Page 12 of Flint's Battle

“Perhaps you’d like to hear what’s going to be in my report.”

“I’m on the edge of my seat, detective.”

“Lieutenant O’Connell was driving me home when I was asked to perform a welfare check on Mr. Snider. After talking to Mr. Snider, I was concerned some college kids might have put themselves in a dangerous situation by trespassing in the Wilson factory. Lieutenant O’Connell accompanied me to the warehouse, at which point I entered the premises in search of the students, unaware there were armed men inside the building. It wasn’t until I was on the second floor that I discovered the two young men being held at gun point. Realizing the suspect intended on killing the students, I had no other choice but to engage the man. This was followed by a violent exchange of gunfire with additional suspects before I was able to get the victims outside. I sent the young men to the nearest police station for their safety and called for backup after which the assailants proceeded to leave the premises at a high rate of speed. I pursued and was able to disable their vehicle. One suspect died at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound, which I believe was inflicted by his own crew, while two others managed to escape in a boat after a lengthy foot chase.”

Milligan stood there, waiting. “And?”

“And that’s my report, sir.”

“You’re missing the part where your SEAL friend joined in.”

“Did he, sir? Because I distinctly remember Lieutenant O’Connell remaining in my vehicle at all times. Oh, he did accompany me to Mr. Snider’s house since it was a welfare check and Flint has advanced first aid. But otherwise, he was in my Jeep.”

“And the obvious bullet wound to his arm?”

“That unfortunately happened when the assailants rushed past. They fired on my vehicle and grazed Lieutenant O’Connell in the process. You can see the damage for yourself.”

Milligan scoffed at her. “So, you’re basically telling me the students are lying and your friend didn’t back you up duringthis altercation. Am I understanding you correctly, Detective McClane?”

“In the boys’ defense, it was dark. Bullets were flying and it all happened extremely fast. I’m sure when they raced out the door and saw Flint, they simply assumed he’d been with me all along. Fear does funny things to the mind.”

Milligan closed his eyes, pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose. “I see. Lieutenant O’Connell. Do you concur with Detective McClane’s account of the incident?”

Flint crossed his arms over his chest. “I guess that depends.”

“On what, exactly?”

Flint drew himself up, looking every inch the hardened warrior she knew he was. “On whether you’re more concerned about throwing your best detective to the wolves because she was brave enough to ask a highly trained and decorated Navy SEAL — who has spent the past twenty years serving his country in every shithole known to man — to have her back than you are with the fact she just uncovered a major gun smuggling ring that has obviously been going on for some time right under your nose.”

He shrugged. “If that’s the case, then yes. I remained inside the vehicle for the duration of the altercation.”

Milligan nodded, looking back to her. “And the fact both your weapons have been fired…”

Emery glanced at Flint. “I was in a dire situation that required an extreme response. Thankfully, I’ve trained to shoot with both hands.”

Milligan stared at her for so long she wasn’t sure if he’d fallen asleep on his feet or if she had before he finally laughed. “Only you would find a way to spin this so you come out smelling like roses. And yes, Flint… can I call you Flint? You’re right. The takeaway here is that we have a major problem that needs solving. So, this is what’s going to happen…”

He straightened, tugging on his shirt, again. “I’m going to have a chat with our fraternity freshmen and advise them that unless they want to be charged with breaking and entering, trespassing, interfering in an investigation and everything else I can think up in the next twenty minutes, they’ll keep this story to themselves — forget all about Flint and just focus on your contributions. Meanwhile, you and your… friend will spend the next half hour writing down your official statements exactly as you told me and then, you’ll take tomorrow off so you’re nowhere in sight when I give a press conference on what went down here. Then, you’ll have your ass in your chair on Monday and will spend the foreseeable future finding out what scumbag is running guns on my island. Do we understand each other?”

“Crystal, sir.”

“And you, Flint?”

“I’ll back whatever Emery says.”

“Excellent. Though, youwillcall your CO and inform him what really went down here so if this somehow gets leaked, he and I can manage some kind of damage control. Create a bullshit joint training assignment. Agreed?”

“I’ll call Castle as soon as we’re done here.”

“Fabulous.” He pushed past them, then stopped and looked back. “And just so I understand the dynamic between you two, will you be continuing to drive Detective McClane home or is this a limited time offer?”

Flint glanced at her, and damn… the way he smiled. It was like back in the car before the night had gone to shit. When she’d imagined he’d offered to drive her home because he was just as infatuated with her as she was with him. “Ultimately, that’s Emery’s decision. But if I have a say — and I definitely want a say — I’ll be driving her anywhere she needs to go for the foreseeable future. As it happens, my team’s reenlistment papers are dueby the end of the month, and we’re currently considering our options.”

Milligan glanced at her, then nodded, again. “Understood. Then, do everyone a favor and try not to shoot anymore bad guys until you’re officially retired and part of Hawk’s crew. At least, then, I have some leeway to work with. Maybe get you on the docket as a reserve officer. So I can keep your collective asses out of jail. I want those reports before you leave.”

Emery waited until her boss was out of sight before swatting Flint in the chest. “What the hell happened to not saying anything incriminating?”

Flint chuckled. “What? I said I’d back whatever you claimed happened.”

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