Page 107 of Charmed Forces

He moved forward a couple of paces, a shaft of light crossing his face. “Not expecting me?” he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

“I called Detective Crump,” I said, disconcerted by his unexpected appearance.

“He told me. I said I’d check it out. Probably a hoax. Yet here you are. Lexi Graves-Solomon, in the flesh. Where’s Daniel?” he asked, looking around slowly, taking everything in. “Is he in here?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Well, bring him out. I’m here to take him in, just like he wanted.”

I hesitated. This wasn’t what I expected, not what any of us expected. I couldn’t give him Daniel, but I couldn’t let him leave either. We had one shot at nabbing him and it already looked like we might have blown it. “Let’s talk first,” I said.

Brandt held up his hands and shook his head, blowing out a breath. “I don’t think there’s a whole lot to talk about,” he said. “Daniel Graves is a wanted man, responsible for murdering his fellow officers. I’m here to take him in. He’ll get a fair trial. If he’s innocent, this is the best path for him. You know that. I know that.”

“Why didn’t you bring Detective Crump with you? Or Detective Hertford?”

“Is it a party? ‘Cause if it is, I can bring a better date than one of my detectives.” He looked around again, focusing his attention now on the office above us. “Daniel? Why don’t you come out?” he called.

“Not until we talk,” I said.

“Go ahead and talk,” said Captain Brandt.

“I want to discuss the terms of Daniel’s surrender.”

“What is this? Some kind of last stand? You asked for him to be brought in. I came. What more do you want?”

“I want to know that my brother will be safe and treated fairly.”

“No problem.”

“And he’ll have a lawyer with him atalltimes,” I added.

“Of course.”

“Plus, he doesn’t share a cell with anyone,” I said. “Not at the station, not anywhere.”

“I can do that, but if you’re asking for the continental breakfast, then I’m afraid that’s a no.” He moved a few steps, looking around, then up. “He up there?” he asked, pointing to the office. “Have you had him holed up here the whole time? I’ve gotta hand it to you, I wouldnothave looked here. Your husband set this up?”

“No,” I lied. “He doesn’t know anything about it.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?”

“I didn’t want to involve him. Like you said, Daniel’s a wanted man.”

I hesitated, uncertain what to do. I didn’t expect Captain Brandt and he was clearly intent on bringing Daniel in. Of course he was; I’d offered him that opportunity, but I didn’t have Daniel to give him. Nor would I. I assumed Crump and Hertford would come here to kill him, probably both of us. Then I would have unequivocal proof that Daniel was innocent and framed.

Now it was all going wrong.

I had to think quickly.

I had to find out if Brandt were in on it with Crump and Hertford. Why did they tell him? Why didn’t they come?

“We both know Daniel didn’t do it,” I said decisively. “We both know he was framed.”

“Do you have evidence of that?”

“Sure, we have evidence. Lots of it.”

Captain Brandt paused, apparently considering that. “Are you wired?”

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