To prevent him from making a grave error, I go for a cheap joke. “Your prostate acting up again?”
He takes the jab in good humor, responding with a groan-laugh combo.
Then does the unthinkable.
“It’s the case. Something tells me this is gonna be a shitty day.”
Feigning outrage, I mockingly pound my fist into the console. “Dammit, Warren. You know better than to challenge fate. You might as well have said it’squiettoday.”
“Whoops.” He rubs one of his bloodshot eyes, sounding nonplussed. “I blame the lack of sleep.”
I shoot a sarcastic glare across the car at him. “Not a valid excuse.”
“Sorry if I jinxed us. But I mean it, man. It feels like we’re on the verge of something big.”
“Are you clairvoyant now? Will you be changing your name toSpecial Agent Cleoand speaking with a fake Jamaican accent?”
His chest hitches with a laugh. “Aren’t you a bit young to know who Miss Cleo is?”
“Nobody is too young to know anything in the age of the internet.”
When we merge onto the interstate, heading east, we put on our sunglasses simultaneously. They don’t call this theSunshine Statefor nothing.
Thirty minutes into the drive, Andrews is fading fast.
After his fifth yawn, I make a life-saving suggestion. “Why don’t you pull over? I’ll drive so you can get a power nap for the last hour.”
His head rears back, and his mouth crimps like he’s shocked by the offer. “Thanks, kid.” He flicks on the blinker, moving into the exit lane. “I need to take a leak anyhow.”
Swatting at the low-hanging fruit, I quip, “See? I knew it was your prostate that you were feeling. Not some shit about the case.”
After a short stop, I’m behind the wheel, and we’re back en route to Cocoa to the scene of a double murder.
Before Andrews nods off, I ask, “Did I miss anything last night after I took Lila home?”
“Actually, yeah. Thanks for reminding me.” His mouth stretches with yet another yawn. “The guys split into pairs so they could follow a few players when they left the casino. They were hoping somebody would lead them to Silas or whoever is really running the show. Or maybe an STK meetup spot. We figured they had to do something with their winnings.”
“And?”
“They thought it made sense to tail that initial couple who exchanged the signal with Lila. Despite being stuck like glue all night long, the pair went separate ways as soon as they got into the casino parking lot. Hemsley and Fowler tailed the male. McBride and Romero followed the female.”
“Any luck?”
“Unfortunately, the male didn’t make any stops on his way home, which, incidentally, matched the address on his DL. Our guys waited to see if someone would show up.Nada.”
“At least they confirmed his address, which might make executing his arrest easier when we do the big bust.”
“True. McBride and Romero had better luck trailing the redhead. Shedidmake a stop.”
This sounds promising.
“Where?”
“Gas station to buy a soda.”
Less promising.
“Curiously, she brought her purse into the store but returned to her car without it.”
