Page 8 of Hell In A Handbasket
“Sounds like that may go against the rules,” I counter instead. Ease into this, for Fifi’s sake. “If you have a crime to report, then I suggest you contact the appropriate authorities.”
“I’m contacting the authorities right now. I need boots on the ground by tomorrow. I need Mayet and Emeri, priority. I don’tneedcops, but I figured you wouldn’t want them to go without you, so…”
No fucking shit.
“What’s going on, Soph? No games. No bullshit.”
“No games. We’ve got a case that’s causing somewhat of a kerfuffle. My, uh…” She clears her throat. “Team and expertise have been called in to assist, and now I’m asking for the assistance of a pair of medical examiners I trust. I need you for a day at the most. I’ll fly you in and out, so you won’t even miss the six o’clock news tomorrow night.”
“Soph—”
“Remains have been found in a shallow grave. No missing person’s reports match what they’ve found. No one is claiming her. No one is crying for her.”
“Her?” Minka’s eyes flicker with pain. Emotion. Drive.
Fuck.
“They’ve ascertained that she’s female and approximately twenty to twenty-five years old. They think she’s been out there for a few months, but she was only discovered a few days ago. The local P.D. are useless, so they’ve outsourced. This is where I’ve stepped in. I know you’re a… seeker of justice.” She tiptoes around her threat, callously demanding our presence without saying so too obviously. “I feel as though we’ve cultivated a positive professional relationship over the last two years, Chief. I trust you to do the job and do it well.”
“And if we refuse?” I counter harshly. “If we’re in the middle of our own cases and walking away could jeopardize those?”
“I suggest you make it work, Detective. There are certain expectations I believe we could place upon each other. Failing to honor requests would be detrimental to our ongoing work relationship.”
I shove away from Minka’s desk and slam my hands through my hair. So it’ll beher way or punishment.
Do as I say, or I’ll expose your wife for the crimes she’s committed.
“This is bullshit, Sophia.” I spin back to the phone. “Positive relationships arenotbuilt upon ultimatums.”
“I can’t come,” Fletch groans. “Soph, my daughter is five years old. I can’t leave her at home alone, and I sure as fuck ain’t bringing her to a crime scene.”
“Which is why I’m giving you a night to make arrangements. Check your emails, doctors and detectives, I’ve already sent your flights and itinerary. I’ll see you tomorrow once you land.”
“Sophia!”
“Bye.” She kills the call, the last shot amongst a battlefield of noise. That is, until this office explodes.
“Fuck!” Fletch grabs the back of his hair, squeezing and pulling as he stalks to the wall of windows. Then he spins back again. “I can’t leave my daughter alone. Solomon’s asking too much.”
“Call me a cynic, but I’m just not entirely interested in flying my wife into someone else’s war.” I stand between her desk and my chair, my hands on my hips and my eyes burning into hers. “I fucking told you, Mayet. Every single time you called her for a favor. Every single time you called her to talk cases, or asked for paperwork to be expedited. Or dammit, woman! To grease the wheels and win popularity with other, more powerful people. Itold youshe’d come back and collect.”
“She’s just asking for an M.E.” Not nearly as concerned as she should be, Minka leans back in her chair and steeples her fingers. “She wants a consult. Believe it or not, but this is kind of my job.”
“It’s your job when a legitimate request comes through the appropriate ranks. Her calling you on the down-low and asking for a favor is not how these things are done.”
“I’ve benefited from her friendship in the past,” she counters. “I’ve exhumed a body for her, and nothing bad came of that.”
“Yeah, exhumed a body that didn’t even match the name on the headstone!”
At that, Fifi’s brows quirk high on her forehead. But I can’t explain. I won’t. I fucking refuse. So I firm my jaw and soften my words. Polite detachment. Professional conduct. “I’m sorry, Ms. Lewis.” Swallowing, I cast my eyes her way. “I’m gonna need you to leave for now.”
“What?” She looks at Minka. Then Fletch. “What did I do?”
“You’re a civilian, and this case is sensitive.”
“Archer,” Minka sighs. “Stop it.”
“Wecannotdiscuss this in the presence of civilian ears!” I snarl. “Worse, they’re mayoral ears.” I press my hands to Minka’s desk. “We aredoneexpanding the audience on this matter, Chief Mayet.”
