Why did DNA results take so long? Six weeks was an obscene about of time, especially since Heidi Merlow’s killer was still out there. Harry waited for the emailed report of the findings he’d been promised after his phone call to the central crime lab.
His desk phone rang. He answered with a sense of foreboding. “Webster Police, Detective Hunter.”
The person on the other end of the line cleared their throat. “Detective Hunter, we understand you’re the lead investigator into the death of Heidi Merlow, and the assault of Sarah Donaldson.”
“Who is this?”
“We are going to need to you step down from this case.”
“Who is this?” Harry repeated.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m agent Wilkes with the ATF.”
“What does Tobacco and Firearms have to do with—”
“It’s not the what, but the who the suspect is that interests us. We are going to ask first if you would please keep out of our way during our investigation.”
“Your investigation? This is my case.”
“Not anymore.”
“On whose authority?”
“Ours. Your commissioner is aware…”
Harry’s cell rang. He glanced at the screen. Sonofabitch. It was the commissioner. “Hold on a minute,” he told Agent Wilkes. “Hello?” he said into his cell.
“Harry, got a call from AT—”
“Yeah, let me guess, ATF Agent Wilkes.”
“He called you,” the commissioner said. “Now, Harry, we have to let them do their jobs.”
“What does the ATF want with a murder investigation? Why not the FBI?”
“You know as much as I do. They’ve been working together and have been for a while. Forget about the case, it doesn’t concern us anymore.”
“Like hell it doesn’t. This is my city.”
“I know how you feel, but we don’t have a choice.”
“Oh yeah? Let them stop me.”
“If I find out your investigating this case, I’m personally taking your shield, do you hear me?”
“Crystal.” Fuck! He hit end on his iPhone.
Agent Wilkes cleared his throat. Again. What was the matter? Was he uncomfortable? He was about to get that way if he wasn’t already.
“Detective, we will take over from here.”
“Maybe we could exchange information, I got some files on—”
“No thank you,” Wilkes said and ended the connection.
Harry slammed the handset down. He wasn’t going to let the ATF stop him from seeing this case through. This was his city, and those murdered women were his responsibility. He promised Judge Merlow he’d bring Heidi’s killer to justice.
Rudy stuck his head into Harry’s office and knocked on the open door. “Made a fresh pot, you wanna cup?”
“God, yes.” He dragged his palms down his face. Rudy came in and placed a ceramic mug on the edge of Harry’s desk. “Thanks.”
Rudy settled in the armchair across from him. “You look like you could use someone to talk to.”
“Naw, I’m all right.”
“Yeah, okay,” Rudy said, “but I can tell something’s been off between you and Natalie for a long time now.”
Harry considered denying that she was upset with him since the ravine, except he was too tired to cover that shit up. “We’re kind of on a break.”
“Man, I’m sorry. Can you work it out?”
Harry nodded, and hoped that was true.
“Hang in there. You have a baby on the way, so I’m sure things will work out. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Actually, now that you mention it, I could use your assistance tomorrow.”
“Don’t you mean next week?”
“No.”
“I mean after your fishing trip.”
Shit. His cell rang and he looked down at the screen. Double shit. It was Brayden’s number. Harry waved Rudy out of his office. “I gotta take this. Hey, kid, how’s it going?”
“Grace says you never called and wants to know when you’re picking me up tomorrow.” The excitement in his tone was palpable through the phone.
Harry hated this. “Listen, Bray, we’re going to have to postpone our trip.”
* * *
Grace
Brayden’s posture went from confident to slumped within seconds of talking to her father. Grace knew the disappointment all too well where her dad was concerned. She had cried too many times to count because her father had been called away to work. Or as she found out later, he had chosen work over spending time at home. She moved closer to Brayden sitting at the kitchen table. He was finishing the chocolate chip pancakes she’d made him for dinner. Tears rimmed his bottom eyelids.
“Let me talk to Harry,” she said, putting her hand out for his phone. Her father continued to talk as she raised it to her ear. “Harry,” she said sharply. She didn’t bother asking Brayden to leave the room, he needed to hear what she had to say to her father. He needed to know she was on his side and this behavior, for any reason, wouldn’t be tolerated anymore, even if it had nothing to do with her. Of course it did, though. Mikey’s son was her business.
“Grace?”
“Yeah.”
“Uh, I was explaining to Bray about this case I’m working on and—”
“Shut up and listen. He doesn’t want to hear it, nor do I.”
“I’m sorry, I have to—”
“I don’t care. Brayden wants to know what time you’re picking him up in the morning.”
“Grace…”
“You know, I’ve been wanting to say this since I was a little girl. Back then I didn’t dare tell you how I felt and Mom never would. She’d say ‘your father works hard’ and for me to respect that. But it hurt. Do you know how many times I cried because you had to work? How many Christmas mornings I opened my presents without you? How Thanksgivings Mom and I waited for you to come home and we wound up eating cold turkey because you never came home? Or how many birthday parties you missed of mine or hers? I know that’s why we celebrated her birthday for eleven years after her death.”
“I’m sorr—”
“Let me finish. I love you, and for some reason so does Brayden, but I’m telling you this right now. If you don’t show up at ten-thirty AM tomorrow you better not show up at all. And I’m being generous with the time.” She meant every word. The man needed the verbal assault. Later she would feel guilty. Harry didn’t say a word. Grace knew she had gotten through to him and had no doubt he would be at the house at the designated time. He always got quiet when nothing he could say would refute her words.
Her father didn’t speak for a long time, though he breathed into the phone. When he finally responded, the only words spoken were, “I’m sorry.”
“That’s not what this is about. Don’t apologize. Do better.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you.” Grace hit “End” and handed Brayden his cell. “He’ll be here at 10:30.”
Brayden smiled. “Really?”
“You have all your stuff packed?”
“Yeah, it’s been packed for a week.” He trotted out of the kitchen. “I’m going to go check I have everything!” He nearly ran into Mikey in the doorway.
“Hey, slow down, kid.”
“Sorry, Dad.” He continued into the living room.
“What was that all about? Uh oh, I know that look. What did he do?” Mikey asked.
Grace smirked. “What do you mean? Bray didn’t do anything.”
“Not that, I heard you talking, I assumed to Harry.”
She shook her head and sighed. “Yeah. The man never learns. He wanted to call off the fishing trip. But I’m sorry, no way is he treating my kid that way.”
“For what reason?”
“Work.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course.”
“Jeez. That’s nice. Bray would be crushed.” He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed the crook of her neck. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. For what?”
“Yelling at your ol’ man and calling Brayden yours.”
“I love him, you know?” Tears welled in her eyes. “My dad…”
“He disappointed you a lot as a kid, I take it.” Mikey nuzzled her neck, nibbled on her earlobe.
“I hope he doesn’t pull that crap with my little brother or sister.” She raised her shoulder because Mikey’s lips tickled as he kissed her neck again.
“No wonder Natalie’s scared. With your father’s I-gotta-work excuse bullshit.”
“No kidding, and I don’t blame her. Promise me you’ll never put the shop ahead of us.”
He turned her around and looked her in the eyes. “Don’t worry, nothing is more important to me than you and Bray.”
“I love you. How did I get so lucky?”
Mikey chuckled. “I dunno, what can I tell ya?”