Destiny's Wrath (Destiny Series - Book 3) by Straight, Nancy (read full novel .txt) 📗

“How did you hear about them, anyway? Did they try contacting you, too?”

Dennis heard a brie hesitation before Bert responded, “Yes, I received a sketchy voice mail, but before I returned their call, I wanted to know if you’d had any interaction with them.”

“I’ve talked to them a couple times. They seem to be on the level, but no proof of anything. Their names haven’t made it into any reports.”

“Good, say, why don’t you contact them? Let’s meet them at the station tonight.”

“Tonight? Bert, it’s already after ten.”

“I’m perfectly capable of telling time, Dennis. If they want to be heard, let’s hear what they have to say. Let’s keep this between you and me, for now. We don’t want the chief getting wind that someone out there thinks we’ve left a stone unturned.”

“It’s pretty late. How about I tell them to meet us tomorrow morning?”

“Officer Thornton, I’d like to meet them at the station tonight. Tell them to be there in an hour.”

His friend had just pulled rank. Dennis knew he wasn’t in any shape to work. He was exhausted and had had a few beers. Telling Bert that he was under the influence wouldn’t go over well, either. “Okay, I’ll tell them.”

Dennis hung up with Bert and dialed Lauren. When she answered, Dennis said, “Hey, I know it’s late, but the lead detective on Jimmy’s case wants to meet you tonight.”

“He does? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Jimmy?”

“He told me he got your voicemail and wants to meet with you, to see if you’re legit - before the Chief of Detectives hears about you.”

“I didn’t leave anyone a voice mail. What’s his name?”

“Detective Ross. He sounded a little pissed. Unless there’s a good reason not to go, I think you two should meet us at the station tonight.”

“Uh, okay.”

Dennis had a breathalyzer in his squad car. He blew into the device and looked at the reading: .08. Dennis knew showing up at the station without his squad car would be bad if anyone noticed, but he couldn’t take the chance of driving. Dennis called Maggie, who was used to his odd hours. He decided it would be better to be on the outs with her for asking for an obscure favor, rather than lose his job over a DUI.

Maggie did pick up Dennis and drove him to the station. As he opened his door to get out, her voice was angry. “Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that you have to work and you’re too damn drunk to drive yourself. This place is like a ghost town, so just let me walk in with you. If no one’s around, you could let me see Jimmy.”

“Maggie, you know I can’t. He said he doesn’t want you to see him like this. I promise I’ll check on him while I’m here.”

“Ask him if he needs anything. Ask him why he won’t see me. Tell him I love him.”

Dennis could see it coming: she was on the verge of a melt down again. He leaned over to her in the driver’s seat, put his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. “I will, I promise.”

“I can wait for you here, to give you a ride home when you’re ready.”

“Naw, I’ll be fine. Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dennis walked into the station and found Bert sitting at his desk. His posture seemed odd. Normally Bert was hunched over files strewn all over his desk; tonight he looked different somehow. “Officer Thornton, so nice of you to join me this evening.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever you need, Bert. So, why the interest in Lauren and Max?”

“It sounds as though you’re pretty chummy with them.” Bert leaned in more closely, while Dennis eased back in his chair. “Do I smell alcohol, Officer Thornton?”

“I had a few beers earlier.”

“And you thought it wise to come to work while you were under the influence and assist me with an interview? I know of your connection with Jimmy’s mother. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to sabotage this case.”

“Uh, no, I didn’t think…I mean you said you wanted to talk to them tonight.”

“And you neglected to inform me that you were unable to assist me this evening, is that correct?”

“Listen, Bert, you said you wanted this to go down tonight. You were adamant that we not wait until morning. I’m not drunk, I’m fine.”

“Do you realize showing up here in an official capacity while under the influence of alcohol is grounds for termination?”

“Bert, hey man, what do you want me to do? I’ve already had three cups of coffee.”

“I’ll need to decide what best to do with this situation. If I turn a blind eye, it looks as though I am condoning your behavior. For now, go, sleep it off. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

Dennis was scared. All he ever wanted was to be a cop. One stupid decision and it could be erased. Bert was right: if he did nothing and someone found out, it would be Bert’s ass on the line. He mumbled to himself, “I’m such a frickin’ imbecile.”

With near sonar hearing, Bert replied, “Yes, you are. Now get out of here before someone else smells you.”

Dennis was making his way down the steps in a hurry as he saw Max and Lauren climbing them. “Hi, Dennis. Where’re you going?”

“Detective Ross wanted to talk to you two alone. Just check in with the Desk Sergeant. He’ll take you to him.”

“Are you okay? Has something happened we should know about?”

“No. But . . . don’t say anything about talking to me at Ebony’s house tonight, all right?”

Chapter 16

Lauren

Dennis was shaken, and I could sense fear from him. I nodded that we wouldn’t mention our earlier encounter. He continued down the steps without so much as a second look in our direction. We found