“She says she’s fine. I tried to get her to go stay on the farm with Mom and Dad until this thing blows over, but she’s a… a…” Lucky struggled for the right word.
“Lucklighter?” Walter supplied with unnecessary smugness.
Yeah. “Lucklighter” worked. She made herself clear on a few points: no taking Ty from school, no running from problems, and she had no intention of leaving her doctors this close to her due date. He suspected Jimmy figured in there somewhere, but he’d gotten good at denial over the years.
“Although she held her own, I worry what such upset might do to her and the baby. Lucille and I have a big house. She’s welcome to stay with us.”
If Lucky had his way she’d move in this afternoon. She’d shoot him for daring to mention the invitation. “Don’t worry. We have the new security system. If she hits a panic button, it alerts the security company, me, and Bo.”
“And Moose?”
“He’s recovering. Eating up the attention. He has to wear a cone to keep him away from his stitches, but he’s doing fine.” For a dog normally found doing a rug impression on the living room floor, he’d definitely earned his kibble the day he’d gone all attack dog to protect Charlotte.
Lucky had witnessed firsthand the damage Great Pyrenees could do, but normally with foxes or coyotes. Not people.
“I’m sorry about your car. Are you sure you’re all right?” Walter peered over the top of his bifocals. “You’re moving a bit stiffly this morning.”
Lucky waved a dismissive hand, trying not to grimace. “That’s from the gym. I was nowhere near the car when it exploded.” Though he would have been if he’d not stayed to watch Jimmy spar with someone else before the two of them left together.
Walter assessed him a few moments, then nodded. “I’ve requested a copy of all reports, since the incident involved one of my agents. We can provide a car from the impound lot, if you need one.”
The chicken-shit green Malibu? No thanks. “Bo’s taking me to Avis to get a rental.”
“Good. However, keep in mind that we can provide a car. Now, you asked to see me?”
Oh, yeah. Now for Lucky to make his point without sounding accusing. Saying the right words: so not his strong suit. “This morning I reviewed the department’s case closure rates.”
“I understand you’re the highest in the department.” Walter’s pride in his team never wavered.
“Yes, but I’m training rookies now, and working less cases. Bo also had high rankings, but he’s off the street too, training with you. Johnson assists me. When you back out our rates, and average among the other agents…” Lucky turned his laptop around to show Walter the screen.
Walter’s mood darkened. Lucky hated adding more grief to the man’s world. Not most human’s, just this one.
“Are you sure of those numbers?”
“Check them yourself.”
While Walter preferred hard copy records, he did have a laptop on his desk. Lucky wouldn’t have been surprised to see him blow off dust before tapping on keys. And tapping some more. And still some more, eyes widening. “I can see that I’ve been neglectful. I hadn’t realized. Reports showed only the overall case closure rates, not individual.” He turned back to Lucky. “I suppose you have your suspicions about the difference.”
Lucky nodded. Bo should be here, with his better way of explaining things. “Missing evidence, uncooperative witnesses. Reports lacking critical information. Cases thrown out of court on a technicality.”
“I see. Have you spoken to any of the agents in question?”
Lucky didn’t answer.
Walter heaved out a sigh. “No, of course not. I understand. Based on past interactions, they might go on the defensive. How have I not noticed this trend?” He shook his head.
“This started not too long after O’Donoghue arrived with Eustace and Landry. More training should’ve meant higher rates, not lower. Then there was Rogers.”
Walter rubbed his temples with forefinger and thumb. “Lucky, we’ve been over this. I believe O’Donoghue has exonerated himself of your suspicions.”
Not really. “But the other three?”
“You suspect they interfered?”
“You know for a fact they interfered with the Chastain case.” Lucky threw up a hand. “Yeah, I know they’ve been gone a few months. But if they were behind the drop in case closure rates, why didn’t the numbers improve once they left?”
Walter considered him, head cocked to the side, lips pursed. “Why, indeed?”
