always known there are a few dirty cops at the station who?—”
“This is bigger. Darker.”
His dad would be rolling over in his grave, Seth thought sourly. “What do you mean?”
Tony glanced around the bar again, this time even more cautiously. “Good cases are getting tossed. I’m talking slam-dunks, especially drug dealers having their charges dismissed over bullshit technicalities. But it’s not like the place has gone soft. Some dealers are getting skewered with felony charges for what should be minor possession. It’s shady.”
Seth frowned. “That could be shitty lawyers or overworked assistant DAs.”
“I thought that, too. At first. But witnesses started disappearing.” Tony’s knuckles were white around his glass. “Key informants started turning up dead, execution style. Their deaths were ruled suicides. Makes no fucking sense. And it’s not just informants. Cops, too. Good cops who asked the right questions got transferred or demoted. Or dead.”
His gut tightened. “Someone’s offing cops?”
“You remember Patrick Kowalski? Narcotics detective, worked Vice for a while?”
Seth nodded. “Younger guy. Sharp.”
“Yep. Patrick came to me about three weeks ago. Said he had something huge that would blow up half the precinct. Next morning, his body turned up in an alley a few blocks from the station with three bullets in his chest.” Tony drained his club soda. “The detective in charge of the case called it a robbery gone wrong, but I’m not buying it. Street thieves want shit to sell, not bodies to hide. Bad for business. Patrick’s wallet was still in his pocket, cash and all.”
That sounded sus as hell…like his dad’s death being ruled a drug deal gone wrong. Different people and different situations, but corruption always left behind the same stench.
“Yeah, that sounds fishy as fuck.”
“Exactly. Maybe I could believe it was random, but not right after Patrick said he’d uncovered something big. I’ve been a cop too long to believe in coincidences like that.”
Seth, too. A chill went up his spine. “Be careful.”
“I am.” But Tony’s hand shook slightly, belying his words. “I’ve done some digging but?—”
“Unless it’s your case, you should stop. Have you discussed this with the higher-ups?”
“Of course. But nothing changed—except that I feel like I’m being watched now. Followed. Maybe that sounds paranoid but…”
Tony had always been too level-headed for that. Besides, Seth felt the prickle of unseen eyes now, too. Unease crept up his spine as he scanned the bar again. He didn’t see anyone obviously watching them, but that just meant that whoever observed them was damn good. “And you have no idea who’s pulling the strings?”
“None. That’s what scares me.” Tony’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Whoever this is, they’ve got friends in high places and the kind of power that buys silence.”
The only person with that much power was the chief. The guy was a prick. He’d always been unpopular around the precinct. Even Gene hated him.
Shit. “Be careful, man. Different scenario, but if you’re right, I’m living proof that?—”
“Anyone can get to you or the ones you love at any time. I know.” Tony’s stare darted to the entrance again. “My gut’s telling me there’s danger everywhere and I should keep my head down. Stop asking questions.” He met Seth’s stare, looking rattled. “Like I said before, it’s a good thing you got out when you did. We didn’t talk much about it when we were partners, but I knew the rumors about your dad being dirty were bullshit. Everyone did. Michael was one of the good guys—solid, a damn good detective, and as honest as they come.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
“I know it wasn’t easy to stop digging when you did. You and your dad were tight. But I’m starting to think you’re right and that I should take a page from your book.”
Tony didn’t know that Seth hadn’t stopped digging—that he’d hunted down Silas, spent four days torturing the murderer before executing him. That the page from his “book” had been one of the bloodiest chapters of his life. God willing, he never would.
“It would be safer,” Seth pointed out.
“Probably.” Suddenly, Marconi forced a bright smile and stood. “I should check on Megan and get back to work. But hey, text me your address and we’ll send you a wedding invitation, okay? Maybe you and Heavenly can make it back for the ceremony.”
“I’ll see if we can work it out.” By the time he had to RSVP for the event, the fact that he shared Heavenly with Beck would be out in the open.
Smiling, he stood and clasped Tony’s hand, before pulling him in for another slap on the back. “Take care of yourself, man. Seriously.”
“You too, Cooper. And hey, tell your mom congrats on her wedding.” Tony nodded. “See you around.”
