Page 66 of More Than Nothing
Stalemate. There was no hope of a warrant without more proof. “Seems to fit your remit though. Stolen cars have featured heavily on your rap sheet in the past. You can see why I wanted to have this chat.”
“I can, Chief. I’m only sorry I can’t help you. Especially since Chief Roberts and I found a way to rub along together just fine.”
“Roberts and I have very different priorities.” There was a clear warning in Roman’s tone.
Frank brushed at a speck of dust on the dash. “Is that all? Only, I have places to be.”
Roman nodded, considering his options. They were few. “I won’t keep you any longer then, Mr. Dax.” He handed Frank back his license and stepped away from the Dodge. “You have a good day now.”
Forsberg let out a low growl as Dax pulled away. She tightened her ponytail with jerky fingers. “That guy pisses me off. He seems to come out on top every single time. Pulling him over achieved nothing.”
Roman allowed himself a small smile. “Not exactly.” They strolled back to the car. “He had to have heard his boys got taken in, but now he knows we don’t have any hard evidence he’s involved. The more he thinks we’re floundering around in the dark, the more invincible he’ll feel. And then he’ll make mistakes.”
“He’s not wrong though. We are floundering and he does seem invincible.”
“For now, maybe. But his time is coming. I’ll look in on Millie Westlake again on Monday. A little space might have given her a different perspective on things.”
“Think you can get her to talk?”
“I’ll do my damnedest.”
He’d be a friendly face, a safe haven, a supportive and nonjudgmental ear. However many regular visits it took to the teenager and her parents, Roman would let the Westlakes know they could trust him. He was convinced Millie held at least one of the cards they needed to scupper Frank Dax’s winning streak.
“The guys have been talking, boss.” Forsberg angled herself toward him. “Your idea of a no-blame, anonymous Drug and Alcohol Helpline is one we all want to get behind.”
“Good.” He’d never doubted it but the support of his team was gratifying.
“Everyone wants to sign on for a shift. Maggie, too. We’re all happy to be on a rotational standby but I’d like to take the lead on it, if you’ll let me.”
“It’s yours if you want it, Kristina.”
“Thanks, boss.” Her previous frustration discarded, Forsberg straightened her shoulders. “Maybe we can provide a safety net for the next teenager before they take the leap, rather than afterward.”
“That’s the idea.”
For the ten minutes it took them to return to the station, they discussed how to get the helpline up and running.
Back behind his desk, Roman logged his notes and caught up with the rest of his paperwork. Dougie and Officer Morgan arrived for the late shift, chatting with Maggie on their way through. For a few hours, the open office buzzed with shared jokes, good humor, and teasing. When school finished, the Renner kids appeared. Dougie set one up with a pile of shredding and had the other cleaning windows, slipping them both a cookie from the stash in his desk.
Roman glanced at his watch. After an early start, he was more than ready for a shower and some food, but going home to an empty house wasn’t appealing. On impulse, he picked up his phone.
You there?
Elenie:
I’m here.
Any chance you can get away? I’m picking up takeout. I can get enough for two and meet you anywhere you like.
He hadn’t seen or talked to Elenie since the gala dinner last weekend. They’d exchanged a couple of brief texts but he needed more details about her meeting with the DEA.
Grabbing his jacket and his keys, he closed his office door, checked with Dougie that there were no last-minute issues, and headed out of the station. As he crossed the parking lot, his phone lit up with a reply from Elenie.
Elenie:
Give me half an hour and I can meet you up at the point off Archer’s Road?
Roman’s lips lifted. He knew the spot from his teenage years; it was a good place to meet. The track had been a deathtrap for vehicles way back then. He’d ripped a cable out of the transmission case housing on an old Mustang at seventeen. He guessed it could only be worse now and almost definitely secluded.
