“Everyone isn’t on our website, but everyone readsDMV.” She lifted her copy off her desk as her phone rang. “Captain Perry,” she answered. “Be there shortly.”
“The police chief is holding a press conference this afternoon,” the captain said to her detectives. “The public needs to know we’ve got a possible serial killer in the area.”
“The hotline’s gonna go berserk,” Nikki replied. “Mostly with people freaking out.”
“We’re not disclosing anything that would compromise the investigation, like the wedding gown or alleged cause of death,” Captain Perry explained. “Not yet.”
“Who’s my secondary?” Emerson asked.
Captain tossed a nod in Nikki’s direction. “Cardoso.”
One bright spot in all of this. The two detectives worked well together.
“Captain, please assign different detectives for the magazine interviews,” Emerson said.
“Complete them,” the captain said. “The journalist signed an NDA, so he won’t disclose any details about your cases.”
Emerson fought the urge to roll her eyes.What a time suck.
“Dismissed.”
As Emerson and Nikki made their way back to their desks, Emerson wanted to hit the restart button on her day.
“I’ll be in court this morning,” Nikki said. “Email me a list of follow-ups and I’ll get started this afternoon. Try to have some fun with the magazine interview.”
“Fun?” Emerson deadpanned. “What’s that?”
“Something you should be having on a regular basis.” Nikki threw her computer bag over her shoulder. “Whatever happened to the guy my husband and I fixed you up with?”
“We had coffee, but he wasn’t for me.”
Nikki glanced over Emerson’s shoulder as the captain’s assistant escorted a young man into the bullpen. “You’re up.”
As Emerson eyed the journalist, she told herself she’d get rid of him in fifteen minutes, twenty, tops.
The captain’s assistant stopped near both women’s desks. “Detective Easton, Detective Cardoso, this is Lyle Barnham, an investigative reporter withDMVMagazine.”
Looking to be in his mid-twenties, Lyle kept his dark hair military short. His black-rimmed glasses were too large for his oval face and slender build.
Offering an obligatory smile, she shook his hand. “Call me Emerson.”
“Sure thing, Detective,” Lyle said.
The assistant chuckled as she made her way back to her desk.
“I’ve gotta leave,” Nikki said.
“Can I interview you another time, Detective?” Lyle asked.
“Sure thing,” Nikki said before taking off toward the elevator.
“Have a seat, Lyle,” Emerson said.
Lyle sat in the guest chair beside her desk. “Thank you for talking to me.”
Let’s get this over with.
“DMVMagazine is doing a six-piece article on your department,” he began. “I’m interested in learning what happens behind the scenes. You know, learn how detectives gather evidence, solve crimes, catch the bad guys, but also how law enforcement makes a positive impact in the community.” He paused to smile. “You know, get to the heart of the Arlington City Police Department.”
