Page 111 of Charmed Forces

“We didn’t,” said Detective Hertford.

“Obviously,” muttered Captain Brandt. “Arrest these idiots and get me out of these cuffs!”

“I think we should all lower our weapons,” said Maddox as tension charged the air. Stances were adjusted, trigger fingers poised, yet no one fired. “How does that sound?” he added.

“I’d like to see you all do that first,” said Detective Crump. “And you, miss, please step out from behind Mr. Solomon. And keep your hands where we can see them.”

I raised my hands carefully and stepped out into view.

“How do we know we can trust you?” asked Detective Hertford.

“I’m your superior officer,” said Garrett. “How do we know we can trust you?”

“Before we all get too suspicious of each other,” I cut in, “I’d like to know why you still came here, even when Captain Brandt told you he’d take care of it.”

“Because we don’t trusthim,” said Detective Crump.

“Why?” I pressed

“Bunch o’ reasons.”

“Such as?” I pressed, hoping Crump would become more talkative now.

“We think he’s dirty,” said Detective Hertford. “The whole case stunk from the beginning. We know Daniel. He’s not the kind of guy who would murder his own colleagues. Sure, it might look like he did at the scene but it was just too weird and Brandt was going after him too hard.”

“Way too hard,” echoed Detective Crump.

“Then the coffee shop burned down,” said Hertford. “And Crump told me he’d bought Brandt’s coffees for Wayne and Graves but he didn’t put in the report that he’d been to the Sun Street safe house.”

“I told you the coffee was a mistake,” I said, unable to resist the urge to metaphorically kick Brandt while he was down.

“And he sent us on a wild goose chase so we didn’t make it to the safe house in time for our shift,” said Detective Crump.

“By the time we got there, there were already a dozen officers on scene,” added Detective Hertford.

“Crump! Hertford! Do your damn jobs and get me out of these damn cuffs!” yelled Captain Brandt. “Arrest them all. They’re the criminals. They’re harboring a fugitive.”

“No,” chorused the detectives.

“I’m going to have you both written up!” said Captain Brandt, groaning as he strained against the cuffs. His head dropped to the ground with a grunt.

Detective Crump lowered his gun, then after a glance at his partner, so did Detective Hertford. Maddox followed next, then everyone else responded the same way and the tension seemed to seep out of the room.

“Where’s Daniel?” asked Detective Hertford. “Is he really here? Is he okay?”

“He’s not here,” I said. “He’s okay though. This was a sting to draw you out, not to hand Daniel over.”

“Us?” The detectives exchanged a glance, then gazed at me. Crump’s face fell a little bit.

“We thought you were the ones who set up Daniel. We figured you wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to come and get him so you could get rid of him. But we got it wrong,” I said, pointing to Brandt.

“Right idea, wrong people,” said Detective Crump with a dissatisfied huff.

“Thanks for rubbing it in,” I said.

“Brandt got it wrong too,” snorted Hertford. “He thought we were stupid.”

“Stupid,” echoed Crump.

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