“It was a smart decision,” Archer said, his expression lacking his usual amusement.“Being that I’ve got some insight and can bring Atticus up to speed quickly, and Atticus understands the way the team works as a whole and can keep me in line when needed, I think we’re a couple steps ahead at this point.”
Those were damn good points.Ones that Brantley hadn’t even considered.
“I need you to be one hundred percent focused on this.Nothing else.No cold cases, no helping anyone with their cases.This is the absolute only thing you work on.”
“What about the missing statue?”Atticus asked.
“You haven’t closed that yet?”
Atticus’s eyebrow quirked.“Seriously?”
Brantley couldn’t hold back the smile.“No.Where are you at with it?”
“We haven’t figured out who, but we think we know how after talking to Ethan this morning.He’s gonna talk to his brother, see if he’s heard anything.Evidently, that statue’s important for the homecoming game.Football picture or somethin’.If we don’t find it today, it likely won’t matter.”
“Let Slade finish that up.He’s got far more insight into the town dynamics anyway.”Brantley looked at Reese.“If he doesn’t find it today, we’ll have to tell Rose we can’t focus on it right now.”
“Youwill have to tell Rose,” Reese corrected.“But understood.”
Brantley laughed.“Fine.Whatever.”He turned back to Atticus and Archer and gestured around the room.“Set this up as your command center.Bring in whatever equipment you need.”He looked at Archer.“We use electronic case boards, so all that shit from Holt’s apartment has been digitized.”
“Got it.”
He glanced between them.“I’m serious when I say you are not to be derailed.Put Simon to work, too.If he intends to handle this story, he can contribute to the legwork.”
Archer nodded.
“But keep in mind, this is now our case.I don’t expect it to be simple, but I want the answers.Whatever those may be.”Brantley glanced over at Reese.“Anything you’d like to add?”
“Brantley chose you because you can do this objectively.Do not let anyone influence you.Not Decker.Not Z.We follow this where it goes, and you will direct the team accordingly.”
“Understood,” Archer and Atticus said at the same time.
“You’ve got the rest of today to get up to speed on this.Keep in mind, JJ and Baz are unavailable unless absolutely necessary.Otherwise, divide and conquer.Utilize every member of this team.Including Z and Decker.We will be working weekends.Whatever it takes.”He looked at Reese.“We need to cancel the team training next week, but a trip to Dallas for a few days may still be in order.”He shifted his focus back to Atticus and Archer.“Depending on what you determine.”
“Got it,” Archer said.
Brantley looked at Atticus.“I’ll let Slade know about the statue.He can wrangle Becs in if he needs help.I’m sure she’d be open to working in the field.”He started for the door.“We’ll be around if you need us.”
When he stepped out of the conference room, he scanned the room.When he saw Slade, he waited for the man to look up.As soon as he did, Brantley gestured for him to come over.
“What’s up, boss?”
“I need you to take the lead on the statue case.But today’s all we have left to give.If you can’t find it, apologize to your mother but let her know we’ve got something that needs our full attention.”
Slade frowned.“What about Atticus?”
“He’s busy.Won’t have time for it.Can you handle it?”
Although he looked none too pleased, Slade said, “Of course.”
Because he could feel Decker’s eyes on him and he had no interest in getting into it with the man, Brantley opted to head for the door.Reese whistled for Tesha, who came trotting out with him, eagerly anticipating their next move.
“Where to?”Reese asked.
“I’d like to give Travis a heads up.”
Reese tapped his arm.“I think we should wait on that.I know you promised to keep him updated, but let’s give Archer and Atticus time to outline what we have.Once they’ve got a direction in mind, we’ll determine what information, if any, we need to pass along.”
