Page 2 of Legends: Easton
Bailee wanted to laugh, but her irritation ran too high. She turned to stare out the lone window in the room, trying to find comfort in the world moving on outside. The sky was overcast, but it was a dry, humid Kentucky day. Vehicles drove in and out of the courthouse parking lot. People of all ages, dressed in all ways, moved about, carrying on their business.
She tried to pick out the ones coming for court or taking care of mundane tasks such as renewing their automobile tag or driver’s license. After a few minutes, she calmed enough to face Corinne.
“Thanks for getting me away from everything until I had a chance to cool off.”
Corinne pushed away from the door and moved closer to the table. She didn’t sit but braced her hands on the chair she stood behind. “You’re welcome, but that’s not the reason I brought you in here.”
Shit! That can’t be good.Bailee’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing yet, but I’m worried about you.”
Bailee sighed. “Don’t. I’m fine. I just…” Her voice trailed off as she realized she didn’t know what she wanted or needed.
“You want it to be over,” Corinne finished for her. “I get it. But considering what your life has been like recently – hell, what it’s been like for the last year, you have every right to feel exactly how you’re feeling. That’s not what I’m talking about though.”
“Okay. So what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the pressure you’re under at the precinct, the veiled threats and taunts you’re getting from your co-workers, and then there’s the gang you took down.”
Bailee blinked, surprised by Corinne’s concerns. “The Blood Disciples? We dismantled the BDs, so I can’t see how they can be any kind of a threat.”
“The gang took a huge blow. The major players are behind bars, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have power. And you’re at the top of their revenge list.”
“What are you saying?” Bailee demanded. “Do you think they’re coming after me?”
Corinne shrugged. “There’s no evidence of that, but I can’t rule out the possibility. Bailee, there are a lot of people whowould like nothing more than to see you pay for your role in all this. Let’s face it. Without you, this case falls apart.”
“I can take care of myself. You don’t have to worry about the case.”
Corinne glared at her. “That’s not what I’m worried about. Yes, the case is a big deal, but your safety is more so. Answer me this. What are you planning to do while we wait for the trial? Go back to work? You think there are any cops who would have your back or want to partner with you?”
Bailee crossed her arms over her chest. “No one’s going to do anything to me, not when it could come back on them. Besides, I don’t need a partner. I can work cases by myself. I have the Chief’s support. The rest of them can go to hell. I’m not going to be benched over this. If you’re worried about me going back to the LPD, you could have me temporarily reassigned to the ATF. I’m sure there’s plenty of follow-up on the Blood Disciples case that I can help with.”
“I have a different idea. I think it would be best if you lay low. Take some time off. You’ve earned it, and it would give things a chance to cool down. I’ll keep you informed on any changes with the case, but there’s nothing that requires you to be in Louisville right now.”
Bailee shook her head. “I’m not running away. I’m not giving those guys at the precinct more ammunition to use against me. I can’t back down from their bullying.”
“That’s not what this is. I don’t consider it running away as much as a strategic move.”
Bailee quirked an eyebrow. “You don’t really think the whole out-of-sight, out-of-mind concept is going to work here, do you?”
“Not exactly,” Corinne admitted. “But I do think you could benefit from taking some time to reset. Look, I don’t intend to close you out of this case. I hope you know me well enough now to know I wouldn’t do that. I’ve been where you are, having to prove myself to the boys’ club when you’re just as good, if not better, than they are. I’m only suggesting a break. Just for a bit. When the time is right, you’ll come back and see this through.”
Bailee turned back to look out the window. “Tell me the truth. How likely is it that someone will come after me?”
“The BDs have been running illegal drugs and guns for years now without any consequences. They managed to turn a veteran detective in the LPD to not only look the other way while they committed their crimes but also join their efforts. Your partner, a decorated police detective, panicked so much at the idea that you, his subordinate, would take him down, that he killed your confidential informant and then went undercover with you to thwart your investigation at every turn. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, there’s a whole precinct of officers and detectives who believe you set Jimmy up to take the fall for crimes you are guilty of. So to answer your question, I think it is very likely that you are in trouble if you stay in Louisville.”
Corinne’s words were sobering. Bailee wouldn’t admit it aloud, but she could see her friend’s point. The aftermath of her year-long undercover operation seeped into almost every part of her life, and the stress was taking its toll.
A job she once loved was now something she dreaded. When she wasn’t suffering from insomnia, she was plagued with vivid dreams that interrupted her rest. She didn’t need a psychiatrist to know she had symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome.
“If you want, I can book a vacation for you. We can keep the destination under wraps and make sure there’s not a paper trail. No one will know where to find you but me.”
Bailee faced Corinne with a scowl. “That’s overkill, don’t you think?”
Corinne shrugged. “Probably, but I’m running out of ideas to persuade you to agree.”
Bailee couldn’t hold back the smirk twisting her lips slightly. “Save it. I’ll clear it with the Chief and go out of town for a few days. I need to check in with my family, so they can see for themselves I’m okay. They were understanding when I was undercover, but they aren’t used to that much time passing between visits. It’ll be good to see them.”
