Chapter 56

CHAPTER 56

W HAT WERE YOU DOING OUT here at this hour?” asked Braddock as he gazed down at the dead man sprawled among the trash.

Devine, who was standing next to him, said, “Running down a lead.”

“And did it pan out?”

“Not sure. But I am certain the dead guy was in a police uniform in Ricketts.”

“And you saw him fire at you?”

“No, but who else could it have been?”

“You winged him in the leg, then?” noted Braddock, looking down at the wound there.

Devine knew he hadn’t fired his gun. And for all he knew, Jackson’s slug was still in the man’s leg.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know if you shot him?” Braddock said incredulously.

“Things were happening fast. Bullets were flying. For all I know, he wasn’t alone and one of his guys accidentally shot him. But I do know that he killed himself. I heard that shot and found him like this seconds later.”

Braddock looked at him grimly. “This is going to open up a shitstorm.”

“Blame the guys who were trying to kill me.”

“Any idea why they were gunning for you?”

“Someone tried and failed to kill me back in Ricketts. I assume they followed me to Seattle and tried to complete the mission.”

“The same ones who killed Dr. Coburn?”

“Probably.”

“And this all has to do with Danny Glass and the town of Ricketts and the murders of the Odoms?”

“It makes the most sense, but I have no direct proof. I think Glass knows who’s behind all this and why, but he’s not talking.”

“I mentioned it might be our own government before,” noted Braddock. “And they dropped the RICO charges against Glass. And Beth told me about the three witnesses who were killed. That would take a lot of intel and planning. And inside information.”

“Yes it would,” agreed Devine.

“I don’t like the feds doing shit like this in my backyard.”

“I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t either.”

Braddock nodded. “Okay. We’re going to need your weapon for ballistics, if the round is still in the guy’s leg.” He knelt and peered closer at the dead man’s bloody limb. “And I don’t see an exit wound.”

“Why do you need to run ballistics on my weapon? That shot didn’t kill him.”

“It’s standard police procedure, Devine.”

“Not for me it isn’t. And I’m not walking around without a weapon. My welcome here has not been all that hospitable.”

“You really want to die on that hill?”

“I think I’m going to have to.”

“And I think I’m going to have to insist.”

“Okay, but then I need to talk to my DHS superiors and they’re going to need to check with agency lawyers. Until then I am not authorized to relinquish my weapon to you or anyone else for any reason.”

“Where’d you get that line?”

“It’s in pretty much every cop show I’ve ever watched. I thought everyone knew that.”

“Don’t mess with me, Devine.”

“I’m not, Detective. But I’m not giving up my weapon. If you or your men try to take it by force, I have every right to defend myself. No threats, just for information purposes.”

“Okay. I’ll table that for the next couple of minutes. FYI, I made a request to the FBI to interview Betsy Odom. I’ve heard nothing back.”

Devine suddenly had an idea. “Let’s make a deal, then.”

“What sort of deal?” said Braddock warily.

“I’m about to be named Betsy’s guardian.” When Braddock started to speak, Devine headed him off. “So if you won’t push on taking my weapon, I’ll let you interview Betsy.”

“I’ll be able to do that anyway,” retorted Braddock.

“It’ll be a lot faster than going through normal channels.”

“Why do I think I’m getting played?”

“If I really thought your checking my weapon for ballistics would help your case, Detective, I’d turn it over now. But it won’t, guaranteed.”

Braddock, seeming to sense what Devine was implying, peered out into the foggy darkness before settling his gaze back on Devine. “At some point you’re going to have to tell me what really happened tonight. And everybody involved.”

“You have my word that I will. Now, unless you need me for something else, I’d like to get a little shut-eye. Big day tomorrow.”

“Really? What do you have planned?”

“Staying alive, of course.”