Page 99 of Half Baked

The chief looked around, then asked a nurse who stood in the hallway staring at us for a place we could have a private conversation. The nurse led us to an empty apartment down the hall.

“This room is vacant,” she said as she opened the door. “Feel free to use it as long as you need.” We started to walk past her into the room, and she looked up at me with fear in her eyes. “Was Mr. Bergan really murdered? Should we be worried? Is there a serial killer on the loose like before Christmas?”

I paused and turned to her, giving her a reassuring smile. “I don’t think you have anything to be worried about, but I promise I’ll let you and the staff know if you’re in any danger.”

She nodded, the tension draining from her face. “Thank you.”

I pulled my wallet out of my jeans and handed her a business card. “If you have any questions or concerns or think of anything that will help with the investigation, feel free to call me on that number.”

She glanced over the card and her eyes widened as her gaze lifted to mine. “You’re the guy who was shot a few days ago. People are talking about the editorial in the paper about you bringing trouble to Cockamamie.”

My back stiffened. “That’s me.”

“That paper’s full of shit,” she said emphatically. “Everyone I know is grateful you’re here, cleaning up the bad things in this town.” She pressed the card to her chest. “I know I feel a whole lot better knowing you’re handling this case.”

I started to tell her that Lance was lead on the case, but she’d already started walking away. I was beyond grateful everyone I’d encountered so far had been on my side.

“Are you joining us, Detective Langley?” the chief barked from inside the apartment.

“Yeah.” I walked in and noticed he and Lance were sitting on the sofa.

I sat in an armchair, then told the chief about our chat with Bergan and everything he’d told Maddie during both visits.

“And you didn’t think to tell me about any of this?” he practically shouted once I’d finished.

“Andrea Baker’s case was closed. Bergan was retired. I was helping Maddie look into it, but she was taking the lead on most things.”

His face reddened. Getting defensive on her behalf, I added, “She didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t an active case, so she wasn’t impeding any investigation.”

“I’m pissed atyou!” he shouted.

“I wasn’t investigating an active—”

“Cut the bullshit, Noah! We both know what you were doing.”

There was a good chance he’d fire me for this, but I wasn’t sorry. Maddie deserved to know the truth about her mother, and we’d obviously struck a nerve.

“I did,” I admitted, steeling myself for his reprimand.

He shook his head, his lips pressed into a tight line. “Well, start by telling us who you talked to and what you found out. One of them either did this personally or ordered it done.”

“I will,” I said, pulling out my phone, “but first I need to check on Maddie. If they felt the need to kill the detective, I’m worried they’ll go after her next.”

“They have no reason to,” the chief said. “Bergan knew things, she was just asking questions.” His brow rose. “Unless you two dug up anything specific?”

“We did,” I said as I got to my feet, “and I’ll tell you everything we found. After I call her.”

“I’ll have some marked cars drive by her house while you’re working on the case,” the chief said as he stood too and headed for the door.

“I already asked Busch to drive by a short bit ago,” Lance said. “He texted that everything looked good.”

“Doin’ my damn job, boy?” the chief grumbled on his way through the door, but I heard the pride in it too.

“Thanks,” I said to Lance as I pressed the speed dial for Maddie’s number and walked toward the window.

She answered immediately, saying, “Everything is quiet here. In fact, Aunt Deidre is still sleeping, so I’m enjoying a cup of coffee in my room, reading a book.”

Relief washed through me. Logically, I knew she was likely okay, but it turned out that my heart wasn’t very logical. “You can concentrate on a book?” I teased.

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