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The words hung in the air for a moment. Then Casey met David’s eyes, his kind. “Why don’t you take off? Go see Zell and Detective Sutherland. You’re back on in a few hours and you won’t be able to then.”
David thought of Olivia, grieving alone. She shouldn’t be alone. “Thanks. I’ll need to catch a ride back to the firehouse.”
“I’ll ask one of the cops to drive you back,” Barlow said.
Wednesday, September 22, 2:30 a.m.
Olivia and Noah found Micki at the crime scene, staring at the flattened grass that was stained with blood. Kane’s hat was still on the ground. It looked… lonely. And small. Nothing like the man who’d worn it.
Carry this picture in your mind, Olivia told herself sternly. This is the monster you’re chasing. This is what he took from you. From Je
Beside her, Noah let out a breath. “Goddammit.”
Micki looked up, startled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you coming.”
“Did you find the bullet?” Olivia asked harshly.
“Yes. Hollow-point. I had it sent to ballistics. They’ll have results by morning meeting, but I’m betting it’ll match Weems and Tomlinson.”
“Did he leave anything behind?” she asked. “Did the cameras catch him?”
Micki’s lips twisted bitterly. “He was dressed like a cop. Kane must have knocked off the bastard’s hat.” She pointed to it, flattened in the dirt on the shoulder. “The shooter ran over it with his tires when he was escaping. Then the ambulance ran over it again, but it’s folded over, so hopefully anything he left behind will be trapped inside.”
A hat, Olivia thought. Kane would see the irony in that.
“And the security cameras?” Noah asked.
“We got basic height and weight of the shooter. Angle was wrong for the license plates on the van. We can get a very basic make on the van, but that’s it.”
Olivia pointed to Kane’s hat. “Can I take it?”
Micki shook her head. “Not yet. I’m sorry, Liv.”
Olivia’s nod was crisp even though her heart cracked. Micki was doing her job and she was damn good at it. It’s just that it’s on the ground. It shouldn’t be on the ground. She cleared her throat and when she spoke, her voice was even and strong.
“It’s okay. I just want to make sure Je
Micki just nodded, her lips pursed to keep from breaking down. Olivia turned on her heel and made her feet move, Noah at her side.
Oaks was waiting for them in his office. A woman sat in the chair next to his desk. He signed, then pointed at the woman who looked to be in her early twenties.
“He said he thought you’d come back, so he waited,” she said. “I’m Da
“Thank you,” Olivia said. She turned to Oaks. “Were any children hurt tonight?”
“No,” he signed. “Ke
“We need to talk to him first,” Olivia said flatly.
Oaks hesitated. “Detective,” he signed, “I cooperated with you yesterday.”
“And we appreciate it,” Olivia interrupted the soft voice of Da
“His parents should be here,” Oaks signed tiredly, Da
“Ke
Oaks’s shoulders sagged. “I’ll have him brought in.”
Chapter Twenty
Wednesday, September 22, 2:55 a.m.
Ke
When they were all seated, Olivia began. “Ke
Ke
Da
Olivia tapped harder, then banged her fist so hard the table jumped and shuddered. Still Ke
She grabbed the back of Ke
“You can’t,” Oaks signed. Da
“Watch me,” Olivia snapped back. “Just watch me.”
“He’s a kid,” Roger said aloud, signing at the same time. He was hearing impaired, but she could understand him. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I don’t know that. So I’m going to assume the very worst.” Olivia yanked her handcuffs from her belt and snapped one on Ke
Ke
Olivia cuffed his hands behind him, then pushed him back in the chair. She had his full attention now. She turned to Da
“Tell him he will talk to me or I will arrest him for hindering an investigation. Tell him my partner died to save his sorry ass and if he doesn’t start talking in the next ten seconds every cop downtown will know why he’s there. Tell him I am sick and tired of his games and I want answers and I want them now.”
Da
“What’s he saying?” Olivia asked when Da
“To please cooperate. That his own life could be in danger.”
Ke
“Not until he talks,” Olivia said and Da
“How?” Ke
“He can’t talk if you’ve cuffed his hands,” Da
“You’ll cooperate?” Olivia asked him. Da
Olivia looked at Noah. “Well?” she asked. “Should I let him go?”
“He can’t sign without his hands, Liv,” Noah said mildly. “Let him go.” Olivia noticed Da
Olivia unlocked the cuffs. “So talk to me, Ke
Ke
“Average,” he signed. “My height, about my weight, average face. He wore a hat.”
Olivia looked at Roger. “Anything you can add?”
Roger shrugged helplessly. “He had a badge, a white shirt. He looked like a cop.”
Olivia nodded. “I know. You told someone when he took Ke
“Yes. It wasn’t right. He’d taken Ke
Roger touched his hearing aid with a tiny wince. “I heard the shot and the second cop came back with Ke
The look she gave Roger was gentle, but inside she was screaming. “I know, but your quick thinking helped Detective Kane save Ke