Page 62 of Rules of Engagement

"He's on his way already," interrupted Flaherty. "The Boston lead was a bust."

"Good. Is Gibbs armed?"

"Can't tell. He's wearing baggy jeans, an oversized hoody and a leather vest. The vest has gang colors."

"What kind of gang are we talking?"

"The nasty kind. Niners, I think. There're three more guys with him. Two are wearing colors but Fletch and I can take ‘em."

"No. We need to let the police handle this. I don't particularly care what happens to that guy but I'm sure he didn't decide to shoot Solomon all by himself. We need to know who ordered the hit and why."

"I can find that out," said Flaherty, his voice darkening.

"I'm sure you can, but call Garrett first and let him find out without removing Mikey Gibbs' kneecaps. Plus, I sorta like the idea of him sitting in jail for the rest of his life."

"He doesn't need any kneecaps to sit in jail," Flaherty accurately pointed out.

"Call Garrett," I repeated, hanging up before I agreed with him and recanted my order.

"Flaherty found the shooter," I told Maddox. "Let's go."

"I'm not taking you to the shooter!"

"I didn't ask you to, but out of curiosity, why not?"

"Because I heard you say kneecaps and I don't think it's because you want to buy him kneepads."

"Actually, I want you to take me to the hospital. Garrett can handle this."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. A life sentence might make this guy talk; and as soon as he does, we can find out who else is involved."

"If Garrett tells you."

"He'll tell someone, and someone will tell me," I pointed out. "Or I'll eavesdrop. Same difference."

~

Maddox escorted me to Solomon's room and he discreetly left as I stepped inside. "Thank you," I said, catching his arm when I paused on the threshold.

"No thanks necessary. I'll be downstairs getting something to eat," he said. "Call me when you're ready for the next step."

"I don't even know what the next step is."

"You will when it appears. Until then, I'll reach out to my contacts and see if there's anything relevant to report."

Delgado nodded to me as I entered the room. "Fletch called," he said. "He said Flaherty told you."

"He did."

"Told you what?" asked Serena. She stood up and offered me her chair but I waved the offer away.

"Nothing, honey," said Delgado. "Just some work-related stuff."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "I don't see what's so confidential that I can't know."

"Flaherty found the shooter," I replied, because she was right although I appreciated Delgado's discretion.

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