Page 19 of Fallout

“I shouldn’t care so much.”

Detective Jesse shot him a look as they waited at the crosswalk for the green light. “Then tell me what this place is, instead. But first, I have to ask. If it turns out Brent isn’t telling the truth and he got into something illegal, are you going to squash it or let justice happen?”

Jasper blinked. “No lead in? Just straight up, you ask like that?”

Samantha grinned. “It’s my specialty.”

“How refreshing. Usually, cops think I’m only here so wealthy people or politicians can get a favor and have me smooth out a problem for them. Like all I’m good for is doing favors for friends.”

“And you think I believe that?”

So this was all to get him to trust her? She had an interesting way of going about things.

Jasper asked, “Do you?”

“If I did, I’d be reporting to internal affairs daily about you, not asking straight out what your plan is.”

“Fair enough.”

But her concern only highlighted his questions. Would Destiny and the people at Vanguard believe he might cover up the truth, or were they counting on justice? He didn’t like being manipulated, and that’s what it had felt like. The police department didn’t need Vanguard’s help to catch a cop killer, and depending on how Vanguard went about it, he might get mad or be grateful.

At least they weren’t talking about Destiny. He was a big fan of focusing on work. After all, there was a clarity to policing that meant he could push out the personal stuff. Like everything with Brent—who was due at the PD in a couple of hours for Jasper to take his statement.

He pushed off the fatigue as they crossed the street. Parking a little bit down from the building meant they weren’t blocking anyone, and they could get a look at the wider scene. Something his first training detective had taught him.

Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, his car had blown up. He and Violet had been at an apartment complex, occupied with a man in need of medical attention when a cop had offered to move the car for him. These days, Jasper regularly checked it for bombs so none of that happened again.

He had no plans to be murdered.

Then again, whoever had been killed in this building probably would’ve said the same just hours ago.

Now there was an officer on the front door and the ME was on their way. Homicide would be working it, but he wanted to get a look at the scene.

“Earth to Hollingsworth.”

He glanced at her. “I’m here. I’m good.” He rolled his shoulders.

“Then keep a lid on it while you look at the blue car across the street. About thirty feet down.” She pointed at the building where they were headed, not giving anyone a clue that wasn’t what they were talking about.

Jasper said, “This place is connected to the same shell corporation Brent Rammington paid off.” He glanced at the car and saw someone in the driver’s seat. “You think they’re watching the place?”

Before he looked away, the car engine fired up, and the driver pulled out.

Detective Jesse said, “Now they know we took the building.”

“Initial report was that it’s a manufacturing spot.”

“Somehow, I don’t think you mean making furniture or something like that?”

He said, “Because I mean pressing pills.”

“Okay, pretend I don’t know anything about that and run it down for me.”

That was an interesting way of gathering information. Rather than quizzing him about the holes in her knowledge, she’d find out what he knew about it and fill in her gaps in the process. “Gone are the days when every drug dealer has a cartel contact shipping them product from south of the border. These days, you can buy the equipment online, plus the filler to make pills. Get your base product and press your own pills. He could be cranking out thousands per hour.”

“With what he confiscated from the dealers he killed, probably. He might not need to buy the raw components for a while.” Jesse shook her head. “Though, how he’s had no issues pulling together territory in a big sweep like this makes me wonder.”

“Far as I can see, the more issues he has, the better for us. Which might account for why there’s a dead guy in here.”

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