Which had not, Madigan noted, returned that call.
The two officers obviously didn't consider their present assignment as nonsense, utter or otherwise.
Their two suspects didn't either: Detectives Madigan and Miguel Lopez, who were being arrested for breaking and entering, false imprisonment, misuse of legal authority, criminal trespass.
Madigan said, "Look, this is part of a plan by a perp we're investigating. He's trying to get some of us out of commission." He explained to them what Kathryn Dance had said about how stalkers target people who are protecting the object they're obsessed with.
The state officers weren't much interested in that either.
The reason for the arrest was, Madigan knew before they'd even mentioned the charges, his decision to keep Edwin Sharp in the interrogation room longer than he should have. And to have Miguel Lopez go to Edwin's house and gather evidence.
The dark-haired agent was saying, "Here's how it'll work, Detective. We'll take you in and I'm sure the magistrate'll expedite arraignment. Probably recognizance. Can't imagine he'll go for bail. You'll be out in a few hours."
"I don't care when I'll be out. The problem is I'll be suspended until it's resolved. That's procedure." Like Gabriel Fuentes, the detective so careless with his gun.
Gonzalez said to the officers, "We can't afford to have the chief down now--not with the perp on the streets."
The redhead said, "We know how you feel about this singer of yours. But ..."
He didn't add, That's not enough to bend the law over.
Madigan wanted to hit him.
The panic swelled. Hell, this could be the end of his career--the only career he'd ever cared about. What would he tell his family?
And he'd bent the rules just a bit, done it for Kayleigh.
This singer of yours ...
Goddamn Edwin Sharp!
The officers were debating but it was only the cuff issue.
"Oh, please," Madigan said, sounding as desperate as he felt. "You can't--"
"Look, gentlemen," Sheriff Gonzalez said. "This is a critical operation. We think a murder could be occurring at any moment."
Madigan looked back into his office again.
The redhead offered to Gonzalez, "You understand a warrant has been issued for his arrest? I'm sorry. We don't have any choice."
They took his Colt and ID and badge.
Madigan repeated, "At least let me check in with some of my people." He was growing more agitated.
They debated a moment but settled for, "You'll be out in an hour."
"Two, tops."
And they also decided yes on the cuffs.
Chapter 36
DANCE HUDDLED BEHIND the fallen pine tree.
There'd been no more shots; was the assailant still there? Waiting for her to show? It would make more sense for him to leave. He'd have to assume that Dance had called in reinforcements and would have fled. He couldn't risk staying any longer.
Or could he?