High Risk by G.K. Parks (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

“Yeah, from Winston.”

Brad laughed. “I wouldn’t doubt it.”

I followed my partner out to his car. The protection detail would escort us to the precinct and await orders there. I hated having them babysit me, but there was nothing I could do about it. Not while Brandon Tarelli remained at large.

When I walked through the doors to homicide, several sets of eyes turned to me, quickly followed by several “welcome back”s and “how are you feeling”s. During the commotion, Lt. Winston appeared in the conference room doorway with his arms folded over his chest.

“Everyone, get back to work. We have a killer to find.” Winston waved me over. “DeMarco, glad to see you up and about. Now get in here.” He glared at my partner. “You too, Fennel.”

“He’s mad at you,” I whispered.

“He’s mad at both of us,” Brad replied. “It’s a good thing I have you to protect me.”

I fought to conceal my grin. “Shut up.”

Winston paced near the table, his attention split between the files and the data on the board. “Close the door.” He didn’t even bother to look up at us. “I take it you’re aware of what’s been going on, DeMarco.”

“Just bits and pieces, sir.”

“You’re recovering from a life-threatening injury sustained while on the job. You shouldn’t be aware of any of this, but given the circumstances, I understand you have a vested interest. No one who wears a uniform could fault you for wanting to know the men responsible have been taken into custody. However, you are prohibited from working on this case. You aren’t a detective. You’re a victim. And right now, I need you to be a witness. Only five people have survived their encounters with these men, and you’re one of them.”

“Sir?”

“Normally, I would have let them sweat it out in holding before moving forward. But in case you haven’t heard,” he scowled at Voletek, who pretended not to notice, “we’re on a time crunch. We believe the killer plans to strike again in less than twelve hours. We need as much information as we can get on what he plans to rob and who he might want to kill. So we’re moving quickly on this. I know you haven’t been cleared for duty. But I’m not asking you to be a cop.”

“What are you asking me?”

“The delivery truck driver, the liquor store owner, and the woman from the subway station are already here. We’ve been conducting lineups. Only one witness has positively identified one of the men. I need you to do better than that.”

“I don’t know if I can.” I’d seen Diego’s photo and I’d met Carter. Defense council would have a field day with this one.

“You’re a cop. What you say carries more weight, the same’s true of Officer Cruz.”

“I didn’t see them, sir. You read my statement.”

Winston nodded, shifting the papers around on the table. “But you said you could recognize their voices. It’s the only way to keep it unbiased. Cruz wasn’t much help. Diego we have dead to rights because of the DNA evidence found at the scene. But the other one, he’s gonna walk if you don’t do something.”

“Can’t you compel Carter Moore to turn over a blood sample?” Brad asked.

“Easier said than done,” Winston muttered.

“I got this, sir,” I said.

“Good, and once we have grounds to hold him, Voletek and Lisco are going to need you and Fennel to assist on breaking him.” The lieutenant focused on my partner. “You said Carter’s the weak link. That he’d give up the other two. You better be right about that.”

“He apologized to us,” Brad said. “When we spoke to him the morning we questioned his roommate, Carter Moore apologized. He has a conscience. Seeing Liv will make him feel guilty. He’ll crack.” At least that had been my theory, and the one Brad must have shared with Voletek and Lisco.

Winston pressed his lips together. “One step at a time.” But he didn’t like this. Police work needed to be clean, and this case was anything but. “All right, DeMarco. Officer Roberts will escort you to the waiting area. Once everything’s set, you’ll be asked to ID the offenders from the lineup. We’re doing it blind. They won’t see you, and you won’t see them. Voice recognition only. And if you’re not sure…” He didn’t finish that statement. I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to lie, but I wasn’t that kind of cop.

Forty

“Number four,” I faced the wall, my back to the glass, “that’s him.”

“You’re positive? You barely heard him speak. At the time, you were suffering from shock brought about by extreme blood loss.”

“I’m positive.” I turned to defense council. “You don’t forget the man who planned to put a bullet in your head after he shoved you through a glass door.” And based on the attorney’s protest, I knew I picked the right guy.

“Roberts, take number four into the interrogation room to get comfortable.” The officer conducting the lineup pressed the intercom and had the room cleared.

Roberts exited, waiting at the door to escort Carter Moore to his own private suite. I remained in the closed room, just so the suspect wouldn’t see me. Winston might want to use my presence as an element of surprise. Another officer escorted the defense attorney out of the room, so he could confer with his client, who had just gone from being in the wrong place at the wrong time to facing serious charges.

“Was a lineup really necessary?” the officer asked, glancing in my direction. “You’re a homicide detective. You told us who attacked you before we even arrested him. This was a waste.” He rolled his eyes. “Just another hoop IAD wants us to jump through.”

“I know, but we’re doing things by the book. Every T is getting crossed. The DA’s