Page 279 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“No problem, sir. You got a minute?” I said, a serious expression on my face.

“Sure thing. What you got for me? I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit?” He sighed, staring into the corner of the room wistfully. “Hell, if I didn’t have dinner with the wife’s parents later I’d suggest we have this conversation in a bar over a few ice-cold beers.”

“Well, I’m always down for a few beers. What about next Friday? Just tell your wife you got a police meeting or something.” He laughed, nodding.

“Anyway, I got some info earlier this week. From my old pal Lucas. Said he busted some young kid with biker meth. Which is almost identical to the meth the O’Rourkes used to push, before we took them down.” I waited for the Lieutenant to look up at me, concern in his eyes.

“No shit. Not just an old batch? Or a new cook following the old recipe?”

“Well, of course that’s always possible sir. But I took the liberty of obtaining two more samples, from different sides of town. Both look exactly the same as the stuff Lucas brought me. He said there’s other cops finding the same stuff as well.” I took the three samples from my jacket, arraying them on the desk in front of the Lieutenant. All had the exact same yellowish hue, and they sparkled blue in the light as he studied them.

“Amazing. Looks exactly the same.”

“That isn’t all, sir. I got a name. From someone who was selling that meth.” I paused, leaning forward, my hand on the edge of the desk.

“Conall O’Rourke.”

The Lieutenant breathed in sharply through his teeth. “That scum bag. If he’s back in town, he’s more of a moron than I thought.”

The Lieutenant rose from his desk, and closed the blinds on his office windows. He paced thoughtfully.

“Listen, Jack. I know you got history with these O’Rourkes. Hell, it was that case that made me Lieutenant, after years of trying to get in this office. You were like an ice-cold spy infiltrating them the way you did.” He stopped pacing, turning to face me.

“I guess the Captain was right about you after all. Just promise me one thing, if I let you look into this further.”

I nodded at him seriously.

“I know the things you had to do to get into the O’Rourke gang. We all had to do stuff to make detective, stuff we aren’t proud of. I need you to make sure you’ve… taken care of all loose ends, right? Make sure the past don’t rear its ugly head. ‘Cause if it does, and shit gets pinned on you...you’ll lose the case.”

I nodded again. “Sir, I understand your concern. But I’ve taken care of it already, I promise. I’m clean, boss.”

“Ok, good. Knew you weren’t gonna ruin your career by leaving loose ends I sure as shit did. You’d be amazed at how many don’t bother. Always good to have a friend down in evidence, you know…” He trailed off. It was well known the Lieutenant had an affair with the pretty young officer in charge of the evidence room when he was detective.

Man, I shoulda thought of that. Damn sight cheaper than the bribes I had to pay…

“Right, tell you what. You take these three samples down for testing, now. Get the results sent straight to me. I want Lucas to bring in anyone who’s heard so much as a whisper about this new gang.” He sat back down, fingers interlaced. His face serious.

“These three samples come back within one percent of each other, that’s more than just coincidence. With that and what you and Lucas have found already, we got a case. Your case.”

He looked up at me, eyes searching mine.

“I know your partner’s out of action. If the Captain gives the go ahead to get started Monday - which, between you and me, he will - you got this, Storm?”

“Sir, I got this. You know me. I work better alone, means I don’t have to worry about anyone else.”

And my fearlessness won’t put anyone else in danger this time. Only those who get in my way.

I picked up the three samples, pocketed them. “I’ll get these tested, Sir. Thanks.”

The Lieutenant smiled at me. “Don’t mention it, Jack. You done great already. Once you get the results emailed to me, take the rest of the afternoon off. Go get some beers. Enjoy the weekend. Hard work starts Monday.”

I nodded gratefully, remembering Lucas’s offer of a drink from earlier in the week. “Thank you, Sir. I was gonna meet Lucas, OK if I call him off his shift early?”

The Lieutenant nodded. “Yeah, as long as he ain’t busy or busting someone.”

I headed for the exit, turning back to the Lieutenant as I was half out the door. I pointed at him, frowning seriously.

“Don’t forget, Sir. Gotta be home by 6!”

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