Page 262 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

I didn’t know Kane, but I did know Ronald Watkins and had actually worked with him back in San Antonio just a few weeks earlier. “I have no problems with them. It must be your endearing personality.”

Bob chuckled. “You might be right. It doesn’t help that he caught me with his wife about eight years ago.”

“You didn’t,” I said, then realized the last thing I wanted to talk about was the sex lives of those two men, both of whom were old enough to be my father. Thinking quickly to turn the topic back to the task at hand, I spied the folder of sketches that were created of Gemini. “I’ve managed to get all of this from those willing to talk to me.”

Bob opened the folder, then began to flip through them all. “What do you make of these?” he asked me.

I shrugged. “Not a hell of a lot of anything. They’re all so different from one another that trying to pinpoint which is more accurate is a job in itself.”

“Yeah, there’s not much to go off of here. It looks like you and the others will have your work cut out for you.”

“I know. We’ve been to nearly every nightclub and campus in the city. It’s harder to get favors from people you don’t know. I’d fare much better at this in Denver.”

“I know, and trust me when I say that I want to get you back there as soon as possible. You’ve been working nonstop for months, so you’re due for some time off. This case is very unique though as it involves–”

“It involves the sons and daughters of those who grease the pockets of many agencies including the very one that you and I work for. I’ve been around Washington D.C. enough to know there are those that abuse the powers of others.”

“Quite jaded with a suspicious mind, and at such a young age,” Bob pointed out.

“If you remember, my grandfather was a State Senator back in the day. He’d even thought once or twice about running for the presidency. I can speak for my entire family when I say that we’re glad that never came to fruition. He took a hard stance on guns and the NRA killed any shot he had at running before a campaign could even start.”

“I do remember him. I think he used to play golf at the same course as my father.”

The elite always stuck together so that wasn’t a surprising admission. “He fit in better on hole seven than he ever did at the Capital.”

“He was a good man, and I know he’d be very proud of both the man and agent you’ve become.”

“Thank you,” I responded, then picked back up the folder. “I think my work here in California is almost done. Another couple of days and I’ll be ready to return to Colorado. There’s not much more I can do on the ground here.”

“Agreed, so I’ll sign off on it. Before you do return home though, I’d like you to question some of the men again. The Colombian ones are clueless, but those here seemed to know her well enough. Someone is not giving us anything, and we need to identify who it is, then threaten to throw the book at him.”

The tactic was a common one, and I nodded instead of verbally responding. Bob got up from my desk, then noticed the other folder lying there in front of me. Before he could even ask, I picked it up and handed it over.

“These are all the pills seized from the sub. Most are the standard ones, but if you look at the last page, it looks very similar to what you described was found at a few of the crime scenes.”

“Have they been sent for analysis?”

“Yes, and we’re hoping to get the results back soon. It’s likely to take a few more days. I will take care of any follow up on that once I’m back home.”

“Speaking of Denver, there has been an increase in the number of accidental overdoses, and I need for you to figure out if any of these involve the same drug.”

“Will do. I imagine it’s probably an issue in most big cities by now.”

“It is which is why it’s even more urgent that we find out what we’re working with and we get those responsible for distribution locked away.”

“Agreed.”

“I think I’ll keep Barr here in Los Angeles for a while longer. Loundes can return to Denver with you by week’s end.”

“Okay.”

Bob handed the folder back to me. “I also wanted to let you know that you’re doing a great job, Bradford.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Just keep me in the loop of any progress, and we’ll talk again soon.”

“Will do,” I assured him, then watched as he left my office.

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