“I think that’ll play itself out okay.”
“Oh, you do, do you?” said Childress, his grin deepening as he shot a glance at Natty before looking back at Decker. “And why the hell is that?”
“I don’t want to waste my time telling you, because you wouldn’t understand.”
Childress jammed a finger in Decker’s chest. “I’m smart enough to be the superintendent of this fucking police department.”
“No, you’re really not. That’s all due to you benefiting enormously from a principle.”
“You’re damn right I have principles.”
“No, I saidprinciple. Singular.”
Childress looked at him strangely. “What the hell are you getting at?”
“It’s actually named for you, Childress.”
“What is?”
“ThePeterPrinciple.” Decker turned to Bailey. “I guess my lawyer, whenever I find one, will be in touch, Beth.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Amos. I can give you some recommendations.”
Decker looked over at Natty. “When I find Hawkins’s and the Richardses’ and Katz’s murderers, I’ll let you know.”
“You’re not to go anywhere near that,” said Natty angrily.
“Somebody tried to kill me,” said Decker. “I don’t take kindly to that.”
“We’re working on that,” said Natty.
“Any leads?” asked Decker.
“We’re working on it,” repeated Natty. “I don’t like you, Decker. You know that. But I like even less people trying to take out a cop. I’m gonna get whoever did that.”
Childress appeared to still be focused on what Decker had said to him.
“There’s no law against an FBI agent investigating a crime,” said Decker.
“I know you’re not working this case for the FBI,” said Natty.
“Based on what?” said Decker.
“Based on…based on…based on I damn well said so.”
Bailey gave this comment a well-deserved eye roll, picked up her briefcase, and said in an incredulous tone to the still confused-looking Childress, “ThePeterPrinciple?” When Childress still looked perplexed, she added, “For God’s sake, just Google it.”
She walked out.
Decker followed her.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” snapped Childress.
Decker kept right on walking.