Page 25 of Dead Air
She recovered quickly. "The copy I reviewed before the case transferred."
Parks studied her with unnerving intensity. "Evidence gaps represent only part of the problem. Witness canvass shows eight interviews conducted on the night of the shooting. Three witness statements reference a vehicle leaving the scene."
"Black sedan. No plates visible. Driver description varied." She remembered those details clearly.
"Correct." Parks nodded. "Follow up interviews never occurred. No vehicle matching partial descriptions appeared in subsequent reports."
Lawson fought to maintain a neutral expression. This information contradicted everything she knew about the investigation. "That makes no sense. Standard procedure requires?—"
"Follow up on all witness leads." Parks finished her sentence. "Yet the detective who took over your partner's case closed these avenues within forty-eight hours."
"Who reassigned the case?" She knew Richardson had orchestrated the transfer but wanted Parks' information.
"Orders came from Chief Mason through Captain Richardson." Parks slid another document across the table. "Detective Victor Walsh received primary."
Walsh. A twenty-year veteran who retired six months after the investigation closed. A man known for following orders without question.
"Walsh buried it." The pieces connected in her mind. "But why would Richardson allow that?"
"That question brought me to your doorstep." Parks gathered his papers back into a neat stack. "Richardson protected certain officers throughout his career. Protected you after your partner's death."
The shift in conversation chilled her. "Protected me how?"
"Your blood alcohol level the night of the shooting." Parks kept his voice clinical rather than accusatory. "The patrol sergeant noted alcohol on your breath. Standard procedure requires testing when officers discharge weapons."
"I didn't fire my weapon that night."
"No, but you witnessed another officer's death. Protocol still applied."
Lawson's hands tightened around her coffee mug. "No one ordered testing."
"Richardson arrived on scene and took command. Testing never occurred." Parks closed his folder. "First procedural irregularity in a case that accumulated many."
The shop suddenly felt airless.
"Am I under investigation?" She forced the question past dry lips.
"Everyone connected to the Landry case requires scrutiny. The podcast ensures public attention." Parks leaned back in his chair. "But my focus extends beyond individual officers."
"Department corruption."
"Systemic failures." He corrected gently. "Cases don't bury themselves. Evidence doesn't vanish without assistance."
Lawson considered her next words. Internal Affairs officers specialized in extracting information through false camaraderie. Yet Parks seemed genuinely troubled by what he'd found.
"Ever wonder why Monica's case went cold so fast?" Parks asked when she remained silent.
"Every day for five years."
"Someone wanted it buried." He tapped the folder. "The pattern appears throughout the file. Evidence logged but never processed. Witnesses interviewed but never revisited. Leads documented then abandoned."
Parks paused, consulting his notes. "There's something else that bothers me. Financial records show regular cash deposits into Monica's account in her final months. Each one exactly five thousand dollars. No clear source documented in the investigation."
"You think Richardson directed this?"
"I think Richardson allowed it." Parks watched her closely. "Whether through active participation or deliberate oversight remains unclear."
His theory aligned with her private suspicions. Richardson had always maintained plausible deniability while enforcing department priorities. Budget constraints. Manpower allocation. Administrative necessities that somehow always benefited certain cases over others.
