HUNTER
5 YEARS LATER
We’dbarelyparkedat the police station when the handcuffed young man in the back seat threw himself in the space between the seats.
“Come on, man. I wasn’t doin’ nothing wrong.”
“Is that why you ran, Jesse?” Barney taunted. “Not to mention the bag of heroin we found on you. Wait until the narcotics division sits your ass down for a nice little chat about your distributor.”
“You know I can’t tell you that. Jesse ain’t no snitch.”
“Then Jesse’s going to have to stop crying like a little bitch and do some big boy time.”
I shook my head as I climbed out of the cruiser. Barney always had to engage with the culprits. No wonder he had so many complaints written up against him, whereas I had none, and we’d both been on the force for over two decades. I played by the rules. It wasn’t my place to play judge, jury, and executioner. I apprehended, and due process took care of the rest.
“Quit harassing him,” I said to Barney when he got out of the car. “Remember what the captain said after your last disciplinary action?”
He raised his aviator glasses. “It’s just us three. What are you going to do, Hunt? Rat me out?”
“I won’t falsify a police report for anyone,” I warned.
“Of course you won’t. Since you’re so good, it’s a wonder you’re still a detective after twenty years, don’t you think?”
I scowled. “What the fuck, man?”
He slipped back on his aviators, shielding his eyes. “Forget it. Ex-wife problems.”
Captain had paired Barney up with me from the beginning for a reason. I could keep him in check, since he couldn’t influence me. I was the Goody-Two-Shoes cop who knew when to get him to stop, and he was the cop who toed the line and got me to see blurred lines existed for a reason. Even then, I didn’t cross them unless there were no legal tapes involved.
Barney helped our drug pusher out of the back and pushed him a little harder than necessary. I glared at him in warning, but he didn’t even glance my way. He could be so stubborn, but he was my best friend, and I had to keep him out of trouble, which unfortunately meant acting like a father to a man who was my age.
“I’ll process him.” I placed a hand on Jesse’s shoulder as we entered the police station. “You should get some water and cool down.”
“I’m fine. I can book him.”
“All right.” I held up my hands but followed him. Barney was blowing hotter than usual today. Even though he was close to fifty, he didn’t show any signs of slowing down, but the captain had been serious when Barney had returned from his last suspension without pay. He would be taken off investigative work permanently if he didn’t use less force when bringing in or questioning suspects, and Barney wouldn’t last a month on desk duty. He was already always late doing the necessary paperwork.
“Neely.”
I stopped and turned to Captain Ward.
“Yes, sir?”
“I need to see you in my office like yesterday.”
He stalked off toward his office, not waiting for my answer. Barney pushed his aviators on top of his head and raised his eyebrows. I shrugged. I couldn’t think of anything I’d done wrong.
“Maybe another commendation.”
He flashed me the finger, and I grinned.
I stopped at the bathroom and washed my hands, then made my way to the captain’s office. I knocked once and waited.
“Enter.”
Captain Ward wasn’t alone. I stopped just inside the door and sized up the other man. He wore a navy blue suit that screamed law enforcement, but he was definitely not a regular cop. He looked to be about the same age as me, and when he stood, he was a mere inch or two shorter. He was built like a fucking linebacker with shoulders so wide it was a wonder he’d found a suit that fit him at all.
“Neely, come on in.” Captain Ward gestured at the empty chairs in the room. “Close the door and grab a seat. This is Special Agent Gavin Knight with the FBI. Agent Knight, this is Detective Hunter Neely.”