“Let me know what you find.”
The criminalist promised to do so and ended the call.
Ian looked up to see Detective Nix crossing the bullpen toward him, and Ian sat back to wait for the guy to reach his desk.
“You called me.” Nix took a seat and leaned the chair back on two legs.
Ian updated the detective on Snipes and that they’d learned that the gun had been used in a prior shooting. “I know homicide would’ve investigated, but I was hoping you remembered that investigation, and I could get the drug squad’s take on it.”
“Snipes, huh?” Nix cocked an eyebrow. “We’ve had our eye on him a long time, but he’s part of Olivo’s team, and he’s just as careful.”
“Do you remember the shooting?”
“Like it was yesterday.” Nix frowned. “Took place in a residential area, and a six-year-old child was killed. But none of Olivo’s guys were on the radar for this shooting. That includes Snipes.”
“Ballistics don’t lie,” Ian said. “Could be Snipes got the gun from someone else who did the shooting back then.”
“Very possible. We didn’t have any suspects. It was a drive by, and no one saw the car. Or if they did, they were too afraid to say so. The bullets and slugs didn’t carry any fingerprints or DNA.” Nix shook his head. “We’re dealing with much smarter criminals these days. TV shows and movies have taught them how to avoid arrest. Guys like Snipes and Olivo wear gloves when loading and handling guns. They know how to not get caught and have been doing it for years. It’s actually surprising Snipes used a dirty gun.”
“He could’ve gotten it from someone he trusted who told him it was clean.”
“That’s the only thing that makes sense.” Nix gritted his teeth. “And if that’s the case, once Snipes and Olivo learn that it was used in the earlier shooting, the guy who provided the gun is going to wind up dead, too, and you’ll have another murder investigation on your hands.”
Malone had been waiting for hours for Ian to return and update her on the investigation, but all she’d gotten was a text saying he was delayed. She couldn’t sit around and do nothing, so she changed into her old jeans and a T-shirt and grabbed a hammer to swing away at the half wall by the front door. She needed to get her frustrations from the day out of her system.
She understood why the wall was there. It created an entryway instead of leaving an open room to walk straight into. The wall had existed when her family had moved in, but her dad hadn’t liked it, and he’d started to take it out.
He’d ripped off chucks of drywall, but he immediately attached a fresh sheet of drywall over the hole. Apparently, there wasn’t flooring under the wall, and he had to find matching flooring before he went any further. He knew it could take some time, and he didn’t want to leave the wall open during that time.
He died before he found the wood, and contractors had come in to seam and tape the drywall her dad had installed. She wouldn’t have the same problem. She’d already found a floor refinisher who could piece in matching wood and refinish it all. She would take the wall out now in her father’s honor.
She slammed the hammer into the sheetrock, the crunch satisfying. She jerked the hammer out and swung a few more times. Her doorbell rang, stopping her mid-swing. She ran a hand through her hair and went to the peephole.
Ian stood waiting on the stoop. Of course he would arrive just after she changed into clothing not fit for public. He was talking to Drake, who’d relieved Clay.
She unlocked and opened the door, the cold night air rushing in and sending a shiver over her body. She stepped back for Ian to enter.
“Taking your frustrations out on the wall, I see.” He grinned.
She laughed and turned her attention to Drake. “You warm enough out there?”
“Been colder,” he said.
“Let me know if you want something warm to drink.” She smiled at him and closed the door.
“I really appreciate them being here for you when I can’t be,” Ian said.
“Me too, but there haven’t been any signs that I’m in danger, and I hate to keep putting them out.”
“I assure you, they don’t mind.”
“How do you know?”
“Because they think like me. If losing a bit of sleep or being cold keeps a person safe, then we’re glad to do it.” He smiled at her again. “And I know you understand that too because I’ve heard you’re the same way with your clients.”
“Sure, if a client needed me to step up, I would. But honestly, I hire people like Nighthawk to do security for me.” She chuckled.
He laughed with her, and she loved the sound of it bouncing off the walls of her home. She almost took a step over to him to rest a hand on his arm but came to her senses. “How about you? Want something warm to drink?”
